35 McKinsey & Company Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our McKinsey & Company interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
Table of Contents
- 1. Behavioral Questions
- 2. Communication Questions
- 3. Compatibility Questions
- 4. Competency Questions
- 5. Conflict Questions
- 6. Customer Service Questions
- 7. Diligence Questions
- 8. Diversity Questions
- 9. Experience Questions
- 10. Job Satisfaction Questions
- 11. Leadership Questions
- 12. Problem Solving Questions
- 13. Teamwork Questions
Behavioral
1. Tell me about a personal achievement, not related to work, which you are proud of.
What You Need to Know
Interviewers ask this behavioral question to get you to loosen up and get out of interview mode. Your answer will help them see how relatable you are and clue them into your passions, hobbies, and interests. Feel free to share the hobbies which make you seem affable. Find relatable points of common interest. Having interests in common with your clients can go a long way in establishing work/client relationships. The less guarded you are about your personal life, the more it shows you'll be able to foster interpersonal work relationships. Your interviewer will consider this when evaluating your fit into the team.
Answer Example
"I've built a few cars in my garage. The last one I built a few years ago was a T-Model Ford that I tricked out and installed a hybrid engine in. It's a great car and a fun project. It took me about six months to complete. Here's a picture..."
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Behavioral
2. How can McKinsey and Company motivate you?
What You Need to Know
"Make your own McKinsey: Exciting work that makes a difference. Colleagues and mentors at the top of their fields. Endless opportunities to take what you know, develop your skills, and grow with a group that takes on the world's toughest challenges. That's life at McKinsey. It could be for you."
Every employer should know how each staff member is best motivated, and McKinsey and Company understands motivation contributes significantly to job satisfaction, employee tenure, and productivity. A career-minded professional focused on accomplishing their goals and furthering their development will spend time understanding what motivates them and drives their productivity.
This question goes beyond being driven and self-motivated. The interviewers want to understand how external motivators have factored into your job search and what drew you to apply for their position. How you answer this question will inform them of how realistic your expectations are and whether they can meet them. Research their culture and working environment. Familiarize yourself with their culture, and see how it meets what you are looking for and how their model will help you overachieve and give your all.
"Our culture, your life: You work hard--and we want you to pursue what you love outside the office. Raise a family, travel for fun, write that novel or screenplay, or help your community: a career at McKinsey makes it possible and practical to pursue your working life and your life's work.
Work-life flexibility: We encourage a culture of flexibility and offer specific programs that support career success. Take Time gives consultants the option to take an extra 5 to 10 weeks off between projects. Pace enables consultants to stay in their current role longer, thus reducing the pressure to fulfill requirements for their next role. And our commitment to parents includes extensive leave benefits for mothers, fathers, and adoptive parents; coaching and support provided by a dedicated mothers' network manager; and a "phase back" option that helps consultants transition back to work after maternity leave.
Entrepreneurship: What does entrepreneurship look like inside McKinsey? It's finding new ways to solve business problems for our projects, our teams, and our clients. A great idea could change the way we work or spark a brand-new initiative. We have practice entrepreneurs, geographic entrepreneurs, and new-business leaders. Their great ideas influence McKinsey and our clients, and they spark new initiatives for our alumni.
Connections for life: The people you meet at McKinsey will be your coworkers, colleagues, mentors, peers-and because of the collaborative, supportive nature of the culture, people here make friends for life. From your first team to our 30,000-member alumni network, the connections you make and the experiences you share will last the rest of your career, wherever it takes you."
1st Answer Example
"My current manager motivates me by reminding me that she has full faith in my work. Those words boost my confidence and feed my fire, especially on more challenging client projects."
2nd Answer Example
"Thank you for asking! I appreciate that Mckinsey and Company cares about employee motivation levels. I am best motivated through words of praise and recognition for a job well done. I like to know that my efforts are noticed. In my current position, we have a team leaderboard, and I like that concept because it creates healthy competition."
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Behavioral
3. Do you consider yourself a persuasive person?
What You Need to Know
This question aims to determine your approach to persuading others to your perspective and how much of that approach is guided by your integrity. Part of being a successful consultant is bringing others around to your point of view, especially when a person is biased against you. Explain how you use your communication skills to broaden perspectives, share the full scope of the big picture, and enhance collaboration. Share with them your approach, focusing on transparency, earning trust, and being guided by your integrity.
1st Answer Example
"I can be persuasive when it comes to helping my clients to understand the logic behind recommendations that our group is making. It's important to lay out the intentions of any change and then express the importance of those changes."
2nd Answer Example
"Persuasion and management consulting methods go hand in hand, so, yes, I believe that I am a persuasive person. My approach is not sly or combative in any way, however. I persuade others by displaying how my approach could benefit their business and bottom-line."
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Behavioral
4. How do you weigh and implement the feedback you receive on client projects towards your professional growth?
What You Need to Know
Graciously accepting feedback, objectively considering it, and applying what can be gained from it towards one's growth are the traits of a career-focused professional. It also exhibits high emotional intelligence. You can't always predict what clients say or how you feel, but you can learn how to master your feelings and choose how to respond to feedback.
1st Answer Example
"I ask for feedback every month from one of my toughest-to-please managers. Her feedback is accurate, and I trust it. Once she tells me what I could try doing differently, I will take the time to research and plan how I can implement the change. This practice has helped me grow in my career significantly."
2nd Answer Example
"At the end of every project, I give my clients and their entire team a survey focused specifically on my service, knowledge base, and satisfaction with my work. The feedback is blind, but I take every bit of it as though it came from the company CEO. I analyze the comments for common denominators as well. If the feedback is consistent, I create a learning plan based on that feedback."
Behavioral
5. What do you think makes a good management consultant?
What You Need to Know
While researching the company, keep an eye out for any taglines or phrases where you can identify the traits McKinsey celebrates in their consultants. "A trusted advisor or hands-on coach. Problem solvers and creative thinkers. Engineers and new business builders." These are but a few. Keep digging until you find those traits which best describe you or align with your approach to your work. The qualities you identify in yourself, which you are most proud of, should be conveyed with pride and sincerity.
1st Answer Example
"A good management consultant will actively listen to their client and commit to giving only the most sound and well-research advice. They are full of integrity and know how to communicate. These are just some of the skills I have honed over my years in consulting, and I look forward to making them work for Mckinsey and Company and your clients."
2nd Answer Example
"A good management consultant will have the ability to adapt and pivot at a moment's notice. They will be well-trusted, researched, and communicate clearly at all times. I value these skills and work on bettering myself daily."
Communication
6. Why do companies need consultants?
What You Need to Know
Your answer to this question will inform your interviewer of your experience and skill level through the consulting value propositions you offer. Before the interview, thoroughly research McKinsey and Company's value propositions - the value they promise to deliver to their clients, what they offer, whom they serve, and the unique benefits and value their clients will realize by engaging them as their consultant firm. After familiarizing yourself with their approach, incorporate their keywords and phrases into your answer, aligning your approach to this question with theirs.
1st Answer Example
"I believe every company needs a consultant group at any stage in their business. Only the most invested will take that step and hire one. Some of the reasons may be pain points they remain stuck on due to differing opinions in the c-suite. Others may be that their processes are antiquated, but no internal employee is knowledgeable enough to change that. Whatever the reason, I am prepared to show my new clients how wise it was to bring on Mckinsey and Company to assist."
2nd Answer Example
"I previously worked for a company that hired a management consulting firm. Their reason was that they needed an outside perspective on processes and spending. They wanted to scale but did not understand how to do so. It was a fascinating process, which sparked my interest in joining this industry."
Communication
7. How would you explain the management consulting industry to someone unfamiliar with it?
What You Need to Know
Many people don't understand the type of work management consultants do. Additionally, there may be staff among a client's company who aren't exactly clear of the role you have to play. The heart of this question aims to assess how effectively you can explain this in layman's terms.
It's best to prepare a brief and succinct definition before your interview. Having this prepared in advance, memorized, and articulately relayed in a casual manner that seems second nature will assure your interview you can effectively represent McKinsey and Company's brand to their clients and the public.
1st Answer Example
"Management consulting is best described as a group of people who help businesses answer tough questions surrounding their operations, strategy, and profits."
2nd Answer Example
"I explain management consultants as people who help businesses clarify their operations and strategy. We help businesses of all kinds max out their profitability."
Communication
8. What is your approach when entering an emotionally charged situation?
What You Need to Know
In the management consulting industry, there are plenty of instances where those you aim to assist may experience feelings of vulnerability and fears of negative evaluation, causing instinct to kick in. Those whose decision-making is informed by how they emotionally interpret a situation require enhanced communication skills and an ability to adapt one's communication style to theirs. A person can be brought around to observing their reality situationally through diplomacy, mediation, and negotiation. This question assesses your communication skills. Your answer will inform them of your emotional intelligence, empathy, and ability to navigate such terrain.
Answer Example
"I'll do everything first to establish a sense of trust. Everyone wants to feel heard and be treated with respect; everyone seeks validation. When I communicate with a client's team or other individuals in similar circumstances, I actively listen, mirror what I feel they're communicating, and validate what they're communicating based on their perception and their reality. I'll present the situation to them with the external components that may have been outside their perspective. I'll share my knowledge and the avenues I can explore to help them and do my best to keep the communication as amenable and transparent as possible. Show them that you're putting thought into it, exploring all options before reaching an outcome."
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Compatibility
9. What do you believe is the most important service we offer at McKinsey and Company?
What You Need to Know
There is an entire webpage on McKinsey and Company's website dedicated to their offerings. "We offer a world-class curriculum in the most significant functional areas of advanced operations." Under their featured offerings, they've highlighted Digital Manufacturing and Digital Supply-Chain Management and Warehousing. Under their Operations, they highlight Digital Procurement, Digital Quality Management, Digital Service Operations, Digital Transformation Capability Building, Lean Manufacturing, Lean Service Operations, Lean Supply Chain Management & Warehousing, Resource Productivity, and Smart Product Development. The last section under their offerings is Leadership Development.
Before your interview, comb through the McKinsey and Company website and read up on all of these. Don't limit your answer to your range of experience. Showcase your industry knowledge by exploring what's hot right now. Explore why they've chosen the featured offerings they've highlighted and form a well-structured and articulate answer. After you've shared your insights, humbly ask theirs, exhibiting an eagerness to learn.
1st Answer Example
"What stands out the most to me is your team's expertise in strategic workforce planning. When you can optimize a client's workforce and introduce them to cutting-edge tech in their industry, you can change their profitability exponentially. I agree with the statement on your website that agile organizations use strategic workforce planning to stand out from the competition."
2nd Answer Example
"From my research, I believe that much of your business comes from clients seeking cultural transformation and organizational development. The two go hand in hand, and it appears that Mckinsey and Company believes you cannot have one without the other. I appreciate that you stand firm on your ability to help your clients define the culture that will deliver their best organizational strategy."
Compatibility
10. Provide one of your greatest strengths and one of your weaknesses.
What You Need to Know
How you answer this question will offer your interviewer insights into your self-awareness and how capably you identify your merits and growth opportunities. Align your self-perceived strengths with the qualities they're looking for based on the information available online. Try to frame your greatest weakness as an asset in its own right. Growing too attached to the teams you interact with while on a project could be perceived as a weakness in some circles. Similarly, this quality can also be seen as a benefit to McKinsey and Company and their clients.
Answer Example
"I'd say one of my greatest strengths is my attitude and ability to encourage and validate those I engage with. I learned early on that my positivity has an infectious quality to it. I try to use that to my advantage whenever I can. Regarding my weaknesses, I'd say sometimes my relationship-building skills cause me to grow too attached to my client's teams and those I'm working with. It's always hard to say goodbye, which can cause me to be a bit glum for a few days after the end of a project."
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Compatibility
11. How would you contribute to the profitability of McKinsey and Company?
What You Need to Know
McKinsey's website has sections dedicated to "Transformation" and "How We Help Our Clients," which spell out their approach to how they help their clients transform and increase their profitability. Perform your research and draw parallels with how you've helped your clients throughout your career, using their language to translate your professional experience into ways that relate to their model. Perhaps this position presents an opportunity to improve these skills and the potential career growth you've been looking for.
1st Answer Example
"I look forward to helping Mckinsey and Company be more profitable every day. During my application process, I conducted a lot of research on your organization. I noticed one area of opportunity is your social media presence. For instance, a strong presence on Instagram can draw users to your website, creating more opportunities to educate potential clients."
2nd Answer Example
"I specialize in workforce optimization, so I always see room for opportunity in that realm. When I applied to Mckinsey and Company online, I saw some ways to streamline the application process, saving time and frustration. I would be happy to walk you through my ideas."
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Compatibility
12. Who are McKinsey and Company's biggest competitors, and how do we stand apart?
What You Need to Know
There are many management consulting firms, from solo-run consultancies to the biggest agencies in the business. According to recent comparisons, McKinsey ranks in the top three. They stand apart from their competition in several ways, including being recognized by Vault.com, where they were honored as Vault.com's #1 consulting firm globally. Additionally, McKinsey and Company is the oldest and largest of the "Big Three" management consultancies.
However, Before your interview, while performing your research on McKinsey and Company and the position, it is equally relevant to research the size of McKinsey and Company, who their clients are, who their direct competitors are, and any recent media coverage, interviews with their executives, or other coverage. The more informed your decision to pursue this opportunity seems, the more likely you are to land the role.
1st Answer Example
"I understand the most significant competitors of Mckinsey and Company to be A, B, and C. When I researched your firm, these companies continually came up as direct competitors. I combed through their websites and was happy to find that the messaging from Mckinsey and Company was the most consistent. Your firm appears to have the most vision and a more robust client list over a wider range of client industries."
2nd Answer Example
"After researching Mckinsey and Company, I saw that your primary competitors are A and B. These two firms look like they do a good job; however, the consultants seem to rotate often. Most of their consulting teams were new and without longevity. I appreciate that Mckinsey and Company has teams who are well tenured. This consistency tells me that you are better able to build client relationships and that your consultants are satisfied with the opportunities and growth here."
Compatibility
13. Our best consultants continually grow and learn. What have you done to expand your knowledge in the past three months?
What You Need to Know
Professional growth is vital and directly associated with the success you will see in your career. Describe how you stay up-to-date on the latest buzz topics, developments, and trends. Share your methods for continuing your education, whether at home by reading books by respected thought leaders in your industry, attending seminars, or earning an additional certificate or license. Your interviewer would like to know if you are focused on your continual development and are fully vested in your career path.
1st Answer Example
"To expand my professional knowledge, I have started an online course through NYU on microeconomics. I wanted to take the initiative to learn more on this topic and keep my knowledge current. To grow personally, I have read a couple of books on leadership. I love to read and learn from other professionals and behavioral experts."
2nd Answer Example
"I appreciate that you have asked about professional development. It's a topic that is important to me. I have committed to reading one new book per month on a topic related to organizational development, leadership, and strategy. I listen to The Growth podcast every day on my commute to hear business turnaround stories. I find them inspiring."
Competency
14. Who are our clients at McKinsey and Company?
What You Need to Know
Before your interview, you must have an understanding of the industries and clients that McKinsey and Company serves. Though McKinsey and Company keeps their marketing on their website targeted to a specific audience, you'll have a harder time finding a list of their previous and current clients. That will require broadening your research beyond the borders of their website.
When answering this question, don't feel you need to list the names of the companies you find. Instead, offer specifics on those companies' industries and the services McKinsey provided. If you have worked with any of these clients, mention that work. Any inside connection to the company could be of benefit. Revealing you have firsthand experience with their client base and are already familiar with the type of accounts you may be handling is well worth mentioning.
1st Answer Example
"I understand that Mckinsey and Company works primarily with Fortune 500 companies in the medical, technology, and SaaS industries. I have a similar client portfolio, with smaller companies with between 500-1000 employees."
2nd Answer Example
"Through my research, I saw that Mckinsey and Company serves over 76% of Fortune 100 companies and more than 92% of Fortune 500 companies. I also understand that your clients span industries such as energy, financial services, Public services, and media/communications. Most of my experience is in the energy sector, and I look forward to making an impact in that area while learning more about your client scope."
Competency
15. How do you keep a leading edge on the latest developments and trends in our industry?
What You Need to Know
Your interviewer is interested in how you invest the time necessary to stay up-to-date on the latest buzz topics, developments, and trends in your industry. As the oldest and largest of the "Big Three" management consultancies, McKinsey and Company expect those who represent their brand to be industry leaders and reliable resources of information. Share the resources you rely on to keep your knowledge as current and up-to-date as possible. Demonstrate that you bring your best to work every day and that your coworkers and clients can count on you as their go-to resource. Turn the question on your interviewer. Asking about their trusted reference materials is a great way to express a continual desire to learn and compete and a memorable method of getting to know them and their personal preferences. It will also exhibit your interpersonal skills.
1st Answer Example
"I make sure to use trusted and reputable sources for industry news, such as Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and McKinsey. When it comes to tech, I have a subscription to MIT Technology Review. If you have any recommendations, I am happy to hear them!"
2nd Answer Example
"The resources I visit most include Tech Crunch and BCG Henderson Institute. I am keenly interested in the views and insights of other management consultants, so I also follow the blog of other high-profile consultants, such as Tom Peters from McKinsey. Do you have any favorite resources I could check out? I genuinely enjoy learning and growing."
Conflict
16. Give me an example of a conflict that occurred in one of your teams, and describe how you managed it.
What You Need to Know
This question aims to assess your interpersonal skills. Diplomacy, mediation, and negotiation skills are required in the management consulting industry, especially when engaging with a wide range of personalities on sometimes uncertain terms. Give an example of a time you put your non-defensive communication skills to the test. Break down how you identified and approached the situation, how you adapted your communication style to theirs, what you did to defuse the situation, and the positive result of your engagement.
Answer Example
"A new supervisor was transferred into another department I was directing. They were on the fast track and were cycling through several departments as part of their training. They were more interested in greasing elbows than building relationships with their team. They spent a lot of time actively listening in my corner, which was fine. Around me, they were quiet most of the time.
However, I witnessed them micromanaging and caught wind of their tirades when they didn't get the results they desired. At one point, I happened by this supervisor having an exchange with a subordinate, and it didn't seem to be going well. So I asked that supervisor if I could step in and observe. Well, this frustrated them, but they obliged. Rather quickly, their exchange escalated, and I ended up playing mediator.
I objectively broke down the situation, spelling out where things were unclear with their communication and how this supervisor's poor messaging was confusing the team. I was able to perform a few quick exercises with them to help them learn some communication techniques. I made sure the message they sent was the message received. This humbled that supervisor. I felt a little bad, but considering the circumstances and how new to the position this person was, I did them a huge favor and likely accelerated their professional growth."
Customer Service
17. What is the most challenging client issue you've faced this year? How did you overcome the situation?
What You Need to Know
This question aims to help your interviewer evaluate the range of your experience by understanding which of your clients' significant pain points you found most challenging. Your interviewers want to hear about your approach, resourcefulness, and propensity towards innovation. Your answer will tell them how well you would fit in this role with McKinsey and Company.
1st Answer Example
"I recently had a client who wanted to control every aspect of my work instead of being open to the process. He was very hands-on, which is great; however, he was not receptive to change. I held a one-on-one meeting with him to discuss the situation head-on. Professionally, I let him know that if he disallowed my process, he would not get the return he was seeking. The client apologized for the controlling behavior and gave me the room to work that I needed."
2nd Answer Example
"The most challenging client profile is, for certain, the defensive client. I am sure you know the type - the client who argues everything and refuses to look at the hard data while bringing emotion into every conversation and process. When this occurs, I firmly yet professionally remind the client that past behavior will yield past results. I ask them to revisit why they hired my firm. Then, I have them recommit to our process before I proceed."
Diligence
18. What have you done in the last few months to fortify your professional network?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer would like to see how you approach your networking. Your answer will speak to your personality and how strong your networking skills are. Ultimately, they want to know what you will bring to this position and how you approach your work. This question is an opportunity to highlight the aspects of your work style that have greatly benefited your work. If coworkers have borrowed and adapted aspects of your work style, be sure to focus on that as well. Emphasize your resourcefulness, flexibility, and adaptability in an ever-changing, demanding environment.
1st Answer Example
"I am very focused on building my professional network. I have enjoyed membership at the local Chamber of Commerce for the past six months. I have also joined a consultants mastermind, where we meet once every quarter to share tools, resources, and client success stories."
2nd Answer Example
"I am active in my local and online consultants community. I recently started a LinkedIn group for Management Consultants in my city, and we will have our first meetup next month. Networking is a huge component of gaining business, and I plan to focus on those activities for years to come."
Diversity
19. Describe a time you had to work in a group of people with different backgrounds.
What You Need to Know
Most leading companies in any industry understand that to foster innovation and remain competitive in our ever-changing world, talent needs to be drawn across boundaries. That requires everyone within their organization to have a high degree of cultural competence. Diversity questions are one way to determine your cultural competence. Focus on the unifiers of diversity, a general acceptance of the human experience, and the sensitivities of those from underrepresented communities. Demonstrate empathy and acceptance. On the most inherently human level, we are all driven by the same basic needs and unifying experiences. Communicate clearly and decisively. The last thing you want to do is come across as uncomfortable or out of your element when answering this question.
Answer Example
"I recently worked with a company whose offices were centered in a widely diverse region. This wasn't the first time, but it was the most recent, and the teamwork, collaboration, and open-minded approach to our solutions always impresses me. In these environments, I find there is less resistance and greater collaboration. These are always exciting experiences, full of open engagement, and I get to interact with so many personalities from different walks of life under one roof. This last group was probably the most dynamic and innovative crew I've ever worked with. Everything was outside of the box. They were a pretty great team."
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Experience
20. What are the components of a successful and effective presentation?
What You Need to Know
There are many communication tools a management consultant can employ while effectively communicating with their clients - verbal, written, nonverbal, and visual communication tools. In the management consulting industry, there is a high likelihood you've given visual presentations to your clients or your group. Regardless of whether you've given presentations, you're likely familiar with the difference between a terrible performance and one that captures and retains your audience's attention.
Share your approach to understanding your audience. Describe the relatable terms and jargon you've implemented to effectively communicate with your target audience. Share the go-to multimedia or visual tools you prefer. While sharing your approach with your interviewer, use the same storytelling methods you use while delivering your answer.
1st Answer Example
"I have given many presentations in my consulting career. I have found that when I start with a story, give some facts, and end with how those facts pertain to the story and the client's pain point, I can capture and keep the attention of my audience. Everyone loves a great story, especially one that is relatable to their personal or professional situation."
2nd Answer Example
"I present pitches to my clients regularly. I have learned that the key to a compelling presentation is facts like percentages, numbers, and achievements. I avoid long drawn-out sentences and long bunches of text on my slides."
Experience
21. How do you learn the company culture of a new client when taking on their project?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer would like to know your process for onboarding and getting to know a new client. A large part of understanding your clients' needs is understanding their company culture and the culture they want to achieve. If you have prepared for this interview as if you are getting a head start on onboarding for the position, answering this question should come easily to you. You'll want to exhibit that your go-to work standard is above and beyond. Thoroughly research the company and their culture. Meet with and interview them before you officially begin with them. Be ready to be a part of their team before you walk in the door. Then share how you build trust with enhanced interpersonal and communication skills. Describe how you learn an organization's workplace culture and values and how you approach building trusting relationships.
1st Answer Example
"When I was an independent consultant, I would work with clients anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. I developed a questionnaire that contained discovery questions surrounding how the c-suite viewed various relationships, how they reward their employees, how they approach disciplinary action, and more. I would spend time immersed in their environment and then create a brief report based on the data and my direct exposure."
2nd Answer Example
"I begin with the same checklist for each client no matter their industry. This checklist gives me a baseline of what I am looking for within an organization. I ask questions of the employees and leaders related to values, relationships, corrective action, development opportunities, and more. Also, I must immerse myself in the culture, so if I have a client I will be working with for a few months, I will spend a few days inside their office, learning their operations first-hand."
Experience
22. How do you manage the lifecycle of your projects, ensuring on-time deliverables and deadlines?
What You Need to Know
Though every consulting project is different, your interviewer would like to know your approach to your consulting project lifecycles, the strategy you implement for an overall project, and how you estimate your deliverables while establishing consistency. Discuss the tools, resources, and methods you used to ensure that you meet or exceed expectations. An efficient process can be the difference between a job well done and a job that falls apart. The interviewer would like to see that you have a process when you take on a new project.
1st Answer Example
"When I take on a new project, I break it into four phases. Initiate, Plan, Execute, Close. These four phases are broken down into further categories, all with a linear timeline attached. Asana and Slack are my 'go-to' tools to ensure the entire team is aware of their tasks and deadlines. I book regular check-ins with my team and schedule client touch points. My high-level view of the project, through all stages, ensures there are rarely any surprises and that everyone is on the same page."
2nd Answer Example
"The last time I missed a deadline was five years ago. I trust my process fully and believe in its effectiveness. When I begin a new client project, I call a meeting with my client to create a detailed outline and lay out expectations. From there, I meet with my team, build out the task list, and attach each task to a team member with a specific deadline. We track all activity in Trello. We move as a team, meeting regularly and touching base with our client for end-of-day updates. This method brings a high level of buy-in from my team and accountability from all people involved."
Experience
23. As a management consultant, who is your ideal client?
What You Need to Know
This question is something of a personality assessment. In your career as a management consultant, you may have the opportunity to work with a vast range of clients across several industries. Sharing those clients who you work best with, which contributes to your job satisfaction, and with which you have the highest success rate will inform them of how well you'll complement their teams and gives them insights on how to play on your professional strengths. Discuss the type of client with which you prefer to collaborate. If you can identify your preferences among the type of clients McKinsey and Company works with, express your interest in those opportunities.
1st Answer Example
"My ideal clients are receptive to change, focused on scaling, while never forgetting their roots and what their employees offer them. The industries in which I am most interested in working are the finance, real estate, and investment realms; however, I have found that there are excellent clients in every industry imaginable."
2nd Answer Example
"I am new to the management consulting industry, so at this point, my ideal client is one I can learn from, who I can teach new things to, and collaborate in a way where we both grow. I see that Mckinsey and Company works with businesses who are startups in the SaaS industry which is particularly interesting to me."
Experience
24. Which management tools have you employed in your career?
What You Need to Know
McKinsey and Company utilizes distinctive tools and leading-edge proprietary technologies to better serve their clients. Your interviewer knows you aren't familiar with their applications and aims to assess how quickly you learn new software management tools and systems. Your answer will reveal your adaptability and ability to step outside your comfort zone.
Share your relevant experience with new management tools, software, systems, and any cloud-based applications or other organizational or communications software you used. Any tools that make your job more manageable or exhibit your outside-of-the-box thinking are worth mentioning here. Exhibit your propensity to learn new things quickly and step outside your comfort zone when the need arises.
1st Answer Example
"I have a great deal of experience with application management and implementation tools. I have leveraged software and other tech offerings from companies such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Cisco. These tools are crucial for accelerating projects and elevating the result."
2nd Answer Example
"In your job posting, you mentioned that Mckinsey and Company uses many Salesforce and Oracle products. I would love to learn more about your internal systems as well. I have about one year of experience with Salesforce; however, I am eager to learn its offerings in greater depth."
Experience
25. What steps do you take when researching a new market or industry?
What You Need to Know
A successful management consultant will have their own unique approach or favorite web tools when conducting market research. There is a wide range of methodologies, and what works well for one person may not work well for you. Your interviewer is curious about your approach to laying the groundwork and why you prefer the approach you do. Walk the interviewer through your process when researching a market or industry, and describe what your approach would bring to McKinsey and Company.
1st Answer Example
"When I take on a project within a new market or industry, I will find someone in my network that I know, trust, and admire, and ask for 30 minutes of their time. Essentially, I want to interview a subject matter expert. I will uncover their best resources and research thoroughly from there."
2nd Answer Example
"I have strong research skills and a three-step process for learning about a new market or industry. First, I find what I can from reputable online resources. Next, I create a list of questions that need answering. Third, I source a subject matter expert from my network I can ask these questions. It's important to use a wide variety of reputable sources when conducting research and collecting findings."
Experience
26. What do you believe are the most critical KPIs for a management consulting firm to consider?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer will test the degree to which you are focused on your career by examining what critical KPIs you value, shoot for, and deliver on, from the number of leads to acquisition percentage to the number of clients and their satisfaction rate. Namely, they want to determine your success rate, if you prefer to operate at the status quo, or whether your standard is above and beyond. Whether you are newer to the industry or have years of experience already, you should understand the goals and targets of management consulting. Share what you believe to be the most important metrics for a management consulting firm to consider.
1st Answer Example
"I believe the most critical KPI to consider is the repeat business rate. This metric is directly associated with client satisfaction and will tell a consultant or agency a lot about their business and likeability factor."
2nd Answer Example
"In my opinion, the most critical KPI to consider is the number of leads generated. Without an active pipeline of business, there is nothing else to consider! Once you start with a healthy leads list, the next KPI to consider is the customer acquisition percentage."
Job Satisfaction
27. How does a career in management consulting fulfill and satisfy you?
What You Need to Know
This question aims to determine what gives you job satisfaction and whether McKinsey and Company can meet your expectations. Yet the nuance of this question suggests something more. It also aims to determine whether you are satisfied with your career. Some choose their career and wish they'd taken a different path. Others may stumble into their field and feel trapped. Any clues into your satisfaction with your career could inform your interviewer whether you are leaving your job to look for another, hoping you'll find greater career satisfaction with another company elsewhere. However, in this scenario, the grass is rarely greener on the other side.
Posting a job vacancy, interviewing, hiring and onboarding is expensive, and longevity is desired. A candidate's job or career satisfaction plays a significant factor in whether they are dedicated. Therefore, your interviewer needs to ensure the candidates they consider will find a satisfying career with McKinsey and Company and stay a long time. Share what you love about the career path you've chosen and the direction you desire to take your career. Exhibit your enthusiasm and passion, and be specific. To say you like to 'help people' won't be enough.
1st Answer Example
"The most satisfying part of my career as a management consultant is that I have the opportunity to change the course of someone's business. To be a problem solver for complex issues is incredibly satisfying. I love a challenge, and each client presents new ones. It's like solving a cool puzzle every day."
2nd Answer Example
"I have found management consulting to be highly fulfilling for the past eight years because I am passionate about business success, especially when it means resuscitating a failing business. I love a great comeback story, and I get to participate in them all the time. Another reason I love this career path is the many development opportunities; I love learning new approaches and methodologies."
Job Satisfaction
28. Of the many industries McKinsey and Company works with, which of our client industries interests you the most?
What You Need to Know
This question is nuanced and goes beyond asking your preferred clients or industries. It asks which industries interest you most. Therefore, this is another personality assessment that aims to determine what you are aspiring toward in your career. Answering with an industry you have experience and are comfortable working with suggests you've little interest in stepping outside of your comfort zone, nor any career goals or milestones you are reaching to overcome next.
By understanding what McKinsey and Company offers, you can effectively convey your motivation for pursuing the next chapter of your career with them. Share with them your career goals and aspirations, mapping out how McKinsey and Company can provide you with that career growth while expressing interest in pursuing those opportunities with them. Show your interviewer you've put thought into the experience they offer and that you are ready for the opportunity while building their confidence in your abilities to jump in with their clients right away.
1st Answer Example
"When researching Mckinsey and Company, I saw that most of your clients are in the energy, finance, and education sectors. Your experience in these areas is part of my reason for applying since most of my experience is there. I have a special interest in finance clients, particularly. I majored in finance while attending university, so it's a solid area for me."
2nd Answer Example
"My industry expertise is in healthcare. When I saw that you were hiring, particularly for your clients in the healthcare sector, I knew I had to apply. I am highly confident working in this sector and look forward to learning about the other clients you take on at Mckinsey and Company, particularly those in e-commerce."
Leadership
29. Have you ever supervised or trained junior consultants?
What You Need to Know
Your interviewer is curious about what leadership style you bring to the table, whether you focus more on promoting yourself and furthering your career pursuits, or whether those goals complement those who are newer to your teams. Even if you weren't in a formal mentorship position, provide examples of times you supported, encouraged, and helped further your teammates' goals. Share examples where you identified a junior consultant's growth potential, and describe the coaching you offered to further their career goals and development. Explain how you approached their training, including specifics about how the employee's performance improved.
1st Answer Example
"I have not been asked to formally train any other consultants in my career; however, I make it a habit of taking our firms' newer consultants under my wing to ensure they are off to a successful start. I will share with them some tools and resources that I find helpful and remind them that my door is open whenever they have a question. I am very open to formal leadership opportunities should those arise with Mckinsey and Company."
2nd Answer Example
"Throughout my career, I have trained over 25 new consultants. In my current role, I oversee the activities of five junior consultants. Strategic leadership and effective management are strengths of mine that I look forward to bringing to Mckinsey and Company."
Leadership
30. How would you describe your leadership style?
What You Need to Know
How you answer this question will help the interviewers evaluate your approach when entering a new project and how effectively you'd work with their clients while representing their brand. They want to know which of the five main leadership styles best defines you. Before your interview, consider the qualities of the leaders you most admire. Speak passionately about your leadership qualities, what fuels your drive to lead, and how you'd use those positive skills to benefit your clients if hired for the position. Each work environment and each team can vary. Offer examples of putting your skills into action in different settings. Avoid any blanket answers and define your approach.
Answer Example
"I'd say I am an influencer and a transformational leader. Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach a person leadership skills, and they'll lead for life. I've been told I am a great coach and motivator."
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Problem Solving
31. How do you react when your team misses a deadline?
What You Need to Know
Missed deadlines are never good and can reflect poorly on you, but they happen. However, this question focuses on how you react to disappointment when things don't go according to plan. Your answer will inform them of your emotional maturity, what you learn from your setbacks, and how you implement those lessons into action and hold yourself accountable. Give an example of a time your team missed a deadline. Walk the interviewer through your response and how you prevented yourself from making the same mistake again.
1st Answer Example
"My team is highly efficient, and we rarely miss a deadline. When we do, it's surprising. Last year, we had a very challenging client who made significant changes throughout the project. These changes caused us to miss our deadline. I took action after that to ensure a better client onboarding process. This new process helped us dig deeper with each client at the start, which has resulted in fewer mid-project changes."
2nd Answer Example
"When my team misses a deadline, it is disappointing. On the odd occasion that this has happened, I first ask my team for feedback. I want to know what I could have done better as a leader to ensure we hit our goal. Then, I ask them to look internally and tell me what they honestly feel they could have done differently. I prefer a collaborative approach to these types of conversations."
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Problem Solving
32. What makes you an outstanding problem solver?
What You Need to Know
Your interviewer uses this question to measure your preferred working style and whether it meets their required criteria. As McKinsey and Company says on their website, they are looking for problem solvers who are capable of "helping clients solve tough problems and implement solutions." That requires "strong intellectual ability and rigor, as well as a practical sense of what works and what does not."
Therefore, your interviewer is assessing your systematic approach to problem-solving. Consider the skills and qualities that help you successfully face problems and navigate challenges. Frame yourself as resourceful with a propensity to think fast on your feet. Demonstrate that you aren't easily discouraged. You want your answer to exhibit determination. Share your strengths as a problem solver and your ability to think of innovative solutions for your clients.
1st Answer Example
"I am a great problem solver because I can break down all aspects of a problem before studying it. I also like to bring more experienced team members in to add to the solution. I will never try to be a hero and solve a complicated problem without tapping into the resources around me."
2nd Answer Example
"I have been told that I am an excellent problem solver, and I believe this is because I have a bit of an engineering mind. I can take the issue, work backward to solve it, and then use that resolution to avoid the same issue in future projects. I am also a big-picture thinker, which allows me to come up with several resolutions per problem."
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Problem Solving
33. How will you overcome the toughest challenges you anticipate in this job?
What You Need to Know
Starting a new role is always a challenge. Your interviewer wants to ensure you are up to their challenge and entering this position at the right stage in your career. Share the breadth of your knowledge of the responsibilities that come with this position, the job requirements, and their expectations of the candidate's job skills and prior experience. Showcase that you are prepared and eager to embark on the work ahead. Even though it may seem like a dream job, you should go in with realistic expectations. Keep your answer simple. It is okay to ask for clarification on the position if you do not fully understand what challenges are in store for you, as long as the questions you ask aren't ones you could have answered yourself before your interview.
1st Answer Example
"I would say the greatest challenge I'll face in this role is learning the industry ins and outs well enough to be perceived as an expert when making project pitches to clients. I've already begun subscribing to and reading the leading industry publications to give myself a fuller understanding. I will also seek out a mentor who is an expert in the industry, as it's important to learn from those who have already walked the path."
2nd Answer Example
"The greatest challenge will be getting to know your clients and their preferences. Every client has quirks that can affect projects. I plan to read as many project notes as possible before diving into face-to-face meetings. I intend to come across to your clients as well-prepared and earnest."
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Problem Solving
34. How do you prioritize multiple projects when they all seem equally important?
What You Need to Know
Multitasking is not an inherently natural ability; it is a learned skill. There are many components to effective multitasking, from being able to assess priority to time management to one's attention to detail when breaking away from a project and being able to come back to it, tracking where you left off without rework or lost productivity. Share your ability to distinguish between urgent and important tasks and how you manage and complete your work assignments, touching on your organizational skills. Explain how you re-prioritize your workload as needed without dropping the ball or becoming overwhelmed.
1st Answer Example
"I aim to be as effective as possible and use all minutes of the day. In my current role, I have three to five projects at once. I am the lead on some, the delegator on others, and the reviewer on others. By splitting up the roles and work responsibilities, my team and I can use our time efficiently."
2nd Answer Example
"I love to keep running lists of everything I need to do, big or small. I've started utilizing free project management software for lists and task categorization and then marking them by the level of urgency. I take care of the most time-sensitive issues first and then move along to the equally important but perhaps less time-sensitive items. I also estimate how long each task will take, so if I have a few minutes between projects, I can tackle the quick to-dos."
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Teamwork
35. Tell me about a time you had to collaborate with a colleague with whom you did not see eye-to-eye. How did you ensure your success?
What You Need to Know
The ability to navigate a wide array of strong personalities is vital in any role within the management consultant industry. Therefore, your interviewer is curious about your approach to building relationships with difficult personalities. Showcase your ability to learn from others despite differences in perspective or opinion. Exhibit your enhanced communication skills, negotiation and mediation skills, team mentality, and positive attitude and outlook on the world.
1st Answer Example
"One of my coworkers and I were doing a joint presentation to a prospective client. It was a high-stakes presentation, and he and I have very different styles of performance and preparation. Luckily, we both identified this as a potential obstacle from the get-go and came to the table with our ideas on how the outline would go and who would say what. Because we were both able to identify that we could clash and took a proactive approach to delegate tasks and distribute the presentation, we worked very well together and hit our performance out of the park."
2nd Answer Example
"Recently, we received a project from a client that required my department to collaborate with another department. It was up to me to ensure that everyone worked smoothly together. The other departments' manager and I decided to start with a team-building night out, and that helped a lot. Once everyone found common ground, we could focus on the task at hand."