Call with current employee of Mckinsey at the same office im applying for

Question

So i reached out on Linkedin to a current Mckinsey worker to know more about the office and the entire process. She works for the same office I'm applying for and is a business analyst. What should i ask her during this call? What are smart and strategic questions i can ask her in order to be more prepared for the case and PEI interview? (Venezuelan applying for the Buenos Aires office)

Answer 1

Hi Isabella,

Here’s a thoughtful approach to your call, with smart and strategic questions you can ask:

1. Office-Specific Insights
    •    What differentiates the Buenos Aires office from other McKinsey offices in terms of culture and work focus?
    •    Are there specific industries or types of clients that the Buenos Aires office specializes in?
    •    How would you describe the collaboration dynamic within the office?

2. Case Interview Preparation
    •    Are there particular types of cases (e.g., industries, problem types) that candidates for the Buenos Aires office should expect during the interview process?
    •    What do you think are the key skills McKinsey interviewers look for when evaluating case performance?
    •    Do you have any advice on structuring cases or avoiding common pitfalls?

3. Personal Experience
    •    What’s been your most rewarding project at McKinsey so far, and what made it stand out?
    •    How did you prepare for your interviews, and is there anything you wish you had done differently?
    •    What surprised you the most about working at McKinsey compared to your expectations during the application process?

4. PEI
    •    What types of stories resonate most during the PEI for the Buenos Aires office?
    •    Are there particular leadership or teamwork traits the firm values highly in candidates?
    •    How would you recommend preparing for the PEI to ensure stories come across as authentic and impactful?

5. Strategic Networking
    •    Do you think having insight into current projects or clients could be helpful when preparing for my interviews?
    •    Are there any resources or advice specific to McKinsey Buenos Aires that you’d recommend?
    •    Is there anyone else at the office you think I should connect with to learn more about the process?

Additional Tips for the Call
    •    Be concise and respectful of her time: Stick to a 20–30 minute window unless she offers to extend.
    •    Build rapport: Show genuine interest in her experience and insights, rather than solely focusing on extracting information.
    •    Follow up: Send a thank-you message summarizing key takeaways from your conversation and expressing your appreciation.

Good luck with the call and your application! Let me know if I could help you further.

Best,
Evelina

Answer 2

Hi Isabella, from my experience with many coffee chats I've had with candidates, those who stand out the most are the ones who demonstrate genuine interest. Now, the question is: what does genuine interest really mean?

I've seen following:

1. Those who ask thought-provoking questions that spark interest (e.g., "Oh, that’s interesting, I would have thought XXXX. Could you elaborate more on that?")

2. Candidates who have a clear understanding of what they are looking for and seek my help to validate their thinking leave a strong impression. This shows that they’ve already put effort into reflecting and preparing before the conversation

What you want to avoid during these calls is asking basic questions that can easily be answered with a quick Google search, such as, "How many offices do you have on the West Coast?

Hopefully this helps.

Answer 3

Hello Isabella!

Reaching out to a current McKinsey employee is a great step to better understand the office, the role, and the interview process. To help you prepare for this call, I’ve broken down some key areas to focus on, based on the two parts of your question.

1. What should you ask her during this call?
Start with general questions to understand her experience and the office culture. This will help build rapport and gain valuable insights:

Ask about the culture and dynamics of the Buenos Aires office. For example, you could inquire about how it compares to other offices and what makes it unique.
Explore industry focus by asking if the office has particular expertise, such as energy, finance, or healthcare, that you should familiarize yourself with, as cases presented to you by your interviewers might more likely come from these industries. Also, future staffing opportunities are also heavily influenced by industry focus of the office/region.
Learn about career progression and support for business analysts. You might ask about mentorship, training, or opportunities to work on international studies.

These questions will not only help you understand the office but also show genuine curiosity about McKinsey and her experience.

2. What are smart and strategic questions to prepare for the case and PEI interview?

To prepare strategically, you can focus on these two areas:

Case Interview Preparation
- Ask if there are common case themes (along the industries and capabilities axes) for candidates applying to the Buenos Aires office. Knowing which industries or types of problems are frequently used can help you tailor your practice.
- Seek advice on how to demonstrate the skills McKinsey values, such as structured thinking, creativity, and client focus, during the case interview.
- Inquire about common mistakes she has seen candidates make in case interviews and how to avoid them.
PEI (Personal Experience Interview) Preparation
- Ask which types of stories resonate most with interviewers at McKinsey Buenos Aires. This could include examples related to leadership, problem-solving, or overcoming challenges.
- Explore how you can ensure your stories come across as authentic and impactful. For instance, you could ask how detailed they should be or how much to emphasize results.
- If she’s comfortable sharing, you might ask how she prepared for her own PEI and whether there’s anything she wishes she had done differently.

Final Tips for the Call

Keep it conversational: While you want to ask strategic questions, make sure the tone feels natural and engaging. Share your motivations or experiences when appropriate.
Be respectful of her time: Aim for a 20–30 minute conversation, and stick to this unless she offers to extend.
Follow up thoughtfully: After the call, send a thank-you note highlighting key takeaways and expressing your appreciation for her time and insights.

Good luck with your call and interview preparation! If you’d like further guidance, feel free to reach out.

Best wishes,
Johannes

Answer 4

Hey Isabella!

Great that you reached out! Here are some smart and strategic questions you can ask during your call:

About the Office:
- "What do you think makes the Buenos Aires office unique compared to others?"
- "What industries or projects does the office focus on the most?"
Interview Preparation:
- "Can you share any specific tips for succeeding in the PEI interview?"
- "Are there any particular types of cases or problems frequently used in interviews for this office?"
Experience:
- "What has been your favorite project so far, and why?"
- "What do you find most rewarding and challenging about your role as a business analyst?"
Advice:
- "What do you wish you had known before starting at McKinsey?"
- "What resources or preparation methods do you recommend for someone applying to this office?"

End by thanking her for her time and asking if she’d be willing to share additional advice if you have follow-up questions later.

Alessa