Networking event with McKinsey. Any tips/suggestions?

Advice careers fair company event MBB McKinsey mixers networking recruiting recruiting event recruiting mckinsey associate analyst networking referrals tips
New answer on Sep 30, 2023
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Anonymous A asked on Apr 13, 2018

Hi, I am attending a networking event with McKinsey at my school tomorrow. I'm a business major but its open to all majors. Any tips/suggestions? Thank you!

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Originally answered question:

What to do at on campus recruiting event?

Retired
Expert
replied on Feb 19, 2018
Former BCG interviewer

If the on-campus event is invitation-only and is limited to 60-80 people, I agree with other suggestion: you have been flagged as high potential and you shouldn’t be worried about impressing them.

If instead this is an event open to anyone with a first-come first-served basis in terms of registration or registration open only to consulting club member, then I would instead suggest to try to have have an intelligent conversation with a few (2-3) McKinsey folks so that they remember (positively) your name.

Hope it helps,

Andrea

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Originally answered question:

What to do at on campus recruiting event?

Sidi
Expert
updated an answer on Feb 19, 2018
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 350+ candidates secure MBB offers

Hey Tom!

My advice might be counterintuitive, but - please - do NOT plan on doing anything special! Networking events at McKinsey are formats for the Firm to market itself. It is MUCH LESS the time for you to market yourself. In the moment that you are eligible to participate in such a workshop, the Firm has already tagged you as an interesting candidate, and there is very limited headroom for you to wow anyone during the event.

So just be relaxed, observe, and ask yourself what are the 2 or 3 things you really want to find out about the Firm and its employees. That's it. Don't try to impress at such a workshop. The time to impress will be the interviews! Cheers, Sidi

(edited)

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Alberto
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Sep 30, 2023
Ex-McKinsey Associate Partner | +15 years in consulting | +200 McKinsey 1st & 2nd round interviews

Hi there,

For an university networking event I suggest:

  • Do some research on McKinsey people attending the event
  • Define what you want to take out of the event (referrals, contacts to practice your cases, information about internships, etc.)
  • Dress professionally
  • Practice your elevator pitch / presentation to show your strengths / achievements (please keep it as human as possible ;))
  • Ask insightful questions and engage actively on the event
  • Introduce yourself to everyone after the main event and engage personally with them
  • Follow up

Best,

Alberto

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Originally answered question:

What to do at on campus recruiting event?

Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
updated an answer on Feb 19, 2018
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi Tom,

unless it’s a restricted event or you fall under Option B mentioned by Vlad (the workshop is specifically to test your ability to solve cases), as Andrea said I would try to get in touch with few of the current consultants as a way to create a positive connection with one of them.

Your goal in these conversations should not be to get a referral on the spot; rather, you should try to provide a good impression with smart questions, transform the dialogue in a conversation and ask the consultants in the end whether you could reach out later for further questions; if he/she says yes you can then ask for his/her business card. If you made a good impression and the person is an alumnus of your university (usually at least the junior ones coming on campus are alumni) there are chances you could later transform the connection in a referral.

You can find some examples of good and bad questions to ask at the following link:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/open-house-at-bcg-311

As general tips for the workshop:

  • Arrive early, stay late – best moment to talk is when the event is not crowded
  • Prepare questions in advance; if possible do research in advance on who is going to present
  • If they offered to help more in the future, send a thank you note after the event, thanking for chat and the opportunity to keep in touch

Hope this helps,
Francesco

(edited)

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Originally answered question:

What to do at on campus recruiting event?

Vlad
Expert
replied on Feb 19, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

It depends on the structure of a workshop:

  1. Option A: Consultants will show you how to solve a case. Here you don't need to do anything special - just try to have a couple of nice conversations after the case. Don't expect to get any benefits from that
  2. Option B: You'll be split into teams with a dedicated consultant observing you solving the case together. Here your main objective is to demonstrate how good you are at solving the cases. That's the only and the best way to impress. Also be careful, since it does not mean you should not listen to others and try being an absolute leader. Be the guy with the smart ideas

Best

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Guennael
Expert
replied on Sep 09, 2018
Ex-MBB, Experienced Hire; I will teach you not only the how, but also the why of case interviews

Consultant's referrals only have value if they truly know you; i.e., if they have worked with you. In other words, don't expect a true referral from someone just meeting with you once over coffee or at a meet & greet.

MBB will see the whole stack of resumes before even coming on campus, and pre-select whom they want to meet with. By applying early, you would confirm your interest and may get invited to a special event - but I doubt it would make much of a difference anyway: who gets invited for interview will usually be decided after the campus visit, regardless of when you apply.

As for the events themselves, you will obviously want to spend as much time as possible with the consultants when they come on campus: arrive early, leave late, participate in discussions & ask good questions. That will be true regardless of the company, consulting or not.

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Originally answered question:

Two Day MBB Networking Event

Dorothea
Expert
replied on Jun 29, 2018
Ex-Oliver Wyman with 100% interview success rate - specialized in female career coaching

Hi there,

regarding your questions:

  1. You should be visible and participate actively in any activities during the event, i.e. try to "lead" your group in case you do a case study, participate in discussions, and show genuine interest in the firm and its consultants. But most importantly: Be yourself. These events won't help you to receive an offer straight away, but they may help you to facilitate the recruting process afterwards. From my experience, there is no way to "prepare" for this.
  2. See 1. Very likely you will have a few discussion rounds with other participants and consulting staff, you may be asked to solve a case in groups etc.
  3. The idea of these events is more to advertise the firm to potential candidates, not the other way around. All of the participants have been invited because the main recruiting criteria seem to fit (grades, experience etc.) However, after the event recruiting will actively contact selected participants, who stood out from the group, so this is your chance: Be visible, show genuine interest / ask questions and leadership skills.

Most importantly, you should also use the opportunity to figure out whether you feel that the firm is the right place for you - this works best if you talk to as many people from the firm as possible.

Hope this helps.

Dorothea

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Anonymous E replied on Sep 10, 2018

What do you mean by you should not expect a great referral?

Then all the stuff you have been writing so far about networking via linkedin and career fairs ... should not be taken into account??

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Originally answered question:

Behavior during mixers events?

Anonymous D replied on Jun 06, 2018

Hey,

I agree with both Sidi and Vlad.

From the perspective of a person who has just gone through the mixers and events - here is just some small tips:

  • Prioritise your questions to ask that will provide talking points in your interviews later down the track..."i spoke to X and they said Y,this is interesting to me because of XYZ...what do you think"
  • Try to at least build some small rapport - get their early and try to get 1 person to learn your name
  • Get in and out, don't be the annoying smell that hangs around too long with the same consultant. Make your impression and leave as the longer you stay around the higher chance you'll say something stupid. Be impactful
  • Make your question different from others - Every single person asks their favourite project, the travel, what tips they have for a graduate etc...BE DIFFERENT!

Be curious, confident and try to have some fun.

T

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