Getting to know McKinsey
While surfing the Internet, I by chance came across an interview with Yermolai Solzhenitsyn on Finam FM. I was interested and wanted to learn more about consulting in general and McKinsey in particular. Upon reading carefully, I learned that the company’s business practice is so multifaceted that with hard work I could quickly broaden my outlook and enrich my experience in no time. I had a strong desire to try consulting at McKinsey.
“McKinsey pays great attention to helping newcomers adjust and, what’s more, the learning process never truly ends.”
Intelligence and good learning skills
I had planned to become a neurosurgeon and was doing my postgraduate studies. As my learning path was coming to an end, I started thinking about what to do next. To practice applied medicine means to devote oneself to it completely—no other way is possible. I also realized that I was more interested in tackling the organizational issues that make it hard for doctors to work efficiently and create obstacles for patients to receive quality care. Having read a good many articles about McKinsey, I learned that the company employs several hundred former doctors worldwide, many consulting on healthcare and pharmaceutical industry issues. Their successful careers and professional growth at McKinsey motivated me in the interview. As it turned out, the hiring process focused on my skills and abilities, rather than looking for specialist background knowledge. It was evident that at McKinsey, I’d be required to deliver not only extensive knowledge of economics and finance but also intelligence, logical thinking, and a good ability to learn. Luckily, everything went well.
Constant learning and skill update
Each new McKinsey consultant learns professional consulting skills and how to use them in practice. Basic Consulting Readiness is a training course that teaches the basics of how consulting projects run. The course is attended by new colleagues from various locations. I went to Stockholm in my very first week at McKinsey. We split into groups of three or four new hires to work on a real-life business case, thinking hard about how to handle difficult tasks and learning the communication skills needed to manage tough clients, who were role-played by senior consultants. This was great experience. Three days after getting familiar with the McKinsey Moscow office structure, I took on my first project. McKinsey pays great attention to newcomers’ adaptation and, what’s more, the learning process never truly ends. Apart from the hands-on experience, there are training sessions for consultants at every level to help you continue to grow.
Colleagues are always there to lend a hand
Naturally, I was doing my best to prepare for my first project, for example, by reading the English-language business press. However, it was not easy in the beginning. No matter how interesting the material, the sheer volume of information coming at us was challenging. Moreover I had to spend time on learning how to use McKinsey software, while the project timeline was tight. Happily, all the good things I’d heard about McKinsey’s treatment of new consultants turned out to be true. I was able to establish some strong working relationships on that first project. My colleagues helped me with everything organizationally and practically. It was very pleasant and unexpected to realize that I could ask for help anytime and from any team member—from fellow newcomers to partners of the firm. It helped me to stay optimistic and confident.