Hi,
I would like to ask those people who worked at McKinsey what one has to do in order for him/her to become an Engagement Manager and Partner when starting from the Associate level. How quickly is one able to accomplish these promotions?
Kind regards
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Hi There,
Realistically speaking, if you start as an Associate (either as an MBA hire or Exp Hire):
I know a person who got hired as an Associate and became a Partner in only 4 years (1 yr as ASC, 1 yr as EM, 2 yrs as AP), but he was already a Director in one of Global Bank. He should be directly hired as an AP, but Partners admitted that he was hired a bit lower to ensure he has what it takes to be a consultant and don't want to overpay. He proved that and got accelerated.
However, If you are an MBA hire - the chance to get the same treatment might be extremely slim. If you are really smart and can adjust very quickly - I think you might be able to achieve in 5.5 - 6 years (2 yrs ASC, 1.5-2 yrs EM, 2 yrs AP). What to do:
Having those things will definitely help you to accelerate your career, but won't guarantee. As there are multiple non-explainable factors to evaluate for ASC to EM designation and EM to AP designation or even Partner election.
The common one (and what we keep telling our prospect/candidate) is usually 7 years from Associate to Partner (2.5 yrs ASC, 2.5 yrs EM, 2 yrs AP).
Hope this helps!
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Dear A,
I used to apply a couple of principles, when I was on the fast track. In the brackets, I have managed to claim from the consultants to project manager level at Roland Berger just within 3 years, which is extremely fast. So, the general principles for your fast tracking are the following:
- Undersell and over promise which means that you need to always set up right expectations for you and always exceed them
- Communicate and network with the right people. Find the supporters in the firm who will push you.
- Set up clear goals and objectives for every year and every evaluation period together with your mentor and understand what do you need to deliver in order to come quickly to the next level
- Work smart, but not hard.
Hope, it helps. I'm happy to share my experience. Fell free to reach out.
Best,
André
Hi,
A lot has been mentioned in details. Just to add on that, from associate to EM to Partner, the skillset required are different and the job nature changes to (from more problem sovling focused to more sales focused). So I think one needs to judge and decide whether he/she would enjoy such changes or not. It is not only about going up fast.
best,
Emily
Hi,
The most important thing you need to understand is that consulting is a client business and client is always first. Here is my subjective view of what's needed to succeed on different levels of hierarchy. Pls take into account that it's the ideal state and getting these skills is a journey.
Analyst / associate level
Manager level
A lot of the above, plus:
Principal level
A lot from the above, plus:
Partner level
A lot of the above, plus:
Best,
Hello!
It depends a bit.
Normally, you would do 2 years as a BA, and then, after an MBA, come back as an associate. In your 1st year as a returning associate you would start acting as a EM, but without being one officially -this is the figure of the JEM, Junior EM-. THen, after a few months acting as such, you are officially promoted to EM (the main change here is in the bonus, not even in the base salary vs. Associate)
For people who are not returning from MBAs and have been BAs in the past, it takes some more time to start acting as JEMs.
Hope it helps.
Cheers,
Clara
Typically the fastest promotes to EM from Associates are those who have had previous experience managing and leading projects and have done so in the sector in which they have specialized (so if you have worked in Healthcare and do a lot of work in healthcare as an Associate it is usually quicker)
There are many reasons it is not encouraged to get to EM significantly before other
1. Typically you get promoted as a class
2. You can be very highly rated and be an Associate and make as much money as someone with the same rating as an EM - there is no salary jump as an EM
3. EM is a very different skill level you typically start out managing a project before officially being designated as it is a very important client managing role and poor EMs have the highest impact on the success of a project. They need to be sure about you being able to deliver as an EM
If you do want to get there quicker, apart from industry experience, working smarter than others, knowing more about the project and being great with clients will help a lot
All the best,
Udayan
(edited)
Hi,
I would also just add: This is a marathon, not a race. Make sure that you're hustling sustainably. It's a long journey and you will need periods of rest/recharge. The biggest question for most isn't WHEN they'll make Partner but IF
Hi,
agree with all the above. Some insights on how to accelerate your promotion (and keep your lifestyle more or less sustainable-> went from Intern to Fellow, to Associate to EM in 2.7 years on 80% take tiime)
-> help set up a new office (especially in unpopular regions it will increase your exposure)
-> build expertise early (once you know which industry or function you like, go for it & start building relationships with clients and CSTs)
-> go on take time (while theoretically it affects your tenure, if you do it smartly you will end up with a higher utilization & more freedom on which projects you are on and thus more successful, since you are doing what you like)
PM me for more details.
Best
Tamara
