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Anonymous A
on May 20, 2020
Global
I want to receive updates regarding this question via email.

Hello, I had an interview with the McKinsey's Senior HR recruiter who was very unprofessional and now I'm repulsed!!

Everyone talks about the professionalism of McKinsey and yet the senior recruiter (digital+analytics) was nothing close to that! first of all she sent me an e-mail to have a chat on monday without specifying a time, thus I ended up on my nerves all day monday till around 2:30 pm where she sends me an apology e-mail with a time for a zoom meeting set yesterday and a typo. In the zoom meeting it was like she DIDNT EVEN BOTHER READING MY CV!! she acted surprised with my background and experience and said she was looking more towards technical roles. like solution architect and entreprise architect ( which are totaly unrelated to my background and you can easily tell SPECIALY IF YOU'RE A RECRUITER). The zoom meeting (whyich I missed work for) lasted 10 minutes and she ended up telling me to apply online to find a more suitable role :)  Honestly I'm not even sure I want to work there anymore.

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Top answer
Ian
Coach
edited on May 20, 2020
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi,

I'm sorry but are you here to vent and gain sympathy or to inform others?

For those on this site recruiting, let's use the above as an example for how not to prepare for consulting :)

1) It sounds like you view yourself as the centre of the universe, which, if you want to work in a high-stakes place like McKinsey, is an attitude you need to drop!

2) You shouldn't be judging a company based on just one person (perhaps she is really bad, I wasn't there, but this one situation should not put you off from such a reputable company). This is anectodal...you need to look at the facts/the whole

3) You are not her top priority - she will be getting dozens of emails DAILY from candidates desperate to be invited in. You accomodate her, not the other way around. As you would have to do for Partners, Clients, etc.

4) Not sure you should complain about her typos given the text above (specialy, didnt, "I ended up on my nerves", whych)

5) I think it's a problem that her simply not including a time got on your nerves - I fear for your first client interaction

6) It sounds like you didn't do the research about what roles work for you before speaking to her. She's not there to baby walk you through the process

______________________________________________________________________

In summary, to thrive during recruiting, interviewing, and on the job:

1) Count yourself lucky to be there

2) Look at a problem based on the whole, not small anecdotes

3) Put others before yourself

4) Have attention to detail (typos on final slides will kill you)

5) Brush off the little (and the big) things - always keep your cool, especially with clients

6) Drive your own case/project forward and do your own research...you own your own module

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Francesco
Coach
on May 20, 2020
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

if I understood correctly, the recruiter:

  • Mentioned you would have talked on Monday but did not specify the exact time
  • Postponed the meeting to Tuesday last minute
  • Did not read your CV before the call

I agree the approach was not an ideal one, however, you should not judge the whole company for that.

Also, similar and worse situations may happen with both managers and clients during the job and you should be able to deal with it – if that’s not the case, you may want to reconsider if consulting is the right fit for you.

Best,

Francesco

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Emily
Coach
edited on May 20, 2020
9 years in MBB Southeast Asia & China| 8 years as MBB interviewer | Free intro call

While the HR might not have done a perfect job here, you need to reflect on yourself too.

  • She sent email to chat on Monday without specifying a time >> Why wouldn't you be more proactive and propose a time to her, and then follow up to make sure you guys agree on a timing?
  • Last min change in timing >> That's not uncommon request from senior people. Don't be petty about it, be more adaptive.
  • Mismatch of role and background >> How come you didn't know before the interview that the role might not be suitable for you? Did you do your homework right?


Take your fair share of responsibility as well.

Regards,

Emily

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Sidi
Coach
on May 20, 2020
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 400+ candidates secure MBB offers

Hi!

This does not sound like a good experience, and it reflects poorly on the Firm.

That being said - please get yourself together and stop radiating this sense of entitlement! These are very chaotic times, and the kind of egocentricity that you are showing here is a very pronounced warning signal that a business where you are serving clients and will be oftentimes treated in a much more infuriating way than what you described, might not at all be the right profession for you.

Cheers, Sidi

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Clara
Coach
on May 21, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

This doesn´t sound like McKinsey at all. 

I would report it. 

It´s not going to change the outcome most likely, but at least, you will prevent this from happening to another candidate. 

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Anonymous C
on May 21, 2020
Best answer thus far! The only expert who doesn't judge so quickly and focus her answer on actionable items.
Vlad
Coach
edited on May 20, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

I think with so many emotions it will be hard for you to work in consulting

Best

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Deleted user
on May 22, 2020

Dear A,

I would always recommend you to listen to your heart. If there's no go for you and McKinsey, there are lots of other companies, where you can find a job. 

Good luck,

André

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Deleted
Coach
on May 20, 2020
Consultant at BCG Nordics| PE and Due Diligence | BCG London, Boston & Dubai office experience

Don't use an exclamation point to convey your message. It's a sign of weakness. 

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Anonymous B
on May 20, 2020
lol
Anonymous D
on May 23, 2020

I am seriously puzzled and baffled at the same time at the amount of negativity towards the OP.

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Robert
Coach
on May 24, 2020
McKinsey offers w/o final round interviews - 100% risk-free - 10+ years MBB coaching experience - Multiple book author

Hi Anonymous,

I will try to separate emotions from the fact - about the first aspect I cannot argue, for the second I can at least give you my perception based on your summary.

Not entirely sure if I got it fully right, but it all started with a non-specified time-slot ("Monday"). Indeed strange, but you could have answered by clarifying the time (not saying it's your fault, but for mis-alignment it takes 2 persons).

Postponing it in the last minute - not professional, also in currently turbulent times. But things happen, and I'd assume you would also postpone in the last second if you are called by your CEO for an unexpected meeting.

Not understanding your CV - that's the only thing I'd say which bothers me. No excuse for that.

Summary from my outside observer role: While point1 is debatable, point 2 is sometimes unavoidable, point 3 definitely unprofessional and not expected at McKinsey like that.

It's understandable that such an encounter forms a particular picture, but I still would try to zoom out a bit and focussing on the consulting aspect (since HR is the least concern after being hired).

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

Robert

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