Hi there,

This is not only applicable to McK but also other firms. But I want to manage your expectation given your description here.

(1) If you want to do PE ultimately, you need to try to get more involved in corporate development cases (i.e. DD) rather than Digital practice cases. Since you would join in the Digital practice, you need to make deliberate efforts internally to get yourself the right exposure, you cannot just wait for staffing to make all the decisions for you

(2) It is easier to join PE earlier in your career than later, i.e. easier to join as an experienced BA or junior associate, compared to when you get to more senior level. If you get a sponsored MBA, you are expected to stay for 2 years to "payback" to the firm. So you need to take that into consideration

(3) You better start learning Finance and Accounting. Don't count on the firm to teach you on the case. DD is short and super stressful engagement. If you don't know any finance and accounting, you become a liability to the team rather than a help. So you are very unlikely to be chosen to be in the team. Even if the team have to take you due to shortage of resources, they won't have much time and bandwidth to handhold you. And if you blow up once, you are unlikely to be picked again.

Best,

Emily

(edited)

Hi There,

Entering the PE market is difficult, but for sure after an MBA in top10 business school in USA and an experience in McK you will increase definitely the chance.There are few open poisitions in PE firms and maybe an expertise in digital, does not help as much in most of the companies.

So I would suggest to:

1. Move in the PE/Ring Fence industry in Mck. It is the best way to understand how PE works and networking with PE firms.
2. Apply for MBA in one of top10 business school (Wharton, Harvard, Columbia, etc..) and for sure you will drastically increase your chance.

Very good luck and for further clarification do not hesitate to contact me in private

Hi,

Several points here:

• It's extremely hard to get the job in PE post MBA (the number of offers is lower than the number of candidates with pre-MBA PE background
• It's much easier for ex-consultants to get operational roles in PEs than investment roles. But even ops roles are hard to get
• After a sponsored MBA you have to stay for 2 years to pay back
• You have to learn finance and valuation if you want to work there. No one will teach you
• you should better get some DD experience right now at McKinsey. try to get staffed on these projects

Best

Hi, it is feasible and actually Mck consultants are super appreciated. However, you should arrive prepared on financial questions for the interview. There are lots of former colleagues in Private Equity and they can share with you tons of material for prep, it is totally feasible even if you know 0 today about it.

Best

Antonello

Hi A,

In general, PE firm recruiting from top consulting firms including McKinsey, as well as from Investment Banking background. However, one of the prerequisites for being recruited is that you already have relevant experience. Don't expect PE firm will teach you any basics in finance. So by the time of your application you have to prove your finance skills (in a parallel you can do a CFA being a business analyst) and ideally have been completed a couple of due-diligence projects with McKinsey. These are key requirements to be selected and invited to the PE firm.


Best,
André