Getting hired into implementation as an EM at least from FAANG PM

BCG MBB McKinsey
New answer on Oct 17, 2020
8 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Oct 16, 2020

Is there anyway to get hired into the implementation practice at McKinsey as an experienced hire coming in as an EM instead of as an associate. I am a Product Manager in Big Tech. Age - 36.

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Udayan
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replied on Oct 16, 2020
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /6 years McKinsey recruiting experience

I actually disagree based on what I have seen. Everyone new joins McKinsey as an associate (i.e. post MBA/with relevant work experience)- including people that were partners in competing firms like Strategy &. The entire point is to get familiar with the McKinsey way of thinking and the unique culture before progressing to senior roles.

However - what is different is that your promotion cycle will differ to others. If you perform better than your peers you will make EM much sooner and will start managing projects in a year or so. Managing projects at McKinsey is not like anything else you might have done which is why this ramp up is needed. Also the EM role at McKinsey is not a higher paying role - your pay is based on your class and your performance. There are senior associates with a very high rating at McKinsey who make as much as a new EM.

I would encourage you to not worry so much about being an associate at 36 - it really is not a big deal as long as you can show that you can get the work done.

Best,

Udayan

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Henning on Oct 16, 2020

I disagree. Applying out of an MBA, I got an offer as Senior Associate due to my longer pre-MBA experience. So it's definitely possible to negotiate.

Udayan on Oct 16, 2020

Okay if you insist. I have never ever heard of direct EM offers at McKinsey for anyone without prior McKinsey experience

Ken on Oct 23, 2020

That's also vastly not true! I agree that many who even join directly at Partner level will 'play' the Associate role on a study, but there are plenty of direct hires from EM, AP, Partner and Senior Partner these days at McKinsey.

(edited)

Mehdi
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replied on Oct 16, 2020
BCG | Received offers from all MBB & Tier 1Firms | Supporting you secure your top tier consulting offer

Hi there,

In general, you only join and an EM/PL if you are coming from a similar role within a Management Consuling Firm or the same caliber. It is very rare to join as a generalist EM if you are coming from a different industry. There might be some exeptions (maybe if you join in a particular practice) but they are rare.

Plus it might be challenging for you to join a new industry in a challenging position. Even if you have the skills of an EM, you will be advised to join as an Associate for min. 1 year to learn the consulting toolkit and to familiarize yourself with the consulting world.

I hope this help, please do not hesitate to reach out to me should have any question.

All the best,

Mehdi

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Robert
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replied on Oct 16, 2020
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Hi Anonymous,

Yes definitely possible - I had similar cases of my coaching candidates in the past. Of course it depends on your specific background in FAANG and what you actually did (job titles are oftently one thing, what you actually did and achieved sometimes another thing).

The higher your entry rank, the higher the expectation level of your interviewer - so if you join as an experienced hire, make sure even more that you are professionally prepared.

Hope that helps - if so, please be so kind to give it a thumbs-up with the green upvote button below!

Robert

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Anonymous replied on Oct 16, 2020

Hi,

It boils down to the business needs end of the day. I have seen Mckinsey hiring EMs and Principals/Associate Partner from outside.I quit Accenture Strategy as a Practice Lead/Senior Engagement Manager in the Energy practice in mid 2015, and got a call for Mckinsey for EM in Singapore for the Energy Practice in Nov 2015.. The position was almost open for more than a year because I had applied way back in May 2014.

So definitely lateral hiring at EM and Principal levels in Mckinsey happens. Few days back I saw Mckinsey ads for position of Associate Partner in Australia.

Thanks

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Anonymous replied on Oct 16, 2020

Hi,

Yes that is possible but of course it really depends on how you perform during the interview.

As such, key thing is to prepare yourself to the target standard of the position you want.

Hope this help :)

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Ken
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replied on Oct 16, 2020
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

Its definitely possible if you are considering McKinsey Digital/BCG Digital Ventures, which could me more relevant to your than McKinsey Implementation. Although slightly dependent on the geography, there are increasing needs for Product Owner/Manager roles where you could be a great profile!

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Sidi
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updated an answer on Oct 17, 2020
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 350+ candidates secure MBB offers

Comment for Udayan and Henning: You are both kind of right. :)

A friend of minde was a Partner at BCG, then left, and later joined McKinsey. Of course he did not have to join as an Associate! But he had to go through all roles before he could actually take the partner role. Hence, on his first study he took the Associate role (not for the entire project, just for the first 4 weeks). Then he started EMing for 2 projects, then he went into the AP role. The whole process took about 9 months, before he actually started in the Partner role for which he was hired. Of course the Firm was still paying the regular Partner salary, even during the ramp-Up phase.

Another example from my time in the Lagos Office at McKinsey: we hired a pretty senior guy for an Associate PArtner (AP) position, but in order to learn the roles, he first went into an Associate role. I was his JEM, and my responsibility was to coach him on McKinsey way of working. Once I rolled off the study about 2 months later, he took over my role. And less then a year later (I had been designated full EM in the meantime), he was responsible for me and my team as a full AP.

Cheers, Sidi

(edited)

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Ian
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replied on Oct 16, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Yes, possible, but you would need to come in as a specialist in Tech (for example, into McKinsey Digital). Furthermore, you may receive a downgrade in terms of title for a short period of time. Finally, the best way to ensure you successfully do this (and clarify expectations) is to network! Have those conversations prior to applying so that you can see what role makes sense.

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Udayan gave the best answer

Udayan

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Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /6 years McKinsey recruiting experience
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