Interview with a McKinsey Recruiter

Question

What kind of questions can one expect in a screning interview with a McKinsey recruiter for a consulting role in New Ventures is the US? Any preparation tips would be helpful.

Answer 1

I just had a screening interview from McKinsey and it was straight forward. I spent most of my time preparing to answer these questions:

Tell me about yourself.
Why consulting?
Why McKinsey?
Tell me about a leadership experience
Tell me about a teamwork experience (prepare for follow up questions about overcoming obstacles/resolving conflict)
Tell me about a problem solving experience
Tell me about a time when things didn't work out/ a failure

You won't get to share everything you prepare and there may be other questions you should be ready to answer but these are pretty basic things that I think are likely to show up in a lot of interviews.

Answer 2

Hi Anonymous,

I agree with Anonymous B on the behavioural part. I would also suggest to prepare a question on impact (eg Tell me about a time that you persuaded your boss to go along with an idea you had when he/she was not agreeing with you). You can find below a quick sum up of the key elements McKinsey is looking for in the PEI:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/mckinsey-pei-difference-drive-and-personal-impact-918#a1780

Additionally, I would also verify with HR if the screening includes a case, since for some offices it is present as well, and prepare for it accordingly.

Best,

Francesco

Answer 3

Hello!

Some extra guidance for the PEI side:

On top of the insights already shared in the post, the "Integrated FIT guide for MBB" has been recently published in PrepLounge´s shop (https://www.preplounge.com/en/shop/tests-2/integrated-fit-guide-for-mbb-34)

It provides an end-to-end preparation for all three MBB interviews, tackling each firms particularities and combining key concepts review and a hands-on methodology. Following the book, the candidate will prepare his/her stories by practicing with over 50 real questions and leveraging special frameworks and worksheets that guide step-by-step, developed by the author and her experience as a Master in Management professor and coach. Finally, as further guidance, the guide encompasses over 20 examples from real candidates.

Feel free to PM me for disccount codes, since we still have some left from the launch!

Hope you find it useful!

Best,

Clara

Answer 4

Hallo, in Deutschland wurde er laut HR in den meisten Büros abgeschafft und wenn, dann wird ein Test nur für bestim... (read entire answer)

Hallo, in Deutschland wurde er laut HR in den meisten Büros abgeschafft und wenn, dann wird ein Test nur für bestimmte Practices verwendet. Die Aussage war von September '15.

Answer 5

Neil, I was an experienced hire as well, so can definitely relate. The hardest part for your will likely be to get... (read entire answer)

Neil, I was an experienced hire as well, so can definitely relate. The hardest part for your will likely be to get an interview. McK is probably most open, assuming you have a... (read entire answer)

Answer 6

Let me take a crack at this (in English) since no-one has addressed this. Top consultancies typically want the best... (read entire answer)

Let me take a crack at this (in English) since no-one has addressed this. Top consultancies typically want the best people regardless of their background. Yes, some roles are... (read entire answer)