1. What can I negotiate with offer (BA McKinsey) 2. Office attire

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the offer from McKinsey!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your questions:

• First of all, about the fast-track promotion, I would advise you to discuss your experience with HR, but such adjustments are rare for entry positions. You can find more on exactly this topic here.
• Moreover, regarding your tattoos, I would advise you to observe the firm culture. Consulting firms are becoming more open with such aspects, but professionalism is still important. You will most likely wear long sleeves at least at the client side either way, though.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hey there! 

Congratulations on your McKinsey offer! 

Regarding your questions: 

1. Negotiating a fast-track promotion: While salary is non-negotiable at entry level, you can definitely bring up the idea of a fast-track promotion, especially considering experience / MSc. It's worth discussing, but be aware that promotion timelines at McKinsey are typically rigid. Still, showing your ambition and qualifications might open up opportunities for quicker growth. It's all about positioning it as a question, rather than a demand—asking for clarity on promotion prospects could help you set expectations.
2. Business attire and tattoos: McKinsey is traditionally formal, but it’s evolving, especially in recent years how I had the feeling, with more diversity in style. Visible tattoos, particularly in Southern Europe, might still lean more conservative than in startups, especially with clients. However, it’s unlikely to be an issue if you’re professional and confident in your role. For spring/summer, it’s a good idea to feel out the office culture first, and you may want to opt for lightweight, long-sleeved professional wear in high temperatures if you sense formality is still expected. You can always ask HR directly about this, as office cultures differ! :)

Best, Alessa :)

Hi there,

Congrats! :-)

Let's break it down: 

1. How are you planning the PhD start and the McKinsey career in parallel? There is no way to make this happen at the same time - even if it's part time. A typical McKinsey work week is 60+ hours plus travel. Even if you want to sacrifice your weekends for the PhD, the contracts usually prohibit any additional work outside of McK.
2. You should definitely ask for it - you have nothing to lose. If you decide to negotiate, make sure to substantiate your desire with 3-4 concrete supporting arguments and keep the discussion friendly. If they say no, accept it and move on.
3. For any client setting, this should not be an issue as you would wear a suit and shirt anyway. For the in-office setting for home office Fridays, for instance, I would directly ask the office manager or HR what they think. While McKinsey is becoming more progressive over time, at the core, it's still a conservative organization (not too long-ago brown leather shows were frowned upon a partner once told me) and there are differences across offices as well.

Enjoy your time and all the best,

Florian