McKinsey Screening Call Logistics and Meaning

Question

Hi there,

I completely the SOLVE assessment almost 3 weeks ago.

Today I got an email from a recruiter telling me they wanted to set up a 45 minute phone call with me to discuss the role and get to know me and my qualifications.

A couple of questions:

Does this mean I passed the SOLVE and the initial resume screening?

Is this the stage right before the R1 interviews? If so, after the call, when will I hear from HR for the R1 interview? (How much time do I have between the sceening call and the R1 interview?)

What is fhe recruiter looking for in this call?

Is there any chance they will give me a case over the phone?

Thank you in advance!

Answer 1

Hi there!

Congrats on being invited to and completing the SOLVE test! 🎉

To answer your questions:

1. Does this mean I passed the SOLVE and the initial resume screening?
Yes, you have passed the SOLVE test and CV screening.

2. Is this the stage right before the R1 interviews? If so, after the call, when will I hear from HR for the R1 interview? (How much time do I have between the screening call and the R1 interview?)
> Yes, this HR call happens right before the R1 interviews.
> Lately, there hasn’t been a set timeline (according to my experience).
> Just this past month, I had one candidate who waited only a week for R1 and couldn't change the time, another who had a month to prepare, and one with three weeks in between.
> To be on the safe side, I’d recommend starting your prep now and expecting anywhere from 1 week to a month before your R1.

3. What is the recruiter looking for in this call? Is there any chance they will give me a case over the phone?
> They’re looking for exactly what they’ve said — they won’t surprise you with a case during the call.
>The goal is to understand where you’d best fit into the firm and which role would suit you. Expect the usual questions like:

Why did you apply?
Walk me through your CV.
What did you study?
What can you expect if you join?

– To prepare:

Review your CV.
Clarify your reasons for applying and what you’re hoping to get out of the role.
Prep a few logistical questions too, such as:
- When will interviews happen?
- Will you be assigned a coach (you should get some coaching)?
- Who will be your main point of contact for follow-up questions?

Good luck, and happy to chat more :)

Answer 2

Hi,

Congrats, you have passed the CV screening and Solve game. The phone call is typically done just before the first round of interviews.

They want to better understand your background and motivation. Leverage the moment to point out your main strengths and to ask clarification questions if still needed. You should not expect a case at this stage.

A first round interviews typically follows after 1 week to 1 months, depending on your and their timeline. If you are already further in the process with other consulting firms, you can communicate this and expect an invitation pretty soon.

Feel free to reach out for further questions.

Mattijs

Answer 3

Hey there 😊

Yes – if McKinsey reached out to schedule a 45-min call after you completed Solve, that’s a really positive sign and likely means you passed both the game and initial CV screening 🎉

🔹 What this call means:
It’s typically a pre-interview screening call, also sometimes called a “phone fit”, used to confirm your motivation, background, and alignment with the role before officially inviting you to R1.

🔹 Will there be a case?
Usually no. These calls are not case interviews – they focus on your story, interest in McKinsey, and your fit for the specific role. But: you should be prepared to speak clearly and confidently about your background and “why McKinsey”.

🔹 What comes next?
If the call goes well, you’ll likely be invited to R1 shortly after – timing can vary but usually you’ll hear back within a few days up to a week. From there, interviews are often scheduled around 1–2 weeks later, giving you a little prep time 📆

Let me know if you’d like help prepping for that call – happy to support 💬

Best,
Alessa 🌟

Answer 4

Hi there,

Yes, you have passed the Solve - congrats!
They would not set up a 45m call for a rejection.
These calls usually have 2 parts (screening and logistics)
For screening, they will ask a couple of questions about your background (why you, why consulting, why McKinsey) and the value you can bring to the organization.
The logistics part covers a discussion of the role and the remaining interview process.
Cases are usually not done with HR, so I would not worry about that.

All the best,

Florian

Answer 5

Yes, it means you passed Solve and CV screening. If everything goes well in this meeting, meaning that you show you understand which role you are applying to and its requirements, as well as your motivation and you basic "pitch" on why you want to work in consulting for that firm, you should be invited to interview with Mckinsey.

Answer 6

Hi there,

Congratulations on progressing to the next stage of McKinsey’s recruitment process. Let’s address your questions to clarify your current position and prepare you for the upcoming steps.

1. Does this mean I passed the SOLVE assessment and the initial resume screening?

Yes, being invited to a 45-minute phone call indicates that you’ve successfully passed both the initial resume screening and the SOLVE assessment. This call is typically used to further assess your fit for the role and to provide more information about the position.

2. Is this the stage right before the Round 1 (R1) interviews?

Yes, this phone call often serves as a precursor to the formal interview rounds. It’s an opportunity for the recruiter to delve deeper into your qualifications and interest in the firm.

3. After the call, when will I hear from HR for the R1 interview? How much time do I have between the screening call and the R1 interview?

The timeline can vary, but typically, candidates hear back within one to two weeks after the screening call. Once invited to the R1 interview, you may have a similar timeframe to prepare. However, this can differ based on the office and role, so it’s advisable to ask the recruiter during your call for specific details.

4. What is the recruiter looking for in this call?

During this call, the recruiter aims to:
    •    Assess Your Fit: Understand your motivations for joining McKinsey and your alignment with the firm’s values.
    •    Clarify Your Qualifications: Discuss your resume, experiences, and how they relate to the role.
    •    Provide Information: Offer insights into the role, the interview process, and answer any questions you might have.

This conversation is generally more informational and evaluative in terms of cultural and motivational fit.

5. Is there any chance they will give me a case over the phone?

While uncommon in initial recruiter screening calls, some candidates have reported brief case or scenario-based questions during phone interviews. It’s less likely at this stage but being prepared for a light case discussion can be beneficial.

Preparation Tips:
    •    Review Your Resume: Be ready to discuss your experiences and how they relate to consulting.
    •    Articulate Your Motivation: Clearly express why you’re interested in McKinsey and consulting.
    •    Prepare Questions: Have thoughtful questions ready about the role, team, or firm culture.
    •    Stay Updated: Familiarize yourself with McKinsey’s recent work and values to demonstrate genuine interest.

Remember, this call is as much an opportunity for you to assess McKinsey as it is for them to evaluate you. Approach it with confidence and authenticity.

Feel free to reach out if you need any help with your prep!

Best,

Evelina