Hi there,

Quite honestly, it is not easy at all. It is even harder if you are trying to transfer so soon after joining.

Ideally, you've been at the company long enough to prove yourself and have backing from Partners and other key decision makers.

In this case, your best bet is to reach out to HR (in person) and ask them what's possible. Ideally you've made sure they're on your good side and you've performed well in the projects you've been on.

When you reach out, ask for a 15 min meeting to discuss something. When you meet, be direct about the personal issue. If the issue is serious (i.e. not just “I want to”) they are more likely to consider your request.

Your last and final option if they deny you is to say you will have to quit if they don't transfer you. Only do this if you truly mean this (i.e. you really do have to be in the UK and would quit McK if they can't get you there).

Good luck.

Hey there,

It is not easy BUT possible. I know one guy from my intake who switched from Germany to the US since his girlfriend was in the US, all within 6 months of joining I believe.

You have to approach partners in the London office and get them to support your case of relocation. 

How?

Try to get staffed on UK-based or UK-leadership-run projects and make a name for yourself. Support UK-based KIPs. You want to make sure that there are some higher-ranking people in the London office that enjoy working with you and like your input.

That way you can ask them to support your relocation case. Then, you would need to pick your battle with the German office and ask them to move.

Alternatively, look into short-term relocation offers by the firm and once successful, try to make it permanent. When I left, they were heavily pushing these types of relocations.

Cheers,

Florian

Hi there, 

usually, MBB publish all open positions around the world as well as different mobility programs and you can find what are the conditions to move and the time you should have in the company. I would say usually it would be around 6 months at least, rather 1 year, but there are offices with a strong need for staff, hence transfer could be easier. I would recommend to:

1. Check open positions in the UK and conditions to apply

2. Speak with your sponsor/HR explaining your situation if there would be any chance to move to the UK

Wishing you all the best,

Lucie

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(edited)

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the career entry with McKinsey!

This is indeed an interesting question which is probably relevant for quite a lot of users, so I am happy to provide my perspective on it:

• First of all, and contradictory to what other coaches said, there is not reason to wait a year for a location change due to personal reasons. While it might be different if there were not personal reasons, you can be sure McKinsey will do its best to enable the location change as swift as possible in this case. Besides this fact, if you eventually need to relocate to the UK either way, why “waste" time establishing a career network in Germany?
• Moreover, since you simply want to change location and do not want to re-apply, there is no need to check open positions in the UK.
• I would advise you to first contact both your mentor and HR to address the situation who will know best how to pursue the location change. Generally speaking, location changes differ significantly in lead times, from 1 to 12 months. In your specific situation and given the UK is no longer part of the EU, I would assume the location change being rather lengthy, unfortunately.

In case you want a more detailed discussion on how to best approach your location change, please feel free to contact me directly.

I hope this helps,

Hagen

(edited)

It is not an easy task to switch countries. The standard process requires the explicit support of partners and senior partners in the country you want to move to and you will also need to write a memo detailing the reasons for the move.

I think you should start by asking your current HR what they recommend given your situation and then follow their steps on how to make the move happen.

Best,
Udayan

Hello!

I found myself in a very very similar situation with McK Spain, feel free to PM me about this!

Cheers, 

Clara

You should always wait one year, although it always depends on the specific reasons. 

It is not that easy to move to the UK as it is a very sought after office.

You have to discuss this with your mentor/counselor/supervisor.