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I recently interviewed for L7 EM at Google and had 4 great interviews and one not so great system design. I submitted external referrals all of which gave great feedback. The recruiter said the next step is team match/interviews and then the HC. Anyone in a similar situation? What was the result? Google
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Anyone from MBB office the Netherlands?
Subject Expert
What buckets would you generally use for cases?
BCG or McKinsey for consumer goods/retail?
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What is Bain SAC comp these days?
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Just leave. The grass isn’t green anywhere. There’s no harm in trying it and padding the resume
Ex Kearney at BCG here. I can’t speak for McK but you’re right about to be cautious - especially if you’re a Manager or above.
Success rate for mid level laterals is very low. Like probably less than 20% chance of promoting to the next level (vs much better odds if you stay where you are). The attrition is a mix of people who get formally outcounceled and those who see the writing on the wall and jump. Ask your McK HR contact for the data and see what they say. Search LinkedIn for people that made the same move in the past and see where they are now. Having the MBB brand on your resume may help open doors if things don’t work out so there is that.
As a lateral no one knows you when you start so you have to prove yourself again up, down, and to your peers. While one bad case won’t sink you, it can start a death spiral. Since no one knows you beyond that one data point, that data point can become the narrative… People don’t want to staff you because they heard things. So you get staffed on the case no one else wants… or, trying to help you, your new case leadership focuses on working with you on your “area for development.” As a result they’re hyper focused on it and perhaps notice / nit things that otherwise they would have missed, adding to the narrative that you have an issue in that area.
Kearney Associate or below the risk reward trade off is more in your favor as you’ll be competing against people that have little/no consulting experience. If you’re close to Manager promotion realize you’re giving that up and you might not make EM.
Lateraled to PL level as well. BCG-ers are super an-l and worry about every little detail. I came in with much better client relationship skills and content knowledge than that of my BCG peers. I focused on my clients, not on trying to please BCG-ers. Worked out well, I didn’t care, and ultimately most of the BCG-ers who disliked me from my early fumbles ended up stressing themselves out and leaving the firm. I think the average BCG is trying to be too perfect and cares too much what people internally think about them. Consulting is about clients and the long game, you gotta love it. That’s been my approach to lateraling in, stay calm and do good work, but don’t let the details stress you out.
We also have up or out…
Just send it.
Don’t take it and give it to me!
Coach
Go for it! Worst case if you get let go, you can easily go to another firm (at least T2) with new skills/exp or go to industry with McK tag.
Another T2 clearly wants an explanation on why you want to join them and they will clearly have doubts
Ex Kearney, lateraled to McK at Associate level. DM me
Associate and lateraled to associate
Subject Expert
Take it. If you’re at risk of being counseled out just go back to K at maybe even higher level.
Yolo send it
I would leave Kearney, better exit ops at McKinsey and the culture is not great at Kearney right now.
not ex-kearney but I can definitely say it’s not out after one bad project
it’s a very supportive culture and McK is willing to invest in you as long as you’re making an effort and show improvement
DM if you want to discuss !
Subject Expert
Breh. YOLO it. Full send.
Associate and below, 100% take it
Just curious, is it way harder to survive at Mck than K?
My impression is that up or out is more aggressive at McK. At Kearney, one bad project isn’t likely to sink you, but at McK I suspect that’s enough to get fired....am I misinformed?
K1 where did the “out” folks end up? Enough time to get a job?
What level are you?
Had that offer more than 3 times in my life.
McKinsey is a great firm but I just never felt like I wanted to leave my team and then later my partners.
It is a big place and you really need to focus on the culture in the specific group. I mean the second time I was made an offer it was by a group where the lead partner ended up flipping and turning state’s witness in the same case that took down the former MP…so clearly that time was a pocket of culture distinct from the rest of the firm.
Wait… what?