Onboarding at McKinsey

Question

Hi Everyone,

I'm starting early April at McKinsey in France in their Operations Practice. I was wondering 2 things :

1. What type of material is now provided by McKinsey : type of laptop, tablet, ... ? Can I use my own tablet (iPad) if they don't provide one if needed ?

2. What type of things would you suggest to buy : suits (not sure they would be useful in Operations?), briefcase, travel suitcase, ... ?

Also, they didn't tell me what to expect about the trainings / onboarding. Do you know how it is structured nowadays ?

Answer 1

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

Answer 2

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.