Working hours for McKinsey and BCG New York offices

Hi Theo, 

Congratulations on the offers! In terms of your question:

Q: I wanted to ask to any of you that might have had direct or indirect insights regarding McKinsey and BCG working hours for Associate level?

Not sure about the exact hours, but I would personally not recommend using the number of hours as a main criterion:

• Hours still depend on the project/partners, so with the “wrong” project (eg due diligence) you might still have more hours even if a firm has on average less.
• Most likely you will have to work a lot in both firms.

In terms of making a decision, I would consider the following.

• Where do you want to be in 5-10 years? Look at the company that can help you to achieve that goal faster. You can check LinkedIn for that (see below). If you are not sure, the McKinsey brand is still stronger in most countries.
• If you consider the average consultant/partner you talked to in each company, which one would you rather be? You will spend a lot of time with your colleagues in the next years if you will join full-time after the internship - be sure you choose a company where the people are close to the person you want to become.
• If money and prestige were not a consideration, which company would you choose? This could help you to identify additional elements to weigh you have not considered yet.

In terms of exits (for most people they are a very important factor in joining a consulting company), you can check them as follows:

1. Look for alumni of the two companies on LinkedIn
2. Check how many moved to your preferred exits in your target region
3. Normalize for the size of the companies in the region

If you want to do extra due diligence, contact Alumni of your university (not current consultants) who worked for the two companies (bonus if they worked for both companies). You will learn more in a 30-minute call with them than with any online research you may do.

Best,

Francesco

Hi there,

Congrats on your offers!

I don’t have any particular insight into the NY offices, but I would be confident in saying that you’re splitting hairs.

For all consulting’s great attributes, favourable working hours aren’t one of them and as a new hire you’re going to be slower than your peers (which of course translates to more hours).

In my humble opinion, (one of) the most important thing(s) to think about is which firm’s culture you feel most comfortable in. 

Whatever your objectives are in consulting, doing well at the firm will be an important factor in achieving them. You’re going to be spending a lot of time with your co-workers so go with the firm that you feel most comfortable in and would have the most fun at. Seriously.

B. 

You are going to be working long and hard hours at both.

This is consulting. This is MBB. This is New York city.

Please do not make a decision here based on an illusion of some form of work-life balance. They will both be hard.

I.e., make your decision based on other factors (career, type of work, culture, etc.)

Here's some reading to help you survive/thrive on the job!

Consulting Survival Guide - Tips for Your Consulting Career

Congratulations on receiving offers from both McKinsey and BCG! While the specific working hours at consulting firms can vary based on factors such as project demands, client expectations, and team dynamics, I can provide you with some general insights:

McKinsey and BCG Working Hours:

Standard Workweek:

• Associates at McKinsey and BCG typically work long hours, often exceeding the standard 40-hour workweek. A typical workweek may range from 50 to 70 hours or more, depending on the project's intensity and client needs.

Client Demands:

• Consulting projects often involve tight deadlines, and working hours can be influenced by the client's urgency and project requirements. During critical phases, such as client presentations or deadlines, longer hours may be necessary.

Variability:

• Working hours can vary based on the nature of the project. Some projects may have a more predictable schedule, while others may require more intensive and irregular hours.

Flexibility:

• Consulting firms often emphasize flexibility, and associates may have the opportunity to manage their schedules to some extent. However, this can vary by team and project.

Factors to Consider:

Project and Team Dynamics:

• Inquire about the specific projects and team dynamics at both McKinsey and BCG. Speak with current or former employees to get insights into the typical working hours within the specific offices or practice areas you are considering.

Work-Life Balance Initiatives:

• Both McKinsey and BCG have been placing increased emphasis on work-life balance in recent years. Inquire about any initiatives or policies in place to support a healthy balance between work and personal life.

Office Culture:

• The working culture can vary between offices and practice areas. Consider reaching out to current employees in the New York offices to understand the local culture and working norms.

Personal Preferences:

• Assess your own preferences and priorities. Some individuals thrive in high-intensity, fast-paced environments, while others may prioritize a more predictable schedule and work-life balance.

Recommendations:

Networking:

• Connect with current or former employees from both McKinsey and BCG, especially those working in the New York offices. Their insights can provide valuable perspectives on working conditions.

Ask During Interviews:

• During the interview process, feel free to ask about the typical working hours and work-life balance. It's a reasonable and important question to consider when making your decision.

Evaluate Overall Fit:

• Consider all aspects of each offer, including the nature of the projects, team dynamics, career development opportunities, and the overall cultural fit with each firm.

Remember that consulting is known for its dynamic and demanding nature, and working hours are just one aspect of the overall experience. Your decision should be based on a holistic evaluation of your career goals, preferences, and the opportunities each firm offers. Good luck with your decision-making process!

Hi there,

I have good friends working in both McKinsey and BCG NY offices and all of them work a lot. In consulting, working hours depend on several factors like type of project, client or leadership style. In any case, expect long working hours compared with other firms or companies.

I suggest you use other factors to take your final decision:

• Firm values
• Specific practices you are interested in
• Exit opportunities

Best,

Alberto

—

Check out my latest case based on a real MBB interview: Sierra Springs

Hi Theo,

These are definitely not ‘lifestyle offices,’ if this is what you were hoping for, though they are initiating and leading some of the global initiatives regarding lifestyle. 

I would say that on average, you can expect the typical 12-hour shift - 9am to 9pm, with some extremes. 

Sharing with you a guide I put together that covers the topic of working hours in more detail and also provides some advice on how to control for them:

• Expert Guide: How to Manage for Lifestyle in Consulting

Hope you find it useful. 

Best,
Cristian

Hi,

Congrats on both offices!

I dont think there will be a significant firm difference. New York culture is New York culture, given the type of clients etc.

Based on conversations with friends who have worked there, I've heard anywhere from 12-14 hours per day. 

Hi there,

the work-life balance in consulting is not good - despite what individual firms may claim. You will be working long hours and the tasks will be demanding and tiring. This goes for MBB and Tier 2. And it is implicitly assumed that candidates applying for these jobs are fully aware of this reality.

The working hours question will not help you at all to decide between your two offers - there is not going to be a substantial difference.

Best of luck