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Does McKinsey require a cover letter?

I applied to the London office last year and made it to the PST stage, they said they don't read cover letters. I am planning to apply to the Kuala Lumpur office this year and I just want to confirm if this is consistent througout all the offices globally?

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Top answer
Deniz
Coach
on Sep 26, 2019
5+ Years at BCG & Kearney Dubai & Istanbul | 600+ Trainees | 1.3M YouTube Views

Hi,

You are required to submit cover letters regardless of the office. As Vlad said, only in case of some referrals you may not be required to submit a cover letter (as you are not going through a formal process). But it is widely true that some offices do not read cover letters and only look at CVs to screen the candidates to save time.

Best,

Deniz

O
on Sep 26, 2019
Thank you!
Vlad
Coach
on Sep 25, 2019
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

That's not correct. You have a mandatory cover letter in the application form. If you apply via a referral, they dont ask for the cover letter at the beginning, but ask for them later, after you are invitied for an interview

Best

Anonymous A
on Sep 25, 2019
the McKinsey tools has a form for the CV and one for the transcripts, which are both marked mandatory. There is a third optional form with the description: ADDITIONAL ATTACHMENT (E.G., OPTIONAL COVER LETTER, DESIGN PORTFOLIO, ETC.) (OPTIONAL)
O
on Sep 26, 2019
Thank you!
Deleted user
on Sep 25, 2019

I would def include one!

1
on Sep 26, 2019
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi Omar,

some McKinsey offices don’t have cover letters as a compulsory requirement indeed, but this is not true for all the offices. Unless at KL they specifically mention not to attach a cover letter, I would attach one just in case.

Best,

Francesco

O
on Sep 26, 2019
Thank you!
Anonymous C
on Aug 22, 2020
You're the only "Expert" replying to this query that actually has accurate information.
Anonymous A
on Sep 25, 2019

to my knowledge this various by location

0
Deleted user
on Aug 21, 2020

Dear Omar,

Cover letters is a part of your application. They may read it and may not, but I would rather recommend you to send it. 

Best,
André

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Anonymous C
on Aug 22, 2020

I've attended various events at the london office and the recruiters have mentioned each time that a cover letter is not required for your application. I don't think that applies to every office though.

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