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Life as a consultant

The way we work

Outside the immediate team, you will meet with all sorts of people from the client organization so that you can understand them as well as possible: we uncover all the relevant facts so that we can provide our clients with objective recommendations and then help them with implementation. Engagements typically last 1 to 3 months, so each new project is another opportunity to meet new people, extend your network, and build lasting relationships.

The rapid turnover of projects and the breadth of opportunities mean that our consultants often take varied paths through their careers at McKinsey—and beyond. Each year, McKinsey is involved in over 10,000 projects in 50 or more countries. Based on their experiences, our consultants over time usually focus on a specific function (topic) or industry that interests them.

We work in many industries, from banking to energy to consumer products to the public and social sectors. The topics of our projects vary too, from strategy and operations to organization and business technology to marketing and sales. We offer a variety of professional networks connected with our Practice groups.

See the world

McKinsey has more than 100 offices across every region, providing plenty of opportunities for our consultants to see the world—through client work, training programs abroad, and office exchanges and transfers. Last year, consultants from the Amsterdam office worked in over 40 different countries on six continents. Working abroad is a great opportunity for professional and personal growth—bolstering cross-cultural problem-solving and people skills, as well as allowing you to craft a career that reflects your interests. Successful consultants are offered the chance to transfer to other offices around the world: our dedicated mobility team will advise you on your move, ease your transition, and coordinate with your receiving office.

How projects are assigned

Which engagements (projects) you work on depends on your interests, development needs, and project availability. When we work with a client, the first thing we do is bring together the people with the best skills and experience to help solve the problem. Our global intranet shows which new engagements are starting and our staffing coordinator in Amsterdam helps consultants find the projects that best fit their needs and interests. You will also develop your own network as you meet people in engagements, training programs, and social events.

Empowering you to add value

We are committed to helping you make your mark wherever you work, with both clients or colleagues. To empower you to make change happen and become a more effective leader, we provide training, coaching, mentoring, and feedback. Our intranet provides tools distilled from work your colleagues have done in similar areas, and access to an extensive team of experts in all key sectors and functions.

Embracing diversity

McKinsey is a highly diverse organization. In the Amsterdam office, our consultants are drawn from at least ten nationalities and have an incredibly wide range of knowledge, backgrounds, and life experience. We support flexible working arrangements, and several of our consultants work with part-time programs at McKinsey, providing space for family or pro bono commitments. Women make up around one third of our consultants and 40 percent of new recruits, and our women’s network provides coaching and events to support professional development and connectivity. Our global Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) consultants network promotes equality and respect in our firm, our clients, and our societies.

On our global site

Women at McKinsey
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