McKinsey is one of the top ranking consulting firms, but it’s hard to get into. To stand out from all those who apply for jobs at McKinseys you’ll need something special that makes your application unique- which may be difficult considering they receive thousands of applications per position!
McKinsey prefers hiring smart minds with excellent academic records, and that’s why most job applications received by McKinsey are rejected straight away. So, if you are considering working at McKinsey, here’s how you can get hired at this popular management consultant company.
Is Getting a Job at McKinsey Difficult?
For starters, it isn’t easy. The firm is notoriously selective, with an acceptance rate of just 3 percent. That means you’re up against some pretty stiff competition.
To get a job at McKinsey, you need to compete with thousands of young minds. Most students graduating from top B-schools dream of working at this consulting company.
Further, in a recent interview, McKinsey declared that only 2000 out of 200,000 applications received are selected. That means only one percent of the applicants are hired. This justifies how tough it is to land a job at McKinsey, especially if you don’t possess the right skills and qualifications.
5 Ways to Get a Job at McKinsey
To get a job at McKinsey, you need to apply for the open job positions from the official website and clear the interview rounds successfully.
McKinsey’s hiring process comprises five stages. If you clear all the interview rounds, you’ll get hired at McKinsey. Below are the stages involved in McKinsey’s recruiting process:
Attending Networking Events
McKinsey conducts several networking events for candidates to learn about the company. These networking events also allow job seekers to interact with McKinsey representatives and employers. This way, you can get an idea of the company culture and its mission and values.
Attending networking events can be helpful if you are a fresher. However, if you’ve got the experience and skills required by McKinsey, you can also land a job without attending these events.
Submitting the Job Application
After completing the networking events, McKinsey declares the deadline for submitting job applications. Job seekers need to submit the job application online with their resume and cover letter.
Pass the First Round of the Interview
The first interview round is generally conducted a few weeks after the application deadline. This interview contains questions related to personal experience, why you want to work at McKinsey, your skills, etc.
Ace the Second Interview Round
The Second interview round is the final round. It contains two to three separate interview rounds, 40-60 minutes. You will be asked questions similar to those asked in the first round. However, the interviewers will decide whether you are the right fit for the office or not, based on your answers.
Get your Job Offer Letter
After successfully completing your final interview round, wait for McKinsey to send your job offer. McKinsey will call you to inform you that you are hired. They will then send you an email, and you can accept the offer by signing it and mailing it back.
What Does It Take to Get a Job at McKinsey?
You need to work hard if you want to get into McKinsey. You have to beat your competitors and stand out from the crowd to get your application noticed and land your dream job at McKinsey.
How to do that?
The following strategies will help you out:
Have an excellent academic background
McKinsey accepts applications from college grads, working professionals, etc., of any background and program. However, the chances of getting hired depend on the skills you possess. If you have an excellent skillset or professional work experience, you can land a job at McKinsey.
An excellent resume
Your resume is the first thing that the employer will receive. You need to make sure that you leave a favorable impression on the recruiter’s mind to move on to the next step. Highlight the skills that make you a perfect fit for the job role.
Keep your resume short and to the point. Also, include your grades and work experience details in the resume.
Network
Networking is the key to getting noticed when you want to work at a large corporation like McKinsey. You can ask someone from your current workplace to refer you to McKinsey. Or talk to someone within the firm to push your application. This will increase your chances of getting hired.
Ace the interview rounds
Once your application is shortlisted, your sole focus should be clearing the interview rounds. But you will first have to appear for a written test called the problem-solving test. Once you pass this test, you’ll be called for two interviews, and depending on your performance, you may be selected or rejected.
While appearing for the test and interview, remember to answer the questions as positively as possible. Prepare for the test and interview questions to gain more confidence and get an idea of the types of questions asked.
FAQ’s
Do you need an MBA to work at McKinsey?
An MBA is not necessary to get into McKinsey. Surprisingly, the firm has several employees that don’t come from a management background. So, you can apply to McKinsey without an MBA and still land your dream job.
What GPA do you need to work at McKinsey?
McKinsey requires candidates to have at least a 3.6 GPA score to apply for a position. However, it also gives chances to candidates having a lower score as long as they have the skills needed for the job role.
Does McKinsey hire freshers?
Yes, McKinsey hires freshers who have the talent and skills required for the job role. Besides, it hires individuals from various backgrounds. So, if you think you have the skills to work at McKinsey, you can apply for the job regardless of your work experience.
Does McKinsey call to reject?
Fortunately, McKinsey calls the job applicants to inform them that they are not selected. So, you don’t have to wait for months to know the status of your application. You will also be provided feedback on your performance during the interview if you are rejected.
What is a starting salary at McKinsey?
McKinsey offers attractive pay to its employees. The pay ranges from $90,000 to $110,000 per year, and for experienced associates, it can go up to $233,000 per year. However, the pay for managers and directors can even go up to $1,300,000 per year.
How much do McKinsey interns make?
The salary of McKinsey interns is pretty competitive. The company pays undergraduate interns nearly $6,700 per month, which totals up to around $17,000 for ten weeks. Additionally, MBA interns get paid up to $32,000 for ten weeks.
Does McKinsey pay for MBA?
McKinsey sponsors MBA for its employees seeking higher education. Employees who have worked at McKinsey for at least two years and have an excellent performance record are eligible to get sponsorship for MBA. Besides, McKinsey also demands the employee to return to McKinsey after completing studies.
How many hours do McKinsey consultants work?
The work hours at McKinsey for consultants are 9 am to 9 pm without a lunch break. However, consultants can take a one hour break for travel or dinner. Overall, consultants work approximately 60 hours a week.
Does McKinsey look at transcripts?
Not necessarily. Though McKinsey has the right to check your academic transcripts, the company rarely does that. The main reason behind this is that recruiters can’t verify each resume. So, they may rarely ask for your academic transcripts, even after your interview.