Onboarding at McKinsey

Hi,

I’m not sure whether you mean Operations as an internal/back-office role or Operations as the consulting practice focused on operational topics.

In both cases, McKinsey will provide you with the necessary devices, typically a laptop and a work phone. You absolutely cannot use personal devices (including your own tablet or iPad) for work purposes, for security reasons. You’ll be handling confidential data, and MBB firms are extremely strict about how data is accessed and stored.

Regarding what to buy:

• If this is an internal role, I would start with one or two suits and wait before buying anything else. You’re usually not expected to travel much, so there’s no need to invest heavily in travel gear immediately.
• If this is a consulting role in the Operations practice, then it’s worth getting the full setup (a couple of suits, good travel luggage, etc.), since travel will likely be frequent.

On onboarding and training, McKinsey typically has a structured onboarding program with several training sessions in the first months, but the exact format can vary by office and role.

Hope this helps.
Franco

There appears to be a bit of a mix of answers here regarding personal device use. To be clear you are allowed to bring your own device (BYOD) - though you do have to register it with McKinsey (I did it, and it only took ~15 minutes, and all the links are available, and the BYOD function is easily searchable on their intranet)

That being said you do lose a small amount of personal functionality with your own tablet to allow for the safety and security features that McKinsey requires, if you're ok with this, I would aboslutely recommend it, as taking notes on my tablet helped me out on many occasions

Congratulations on the offer and welcome to the firm! That's fantastic news about starting in Operations in France.

Regarding equipment, you'll be provided with a top-spec laptop – typically a high-performance Lenovo or Dell. Tablets aren't standard issue for general consulting roles, and using your personal iPad for any client or firm-related work is usually a strict no for security reasons. On what to buy, you can mostly relax. Suits are definitely still required, even in Operations, especially for client meetings or internal leadership presentations, but you won't need a new one every week. A versatile, high-quality carry-on suitcase is probably the most practical investment, as you'll likely be traveling. The days of a formal briefcase are mostly over; a professional backpack is far more common and functional now.

Your onboarding will likely be a phased approach. Expect an initial orientation covering firm culture, systems, and foundational consulting skills, often in a cohort setting with other new hires. This might be followed by more specialized training specific to the Operations practice, or regional training in France. They do a good job of getting you up to speed without overwhelming you on day one.

Enjoy the lead-up – it's an exciting journey! All the best.

Wow, congrats! Hope you'll have a great time. 

First of all, I'll share here two articles that synthesize some of my learnings from the first 2 years at McKinsey. Hope you'll find them useful. 

Expert Guide: How to Become A Distinctive Consultant

Expert Guide: How to Manage for Lifestyle in Consulting

Re your questions

1 They will provide you with a laptop. Not sure about a tablet. You are not meant to use external devices for confidentiality reasons e.g., your tablet gets hacked and it had client data

2 You can't go wrong with having a suit. Especially for when you'll have meetings with senior clients. A suitcase is also a must because with most projects you're expected to travel. If anything else is necessary, you'll figure it out as you get going.

Best of luck!
Cristian

Congrats on the McKinsey offer!

On equipment, McKinsey typically provides a laptop. Tablets are not always standard issue and vary by office. You can absolutely use your own iPad if needed. Ask your HR contact or buddy once assigned, they will tell you exactly what is provided before your start date.

On what to buy, keep it simple before you start:

• Business casual clothing is the day to day standard now, suits are rarely needed unless you are at a formal client site
• A good quality laptop bag or backpack matters more than a briefcase
• A reliable carry on suitcase is worth investing in early, travel comes quickly in Operations

On onboarding, McKinsey typically runs a structured induction in the first few weeks covering firm tools, culture, and ways of working. Operations practice may have additional practice specific training on top of the general onboarding. You will also likely be assigned a buddy and a mentor from day one.

Do not overthink the preparation. Show up curious, ask lots of questions, and absorb as much as you can in the first few months. The learning curve is steep but that is normal and expected.

hey there :)

from my experience at McKinsey & Company, they usually provide a laptop (MacBook), sometimes a phone depending on your role, tablets aren’t standard but you can bring your own if useful. for Operations, business casual is often enough day-to-day, suits only really needed for client meetings, so maybe 1–2 solid ones. a good briefcase or backpack and a travel suitcase for client travel is useful

onboarding typically starts with a few days of firm intro, tools, and culture, then some role-specific training, often a mix of live and online sessions. for Operations, expect practical workshops and project simulations more than formal lectures

best,
Alessa :)