Please guide! McKinsey First Round of Interviews in 35 days

Case Interview Igotanoffer McKinsey case interview
New answer on Dec 25, 2020
6 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Dec 23, 2020

Hello everyone, I have my first round of interviews at McKinsey (Pakistan) in 35 days. I am novice when it comes to case interviews. However, in last few days, I have skimmed through Victor Cheng's Case Interview Secrets and read/watched up to 3 cases from different online sources.

I have just over one year of experience and I currently work full-time. Therefore, I am looking for a package that could direct and prepare me accordingly (on which I can safely rely). IGOTANOFFER offers reasonable package along a refund promise, it would be great if anyone can share their experience/review about the course and coaching session offered by them and/or could suggest any other track within the same range for preparation within 35 days. I am really looking forward to the interview and determined to be at my best.

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 23, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Congrats for the interview! It´s a bit tight, but don´t worry, it can be done.

Furthermore, if you feel that you won´t have enaugh time, you can always talk to HR and buy time. I did it myself back in the day, and I advised it to many coachees who were not ready by the deadline. Always works.

Regarding IGOTANOFFER, I would tell you that is good, but as all standarized programs, it´s generic and not tailored to your own needs (e.g., it won´t tell you your mistakes and pitfalls, the areas where you need more growth, etc.) Have you considered working with a coach, one with a FIT `+ business case program? feel free to reach out.

In any case it´s good news, you have 2 main workstreams ahead:

1. FIT INTERVIEW

The "Integrated FIT guide for MBB" has been recently published in PrepLounge´s shop (https://www.preplounge.com/en/shop/tests-2/integrated-fit-guide-for-mbb-34)

It provides an end-to-end preparation for all three MBB interviews, tackling each firms particularities and combining key concepts review and a hands-on methodology. Following the book, the candidate will prepare his/her stories by practicing with over 50 real questions and leveraging special frameworks and worksheets that guide step-by-step, developed by the author and her experience as a Master in Management professor and coach. Finally, as further guidance, the guide encompasses over 20 examples from real candidates.

You can see plenty of reviews from candidates who purchased it already.

Furthermore, you can find 2 free cases in the PrepL case regarding FIT preparation:

Intro and CV questions > https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/fit-interview/intermediate/introduction-and-cv-questions-fit-interview-preparation-200

Motivational questions > https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/fit-interview/intermediate/motivational-questions-fit-interview-preparation-201

Behavioural questions (ENTREPRENEURIAL DRIVE) >https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/fit-interview/intermediate/behavioral-questions-entrepreneurial-drive-fit-interview-preparation-211

Feel free to PM me for disccount codes, since we still have some left from the launch! :)

2. BUSINESS CASE

You don´t have any more time to the classics of Viktor Cheng, "Case in point" book, etc. You need to get hands on asap:

1. Practice cases with partners asap, as many as you can do.Find experienced partners who can provide a good feedback

2. Practice your math skills, both in your cases and with ad hoc exercisess, such as:

1. ​Multiplying double digit numbers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ndkkPZYJHo

2. Leveraging math tools (Mimir math for iOS), Math tool on Viktor Cheng website to practice

1. Profitability cases- basic profitability framework.

2. Idea generation cases: for any specif issue

3. Growth cases: market penetration, new product launch, product mix change, etc.

4. Pricing cases

5. M&A cases

6. Valuation cases

7. Value chain cases

Given you are under this much time contraint, consider working with a coach to foster speed and ensure you have a tailored plan to be very targeted. PM me interested!

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Anonymous A on Dec 26, 2020

Thank you so much for your response.

Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 23, 2020
Ex-Mckinsey|Certified Career Coach |Placed 500+ candidates at MBB & other consultancies

Hi there,

It can be tough to prepare in this short amount of time, but here there are some tips for you:

  • study the interview stucture
  • run interview simulations
  • prepare your pitch for the personal fit part
  • solve cases. Get some feedback
  • train mental math
  • reach out to people who have more experience than you
  • getting a couple of coach sessions can save you a lot of time on the preparation

Don't hesitate to write me a message if you need an advice.

Best,

GB

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Anonymous A on Dec 26, 2020

Thank you so much for your response.

Anonymous replied on Dec 23, 2020

Hi,

Reach out to the coaches here that have experience interviewing for McKinsey. See if they have a package that meet your requirements.

Most importantly, you also need to do the work outside of the coaching package.

Best,

Iman

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Anonymous A on Dec 26, 2020

Thank you for your comment!

Anonymous B replied on Dec 25, 2020

Hey - I got an offer from McKinsey recently. Here are some tips

Casing

First of all - do as many cases as you can. There are plenty of case books online. Run through them, preferably with a partner or by yourself if need be. In those case books, there will be industry overviews which may be helpful if you can inject some of your personal/industry knowledge into a case. Make sure you're good at each step of the case. You have to kill it. McKinsey usually does not give hard cases because they pull from a central database. I recommend using RocketBlocks.com to practice each part of the case by yourself - almost like math practice. It's a great resource. Try to talk slower. Take time to think - don't blurt stuff out. Try to be as comprehensively and succinct and impactful in your communication as possible.

PEI

Think of a few stories for this. Make sure you can answer all the PEI questions you find online and Glassdoor. If you try to force a story or you don't have a story, game over. What's best is a story that is adaptable yet still feels geared towards different prompts. What you can do is have one story that covers multiple prompts but FOCUS on the part that addresses the PEI question the most. What they're looking for is your intrapersonal skills and empathy. Do not overcompensate for that by saying your accomplishments or the prestige of your work - they don't care.

As always - don't be a robot. Engage in small talk with them. Smile. Most McKinsey interviewers are all very friendly. Treat them like a friend. Good luck.

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Anonymous A on Dec 26, 2020

Thank you for the insight!

Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 24, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi,

Honestly, most of the packaged guides aren't great.

Nothing beats 1-on-1 training.

If you can afford to hire a coach you 100% should...they will progress you far faster than IGOTANOFFER.

I recommend you go through the coach listing and pick a few coaches that speak to you. Message them, have a call, and pick the one that you think will support you best.

Good luck!

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Anonymous A on Dec 26, 2020

Thank you for your comment!

Ken
Expert
replied on Dec 23, 2020
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

It's hard to comment on another platform here but carefully selecting and working with a quality coach who is both an experienced McKinsey interviewer AND coach is the most important thing!

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Anonymous A on Dec 26, 2020

Thank you for your comment!

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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