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Business Analyst or Associate at McKinsey

Hi there,

I have a little bit over 3 years experience in strategy consulting at a big four (very well ranked in my country) with a very solid academic background. I am currently starting a process at BCG and Bain for a Senior Associate role. To maximize my chances, I am considering applying to McK as well. I had a look at their Career website, and there seems to be no Junior Associate offer in my country (it seems to exist in my country though, according to linkedin). Should I then apply for BA or Associate (and then specify that I target the pre-associate role)? 

Thanks to all

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Pascal
Coach
am 19. Nov. 2020
Ex-Bain Manager | 10 yrs MBB experience | 250+ people interviewed | Written case expert | Open to give limited discounts

Hi Anonymous,

To make it easier for yourself, I would aim for a Junior Associate role if I were you. That gives you some more time to settle in, get used to the new firm, the new people and the new ways of working, and to set yourself up for success.

If there are no open Junior Associate positions in the local office you are aiming for, then the next best position to apply for would be the Associate role.

In general, this is something you can openly discuss with the recruiting department, or even better - with anyone you know within that local office.

I hope this helps!

Pascal

Anonym A
am 19. Nov. 2020
Thank you for your reply ! I will apply for the Associate position then and will try to reach out for the HR to explain that I didn't find a junior associate position on the website. I just hope that my application won't be rejected just because I aimed at a higher role than expected
Vlad
Coach
am 19. Nov. 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Several points here:

  • Junior associates roles are not availalbe in all countries
  • Why do you think you don't fit for an Associate?
  • It's always better to apply for an associate and let the firm figure it out
  • If your performance is not enough for an associate but still good - chances are high that you'll get a Junior Asc role

Best

Anonym A
am 19. Nov. 2020
Thank you for your reply ! I am affraid that my application will be rejected just because I aimed for an Associate role rather than a BA role.
Ken
Coach
am 19. Nov. 2020
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

It really depends on the office but if you have a solid 3+ years of full-time experience in a reputable consultancy and have received at least one promotion, you could be considered for an Associate role. It's worth checking with the local recruiting team about the Junior Associate role too but the intake number tends to be more limited.

Anonym A
am 19. Nov. 2020
Thank you for your reply !
am 19. Nov. 2020
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

The equivalent at McKinsey of a Senior Associate role at BCG/Bain is a Senior Analyst position – I guess that’s what you should target.

I would recommend to network with someone in the firm (strongly recommended anyway to get referrals) and follow their suggestion.

You can find more on referrals at the link below:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/hey-everyonehope-all-is-well-3176

Best,

Francesco

Anonym A
am 19. Nov. 2020
Hi Francesco, thanks for the response. Is Senior Analyst the same thing than Junior Associate (it seems to be the case)? I am trying to remain discreet with my application, being already a full-time consultant at another firm. I wouldn't used referrals for that reason. As my CV got through screening at both BCG and Bain without referral, I will try to do the same at McK. Thank you so much
am 19. Nov. 2020
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Hi there, both SBA and JA are positions in between Business Analyst and Associate - which one is present depends on the country. If you cannot use an internal contact, I would suggest to reach out to HR and clarify with them. Hope this helps
Ian
Coach
am 19. Nov. 2020
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

You're really on the border so it's a bit hard to say which way to go! I agree that SA/JC/JA (Bain, BCG, Mck) makes sense as you do have that work experience.

Fundamentally, I recommend networking to find the answer. Your Q is a great excuse to reach out to HR and others at the firm...i.e. "I'm at xyz and I'm trying to determine which role I would be best placed to fill"

Anonym A
am 19. Nov. 2020
Thank you Ian! For BCG, they are proposing a Senior Associate role, what is JC ?
Anonym B
bearbeitet am 19. Nov. 2020

Apply for Assiciate and if they feel your experience is not quite enough they will automatically change your application to Jr. Associate once you have pass to the interview stage (that is what they did with me)

Although it sounds like you are all good for Associate

1
Anonym A
am 19. Nov. 2020
Thanks for the advice!
Udayan
Coach
am 21. Nov. 2020
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

You would be a good fit for Associate with your work experience. What country are you looking at? They do not have JA in most countries but they do in some.

Anonym A
am 21. Nov. 2020
Thanks. I am in France !
Udayan
Coach
am 21. Nov. 2020
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience
Associate will be fine in France with your background. Also HR will just let you know either way they won't reject you based on associate vs junior associate they'll just ask you to consider a different role based on what they think.
Anonym A
am 21. Nov. 2020
Thank you. I will apply then for Associate. I hope I get called for an interview, even if it for a lower role.
am 31. Dez. 2020
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, I confirm Junior associate would be the role most likely based on your experience

best

Antonello

Clara
Coach
am 20. Nov. 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

I would go for Junior Associate for sure. 

If they don´t have it, senior BA, since they won´t hire you as Associate without an MBA despite 3 years in consulting. 

Cheers!

Anonym A
am 20. Nov. 2020
Thanks for the advice! So, as in the system Senior BA and Junior Associate are not proposed, should I apply for BA or Associate? Many thanks
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