How to prepare for Digital McKinsey?

Question

Are there any differences between Digital Mckinsey and McKinsey in terms of preparing for it?

Are there specific case types or PEI questions which have a higher propability of showing up?

Answer 1

Hi,

McKinsey Digital interviews are not that much different from McKinsey Generalist interviews. Specifically, McKinsey digital is working on IT strategy, Agile transformations, etc. It also depends on the country where you apply - while in US you can expect a lot of Digital projects, in other countries most of your projects will be in various industries and functions.

All of the above has the following implications for the interview process:

You should prepare similarly to the regular McKinsey interviews (i.e. cases and fit parts)
Additionally, you should be ready to solve specific cases related to IT (e.g. agile transformation cases. The case process itself will be very similar to the regular Mck interview)
You should be ready to talk about the relevant IT topics (Hint: I recommend reading the articles on the McKinsey / BCG websites. Search for "agile", "Digital", etc)
1-3 of the partners on your interviews will be from McKinsey Digital. You can collect some information about interviewing with them in advance and prepare the interesting questions.

I have not seen any digital cases online. But here is a list of potential topics you need to know. It is a full list and looks scary but they test a lot of these concepts depending on the particular role:

Cloud (cloud vs own servers pro and cons, uptime % SLAs, load balancing, etc)
Security (encryption basics, password change policy, cloud security and encryption on your computer)
Agile and development (Agile principles)
M&A and IT (Will it be one system or two systems? Is it "Adopt and go" approach or we take the best of both systems and create a new one? Integrate now, innovate later? Or Innovate now, when you have time?)
IT strategy and Digital transformation (Similar to M&A)
IoT (Mainly the use of IoT in operations - Process steps completion, measuring temperature, maintenance measurements, other measurements, predictive algorithms, etc)

Best,

Answer 2

Hi Marvin,

Recruiting process and preparation is the same for generalist and digital profiles. Expect at least 1-2 cases more focused on digital / IT topics.

This differs for specialist roles in Digital McKinsey (i.e., Agile Coaches, Cloud Engineers, Data Architects, Designers and Business Builders). There is a different process for those (they do at least one TEI instead of a case on each interview round to prove their technical skills).

Best,

Alberto

Answer 3

Hi Marvin,

The Digital McKinsey process for a BA or Associate is 99% the same as for a generalist position.

You will sit the same PST
You will be interviewed by all people from Digital McKinsey (most likely)
The cases will 99% be just general business cases like the ones here on prep lounge. I only had 1 case which was Digital/IT related which was the final interview of in the final round. IF i did not have a deep knowledge of IT etc, i would have failed this for sure as it was asking to consider quite technic
PEI will be the exact same.
Question time and general chit chat will be more likely to be around IT topics. For example, your partner has probably built a career around digital transformations, analytics, IT strategy, IT enablement etc and therefore this is what they will talk to you about. You should be able to hold a conversation around these areas.

Best of luck,

T

Answer 4

Hi!

a) They don't differ! I have seen many candidates who were very surprised to see that most cases that you solve during the recruiting process for McK Digital have absolutely no digital content. The reason is that it is not required. McKinsey Digital is looking for the same intrinsic qualities as generalist McKinsey, hence there is no point in assessing candidates differently. In many offices, the applicants are just mixed with generalist applicants and are getting the same interviewers on the interview day.

b) See above

Cheers, Sidi

Answer 5

Hello!

Consultants from the McK Digital practice are very similar to the generalist ones, with the exception of more than half of their engagements being focused on digital topics.

However, the core strenghts are the same ones.

I would practice with "normal" cases and only at the very end turn the focus towards cases with a more "digital" topic.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Answer 6

Hi,

McKinsey Digital interviews are not that much different from McKinsey Generalist interviews. Specifically, McKinsey digital is working on IT strategy, Agile transformations, etc. It also depends on the country where you apply - while in US you can expect a lot of Digital projects, in other countries most of your projects will be in various industries and functions.

All of the above has the following implications for the interview process:

You should prepare similarly to the regular McKinsey interviews (i.e. cases and fit parts)
Additionally, you should be ready to solve specific cases related to IT (e.g. agile transformation cases. The case process itself will be very similar to the regular Mck interview)
You should be ready to talk about the relevant IT topics (Hint: I recommend reading the articles on the McKinsey / BCG websites. Search for "agile", "Digital", etc)
1-3 of the partners on your interviews will be from McKinsey Digital. You can collect some information about interviewing with them in advance and prepare the interesting questions.

I have not seen any digital cases online. But here is a list of potential topics you need to know. It is a full list and looks scary but they test a lot of these concepts depending on the particular role:

Cloud (cloud vs own servers pro and cons, uptime % SLAs, load balancing, etc)
Security (encryption basics, password change policy, cloud security and encryption on your computer)
Agile and development (Agile principles)
M&A and IT (Will it be one system or two systems? Is it "Adopt and go" approach or we take the best of both systems and create a new one? Integrate now, innovate later? Or Innovate now, when you have time?)
IT strategy and Digital transformation (Similar to M&A)
IoT (Mainly the use of IoT in operations - Process steps completion, measuring temperature, maintenance measurements, other measurements, predictive algorithms, etc)

Best

Answer 7

Hi Anonymous,

please find below the answers to your questions:

All candidates I helped for McKinsey Digital had to do at least one digital case. Also, you may get "general conversation" about IT topics before and after the case. These were the only differences
Examples of cases based on the people I helped include:
- Synergies following IT company merger
- Decision for optimal digital system for logistic company
- Elements to consider for digital investment for a regional bank

For additional information please feel free to PM me.

Best,

Francesco

Answer 8

Hi,
I confirm there is no differences in interview cases and in preparation. I only recommend to read some success case about digital transformation recently conducted by McK (at the end of this webpage - "examples of our work": https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/mckinsey-digital/how-we-help-clients)

Best,
Antonello