Hu guys, Ive been looking at this forum for a while now, but this is the first post so please be gentle. I have an interview with mckinsey next week for a business analyst post and was wondering if someone could enlighten me as to what kind of information I should know about the firm, and how likely it is that they're going to grill me on this knowledge of the firm. Any help would be enormously appreciatedMike

If you got to the interview, then you're probably smart enough to work for McK.What makes or breaks the interview is whether you're a charismatic leader or not. Be assertive and build rapport. Don't worry too much about saying the 'right' things - they're probably more interested in how you present yourself and support your arguments than whether you always get things right.My McK interview experience didn't require me to know the slightest thing about the firm, other than broadly speaking what it is that they do. You learn all the detailed stuff in the first week you join.

Just wondering what percentage of candidates make it through to offer stage. My guess is for every 50 people who sit the intial test about 30 make it through to first round.Then maybe 15 make it to final round.Then maybe 5/6 get an offer.Am I way off?

Bottom line is, even if you're good it's still going to be a bit of a lottery. With so many very highly qualified applicants and so few places, there are bound to be a lot of disappointed folk. Pretty harsh when you think about it.Maybe fire off an application to them, but don't put your life on hold waiting for them to offer you a job. I don't know why you would want to enter what many people consider to be a pressure-cooker environment anyway?

anon,"Maybe fire off an application to them, but don't put your life on hold waiting for them to offer you a job."er, you might like to re-read the original post:"I have an interview with mckinsey next week...."Glad to know the standard of contributions to this board looks set to be maintained in 2007.

I said "don't put your life on hold waiting for them to offer you a job", not "don't put your life on hold waiting for them to offer you an interview". As far as I'm concerned, the application process includes the interviews, tests, etc.Getting an interview is a good start, but it's still a long way from having an offer. It's great that he's got this far, but it's not exactly in the bag yet. There are still going to be a lot of disappointed folk.

Anon your attitude stinks.Negativity will get you nowhere in the long-run.Best of luck Mike.I too have my interview next week.Hopefully I'll see you in the new BA class come Oct.

I guess I've become cynical and disillusioned over the years. I started out fresh faced and bushy-tailed, but all those long hours and the uncertainty/pressure of the job is taking its toll.Is it really worth it for £120K? I watch the admin staff go home at 5.30 every night and I have to admit I do wonder why people are so eager to enter consultancy. I was lured into the profession by the prospect of interesting work and high salaries, but the industry has changed from what it was 10 years ago and just doesn't seem as appealing anymore. McK is a great brand to have on your CV, and I hope you do well in the interviews. But the competitive aspect of it all doesn't end when you get the job offer - if anything, it increases (think selling proposals, up or out during annual reviews, pressure to exceed client expectations, extensive travel, etc). I figure some people must be more driven and enjoy competition more than others.Your post has actually been a wake-up call for me. You are right, I have developed a negative attitude without even realising it. Maybe it's time I moved into industry or did something else. I don't know what, though. My self-esteem is at rock-bottom at the moment.

Anon,Have you tried/considered public sector consulting? I'm in the US, and public sector consulting generally has more regular hours. There's still the crazy hours at crunch times, but on the whole it's pretty relaxed. (or I'm used to it)