Mckinsey - Referral and online assessment

Question

Hello everyone,

I had approached one partner who is working in PEPI practice and got the below-mentioned reply:

"Thanks for your mail, XXX!

Someone from our recruiting team will reach out shortly to have a chat.

In the meantime, happy for the two of us to connect. I am copying xxx, who has my diary and can set something up for next week."

Within one hour I got an email from the recruiter:

"Thanks, XXX, I have sent you a Zoom invite for XXX.

Once you have formally applied, I will also send you a link to our online assessment which would be the first step in the process.

Look forward to our catch-up in a few weeks."

Now I have calls scheduled with both partner and recruiter at different times. I have applied for a position in PEPI practice in one of the European offices.

1 - Can I consider this as a referral?

2 - The recruiter has mentioned that he will send me the link to the online assessment test after I have applied. Does this mean that I have already passed the CV screening as I believe Mck does not send the test to everyone?

3 - The recruiter has mentioned online assessment. Does it mean the game-based assessment or PST? As far as I know, Mck has removed PST in Europe so I believe it is a game-based test. Does every candidate have to go through a game-based test or does it apply to people who have applied for the generalist track or does Mck have different online assessments for PEPI candidates?

4 - Should I apply right away or should I apply after the call with a recruiter?

I look forward to your guidance, coaches :)

Answer 1

Hi there,

1 - Can I consider this as a referral?

Hmmm hard to say. It does seem like it, but it's odd given you haven't spoken to either of them. Regardless, you're “in” in the sense that you have their attention! Do well on the partner call and the assessment and you're likely to get that interview!

2 - The recruiter has mentioned that he will send me the link to the online assessment test after I have applied. Does this mean that I have already passed the CV screening as I believe Mck does not send the test to everyone?

Depends on the office. (some look at CV + assessment + HR screening in one go, others look at CV first, then assessment).

Regardless, what's the point in figuring out whether you passed stage 0 or stage 1 or stage .5? You're at the online assessment stage, so do as well as you can on that! Don't worry about what stage you're in; worry about what you need to do to pass it!

3 - The recruiter has mentioned online assessment. Does it mean the game-based assessment or PST? As far as I know, Mck has removed PST in Europe so I believe it is a game-based test. Does every candidate have to go through a game-based test or does it apply to people who have applied for the generalist track or does Mck have different online assessments for PEPI candidates?

This should be the game-based assessment (Imbellus)

4 - Should I apply right away or should I apply after the call with a recruiter?

You should apply now (strike while the iron is hot!)

Answer 2

1 - Can I consider this as a referral?

I would say that no, but also that it doesn't seem like you need it. If things go well you should get the interview.

2 - The recruiter has mentioned that he will send me the link to the online assessment test after I have applied. Does this mean that I have already passed the CV screening as I believe Mck does not send the test to everyone?

Yes and no. It means you passed the basic interview screening that allows you to do the online assessment. Not that you passed the CV screening that happens after that. On the other hand, if the test goes well, given the interaction with the partner, it really suggests you will pass that one.

3 - The recruiter has mentioned online assessment. Does it mean the game-based assessment or PST?

Imbellus.

4 - Should I apply right away or should I apply after the call with a recruiter?

You can apply right away. And the you can tell the recruiter you already applied!

Answer 3

Hey there,

From the emails it sounds like:

1+2. Yes, it is a referral and you already passed the screening stage.

3. It will be the McKinsey Solve Game (formerly Imbellus or Digital Assessment)

4. Wait for the call but have all your documents ready to get the process started right after the call (if you feel ready)

5. Bonus: Start prepping for the McKinsey interviews by reading these two articles on

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 4

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on being invited by McKinsey!

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

Yes, this was a referral, and a specifically strong one, to be honest since you seem to have have skipped the screening process altogether.
See above - yes, you seem to have already skipped the screening process. You might still be required to hand in your application files, but this is more for administrative purposes (and the background check later).
Yes, you will be required to do the PSG, the McKinsey Solve (formerly McKinsey Imbellus) problem-solving game. From the experience of coachess of mine, there seems to be no differentiation between senior hires and newly grads regarding the need to pass the McKinsey Solve. Please feel free to contact me in case you want a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare the McKinsey PSG without costly (and sometimes outdated) guides.
I would advise you to still wait for the call with the recruiter. Chances are low that you will receive any war deciding information in the call yet you have no disadvantage if you wait.

In case you want a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare your upcoming McKinsey interviews, please feel free to contact me directly.

I hope this helps,

Hagen