Differences in interview for a McKinsey practice area?

Hey everybody, I was fortunate enough to receive a McKinsey power round for one of their offices in the next few weeks, but I'm specifically interviewing for one of their practice segments, namely as a marketing & sales analyst. Can anyone comment on the differences between this and the generalist BA role? Specifically on the interview, the nature of staffing for the job, and anything else you might have heard?

6 Comments
 

Interview processes are all very similar for consultants at McKinsey. The only difference will be that your cases will be marketing and sales focused, meaning you should be able to bring  background subject matter knowledge to the case. 

 

Gotcha, that makes a lot of sense, especially for the more M&S focused cases. Do you know if this affects the PEI at all?

 

Thanks so much for the info, I really appreciate it! I had another question if you don't mind, mainly how does the work differ for someone that is within a practice area at the firm? I've heard the general distinction is just that there's priority staffing for those kinds of "practice analysts" (apologies if my terminology is severely wrong) but that they still have a strong amount of self-determination in terms of what cases they'd like to do. Also, I don't mean to be unappreciative but how do you know all this? Do you work at the firm?

 

Yes, that is the general distinction. In terms of project choice freedom, you won't get that until your third or fourth project. You will be at an advantage in getting to pick your own projects sooner in that you won't be a Generalist and will get more face time with the right people. I worked at MBB previously. 

 

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