Partner for First Project

Hey there,

That is completely random. Usually, you are staffed on your first project due to

• simple availability: the project has a need for a new-hire type of candidate + the team has some capacity to coach you and help you learn the ropes (ideally, first projects are never the really tough ones…)
• your background that fits a client need: if you have worked in a certain industry or function before and there is a project that is looking for someone with that background, chances are that you will be staffed on that one (as it was for me)

In McKinsey, you have a lot of leeway in choosing your project, especially the more senior you become; but even your proposed first project can be rejected from your end. I believe this is a bit different for BB.

Cheers,

Florian 

Dear Anonymous,

indeed it is “random”, you may be staffed with anyone available. For the next projects you might have a bit of influence and I highly recommend that if you do, or are asked, you focus on working with people you get along with. The job is great yet the hours can be long and a lot of your early success depends on whether you enjoy your work and whether you are valued and appreciated. You still have time to find your favorite topic along the way. If you liked the people you interviewed with, then by all means do stay in touch as you start your career. Having a network helps so much and is generally appreciated by everyone and it takes time to find people you like and if you have already found them stay in touch.

In general, there is no connection between interviewers and members of your future project teams. The smaller the office the larger probability of working together as a result of pure coincidence.

There might be some indirect connection in case you are targeting a specific industry. In such a case, you could be assigned an interviewer who works in that area which would increase the probability of you encountering them later on.

Another possibility would be making such a great impression on a partner that would cause them to specifically request you to join their team :)

Regardless of whether you end up in the same team, I would encourage you to use any way possible to proactively build your network within the company. Having interacted with someone during the recruitment process is a perfect way to start this relationship - after all, you already know sth about each other and if you received an offer they probably assessed you favorably!

Hey there! No, that's not how this works.

I would break this down into 3 simple reasons:

• Even if a Partner wanted to take you under their wing, they would have to go through the staffers who have the perfect overview of projects & consultants.
• It's the level below partners where teams are assembled. In McKinsey, it's generally the Associate Partners who call the shots on team composition.
• The Partners who interviewed you may not have a particular interest in you personally yet. You were assigned to them as an interviewee by random, that's it.

Hope this helps! Best of luck!

Hello!

Staffing will be done according to the company´s need, so most likely you won´t be staffed with the partners with whom you interviewed. 

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

Generally speaking its completely unrelated.  Having said that, if you join a small office or practice, it's quite likely that you will end up working with them just based on probability.  Good luck!

Hi,

Staffing for your first project typically happens based on where there is demand for staffing and where you would be a good fit. Sometimes you can work with people you have interviewed with, especially if you feel like there was a strong connection. It all depends on whether they currently have projects that need someone who is new to the firm.

Best,

Udayan

Sometimes this can happen if there is a direct & immediate demand for your skills, but most likely you will end up working with different teams/partners.

Regardless, be in contact with your interviewers and build a relationship. They can be valuable in helping you navigate the organisation.

Hi there,

Not at all - once staffing starts it's completely dependent on company needs/projects.

I never worked with any of my interviewers!

No, not really. It's completely random. And by the way, you will be working directly with a Manager / Principal, not as much with a partner (not that they don't care about you, but on the day-to-day you are working with someone else).

Hi there, 

if you are joining as an expert, or you will be ringed fenced, then you will likely work with the partner that interviewed you, if you are joining as a generalist, then it is purely random and chances are lower, depending on the staffing need. 

Good luck

Lucie

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