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

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

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!

Approach the recruiters and discuss the situation. Be humble, honest, but direct and aim to have the conversation solution-oriented, not approval-oriented. Basically, try to turn it more into a problem-solving session of how they could help you best under these circumstances rather than asking and hoping they'll approve the change. 

Also, if you need any prep with the interviews, let me know. Lots of McKinsey candidates have interviewed in offices across ME and I can help with industry targeted cases.

Best,
Cristian

This is a completely understandable situation, especially given the level of travel and commitment required for a Project Manager role in the Middle East—and the high personal importance of location preference in that region.

Here’s the reality of how these office transfers work, particularly after the interview process has started: Right now, you are 100% a candidate for the Riyadh office, which is driving the process, consuming the recruiting budget, and investing the partner time. They invited you to interview because that is where the immediate headcount need for your E&M skillset is most urgent. Once an office "owns" the successful pipeline, it becomes an internal bureaucratic challenge to transfer that success to another office (Doha) which has its own independent budget, capacity, and current recruiting needs.

You need to complete the Riyadh process and secure the success. Your leverage comes after you have passed the final round and they are preparing the offer. Do not bring this up now. Wait until the recruiter calls to discuss the successful final round outcome or is about to extend the formal offer.

At that point, be direct and professional. Acknowledge your enthusiasm for the role and the positive feedback received, which confirms you are a strong fit. Then, explain the family situation simply and clearly (your long-term stability requires Doha). Frame it not as rejecting Riyadh, but as ensuring your ability to commit to the firm for the next 3+ years. Ask the recruiter if, given your confirmed high quality and successful candidacy, the Doha E&M team has the immediate capacity to absorb you. If the Doha office needs an experienced Project Manager right now, this switch is possible, but it requires the Riyadh recruiter to internally champion you to the Doha office leadership.

Be ready for the answer to be "No." If it is, you must then decide if the Riyadh role is worth the likely pain of attempting an internal transfer 6–12 months down the line (which is never guaranteed).

Hope it helps!

Hey there

You can definitely ask about switching offices, best is to be upfront but professional, reach out to the recruiter now, explain your strong interest in the role and the personal/family reasons for preferring Doha. They’ll usually flag if it’s feasible before you invest too much in Riyadh interviews. Waiting until an offer is riskier.

Best, Alessa 

Hi there,

You can bring up the topic with HR to explore their reaction and have a sense of the process, what is required, and timeline. Don't frame it as "a must" which would pigeon hole you. Depending on their response, you should go from there. I know many who would start in one office and stay there for a year, before changing offices. This may be what you have to do if Doha is not needing people.

Hi,

Sometimes it is not possible because of headcount restrictions in a specific country/office. 

Sometimes it is possible because as a system (group of offices), they don't care as much which office you are based out of as long as it doesn't affect work.

What i suggest

1. Get the offer
2. Ask / negotiate with HR

Given your profile, I think the following articles could be helpful for you:

5 Reasons Why Experienced Hires Fail the Interview

Succeeding in Consulting as an Experienced Hire

All the best!