Final interviews - MBB

Question

Hi all,

Hope you are doing well.

I am currently at the final interview stage with McKinsey (for the first time), including 3 one-hour online interviews with the Partners. However, these 3 interviews are not conducted around the same time, but with a time gap (Interview 2 - 1 week after Interview 1 and Interview 3 - 1 week after Interview 2). Also, these partners are not all based in my country.

May I please ask if this is normal, and if I fail at the first 2 interviews, can the 3rd one be cancelled?

Thanks all!

Answer 1

Hi there,

This is completely normal (as least, not abnormal). Partners are busy! They have multiple clients/projects and are running around like mad - getting 3 interviews lined up all at once is challenging.

Your 3rd one will not be cancelled if you fail the first 2 - all 3 have to occur before they meet and discuss.

Finally, be ready for these dates to change! As mentioned, the Partners are busy and more pressing (client) matters might arise. When/if this happens, don't read into it either.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Hi!

Unfortunately, this is not unusual…

Anyways you will have all 3 interviews before getting a final answer.

Good luck,

Anto

Answer 3

Hello,

Congratulations on getting a final round interview! Although this is generally not how things were done before COVID-19, I believe in the current recruiting cycle this is not uncommon. All three interviews will encompass your “final round”, and so the third one won't be cancelled even if you don't do well in the first two. After you finish the third interview, the partners will get together to deliberate on your candidacy.

Answer 4

Hi - this has got absolutely nothing to do with canceling your 3rd interview. It has everything to do with logistics. Many people are not available at the exact time needed for the interviews to happen one after another so you have gaps in the middle. Do not worry about this at all.

Best,

Udayan

Answer 5

Hi,

First of all congratulations on the invitation to the third round!

I would not get too worried about this, it is just about logistics. Finding time with Partners is always very difficult for the Recruiting team, so whatever works is a win !

My last round at McKinsey 5 years ago was held in two increments, with one week inbetween, so no pressure !

Your 3rd interview will definitely not be cancelled based on the results of the first two. The recruiting process is quite clear at McKinsey. Only after the 3rd interview will Partners gather to discuss your performance.

Hope this helps, and let me know if you need any further prep for the interviews !

Best,

Mehdi

Answer 6

Hi,

This is totally normal. Consultant companies communicate if you need to pass the first 2 interviews to qualify to the 3rd interview. Otherwise you need to attend all and partners make a joint decision after the last interview.

Good luck and let me know if you need practice! :)

Answer 7

Hey there,

While this has become somehow a practice during COVID times, it is still rare for McKinsey both that

the interviews are spread out so much
that the interviewers are not from your country/ office

In the end, however, this has no impact on your evaluation or your preparation. You should still prepare in the same way and expect the same interview format, even though it is annoying to be dragged out this much…

Check out these 2 articles for some more info on the McKinsey final rounds:

Case

https://www.preplounge.com/en/mckinsey-interview

PEI

https://www.preplounge.com/en/mckinsey-pei

All the best for your interviews!

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 8

This is a 100% normal situation in today's time.

Be prepared for any last minute rescheduling as well.

The final verdict will be provided most likely after all 3 interviews are complete. You can also confirm this with McK HR.

Good luck!