I apologise in advance if this has been asked before.
I recently applied for the consultant role at McKinsey (as an experienced hire). To my surprise a week after applying I was invited to sit McKinsey Solve (PSG). I wanted to understand, do all candidates who apply get to sit PSG or is an initial CV screening completed? If yes, how stringent is the screening?
I completed the PSG yesterday and I beleive it went very well. I completed ecosystem with plenty time to spare and everything worked, I also believe I did well in Red Rock, answering all questions and finishing with 5 mins or so left on the clock.
My understanding is that McKinsey will now review the scores alongside my CV. Whilst I think I did very well, I did not expect to be invited to even sit PSG. I am hesitant to get my hopes up and start studying for first round interviews, especially if it’s quite normal for all applicants to be invited to PSG.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Hagen, Many thanks for your detailed response. The reason I ask is simply due to my surprise at being offered to complete the solve test. I didn’t expect to get invited as I don’t hold the traditional educational background that is associated with most MBB candidates. I thought my only saving grace was my career experiences to date, (ex EY and currently working in a large financial services firm doing M&A). And if anything that’s why I was being invited. Once I had completed the solve test, I felt quite confident with my performance and as such I didn’t want to get my hopes up at the prospect of being invited to interviews if it’s the norm for anyone to get invited to sit solve. My theory was simple, if anyone and everyone gets offered to sit McKinsey Solve and a full CV screening is done after, then my assumption was it’s likely I won’t fit the bill. However if my CV has already been screened and I’m being invited to sit solve, there is a glimmer of hope in my application. In any case, I will have to wait and see. My plan is to prepare in the meantime using online resources and then if I do in fact get invited to first rounds- I will enlist the services of people from the forum. Thanks, Hakeem.
(edited)
Many thanks for the prompt response. Ahh great, that’s helpful to know that a recruiter has initially viewed my CV and deemed me credible enough to sit PSG. When deciding if a candidate will be given a first interview stage, do you find the decision is equally weighted between PSG and CV or slightly biased to one or the other?