McKinsey First Round Interview

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the progress in the application process with McKinsey thus far!

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

• First of all, if you applied using a proper referral link, then the system already recognizes the referral and there's no need to reflag, as McKinsey's process is centralized and structured, so your file is already visible.
• Moreover, I would therefore advise you to wait and continue preparing for your upcoming McKinsey interviews.

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 for your upcoming McKinsey interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi,

Normally for a McK referral, you need to have applied through a specific referral link. I.e., your contact at McK refers you, you receive a link, and then you apply through that link.

If you did this, then there is no need to contact HR again. However, it sounds like you may have applied without a referral link?

In that case, the referrer could reach out to HR and mention this context, and perhaps they can ‘flag’ your application, as you mention.

Since this is a non-standard approach, I’m not sure whether HR will actually do this though. 

No harm in trying.

Hi there, 

If you've already applied with the referral, this is not necessary.

Now they will review your Solve score, your CV and CL and your referral and they will decide whether to invite you to the first round. Fingers crossed!

If you didn't formally apply with the referral, then it makes sense to write to your referee to reach out to them. 

Best,
Cristian

Hello,

Great job on completing the Solve assessment!

It’s generally not necessary to have your referral reflag your application after you've submitted and completed the assessment, as McKinsey’s process is quite structured and your profile will already be in the system under review. That said, if your referral has a strong connection with the recruiting team or the specific office you're applying to, a gentle nudge can sometimes help reinforce interest—especially if there's a compelling reason to highlight (e.g., regional fit, unique experience, etc.).

Just be mindful not to overdo it; one follow-up is usually enough. Ultimately, decisions will be driven by your overall fit with the role and the needs of the office.

Wishing you the best of luck—and happy to support with your interview prep if you move to the next round. Feel free to reach out!
 

Best,

Evelina

Hi there,

Q: Would having my referral reflag my application improve its visibility or increase the likelihood of it being reviewed

If your referral has already been submitted in the recruiting system, there is no need to ask to flag it again. If you are not sure whether the referral was submitted, then it could make sense to reach out.

Good luck!

Francesco

Hi there,

The referral helps your resume to be evaluated so that you can join the process. Since you have done the Solve, it means you have already passed the screening and assessment phase, now you have to wait for their evaluation of CV + Solve score to decide if you’ll move to the interview phase. Feel free to reach out to HR to check if there is a deadline for it.

Good luck!

Best,

Mari

Hey there :)

Yes, asking your referral to reflag your application can be a good idea, especially if it's someone with a strong connection to the firm. It won’t guarantee anything, but it can help bring visibility to your profile and show continued interest. Just keep it polite and light—something like a short update saying you’ve completed Solve and would appreciate if they could reflag your application.

Let me know if you’d like help drafting the message!

Best,
Alessa :)