Figuring out which role to apply for

Question

I am currently figuring out which role to apply for, it is my dream to work in the Finance/PE divisions at Mckinsey or other similar firms. At Mckinsey there are two current positions I am considering, one is Associate in Private Capital. The job description for this one emphasizes working in healthcare, driving the business results of PE clients invested in this area, as well as working with advanced data analytics and US teams. My background is a C-Level postion at a US healthcare tech startup with a focus on data analytics, where I handled all things related to M&A, as well as the product strategy and business development. I feel I fit very well to the description, however it says at the bottom, they would like a candidate with minimum 2 years experience in PE or IB. Am I still eligible to apply for this role? I taught myself the basics of financial modeling and corporate finance, and worked at a very high level on deals. The alternative could be to apply for Associate in Strategy and Corporate Finance, where the requirements listed at the bottom are a bit softer. Could I apply to both roles, and let Mckinsey decide where I fit best? Thanks

Answer 1

Hey,

I was a leader in both our Private Capital and S&CF practices in Japan and worked with lots of Private Capital Associates.

Many of them did not have 2 years experience in PE or IB. I think HR just write that on the job application because they want to attract those candidates.

Most Private Capital Associates actually join because they want to exit to PE, not the other way around :)

You should first and foremost reach out to a recruiter and have this exact discussion - whether to apply as a PC Associate, S&CF Associate, or generalist Associate. In my mind, any of these three should be available to you.

Let me know if you want some PC- or S&CF-specific help preparing, once you decide.

Answer 2

Hi there,

Thanks for the thoughtful question—your background sounds like a strong fit for McKinsey’s Private Capital team, especially given your C-level experience in healthcare tech and hands-on involvement with M&A and data analytics.

To your core question: yes, you can absolutely apply. The 2-year PE/IB requirement is more of a preference than a strict cutoff. McKinsey values exceptional, non-traditional candidates—especially those with deep industry expertise and leadership experience, which you clearly have.

You can also apply to both roles—Private Capital and Strategy & Corporate Finance—and let recruiting assess the best fit. If you do, make sure to tailor each application slightly, highlighting the most relevant parts of your experience for each role.

Bottom line: your background is highly relevant. Don’t self-select out—let McKinsey make the call.

Happy to help you prep – feel free to reach out.

Best,
Evelina

Answer 3

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

First of all, contrary to what other coaches have said, I would strongly advise against making assumptions, as reality may turn out differently. Instead, I would strongly advise you to reach out to the recruiting departments and having brief conversations with them to get a definitive answer.
Moreover, I would strongly advise against applying for both roles. This is uncommon and will likely irritate the recruiting departments - and with good reason: you should be clear about which position you want to pursue.

You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare your application files, for your upcoming pre-interview assessments and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen