McKinsey' s hiring cycle

Experienced Hire McKinsey
New answer on Jun 09, 2021
4 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Jun 07, 2021

Hi, I'm hoping to apply for associate role (generalist) at McKinsey as an experienced hire. I would like to plan ahead for all the prep and networking.

As you know, is there any best season through a year to start to apply given its hiring cycle? i.e. Q1/Q2/Q3/Q4 in a year.

Thanks.

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Florian
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replied on Jun 07, 2021
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there,

this depends on the office and geography you are applying to. Some offices have a fixed recruiting cycle with one or several application windows per year, others have a running cycle.

Best contact HR of the office of your choice and clarify with them!

Inofficially, if an office is recruiting on a running basis, it is slightly better to apply at the beginning of the year rather than at the end (when specific quotas are met).

Cheers,

Florian

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Gaurav
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replied on Jun 09, 2021
Ex-Mckinsey|Certified Career Coach |Placed 500+ candidates at MBB & other consultancies

Hi, its actually depends on where the office based and the region. In order not wasting your time for nothing - contact the HR of the office you’ll pick up and go through all details .

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Ian
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replied on Jun 07, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Where are you applying?

If you're applying in the US I would get moving ASAP - demand is through the roof. If it's Europe, wait another couple of months. Notice a pattern? "Follow" covid vaccinations/economic recoveries.

Furthermore, you need to network. I prefer the strategy of applying if/when you have a referral or have exhausted all networking avenues. Far more important than specific timing is having an "in" at the company.

Finally, if you're wondering about specific cohorts/recruiting cycles, it really does depend on the office...so, you may as well network, reach out to HR, etc. to figure out when these are for your particular officde!

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Antonello
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replied on Jun 07, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, it depends on the office, but in this particular year, nothing is predictable. Therefore my recommendation would be to start your process asap or when you'll have more time to focus on it. I have helped tens of experienced hired this year in achieving offers, if useful text me to know more about it

Best,
Antonello

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Florian gave the best answer

Florian

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Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets
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