Getting ready for your interviews

Getting ready for your interviews

Interviewing is a Two-Way Process

Interviewing with McKinsey is as much about us getting to know you as it is about you learning what you can do here and what makes our firm a special place. We want you to succeed and feel confident as you step into our process.

What’s it really like interviewing with McKinsey?
What advice would you give yourself as a candidate?

Solve: A Fun Problem-Solving Challenge

One of the exciting steps in our process for most consulting roles is Solve, a gamified assessment that tests your natural problem-solving abilities. There’s no need to prepare—just approach it with curiosity and creativity.

Personal Experience Interview (PEI)

We like to hear about your experiences—both accomplishments and challenges—to discover skills that will help you thrive at McKinsey. Come prepared to discuss some important experiences in a detailed way, focusing on your specific role and describing the key actions that were critical to success.

Problem Solving Interview

We believe that the best way to demonstrate your problem-solving skills is by discussing a typical McKinsey client scenario. During the Problem-Solving Interview—sometimes referred to as a case interview—we’ll present a business case to evaluate your analytical thinking and approach to solving complex problems.
Beautify
Beautify
Evaluating whether a global beauty products company should be training in-store beauty consultants in the effective use of virtual channels to connect with customers.
Diconsa
Diconsa
Assessing the use of the Diconsa network in Mexico to provide basic financial services offerings to the rural poor for the Gates Foundation.
ElectroLight
Electro-Light
Designing a product launch of a flavored sports drink with reduced sugar content to help replace electrolytes for a major beverage company.
National Education
Transforming a national education system
Diagnosing problems and assessing ways to improve and transform a country’s national education system.
Talbot Trucks
Talbot Trucks
Determining whether to invest in the production and sale of electric trucks for a leading European truck manufacturer.
Shops Corp
Shops Corporation
Improving internal diversity, equity and inclusion efforts for a US-based retail company.
Conservation Forever
Conservation Forever
Prioritizing large-scale biodiversity protection projects for Conservation Forever, a conservation NGO.

Expertise Interview

Depending on the role for which you’re interviewing, you may be invited to participate in an expertise interview. This is an opportunity for us to gain a deeper understanding of how your experience and skill set will enable you to excel in the role. If you’re applying for a technical role, you’ll undergo an assessment tailored to evaluate your specific technical skills. This may include coding challenges, problem-solving tasks, or other role-specific exercises designed to assess your proficiency in the technical areas most relevant to the position.
McKinsey Virtual Interviews

Virtual Interview Guide

Interviewing helps us learn about you as a person and a potential colleague, and it helps you learn more about McKinsey, our people and what you could do here.

Important information