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1. How does working for a consulting firm like McKinsey differ from working for an investment bank or a start-up company ('ventures')?
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As a consultant with McKinsey you will have the opportunity to acquire broad knowledge across a wide range of industries and functions.
At an investment bank, for example, it is likely that you will focus on one specific area while performing a very specific function.
In contrast, McKinsey makes unrivaled investments in the personal and professional development of our people and this type of investment is something that many new start-up companies and investment banks are unable to provide.
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2. Who are some of the Seoul office's clients?
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Though we do not disclose the names of our clients, please review the sample client studies on 'Client Service' to give you a sense of the diverse nature of our client work.
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3. What is the typical lifestyle of a McKinsey Seoul consultant? On average, how many hours do consultants work?
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Life at McKinsey can be rigorous, as you are constantly confronting new situations, looking for solutions to difficult problems and, as with many professions, the hours can be long and travel can be extensive. However, within the context of these demands are many exciting opportunities to work on a wide range of client studies and with some of the most talented people in business today.
As part of a McKinsey team, you and your fellow team members will decide how you will work together. At the onset of a study, you will discuss your individual schedules, needs and work styles and jointly lay the ground rules for working together. However, our consultants typically work 55-75 hours per week, but this can vary depending on the project. Since most of the Seoul office clients are within driving distance from the office, travel can be less demanding; however, factors such as heavy traffic in the area can add hours to your workday.
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4. What is the best way for me to prepare for a case interview?
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Practice! Practice! Practice! Our Web site has a sample case interview which you can use for practice. There are also other Web sites that offer case interview preparation materials, including "how-to" guides and numerous example cases.
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5. What are some tips for writing a good essay?
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The most important thing to remember is to be honest and use the essay as a way to tell us about you. Think about your answers to the essay questions before you compose and re-read them. Do this as many times as necessary.
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6. Do you require applicants to have a minimum GPA?
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There is no absolute cut-off for GPAs. Academic performance alone does not determine your success as a candidate. When evaluating a candidate, we also consider leadership qualities and experience. We seek to build a holistic picture of each applicant before we make a decision. Therefore, if your GPA is not very high, you will not be automatically rejected.
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7. What is the required level of English capability?
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McKinsey requires fluency in both local business language and English when you choose offices where you would like to work. During the course of your time at McKinsey there will be many occasions where a high level of English language skills will be necessary in order for you to carry out your daily responsibilities; for example, you will participate in meetings and conference calls with colleagues globally and much of our knowledge materials are written in English.
However, we do not turn potential candidates down just because their English language skills do not meet our expectation. If you are not fluent in English, we provide continuous training opportunities to help you develop and improve your English.
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8. I will be graduating from university but have not completed the military service yet. Can I still apply?
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Your military status must be clarified before joining McKinsey's Seoul office. For analyst applicants, military duty is a prerequisite and only those who have completed or have been exempted from military duty are eligible to apply.
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9. What is the typical profile of an analyst?
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Typically, our analysts are up to five years out of an undergraduate degree program. However, given the military service requirements in Korea, our analysts in the Seoul office have typically been 30 years old or younger.
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10. How important is my undergraduate major or previous job experience to my success as a candidate?
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There is no "right" background or degree. Our consultants join us from a diverse range of academic backgrounds. We are interested in all individuals who possess strong leadership skills, intellectual vigor, personal integrity and analytical skills. In fact, a large number of our consultants are hired directly from school, without formal job experience.
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11. If I previously applied to McKinsey and was turned down, can I reapply?
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Yes. However, we typically ask that you wait 18 to 24 months to reapply as often we find candidates gain valuable experience during that time. You should highlight the significant changes in your experience or capabilities (e.g., receipt of an advanced degree, or substantial work experience) since you last applied.
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12. If I choose to pursue an MBA or other advanced professional degree while working for McKinsey, will the firm provide financial assistance?
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Our interest in your professional development extends beyond the years you are actively working as an analyst with us. After two years with the firm, you may be eligible for financial assistance in post-graduate education.
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13. What type of training do you offer new hires?
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Throughout your career with McKinsey you will receive the formal training and personal mentoring you need to help you develop expertise and leadership qualities. As you gain skills and confidence, you will be asked to take on bigger pieces of the problem at hand. Your level of responsibility is limited only by your demonstrated ability - there are no pre-set limits to your role and the pace of your development depends on you.
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14. Do you only interview students from the top 5 universities?
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McKinsey interviews candidates from a variety of academic institutions and degree programs. We currently have consultants in our office who are graduates of universities in Korea and abroad. For more information about the backgrounds of our consultants, please view 'Our People.'
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15. How many female consultants are there in the Seoul office? Do female consultants face particular hardships, discrimination, or difficulties?
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There are over 30 female consultants currently in the Seoul office. Females are absolutely given all of the same opportunities as males are, and are held to the same performance requirements. We even have a female associate principal in the office. McKinsey is an equal opportunity employer.
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16. Will special connections or relationships affect my chances of being hired?
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Although it would be to your benefit to talk to individuals you know who are knowledgeable about McKinsey in order to increase your own knowledge, such a relationship will not influence our hiring decisions, nor will any other "special" relationships.
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17. What are some of the careers chosen by McKinsey alumni?
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McKinsey alumni have gone on to serve significant leadership roles outside the firm as presidents and managing partners of venture capital companies and CEOs of leading multinationals. Others have achieved high-profile positions as elected officials and policy advisors in governments around the world and at leading universities.
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18. How do you evaluate candidates during an interview?
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We make every attempt to get a holistic picture of each applicant and interviewee, and our case interview is only one part of this picture.
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19. Is there a difference between the Seoul office and other offices throughout the McKinsey network? Specifically, are there differences in the opportunities available to consultants?
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Although we have more than 80 offices globally, McKinsey operates as one firm. We uphold the same professional guidelines, standards, evaluation and advancement criteria and the same support infrastructure globally.
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20. If I am hired into the Seoul office, can I transfer to a different office within the firm?
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Yes. However, there are certain requirements. For instance, your skills and interests should match the needs of the office that you would like to transfer to. We only recommend that high performing consultants transfer after completing their second year with the firm. This gives consultants the opportunity to hone their consulting skills in their initial office before transferring to another office. There are, of course, exceptions based on special circumstances.
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21. What are the criteria for advancement?
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New consultants join McKinsey with a wide range of backgrounds, and begin their careers in different roles. With training, mentoring, experience and guidance, you will have the opportunity to move into new roles more quickly. There are no tenure-based requirements for advancement. The pace at which you advance is limited only by your demonstrated ability.
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22. What do you mean when you say McKinsey is a "non-hierarchical" firm?
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There is no hierarchy when it comes to solving problems and working as a team. Everyone's ideas and thoughts are always valued and encouraged. In fact, you are obligated to dissent during a discussion where the facts you've uncovered suggest the nature of the recommendation might require further examination.
To nurture our people's development, we work to maintain a collegial, collaborative environment that encourages individual initiative. We measure performance and leadership ability within a true meritocracy and by a single worldwide standard. We do this because we are convinced that an environment of energy, innovation, and commitment to client service fosters direct benefits for our people and our clients.
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23. McKinsey seems like such a great place, why do consultants leave?
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Although many of our alumni describe leaving McKinsey as one of the hardest decisions they have ever had to make, most have left because they found opportunities that better met their changing needs and goals.
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24. Can non-Koreans work for the Seoul office?
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Absolutely, we are a global firm. One should fully expect to work with non-Koreans on a regular basis.
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25. What is the required level of Korean capability?
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McKinsey requires fluency in both local business language and English when you choose offices where you would like to work. For analyst candidates, business discussion level of Korean fluency is a mandatory requirement.
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26. McKinsey recruiting process involves a number of steps -- are the case interviews different in each round?
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We want to give applicants as many opportunities as possible to prove themselves, and we want an ample opportunity to thoroughly evaluate you. Case interview questions do vary, but the basic format is usually quite similar from one round to the next.
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27. Are there differences between the English and Korean language case interviews?
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No. The Korean and English case interviews all carry the same weight. No interview is more important than another.
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