Hello everyone,
I have a question about the McKinsey interview process. I was informed that I will have four interviews, each including a PEI and a case interview. However, no one mentioned whether there will be an HR interview.
In regular companies, there is usually an HR meeting where they ask about salary expectations, insurance, and benefits. Does this also apply at McKinsey, or how does their process usually work?
McKinsey does not run a separate “HR interview” - All formal interviews are conducted by consultants (eg. EMs, APs, Partners) and each includes:
The PEI is how McKinsey assesses fit, values, leadership, and teamwork. HR does not evaluate candidates in a standalone interview.
Topics like salary, benefits, insurance, start date, and location are handled after you pass interviews, usually via HR or recruiting, and not as part of the evaluation. Compensation is standardized by role and office, so there is no negotiation during interviews.
In short:
ping me - happy to walk you through how the process typically plays out and what to expect at each stage
Hi!
If this is for a general consulting role at McKinsey, then yes, there usually won't be a separate HR interview.
To clarify, as per what you were told, the interview process is typically PEI + case in every round. Recruiters may call you between rounds, only to:
On salary and benefits, compensation at MBBs are largely fixed by level, with very little room (or no room, really) for negotiation. As a result, they don’t usually ask for salary expectations during interviews. MBB salary ranges (especially at entry levels) are quite transparent; you can easily find them on Glassdoor or via Google
Once you receive an offer, the recruiter will walk you through the full comp and benefits. At that stage, the only thing that’s sometimes negotiable is the sign-on bonus, and even that is fully at the firm’s discretion.
Hope this clarifies — all the best with the interviews!
Hi there,
McKinsey’s process is a bit different from most “regular” companies. There is usually no separate HR interview in the traditional sense.
The interviews you’ve been told about — the four interviews combining PEI and case — are the full evaluation. HR typically does not assess you on salary expectations, benefits, or logistics during the interview rounds. Those topics are handled after an offer is made, not as part of the selection decision.
If you receive an offer, HR will then walk you through:
During the interview rounds themselves, interviewers focus purely on problem solving, personal impact, and fit for the firm. You don’t need to prepare for HR-style questions unless you’re explicitly told otherwise.
Best,
Evelina
hey there :)
At McKinsey there is no separate HR interview like in regular companies. All interviews are run by consultants and each one combines case and PEI. Topics like salary, benefits or logistics usually come only after you pass the interviews, handled by recruiting or HR outside the interview day. Happy to help if you have more questions.
best,
Alessa :)
That’s a totally common point of confusion, especially when you’re used to standard corporate recruiting processes. You are correct in noticing that consulting recruiting works quite differently.
The short answer is no, you should not expect a separate, dedicated "HR interview" where they probe deep into salary history or benefit preferences. The process is extremely lean and focused purely on filtering for the core consulting skillset. The four interviews you have scheduled are the entire screening process.
The behavioral and cultural fit component—the part that HR often manages in other companies—is fully integrated into the PEI (Personal Experience Interview) component of each session. Your interviewers (who are consultants and Engagement Managers, not HR staff) are assessing your drive, resilience, and leadership potential through the stories you tell.
The logistical details—salary expectations, insurance, vacation, and start dates—are handled only after a positive final decision has been made. Once you pass those four gates and are cleared for an offer, a dedicated Talent Acquisition specialist will reach out to handle the administrative paperwork. Your job right now is simply to focus on crushing the cases and perfecting your PEI stories.
All the best with your interviews!
