Pages

Friday, November 30, 2012

Recruiting coffee chats - 4 tips for McKinsey pre-interview networking events

Image from wallpaperstock.net
If you're applying for management consulting jobs, firms will provide you with opportunities to meet their consultants prior to interviews.  For McKinsey recruits, networking events usually take the form of coffee chats, office hours, cocktail events, and company presentations.

In this post, I'll go over some tips for making the most of these opportunities

WHAT HAPPENS AT THESE EVENTS?

These networking events are for you.  McKinsey wants you to get to know the Firm better, what our people are like, and help you decide whether or not you want to be a part of it.  The intent of the events is the same, but the formats vary:
  • Coffee chats - 1-4 candidates have coffee with a McKinsey consultant for 30-45 minutes in a coffee shop near campus.  After brief introductions, the rest of the time is for Q&A
  • Office hours - Same as coffee chats but in an office, on-campus.
  • Cocktail events - a handful of consultants will meet a larger number of candidates for drinks and hors d' oeuvres.  No specific format, just mingling and conversation.  Invitations often extended to candidates considered high potential.
  • Company presentations - often attended by hundreds of your classmates, consists of a 30-60 minute presentation followed by drinks, heavy hors d' oeuvres, mingling and conversation.  Each McKinsey office will have a designated area so you can meet and speak with consultants from the offices you're interested in

 

ARE THEY WORTH ATTENDING?

No one ever got an interview slot or job offer because they went to every networking event.  Nor has anyone gotten dinged because they didn't participate in any.  (Signing up for one and not showing up is another story - I'll deal with that in a post about 7 common mistakes at pre-interview events)

The only reason to go is to learn more about McKinsey and whether or not the job is for you.  If you follow the advice below, they are absolutely worth the time you'll invest.

 

FOUR TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF NETWORKING EVENTS:


1.  TURN THE TABLES - INTERVIEW THE FIRM

Think of this as your opportunity to interview McKinsey.  Try to figure out if the Firm is a place you'd enjoy working and where you can be successful.  Also take this opportunity to think about which office you want to apply to.  Do you find yourself getting along better or worst with consultants from specific offices?

2.  HAVE A PLAN

Go in with a goal in mind - for example, you might want to be able to answer the following questions by the end of this process:
  • Do you think you'd enjoy working with the consultants you're meeting?
  • Do the things they're working on sound interesting to you?
  • Do their reasons for being at the Firm resonate with you?

3.  MEET AS MANY CONSULTANTS AS POSSIBLE

Especially during the larger networking events, try to have conversations at many McKinsey folks as you can.  Think of every conversation as an additional data point that will get you closer to knowing whether or not the Firm and/or specific offices are right for you.  Each consultant you meet will have a unique perspective on the Firm - the more stories you hear, the more likely that you'll find experiences you find compelling.

4. DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Preparing for these events by doing some research in advance.   This way, you won't have to waste timing asking obvious questions you can find the answers to online.  By understanding the basics of consulting and the Firm, you'll have the context you'll need to get more out of every conversation by digging deeper and getting to know more about each individual consultant you meet.




14 comments:

  1. Nowadays the knowledge of the students is going to low. Because of the new technologies that are invented. Majority of the students are not interested in reading. So it makes their marks in essay writing as too low. So it is better to do essay with help a best essay writing service.

    ReplyDelete
  2. These are really useful events for coffee lovers who are looking for new tastes or just want to have fun. Working in cpimobi.com in app advertising android I often visited such events and I want to say that this is a very useful experience. you can meet new people and discover new horizons.

    ReplyDelete
  3. office Coffee ServiceBest Coffee Delivery Service for Office– Call at 0430495187 to get quick office coffee Delivery in Canning Vale from the best local coffee service provider. We offer Roasted Coffee Beans, D’ORO, Espresso Bean, Mio Coffee, Raw Sugar, Chamomile Blossoms -Herbal Tea Drop, English Breakfast – Black Tea Drop etc.

    ReplyDelete
  4. good post. I just read your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts.Keep update with your blogs..
    Event Management Company in Andhra Pradesh
    Event organizers in VIZAG

    ReplyDelete
  5. You describe these things very impressively.
    Hannah

    ReplyDelete
  6. good post. I just read your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts.Keep update with your blogs..
    Event Management Companies in Hyderabad List
    Hyderabad Event organisers List
    Top Event Management Companies in India

    ReplyDelete

  7. good post. I just read your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts.Keep update with your blogs..
    Birthday Event Organisers in Visakhapatnam
    Wedding Planners in Hyderabad
    Marriage Event Organisers in Visakhapatnam

    ReplyDelete

  8. First time I visited this blog. Really this is awesome blog. It is very pleasure to get it as I got huge helps right here. I do like your hard workings and appreciate your concept. Thanks a lot..
    Birthday Party Organisers in Hyderabad
    Birthday Event Organisers in Hyderabad
    Birthday Event Organisers in Visakhapatnam

    Marriage Event Organisers in Visakhapatnam

    ReplyDelete
  9. good post. I just read your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts.Keep update with your blogs..
    Best event organisers in VIZAG
    Best event organisers in VISAKHAPATNAM

    ReplyDelete

  10. good post. I just read your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts.Keep update with your blogs..
    Wedding Planners in Hyderabad
    Event Planners in Hyderabad

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for sharing an article like this. The information which you have provided is better compare to other blogs. Nice and very informative Article. I have shared your website in my social networks.
    Event Planners in Hyderabad
    Event Management Companies in India

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi, Honestly it is a nice blog.
    Looking for more such blogs from you.
    Enstyle Planners Event management company not only saves time and money but also ensures that your event fits the budget and meets your preferences; thus making it a less stressful affair.
    Best Marriage Event Organisers In Hyderabad | Best Marriage Event Organisers In Hyderabad | Wedding Event Management Companies In Hyderabad | Best Wedding Planners In Hyderabad | Top Wedding Planners In Hyderabad | Marriage Event Organisers In Hyderabad | Marriage Event Management In Hyderabad | Wedding Mehendi Artists In Hyderabad

    ReplyDelete