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Consulting Q&A

Consulting Q&A – Ask Questions about Your Career

In this overview, you will find all the questions asked so far by the PrepLounge community. Anyone can ask questions and write answers. Our coaches are also happy to share their expertise. If you like an answer, give it an upvote so that it rises to the top. Here you can also find our guidelines and FAQs for the Consulting Q&A.

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Apply to both McK BA and Junior Associate? How does that work?

business analyst junior associate McKinsey Middle East
Most recent answer on Apr 14, 2024
The best answer (on Apr 13, 2024) is from:
Cristian
Expert
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach
Cristian
Expert
 gave the best answer on Apr 13, 2024
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach
The reality is that in 95% of cases it's either the first office or nothing. As in, it's rather an exception that the first office reviews your application and considers you to be more suitable for the second office and ... (read entire answer)
3
Answers
90
Views
24
Total Upvotes
on Apr 14, 2024 on Apr 14, 2024
Last Activity

What does a Junior Associate do?

junior associate
Most recent answer on Mar 14, 2024
The best answer (on Mar 13, 2024) is from:
Cristian
Expert
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach
Cristian
Expert
 gave the best answer on Mar 13, 2024
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach
Go with their recommendation.  Let me explain. I've seen this happen a few times.  MBB is a tough and demanding environment.  Everybody that goes in, often takes one step down from the role they previously had in the in ... (read entire answer)
5
Answers
146
Views
54
Total Upvotes
on Mar 14, 2024 on Mar 14, 2024
Last Activity

Does McKinsey shut down over Christmas?

Application application process Application timing Applied junior associate McKinsey
Most recent answer on Dec 18, 2023
The best answer (on Dec 16, 2023) is from:
Ian
Expert
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate
Ian
Expert
 gave the best answer on Dec 16, 2023
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate
Hi Hannah, Short answer, yes :) That said, YOU should not “shut down” over Christmas. Make sure you're using this time to case prep! Also, please, for the sake of your sanity, stop refreshing your emails :P And, please ... (read entire answer)
8
Answers
433
Views
91
Total Upvotes
on Dec 18, 2023 on Dec 18, 2023
Last Activity

Qualification of McKinsey Junior Associate

Application junior associate McKinsey
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2023
The best answer (on Jul 25, 2018) is from:
Francesco
Expert
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Francesco
Expert
 gave the best answer on Jul 25, 2018
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Hi Anonymous, the answer may be different according to the country, but at least in Europe, with such experience you will be considered for an Analyst position, not a Junior Associate Position. In order to qualify for ... (read entire answer)
7
Answers
12.0 k
Views
15
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2023 on Sep 30, 2023
Last Activity

2023 McKinsey Interview Timeline and Tips

approaching a case BCG McKinsey and Bain Imbellus junior associate McKinsey McKinsey Imbellus
Most recent answer on Sep 02, 2023
The best answer (on Sep 01, 2023) is from:
Sofia
Expert
Top-Ranked Coach on PrepLounge for 3 years| McKinsey San Francisco | Harvard graduate | 6+ years of coaching
Sofia
Expert
 gave the best answer on Sep 01, 2023
Top-Ranked Coach on PrepLounge for 3 years| McKinsey San Francisco | Harvard graduate | 6+ years of coaching
Hello, Congratulations on a strong start in the recruiting process! To answer your questions: I was just wondering if you guys have any additional insight re: what to expect in terms of timeline for the interviews, are ... (read entire answer)
6
Answers
1.4 k
Views
67
Total Upvotes
on Sep 02, 2023 on Sep 02, 2023
Last Activity

Cross regional recruitment

canada junior associate McKinsey & Company Qatar Saudi Arabia UAE
Most recent answer on May 29, 2023
The best answer (on May 26, 2023) is from:
Cristian
Expert
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach
Cristian
Expert
 gave the best answer on May 26, 2023
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach
Hi Hamza, Indeed, it's rather difficult to get past screening if you cannot demonstrate a good link to the location you are applying to.  A good link usually means either having studied, or lived there, or having some s ... (read entire answer)
5
Answers
471
Views
58
Total Upvotes
on May 29, 2023 on May 29, 2023
Last Activity

Applied by recruiting event for diversity (female leadership) - Mckinsey

associate consultant Experienced junior associate McKinsey
Most recent answer on Jan 29, 2023
The best answer (on Jan 24, 2023) is from:
Lilit
Expert
Associate Partner at Bain| ex EY-Parthenon|5+ yrs of coaching | Personalised approach and detailed & actionable feedback
Lilit
Expert
 gave the best answer on Jan 24, 2023
Associate Partner at Bain| ex EY-Parthenon|5+ yrs of coaching | Personalised approach and detailed & actionable feedback
Hi Ardak, I think you should be elibible to apply for an Asociate position, however it would really depend on the roles/ positions you have had over the 5 years of experience. I usually suggest to aim higher and if they ... (read entire answer)
9
Answers
602
Views
110
Total Upvotes
on Jan 29, 2023 on Jan 29, 2023
Last Activity

McKinsey Middle East: salaries for BA to Associates?

abu dhabi Job offer junior associate McKinsey McKinsey consulting analyst McKinsey Dubai Mckinsey middle east salary starting salary UAE
Most recent answer on Dec 06, 2022
The best answer (on Dec 05, 2022) is from:
Ian
Expert
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate
Ian
Expert
 gave the best answer on Dec 05, 2022
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate
Hi there, Management consulted says it's $25K USD base, but I think this is a mistake.  One of my candidates who got BCG Dubai received $92k base and $3k (for entry level). For the Consultant level, recent candidates of ... (read entire answer)
3
Answers
14.4 k
Views
12
Total Upvotes
on Dec 06, 2022 on Dec 06, 2022
Last Activity

Qualifications for McKinsey Junior Associate/Associate role as an MBA

associate junior associate MBA McKinsey
Most recent answer on Oct 23, 2022
The best answer (on Sep 29, 2022) is from:
Cristian
Expert
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach
Cristian
Expert
 gave the best answer on Sep 29, 2022
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach
Hi there,  If I were you, I would apply for Associate.  Once you're past the CV screening, nobody compares your previous experience but your case and personal fit performance. So I'd rather focus on improving those and ... (read entire answer)
10
Answers
1.0 k
Views
75
Total Upvotes
on Oct 23, 2022 on Oct 23, 2022
Last Activity

Include GPA for an undergraduate application?

application process BCG McKinsey and Bain Boston Consulting Group business analyst Consulting Resume CV screening junior associate McKinsey & Company Resume
Most recent answer on Dec 06, 2021
The best answer (on Dec 06, 2021) is from:
Udayan
Expert
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience
Udayan
Expert
 gave the best answer on Dec 06, 2021
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience
As an undergraduate, hiding your GPA will look suspicious. Interviewers know that only candidates with low GPAs don't want to talk about it. Additionally, the application portal will anyway ask for your GPA so it will h ... (read entire answer)
4
Answers
1.3 k
Views
16
Total Upvotes
on Dec 06, 2021 on Dec 06, 2021
Last Activity

M.Sc. with good grades but no experience - how to enter?

Application associate consultant entry level germany internship junior associate Trainee
Most recent answer on Apr 16, 2021
The best answer (on Apr 16, 2021) is from:
Francesco
Expert
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Francesco
Expert
 gave the best answer on Apr 16, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Hi Vincent, Here are my thoughts: If BCG invited you, you have the potential to be invited by all the major strategy consulting firms If time allows, try to get an internship before applying to other consulting ... (read entire answer)
7
Answers
887
Views
105
Total Upvotes
on Apr 16, 2021 on Apr 16, 2021
Last Activity

Passed the McKinsey assessment test!

business analyst junior associate
Most recent answer on Dec 30, 2020
Anonymous B gave the best answer on Nov 24, 2020
I went through the process over a month ago. The key thing to remember is that McKinsey is very different from most other companies in that the interviewers genuinely want you to succeed unless you've managed to create ... (read entire answer)
8
Answers
1.7 k
Views
71
Total Upvotes
on Dec 30, 2020 on Dec 30, 2020
Last Activity

What happens when one withdraws an application?

business analyst junior associate McKinsey Recruiting timeline
Most recent answer on Dec 30, 2020
The best answer (on Dec 08, 2020) is from:
Ken
Expert
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach
Ken
Expert
 gave the best answer on Dec 08, 2020
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach
As a McK alum who had an amazing recruiting experience, its always dissappointing to hear these horror stories :( What do you mean by "what happens"? Stating the obvious but once you withdraw your application will no ... (read entire answer)
7
Answers
8.3 k
Views
38
Total Upvotes
on Dec 30, 2020 on Dec 30, 2020
Last Activity

Position not open - McKinsey

business analyst junior associate McKinsey
Most recent answer on Dec 01, 2020
The best answer (on Nov 27, 2020) is from:
Clara
Expert
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut
Clara
Expert
 gave the best answer on Nov 27, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut
Hello! This is something you need to clarify with the same person who recommended you to apply to JrAssociate. They will let you know how to proceed, since the process is mostly the same but can have different timings ... (read entire answer)
9
Answers
776
Views
60
Total Upvotes
on Dec 01, 2020 on Dec 01, 2020
Last Activity

Requirement for Junior Associate Positions

and Bain BCG Engineering Finance junior associate Junior Consultant management Master McKinsey
Most recent answer on Oct 06, 2019
The best answer (on Oct 05, 2019) is from:
Deniz
Expert
5+ Years at BCG & Kearney Dubai & Istanbul | 400+ Trainees | Free 15-min Consultation Call
Deniz
Expert
 gave the best answer on Oct 05, 2019
5+ Years at BCG & Kearney Dubai & Istanbul | 400+ Trainees | Free 15-min Consultation Call
Hi Javar, It may depend on the office, but based on my experience you need an MBA or 3-4 years of consulting experience to be considered as a Junior Associate in most offices. I can advise you to get in touch with HR ... (read entire answer)
4
Answers
3.0 k
Views
1
Total Upvotes
on Oct 06, 2019 on Oct 06, 2019
Last Activity

Got offered Junior Associate instead of Associate

junior associate McKinsey
Most recent answer on Sep 20, 2019
Anonymous gave the best answer on Sep 20, 2019
I totally agree with Francesco & Giulia - reach out to HR, find out why they thought a JA role was more appropriate. What I would add is to treat the conversation as the start of your Professional Development. Un ... (read entire answer)
4
Answers
1.7 k
Views
6
Total Upvotes
on Sep 20, 2019 on Sep 20, 2019
Last Activity

Key Qualities firms look for in Associate Consultant Interns?

associate consultant Bain & Company consulting junior associate
Recent activity on Jun 02, 2019
The best answer (on May 28, 2019) is from:
Vlad
Expert
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Vlad
Expert
 gave the best answer on May 28, 2019
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Hi, It's absolutely the same with Full-time roles. It can be different for each company but at the end of the day it's the following: 1) Problem solving - tested by your ability to solve cases. This includes: St ... (read entire answer)
3
Answers
1.7 k
Views
4
Total Upvotes
on Jun 02, 2019 on Jun 02, 2019
Last Activity

Junior Associate McKinsey MBA Opportunity

junior associate
Recent activity on Jan 16, 2019
The best answer (on Jan 15, 2019) is from:
Guennael
Expert
Ex-MBB, Experienced Hire; I will teach you not only the how, but also the why of case interviews
Guennael
Expert
 gave the best answer on Jan 15, 2019
Ex-MBB, Experienced Hire; I will teach you not only the how, but also the why of case interviews
Yes, but only if they perform well. I.e., not everyone gets offered to return PS: Answer is same for most large consultancies
3
Answers
2.1 k
Views
4
Total Upvotes
on Jan 16, 2019 on Jan 16, 2019
Last Activity
18 results
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