Hi folks,
I am defending my master's and would be looking to recruit in the McKinsey Middle East office. Of note, I am a student at the University of Toronto, looking to shift to the Middle East, and I have no prior connections to the Dubai office. Will it hinder my application?
Hi,
All the best with the recruiting process.
To answer your question -
While not having prior connections to the Dubai office does not necessarily hinder your application, it's important to be aware of a few considerations:
Networking: Prior to applying, make sure to spend as much time as possible networking with people in the office and ideally getting a recommendation from senior people which will strengthen your application.
Research: Invest time in researching the companies, and industries served by McKinsey in Dubai. Understand the specific skills and qualifications that are in demand in that region and tailor your application accordingly.
Be prepared to talk about why the Middle East during your Interview: If you secure an interview, be prepared to discuss your motivation for wanting to work in the Middle East, your understanding of the local market, and how your background aligns with the company's needs in that region. You will need to demonstrate a strong connection to the region for McKinsey to consider you.
Language Skills: While English is fine, any proficiency in Arabic is a huge asset and will set you apart from other candidates.
While not having prior connections to the Dubai office may not be a hindrance, it's essential to network, be well-prepared, research the market, tailor your application, and leverage any relevant skills and experiences to make yourself a competitive candidate
(edited)
Hi Kuheli!
The ME offices are quite international and welcoming of people from other geographies.
I've worked previously with candidates who didn't have a prior connection with ME / Dubai and still made it through screening and eventually getting offers.
There are a couple of things that help:
1. Referrals. Aim to get a referral for each of your target firm and from somebody who is in that target office already.
If you're struggling with how to get referrals, you can use the following two resources:
2. Use the careers centre at your university.
Many universities are connected with the Middle Eastern offices and they facilitate your application and increase your chances of passing screening - I've seen this happen with several business schools.
3. Apply widely.
ME is friendly to internationals and because of this it's also super competitive. Make sure that you apply widely to increase your chances of passing screening with at least some firms. Needless to say, also aim to have an absolutely distinctive cover letter and CV.
Best,
Cristian
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Hi Kuheli,
The more your background/network is tied to an office/region the higher your chances.
So, short answer, yes. This is made “Worse” if you don't speak Arabic and you're not even from the Greater Middle East.
Again, apply where your resume/profile makes sense.
That sense, “hinder” doesn't mean impossible. Have as good a resume as possible and network effectively to maximize your chances!
Here's some more reading to help:
https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/how-to-get-a-consulting-internship-tips-and-tricks
Hi Kuheli,
Q: I am a student at the University of Toronto, looking to shift to the Middle East, and I have no prior connections to the Dubai office. Will it hinder my application?
Ideally you want to have some kind of connections with the office you are targeting.
If you want to apply to the Dubai office, given you don’t have connections I would highly recommend looking for a referral to strengthen your application, if possible from someone working in the region.
You can find more on referrals below:
▶ How to Get an MBB Invitation
▶ The Exact Steps to Get a Referral
Best,
Francesco
