McKinsey Screening Call

Hi there,

It’s natural to have mixed feelings after a screening call, especially when the interviewer’s demeanor seems less engaging. Recruiters often have varying communication styles; a reserved approach doesn’t necessarily reflect your performance. 

While omitting the “Why McKinsey?” portion might feel like a missed opportunity, addressing it through thoughtful questions later demonstrates adaptability and genuine interest. It’s common for candidates to feel they could have performed better, but remember, the overall impression is what counts. Recruiters consider multiple factors, and a single oversight is unlikely to be decisive.

Regarding the recruiter’s behavior, it’s possible she was having a busy day or that her communication style is naturally succinct. Such demeanor is not uncommon and doesn’t necessarily indicate a negative outcome.

In these calls, recruiters typically look for:
    •    Clear Communication: Articulating your thoughts and experiences effectively.
    •    Genuine Interest: Demonstrating enthusiasm for consulting and McKinsey.
    •    Relevant Experience: Highlighting skills and experiences pertinent to the role.

Given that she mentioned you’d hear back in a week or two, it’s best to wait for their response. Use this time to continue preparing for potential next steps. 

Remember, the recruitment process is holistic, and one moment doesn’t define your candidacy. Stay positive and prepared for future opportunities!

Let me know if you need further guidance.

Best,

Evelina

Hi there, 

In the screening call, the interviewer typically looks for your motive, your relevant skills / experiences, how you interact with people (which communication is a key part), etc.   

Don't overthink about how the interviewer reacted. You just wouldn't know at this point of time. Sometimes it is just the style of the person, sometimes he/she had a bad day, or some of them might do that in purpose to test you. When I went through interviews with BCG, I thought I bombed 1 of the interviews because the interviewer was so cold. It turned out that was just the poker face that he put on during interviews, and in reality he was a very warm and caring person to work with. 

It is good to reflect and learn what you can do better the next time, but don't beat yourself up on small things that you have no clear clue. 

Good luck!

Emily

You haven’t blown it. Recruiters sometimes seem neutral or even cold due to their structured approach and sometimes busy schedule —they tend to keep things concise rather than overly friendly. Missing your prepared “why McKinsey” pitch isn’t ideal, but turning it into thoughtful questions later was a good recovery, showing genuine interest. These calls primarily assess basic fit, clarity in communication, and your motivation. If you communicated clearly, positively, and authentically, you’re likely fine. Don’t overthink it—just wait calmly for their feedback.

Hard to tell if you blew it. 

Generally, I wouldn't read into how they react. They are trained to keep a straight face so they remain fair to all the candidates, regardless of the candidate's performance. 

Also generally, what they are trying to assess at this point if the role is the right fit for you and if you have the relevant experience. It's not an in-depth assessment, more of a pre-qualifying round. 

You might consider getting expert feedback on your personal pitch and personal fit answer before you upcoming interviews. Just to figure out what actually needs adjusting. 

Best,
Cristian

Hi there,

Q: Did I blow it? I would love some insight. I feel like I could have done better. 

It is difficult to comment, as the only one who has the full picture is the interviewer.

The fact that the interviewer was cold is not per se an issue – she might have acted in that way on purpose. The only possible issue from what you shared is the lack of proper answer to “why McKinsey”, however it might not necessarily lead to a rejection.

Good luck!

Francesco

Hello,

I know it is super hard, but don’t overthink this. The poker face is standard and is hard to tell if you had a good/bad performance based on your perception only.

Let’s cross the fingers and hope for the best. In the meantime, start preparing as if you had passed this phase. Light practice for the SOLVE test and start searching for good materials, case buddies and a coach.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Best,

Mari

Hi!

First of all, the call is done! 

It's tough to tell if you blew it because cases vary per interviewer.  It could be that she simply tired, but honestly, who knows.

Relax now and stop trying to analyse what went wrong and what didn't because at the end of the day you can't mind-read!

Happy to chat and good luck!

Hi there,

Hard to tell from the outside. Overall, still sounds good and I would not read too much into her demeanor.

I would say the outcome depends on how many qualified candidates they have for the role and if others are generally a better fit based on their resume. In any case, they would move a bunch of you forward to the case interviews as this is where most people fail and they need a large enough funnel.

Fingers crossed!

Cheers,

Florian

Hey there,

Totally get how that felt — but no, you didn’t blow it! These calls are mostly about fit and communication, and it sounds like you stayed composed and curious, which is great.

Many recruiters do have a more neutral tone — try not to read too much into it. Turning your "why McKinsey" into thoughtful questions was actually a smart save!

If you’d like to prep more or chat through things in detail, feel free to reach out!

Best regards,
Alessa

The answer really depends on your profile and your answers... definitely not on whether you gave your prepared pitch vs. you gave an improvised answer.

Keep your fingers crossed and I wish you good luck!