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Will I get a feedback after the first round of interviews?

Case Interview McKinsey
New answer on Apr 02, 2021
7 Answers
2.0 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Mar 31, 2021

Hello,

I am an experienced oil and gas engineer who recently completed my first round of interviews for an O&G analyst position at McKinsey. I have to say that my first case interview went well, even though I was given a banking&finance-related case (interviewer-led style). The interviewer even said that I structured my analysis correctly and deliver the right answers. However, I believe that I did not perform well in the second case interview which was held yesterday. The second case was an O&G-related problem, candidate-led style, and I believe I was going too deep into the technical details. At the end of the interview, the interviewer told me that while I have a great understanding of the O&G industry, I have to structure my thoughts better and practice more cases for the next interview. I haven't got any information regarding the outcomes from this first round of interviews, so could anyone kindly inform me whether McKinsey will give you additional feedback on your performance, or you will be just getting a rejection/announcement email? I plan to keep on practicing mock cases for future opportunities, but I thought feedback would be very good to understand my weaknesses (in addition to structuring my thoughts better).

Thanks in advance.

Overview of answers

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Best answer
Franco
Expert
replied on Mar 31, 2021
Ex BCG Principal | INSEAD | 10 yrs in consulting | Interviewed >200 Career Switchers, MBAs, Undergrads in Europe and USA

Hello there,

I think you will receive a plain email in case of rejection and a call in case of positive feedback. Having said that you always have the possibility to reach out to the HR department to ask for additional feedback on how to improve next time.

Usually, a pass comes only if there is a unanimous decision from all your interviewers, that's why it's better to perform consistently well across all the interviews rather than being excellent in one and mediocre in another one.

Give them some more time and if you will receive negative feedback, don't get yourself down, and feel free to ask for genuine feedback.

Hope it helps,

Franco

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Anonymous B on Mar 31, 2021

REAL interviews in EVERY continent and MOST experienced recruiter on this site are both very misleading...

Franco on Apr 01, 2021

Why are they misleading?

Florian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 01, 2021
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there,

For McK, you should definitely receive structured but brief feedback about your strengths and weaknesses. Depending on the office this can either be via phone or email.

Here is the key point: If the interviewer already tells you, you should practice more cases for the next round of interviews, this could indicate that they already favor you moving to the next round. What it could mean is that they see your intrinsic capabilities to solve a case + your domain expertise, yet want to have more data points on your approach (which is a learned skill btw.)

Let me know if you need an objective McK perspective on your case skills and structuring in particular if you were to move on to the next round. Happy to help!

Cheers,

Florian

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Henning
Expert
replied on Mar 31, 2021
Bain | passed >15 MBB interviews as a candidate

This depends on the firm. Bain interviewers call all interviewees with detailed feedback, independent from the outcome. As far as I know McK has a similar practice.

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Ken
Expert
replied on Mar 31, 2021
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

You should get feedback irrespective of the outcome. If you don't, you should clarify with your interviewer and/or follow up with the recruiter.

Fingers crossed!

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Udayan
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Mar 31, 2021
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /6 years McKinsey recruiting experience

A lot of it depends on the recruiter. If they are willing to collate feedback for you, you should get detailed feedback if not then you will be left with very little.

If you pass to the next round they are usually very good about feedback

Udayan

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Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 02, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, it depends on the interviewer. When you have the chance to talk with her , the feedback is usually more detailed. HR instead provide you with basic comments on the performance, but I recommend asking follow up questions without worrying about bothering them: they are there to help

Best,
Antonello

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Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 01, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

I wouldn't count on feedback. Sometimes it's provided and sometimes it isn't. Even when it is provided it tends to be quite generic in nature.

My honest view is, if you're truly looking for genuine (tough/honest/critical/actionable) feedback, a busy Partner/HR rep who doesn't care much about you and is super super busy with other priorities, is not who you should be relying on!

This is not a plug but an honest view: If you truly want to know your weaknesses, at the highest calibre, and with specific, actionable advice on how to fix them, a coach is the best way.

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