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Got a referral mail from Mckinsey. Not sure what to expect.

Actively preparing for interviews with McKinsey Junior Research Analyst McKinsey Research Analyst
New answer on Mar 10, 2021
6 Answers
1.6 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Mar 09, 2021

Hi! I submitted my resume with a friend for a role at Mckinsey (Research Analyst) back in December '20/Jan'21 for the Indian office. They said that they recently left the firm but they will forward my resume to the Team Manager/Team Lead. I was expected not to have high hopes though, since 1. they just finished a massive hiring for the team/role 2. I have a tech/FAANG background and not a market/econ background as the team is looking for market analysis.

Today I got a mail from the Mckinsey Referral system. Turns out the HR of their team referred me. So, my question is:

1. Should I expect a call for the subsequent rounds?

2. How is a RA interview different from a BA interview? Do I expect anything other than guesstimates, case studies etc?

TIA!

(edited)

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Ian
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replied on Mar 09, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

This is great! Well done :)

Yes, you should expect a call soon-ish. That said, temper expectations. A referral is not a gaurentee, it just means your odds are good :)

Remember, the RA role is not a consultant role. You will be on the Knowledge Team doing research and supporting multiple consultant teams. As such, you will be expected in the interview to prove your ability to research, have knowledge in the key areas of expertise, etc. etc.

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Anonymous A on Mar 09, 2021

Hi! Thanks for taking out your time to answer this question. I hope I get the call quick. :) And I am not looking for the consultant track since I am from a non-target school where I did my UG so this is pretty much my shot to get into the consulting side. If I do like the role, I might plan for my MBA later and give it a go! Thanks for your help. Would you have any idea what kind of questions they normally ask for the role then? Glassdoor only suggests PEI and guesstimates.

(edited)

Clara
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Content Creator
replied on Mar 10, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Congrats!

Reason why you should always have hope!

You should now wait, and they will contact you in the next days (perhaps a week, two tops) to start the process. Most likely with the test.

In terms of prep, is going to be the classic, both cases and PEI

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Anonymous A on Mar 11, 2021

Hi! Thanks for your answer. Apologies for not getting back earlier. I have been invited for a role where I had to submit my application all over again. Does that mean, I have to go through the CV screening all over again?

Udayan
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Content Creator
replied on Mar 09, 2021
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /6 years McKinsey recruiting experience

RA interviews are very different. It is not a consulting role and you are NOT on consulting track (do not go into this thinking you can switch, it is not allowed). I would reach out to HR once the interview is scheduled and ask for more details on the type of questions you can expect.

Udayan

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Anonymous A on Mar 09, 2021

Hi! Thanks for taking out your time to answer this question. I am not looking for the consultant track since I am from a non-target school where I did my UG so this is pretty much my shot to get into the consulting side. If I do like the role, I might plan for my MBA later and give it a go! Thanks for your help. Would you have any idea what kind of questions they normally ask for the role then? Glassdoor only suggests PEI and guesstimates.

(edited)

Udayan on Mar 10, 2021

Sorry I do not - McKinsey is usually very clear about what they expect so I would ask HR for sample questions and what to expect. All the best!

Anonymous B replied on Mar 09, 2021

Don't understand. What do you mean? Can you give a bit more context?

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Anonymous A on Mar 09, 2021

Sorry! The body of the message didn’t get saved. I finished working on it again.

Gaurav
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Content Creator
replied on Mar 10, 2021
Ex-Mckinsey|Certified Career Coach |Placed 500+ candidates at MBB & other consultancies

Hi there,

Congratulations!

Most likely, they will contact you soon to start the process.
Cheers,
GB

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Anonymous A on Mar 11, 2021

Hi! Thanks for your answer. Apologies for not getting back earlier. I have been invited for a role where I had to submit my application all over again. Does that mean, I have to go through the CV screening all over again?

Florian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Mar 10, 2021
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there,

Congrats first of all!

1. The first thing you should expect is an invitation to the PSG. Better start preparing now for it since the link they sent will only be active for 7 days

2. Interviews are a bit different and more traditional than the typical case interview.

Cheers,

Florian

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Anonymous A on Mar 11, 2021

Hi! Thanks for your answer. Apologies for not getting back earlier. I have been invited for a role where I had to submit my application all over again. Does that mean, I have to go through the CV screening all over again?

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