Hi, I am just wondering whether McKinsey or MBB freeze hiring process if there's a political instability in a country?

McKinsey
New answer on Feb 07, 2021
10 Answers
960 Views
Anonymous A asked on Feb 04, 2021

Currently, I am going through an interview process and there's a political instability within my country (a military coup). I am just wondering this would impact an MBB firm's hiring process in any way, whether a freeze or cancellation. Thanks!

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best answer
Florian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 04, 2021
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there,

Am sorry to hear about the instability.

To your question: It could have an indirect impact on the process. MBB hiring is based on a simple demand forecast. If the business is expected to grow, new consultants are needed, hiring is ramped up, and vice versa.

Now, instability could introduce business uncertainty, which in turn could negatively impact the demand for consultants and freeze recruiting.

On the plus side, McKinsey's global director of recruiting said yesterday that they want to hire more people in 2021 than in any year before so there is definitely demand, which might also spread across countries (just because you are hired in country A does not mean you can't be on an engagement in country B)

All the best to you!

Cheers,

Florian

Was this answer helpful?
Ken
Expert
replied on Feb 04, 2021
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

I agree with Florian. To build further, I would just add that McKinsey takes a long-term view on talent (i.e., the question asked when extending an offer at final round is - do we see him/her as a future partner of McKinsey & Company) as well as opening offices (i.e., McKinsey never closes a location once they open an office), particularly in places like your home country. There might be temporary hiring freezes but if you are a strong local talent, they would most likely still find ways for you to join if you have some flexiblity. That could be in terms of delaying your start date and/or getting you to start in a different location if they find growing local headcount is not sustainable in the immediate term. Assuming I have the right country in mind, it is also part of a large regional office where many of the internal processes and decisions (e.g., recruiting, staffing, etc.) are done regionally.

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous B on Feb 07, 2021

some T2 just closed an Asian office opened some years ago...

Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 05, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Sorry to hear that.

Consulting companies hire based on expected demand. If a situation (COVID, instability, recession) changes the expected demand, they will hire fewer people.

I haven’t heard of any MBB cancelling offers due to COVID (while other companies did), so if you sign an offer there may be delays in starting the job but would not expect a cancellation.

Best,

Francesco

Was this answer helpful?
Luca
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 04, 2021
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Hello there,

I'm very sorry to hear that. MBB work like any other company of the world: they do a forecast of the deman and then they decide how many people they need. This means that they will evaluate if the political instability will affect their business and will resize the hiring target according to that.
I'm afraid that in this specific situation the process could be slowed down.

Best,
Luca

Was this answer helpful?
Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 04, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, I am sorry to hear that. What usually happens during emergencies is a freezing of the recruiting process. No cancellations

Best,
Antonello

Was this answer helpful?
Udayan
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 04, 2021
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /6 years McKinsey recruiting experience

Are you in Myanmar? Sorry to hear that.

I do not think hiring will permanently be frozen but yes there will be a short term impact. I would recommend also applying to neighboring offices as a way to maximize your chances of getting in.

Udayan

Was this answer helpful?
Ian
Expert
Content Creator
updated an answer on Feb 04, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

I was devastated to read the news of Myanmar a few days ago. Really wishing the best for you, the Burmese people and Aung San Suu Kyi.

Unfortunately this could indeed impact MBB's hiring (i.e. pausing or reducing flow). Can't say for sure...time will tell.

(edited)

Was this answer helpful?
Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 04, 2021
Ex-Mckinsey|Certified Career Coach |Placed 500+ candidates at MBB & other consultancies

Hi there,

sorry about the situation in your country.

It surely might have an indirect impact but I don't think they would leave you without knowing if that's the case.

If they feel like you're a good fit they will find a way to hire you (you can start in another office, why not)

Fingers crossed for you!

Cheers,

GB

Was this answer helpful?
Henning
Expert
replied on Feb 07, 2021
Bain | passed >15 MBB interviews as a candidate

Typically hiring decisions are based on demand forecasts, not political forecasts. Although those two are closely linked, business might continue as before, so hiring also continues.

Having said that, I'd expect them to prioritize safety over business decisions, so the moment they can't ensure safety of candidates and staff, they would postpone the process.

Was this answer helpful?
Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 05, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Are you in Myanmar? Lots of warmth to you!

It´s difficult to say, but I would asusme they would close recruiting.

Hope things get better soon in the country.

Cheers,

Clara

Was this answer helpful?
Florian gave the best answer

Florian

Content Creator
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets
1,125
Meetings
19,813
Q&A Upvotes
124
Awards
5.0
500 Reviews
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely