At McKinsey, after how many years can you transfer from an international office to a North American one?
I have a 1st round for with McKinsey for one of their int'l offices. Assuming I get a 2nd round and an offer there, how soon could I transfer to a North American office? I really want to work for McKinsey, but I also want to be with my fiance, who is in the US, and cannot easily relocate abroad.
BTW, I am foreign, but went to college in the US.
I would really appreciate any insight that you guys might have into this issue.
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Had the same plan when I first started, but definitely not easy to do so. Don't know which non-US region you're referring to, but normally, when you apply to transfer you have to prove that: (1) You are a high-performer at your "home office" and have partners/EMs vouch for you, so that when you tell them you want to transfer you have ppl backing your move. (2) You can add value to your "new home office" (so let's say NYO) and have partners/team at New York Office also back up your move.
BOTH achieving (1) and (2) is pretty hard. For (1), you have to work your ass off to get that "high performer" reputation in ANY office at McKinsey, and as for (2), you need exposure to the partners at New York for them to evaluate you and push for you when the transfer talk begins. (2) would only come if you actually DO an engagement with them, in which you contributed considerably. And it's hard to get staffed on an engagement outside your home office. And they only allow that after like... 1+0 tenure or something. You're not even eligible for an engagement loan before that.
Thank, HK, that's really helpful. How about personal reasons, though (ie, my fiance and I get married)?
They're not going to deviate from what was outlined above because of a personal choice you made in your life. The expectation will be that your wife moves to be wherever you are, or that you leave McK to be with her. So, basically it has no impact. You are either a stand-out with the right connections, or you aren't, and that will make or break a move back to the states. Your marriage isn't relevant.
Heh, if you knew how many marriages the McK lifestyle has ruined over the years, you wouldn't have even asked that question :)
Uh... your personal issues will not have any impact in their decision making process. And it's not just McKinsey; if you want to be in this industry at all, then the expectation is that you sacrifice all that.
In my case, my family lives in NY, I grew up and was educated in US, but when I received an offer from Hong Kong, my personal situation had zero influence on my decision to go for it. It's a fair sacrifice/tradeoff you're expected to make to butt in such competitive industry (and the top firm too) where HUNDREDS of kids much qualified than you are lined up to take that spot.
HK, your stance is a bit strong. that may have happened to you but it certainly does not mean that the opposite will absolutely never under no circumstances happen to anyone else. I am a case in point (thats a good book btw :p)
In my case, they moved the offer to another office based SOLELY on personal reasons. I essentially said I wouldn't sign the dotted line if they didn't and they did. The transfer was automatic and within a week. I did not have to interview again.
Additionally, having been on the "inside" and now helping with recruiting somewhat, I can tell you that personal reasons are the strongest reasons for moving offices and even selecting offices on your online app form. I know of a few people who have been able to move based on family, etc. And no, its not fair for a company to expect you to make that tradeoff. It is best for all companies that their employees are happy or at least somewhat happy and being away from your SO certainly doesn't help that.
Finally, if you get an offer, you've proved yourself and demonstrated that you deserve to be there. It does not mean that there are hundreds of kids more qualified. If you got in, you are qualified enough.
To the OP, in my experience at McK if you are good and receive good ratings, you should be able to make the transfer after 1 year but no earlier. I myself am trying to transfer albeit in my case I want to leave NA so I've spoken to a fair number of people about this (several partners and office managers included).
usually 2 years if you are top performer, and you can get 3rd year in NA office
Veritatis vitae perspiciatis et inventore autem quia similique. Quia hic omnis ut molestiae laborum. Quas tenetur reprehenderit labore exercitationem facere.
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