Hi there,

if you are interested in consulting, it's definitely not a bad sign. If that respective person is currently at McK offering to support you, that makes getting a referral and a subsequent interview much easier in case you want to apply.

As to the motives of the alum, there may be company internal incentives in place for consultants who successfully refer new recruits. Meaning that they would receive a reward payment if a person they referred ends up joining the firm (after they pass the probation period usually). Or he/she is just trying to help out the company's recruiting efforts based on the kindness of their heart.

Be that as it may, no harm in connecting with the alum to find out more. Doesn't sound like you have anything to lose here.

Good luck

Hi there,

This is indeed an interesting question which is probably relevant for a lot of users, thus I am happy to provide my perspective on it:

• It's great that an alum of your MBA program reached out to offer help and career advice. This is a positive sign, as it indicates that the alum values your potential and is willing to invest time and effort in supporting your career development. It's also a good opportunity for you to build your network and gain valuable insights and advice from someone who has experience in the consulting industry.
• In terms of whether this is a recruitment or marketing strategy, it's possible that the alum is acting on behalf of the consulting firm they work for, and that they are looking to identify and recruit talented MBA students like yourself. However, it's also possible that the alum is simply offering support and advice out of their own interest and generosity.
• Either way, it's a good idea to take advantage of this opportunity and engage with the alum to learn more about their experiences and advice. You can also use this as an opportunity to learn more about the consulting industry and the opportunities that may be available to you.

In case you want a more detailed discussion on what to do in your specific situation, please feel free to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

It is a good sign for the first step of the application, making your way through screening. If this guy contacts you directly, chances are that your profile is really appealing for a particular role, and you will get a referral and likely an invite to the Solve Game + Interviews.

However, once you are past the screening would still need to perform during the Solve and the interviews like any other candidate.

For more info on what follows, have a look at the following articles:

https://www.preplounge.com/mckinsey-pei

https://preplounge.com/mckinsey-interview

Cheers,

Florian

Hi there,

Q: I just wondering if this is a good sign or it's simply a recruitment/marketing strategy for prospective consultants.

For sure it seems your profile was considered good. If the Alumnus is still in the firm, the call can definitely be useful as you may be able to get a referral from the consultant. You can find more on how to do so below:

▶ The Exact Steps to Get a Referral

Good luck!

Francesco

Hi there,

I once received a similar message and that's how my journey at McKinsey started. And yes, this is one of the ways that MBB get traction with profiles they like from target schools.

It's important to engage in the right way (always friendly and keen but never pushy) and start building a relationship. Your goal will be to get support for the application, which means formal/informal referral.

To that end, make sure your application documents are absolutely spot on (form, format, content), including a convincing cover letter. Competition in London is extremely high and you can't afford to risk it for minor mistakes.

If there's anything you need help with, feel free to reach out.

Best of luck!

Moritz

It's a good sign. It means they like your resume and believe you may have good chances of getting an interview.

McKinsey doesn't need strategies to recruit people out of an MBA, nor does it need marketing. The brand speaks for itself.

Congratulations and make sure you don't waste the opportunity. Make sure to get a referral! This recent thread is a good starting point for that.

Hello,

Yes, this is a good sign that you have an interesting profile and they would potentially be open to interviewing you.

However, that is just it. This does not mean that the person interviewing you will treat you any differently. You will still have to crack the interviews on merit.

All the best!

Rushabh

Hi there,

Of course it's a good sign!

Let them know that you would appreciate any advice/help they can give. Be open to a call/conversation/meetup and try to make a good impression. 

This could certainly be a foot in the door for an interview!