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McKinsey: expert hire vs. experienced hire

Application BCG McKinsey and Bain
Recent activity on Feb 11, 2020
5 Answers
2.4 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Feb 08, 2020

McKinsey has opened an "expert" consultant role in the industry that I'm working, while at the same time having a generalist role (experienced hire; associate) opened. I'm wondering whether it's recommended to apply both? I prefer being a generalist but at the same time was thinking maybe expert role would be slightly easier to get an offer.

If I get the offer of "expert" role, does it mean that I will have to stick to this specific industry without being able to participate in projects of other industries? Thanks a lot!

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 10, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello! Here are my toughts:

  • Regarding the definition of the Expert Track: it means that you will mainly be working on topics and clients related to the industry. The job description and scope are the same ones than a generalist role, the only thing that changes is the topic -and it influences the lifestyle, probably better schedules but more traveling-.
  • Regarding how accesible they may be: if you have good industry knowledge, I would go for the Expert role, since the pool of applicants tends to be lower and hence, less competence.

Good luck!

Cheers,

Clara

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Sidi
Expert
replied on Feb 10, 2020
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 350+ candidates secure MBB offers

Hi!

An expert role is tied to its specific topic. So if you are hired as an industry expert, you will practically always work in this industry. There might be specific exceptions, if for example a client from another industry wants to learn about a certain best practice from your industry (this happens sometimes). But as I said - 99% of the time you will be tied to your industry as an industry expert.

Cheers, Sidi

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Vlad
Expert
replied on Feb 09, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Several points here:

  • If you have deep expertise in the field getting an expert role will be easier
  • One downside is that you'll be always tied to a certain industry / function
  • Another downside is that although McKinsey created an expert track to partner several years ago, I believe it's still much harder / longer to grow as an expert

Best

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Anonymous A on Feb 09, 2020

Thanks Vlad. Is it possible for an expert track person to switch gears to other industry?

Luca
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 09, 2020
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Hello,

If you apply for the "expert role" you will be tied to that specific practice.
It will be really difficult to change fild of projects, especially if you don't have any consulting expercience as generalist. Considering this, also your career progression will be directly influenced by that specific practice's performance.

Best,
Luca

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Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 11, 2020
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

I confirm the expert roles are less competitive, but then it is hard to move to generalist path or to other practices

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Clara gave the best answer

Clara

Content Creator
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut
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