switching mckinsey office location?

is it possible to switch your office to a different city than your internship office if you return full time? i want to be closeby to family due to unexpected circumstances but don’t know how common/feasible this is. i would want to switch to the chicago office from the atlanta office. does anyone have any insights on this?

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Switching office locations at McKinsey is indeed possible, but it largely depends on your networking skills and the specific circumstances. Here are some insights based on the most helpful WSO content:

  1. Networking Skills: At McKinsey, case opportunities are largely dependent on your networking skills more so than the home office. This means that if you can effectively network and communicate your reasons for wanting to switch offices, you may have a better chance of making the transition.

  2. Timing of the Request: It's generally advisable to secure your return offer first before making any requests for relocation. This gives you more leverage and shows that you are committed to the firm.

  3. Mutual Benefits: When making your request, frame it in a way that highlights the mutual benefits for both you and the firm. For example, if the Chicago office is targeted for growth or has a harder time attracting talent, your move could be seen positively.

  4. Office Preferences: McKinsey allows you to choose where you want to live, but the feasibility of switching offices can vary. Larger offices like Chicago may have more variety of cases and opportunities compared to smaller offices.

  5. Consulting Culture: The culture at McKinsey is often described as more formal and cutthroat, so it's important to approach your request professionally and with a well-thought-out plan.

In summary, while switching offices is possible, it requires strategic networking, timing, and a clear presentation of how the move benefits both you and the firm.

Sources: How to ask to switch offices?, Received offers from all three MBB firms and don't know what to do, 2019 MBB Comparison (Interview Process, Locations, Responsibilities, Perks...), JP Morgan intern switching divisions, Bain or BCG for Summer Internship??

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

It depends on how much they want you. To be honest tho it depends on your family situation too

Are you sure you want Chicago ?   Think about what industries you want to be in long term 

Chicago is great for industrials and consumer marketing  , but otherwise it’s a bunch of midwestern rust bucket companies 

id rather be in Atlanta. Better staffing log and better weather . But that’s just me 

I’ve lived in both cities..

 
Most Helpful

That is not true unless it’s changed recently (I was there 10 years ago)

mckinsey has a regional staffing log. You get the most visibility to projects in your region and there’s a bias to staff on them 

the exceptions are if you are in bto (digital), rts (I think no longer a thing), canada, or Mexico.  In those groups you have access to the full North America staffing log 

McKinsey does staff globally more so than other firms, but it’s because someone requests you for a project or its specially put out as global; again otherwise you can only see the regional projects 

to see global projects you have to work the partner network to understand what’s going on 

Again it’s open to global staffing but biased to regional 

at analyst and associate levels that’s fine 

but as your near the partner stages you really need your platform to match you region 

 

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