McKinsey Energy & Materials Project Manager: Interviewing for Riyadh but Prefer Doha – Office Switch Possible?

Question

Hi everyone,

I'm currently interviewing for a project manager role in McKinsey's Energy and Minerals team. The position was posted for both Doha and Riyadh offices, but during the application I selected only Doha as my preference.

I've now been invited to interview with the Riyadh office, passed the first round with very positive feedback, and things are moving forward well.

That said, I have a strong preference for Doha due to family reasons—my wife works for a company with a branch only in Doha, and relocating to Riyadh wouldn't be optimal for us long-term. (I already travel frequently to Riyadh in my current consulting role, so I'm very familiar with it and have nothing against the office or city.)

I'm excited about the opportunity and the team, but I'd hesitate to invest significant energy if there's a high chance I'd need to transfer or leave in ~6 months due to personal circumstances.

Has anyone been in a similar situation (interviewing in one office but preferring another, especially in the Middle East)? Is it possible/feasible to request a switch to Doha at this stage (post-first round), and if so, what's the best way to approach it—e.g., reach out to the recruiter now, wait until final rounds/offer, or discuss during interviews?

Any insights from recent experiences, coaches, or McKinsey alumni would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Hey there,

That’s completely understandable and you’re right to think this through early.

In my experience, there’s often some flexibility within the same region. If location is a non-negotiable for you, I’d raise this with the recruiter sooner rather than later. Asking won’t hurt your candidacy, particularly if you have clear personal reasons and are performing well in interviews.

Whether a switch is possible ultimately depends on office demand and current vacancies, but the fact that the role was posted for both Doha and Riyadh definitely works in your favor.

I’d frame it positively: strong interest in the role and team, transparency on constraints, and openness to discuss options. You can also ask about transfer possibilities down the line in case you start in Riyadh.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Hi there,

This situation is quite common at McKinsey, especially in the Middle East where offices collaborate closely. It’s generally feasible to discuss an office preference change, but timing and positioning matter. The safest approach is usually to wait until later in the process or once you have strong momentum, rather than pushing for a switch immediately after the first round.

Once you’re closer to an offer, or if the recruiter explicitly asks about location flexibility, that’s the right moment to raise your preference for Doha, framing it clearly around personal constraints while emphasizing your strong interest in the Energy and Materials team and long term commitment to the firm. McKinsey often tries to accommodate office preferences where possible, especially for experienced hires, but it ultimately depends on business needs and headcount.

Raising this too early can risk complicating the process, while waiting until an offer stage gives you more leverage and clarity. In the meantime, continue engaging fully with the Riyadh process and perform as strongly as possible.

Happy to help you think through how to position this conversation if useful.

Best,
Evelina