How Critical is the Phone Screening for McKinsey?
Hi Guys, I applied for an Analyst position at McKinsey and I feel like I failed the phone interview. I was quite nervous and struggled to get my answers out. I prepared so much and I don’t think I did well.
On top of that, I apparently applied to the NY office but listed DC as my top choice. So I guess the recruiter was interviewing me for NY. They have still asked me to completed the SHL tests. I just feel like I have done so many things wrong! Please help
Failed McKinsey HR Phone Interview?
It is difficult to say whether or not you will be fine following a rough phone interview. However, it is important to remember that these HR phone screens are often about fit which can still be ascertained by a trained HR professional even when the interviewee is very nervous. All you can do is make sure that in your follow up email that you really express your interest in the firm.
I just went through a phone interview and SHL test with McKinsey about a month ago. They're just looking to see if you'll be a good fit with the organization. Just send a follow up email to the McKinsey recruiter letting them know you’re interested.
What Does the McKinsey Process Look Like?
User @jayashree" shared the full process below. However, this may vary depending on your school.
The recruitment process is as follow:
- 45 minute phone call with recruiter to discuss the role, interview process, your resume and experiences
- 60 minute non-evaluative case study coaching session with a McKinsey alumna via phone
- 30 minute evaluative case study session via phone
- 60 minute phone call with current McKinsey employee in similar role for Q&A, and non-evaluative case study
- Round 1: Two 1:1 hour long interviews. Each consisted of 20 minutes of PEI (Personal Experience Interview) and 30 minutes of a case study
- Round 2: Same as Round 1, but with more senior level McK employees.
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I'm sorry to hear that you don't think you did very well on the interview. Let me address a few things that will hopefully help:
I can't answer this from personal experience for McKinsey, but I think that if your video interview was required, it's safe to assume that it's a very important part of your application. Don't forget that they pare down the weakest of resumes before that step, so it's now your personality that is the biggest differential.
I had a similar situation last year. I told my interviewer during the call that I wanted my first choice city changed, and there was no problem. Email the people, and I'm sure that will be fine. They understand that people's needs often change and won't likely look too much into it.
Even if you failed to get your dream opportunity, it's not the end of the world (trust me, I know how difficult that can be to internalize). Would you rather succeed in something and not learn from your success to be passed up on a more prestigious opportunity a few years down the road, or learn from your setbacks at the beginning of your career and eclipse the others?
Thank you for your response! I appreciate it.
I applied for the BA a couple weeks ago and I was just sent the SHL test. I haven't had any kind of call with HR. Do you know where I am with the process? It seems like most people here had a phone call and then received the SHL test (online).
What did the email say? Did you receive an email from a recruiter or from SHL? For me, the phone interview request and SHL test info were all included in the same email.
Based on my conversations with other individuals who have gone through this process, the short (and understandably frustrating) answer is that it depends.
If you've made it to the phone interview stage then that is an achievement in itself. I believe the first call differs depending on what position you applied for. Was this for McKinsey or McKinsey Solutions? What questions did you feel you did not adequately answer?
Secondly, in terms of location, one aspect of the HR phone interview step is usually to ensure that location matches up. If you listed DC as your top choice but told the recruiter that you are willing to move to New York (or any other office), then you should be okay. However, if you applied for the NY position and told the recruiter that you are only willing to go to DC, then that might be a conflict. This could (as the previous answer suggested) potentially be fixed with a follow-up email clarifying that you would be open to other offices!
Since you still have time to do the SHL test, doing really well on that would supplement your application in a positive way!
Thank you so much! Your response made me breathe a little bit easier. I will follow your suggestions.
No problem! Could I ask what questions were asked / what questions you thought you tripped on?
And this is for McK Solutions. Any other advice you may have for me will be welcomed. Thanks.
The recruitment process is as follow:
The process to a T.
Mine looked quite different.
I just went through a phone interview and SHL test with McKinsey about a month ago. They're just looking to see if you'll be a good fit with the organization. I pulled out of the interview process because Deloitte had already made me an offer about a month before and needed an answer. Just send a follow up email to the McKinsey recruiter letting them know your interested.
Thanks! All the best of luck at Deloitte.
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