I was hoping that someone may be able to advise me - I am currently interviewing with a number of strategy consultancies as part of the graduate milkround. I now have an offer from a top-tier boutique consultancy, and another from a 'full-service' consultancy, plus more final rounds coming up with some of the big guns... I feel very fortunate, but now have a few questions regarding how to respond to these offers. It would be really fantastic if anyone has any advice on how I could:1) decline the offer from the larger consultancy2) cancel further interviews with a number of the other firms (trying not to burn any bridges, just in case)3) hold off answering the boutique offer one way or the other until I have heard the McKinsey and Bain final round results (but I do wish to be careful here, as this firm is still really well regarded, they treated me very well, and I would be very happy to join them - I would have accepted already if they had offices in my home country, as McKinsey and Bain do)Number 3 is the most important, as I really do not know the right way to go about it - also, is it ok to attend their 'away weekend' without having firmly decided for or against? Thank you for taking the time to read this - any help would be really appreciated.

Clearly you need to keep your options open so that you can decide which opportunity is best for you. My advice would be:- Always keep an open offer 'open', unless you have a better one. - If you reject offers be as polite as you can, because you never know what might happen and who you might meet later in your career. You can always say something like 'I was impressed by your consultancy but didn't quite feel it was the right opportunity for me.' - The golden rule is really that you need a signed contract before you can relax, not just a job offer. Don't count your chickens until they have hatched.- You could contact the other firm that made you the offer and say 'I was really impressed by your firm and you are at the top of my list. However I'm new to the industry and want to make sure I'm making the right decision.' In other words make a tentative acceptance but, ask when they need a final answer by. Some would disagree with this suggesting that you are then putting the offer at risk. Bear in mind though that if you sign the contract you would legally, if not in reality, have to work out your notice period.- You might find they run more than one away weekend so if you are open about it they might put you on the next one.Ultimately it's your choice - Be honest and minimise your risk versus be a bit dishonest and exclude all possibility of risk! It's not a very tight recruitment market now so I guess I'd probably choose the first approach.

Many congratulations OBK on all the offers. I wouldn't worry about this overly, the most important thing is to behave decently. The boutique will expect you to have other offers/interviews - that is why they have got in early. I would ask them when they need a reply by and let them know then. Unless you have definitely decided against them, go on the away w/e it is a chance for you to meet the people and get a better feel for the firm. You never know it might swing you one away or the other.HTH

Thank you to both of you - I have to ring my contact on Monday, and wanted to have an idea of what to say (or whether to say anything at all!) by then, so I really appreciate the replies this evening! I really wanted to make sure I didn't narrow down my options, so I'm glad it's not a problem to wait a while. I hope you have a good end-of-weekend - thanks again!O

Hey OBK,What firm did you end up joining at the end of the day? It would also be interesting to hear where/what you studied and what your previous work/internship experience consists of. Thanks and best of luck! If you want you can email me at harvm@hotmail.com