I applied through a recruiter. The process took 2 days. I interviewed at McKinsey & Company (London, England) in Nov 2009
Interview
This is a review for a BA problem-solving test and first-round interview. I passed the interviews and am now waiting for the final round one. I was interviewed in London.
The problem solving test was slightly harder than the example available on the website, but as long as you can estimate fast, know basic business stuff ("I didn't know what the formula for "profit" was! --> actual applicant...) and can do arithmetic decently you'll manage.
Interview itself very professionally organised - McKinsey London has the best corp HR I've ever dealt with: invited to interview 48 hrs after test, and once there everything was just perfect. They even pretend to care about you.
Was given a print briefing on the person interviewing me and off we went. First interview with a young American who clearly hadn't had enough sleep. He did his best to stay awake through the slog of the case study, but it went well. For the personal bit he was much more awake and I did my best to impress.
Second interview was also someone from a different office, more senior. More methodical, with a more numerate case study with which I felt I wasn't impressing at all, but apparently I thought wrong. He seemed much more at ease in the company and told me a bit about his projects after the whole scripted thing had finished.
When preparing for case studies, try to understand McK culture and then do it as methodically as they would. Sorted.
Currently pondering if I'll accept an offer from them. They really do seem to make you into a machine. But then, maybe that's good?
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Neither difficult nor unexpected, it all went like clockwork. But I guess... "Tell me about a time when you had a problem with someone in your team and what you did to resolve it."
Ofrece muchos recursos a tu disponibilidad para preparar las entrevistas como reuniones online para explicar el proceso, y grupos de ayuda. El proceso es largo, pero lo merece para pertenecer a esta empresa.
Gave assessment. Waiting 1st round. But, here the assessment and resume are scored together to reach next round. Might take 1-3 weeks for invite. Assessment has only 20% - 30% weightage.
The recruiter was great! 2 rounds of 5 interviews, first was 2 associates, second was 3 partners. My first round, the interviewers spoke absolutely broken English and made it extremely difficult to understand what they are trying to say. My second interviewer was extremely rude as well. Honestly comes down to who interviews you and the case selection that will determine your fate