The McKinsey Business Analyst Programme

Developing African experts, global leaders

Deciding what to do with your future after you graduate is one of the biggest decisions you will ever have to make. Do you know enough about your options to make that choice?

For 75 years, McKinsey has helped business leaders address their greatest challenges, delivering enduring results via the highest level of service and access to our global array of experts from more than 90 offices in over 50 countries.

We help leading clients in the public, private, and social sectors meet their biggest strategic, operational, and organisational challenges. Our goal is to provide distinctive and enduring performance improvements—in short, it's about having extraordinary impact.

Do I qualify?

Do I quality?

Have you always dreamed of becoming a leader who inspires others and drives change? Do you believe that working in teams can result in distinctive decisions with lasting impact? Are you interested in solving complex problems? Do you passionately believe in making a difference in South Africa? If so, we are looking for you!

We are seeking exceptional individuals with an excellent academic record who have also demonstrated leadership abilities in their academic, athletic and/or social lives.

How Do I Apply?

How Do I Apply?

Submit an on-line application, making sure to attach the following documents:

  • Cover letter

  • Comprehensive and up-to-date CV, including examples of extracurricular and/or community leadership and any work experience

  • Matric results

  • University transcripts showing all subjects in each year of study and results for each

Please note that we cannot process your application unless we receive all these documents.

Deadlines

University of Witwatersrand: 17 June 2011
University of Pretoria: 5 August 2011
University of Cape Town: 12 August 2011
Other universities: 12 August 2011

Recruiting process

What does the recruiting process look like?

  • Submit your application online
  • If your background matches the profile we are looking for, we will invite you to take our Problem-Solving Test (a practical multiple-choice test). These tests will take place on campus or at our offices in Johannesburg. 
  • If you pass the Problem-Solving Test, you will proceed to Round 1 interviews
  • If you are successful in the Round 1 interviews, you will proceed to the final round of interviews.

 

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To join an event where we offer more information about McKinsey, please register here.

FAQ

Is this programme only for those interested in the corporate sector?

Not at all! The Business Analyst programme aims to develop future leaders of South Africa across all fields in the private, public and social sectors.

Are there minimum academic criteria I need to meet?

In addition to their academic track record, Business Analysts are selected based on a combination of their personal achievements, leadership experiences and communication skills,. However, please note that to join the programme you must have Higher Grades at matriculation and a four-year academic university degree.

What does the salary look like?

McKinsey offers a competitive, market-based compensation package with benefits including health care and pension

What will my life be like at McKinsey?

As at most companies, work at McKinsey is demanding but we strive to maintain a good work/life balance. McKinsey emphasizes the importance of working on-site with clients. The amount of travel varies widely by office and by project but remains a necessary feature of the consulting profession. The Sub-Saharan office covers the entire region and our consultants are expected to travel as required by the projects they are staffed on.

To ensure our consultants spend as much time as possible in the home office, Fridays are spent in the office, and we have consultant lunches, team outings, work style agreements limiting team members’ working hours, and day trips versus overnight stays where possible.

Respect for an individual's responsibility for balancing their personal and professional lives is one of our guiding principles and consultants take responsibility for the way they manage their own time.

How much influence will I have in choosing the work that I do?

The Firm offers assignment opportunities around the world. Consultants can formally indicate their preferences and interest in a specific sector or topic. Local staffing coordinators take into account the consultant’s development plan plus the client’s and the Firm’s interests when making staffing decisions.

Most McKinsey consultants begin their careers as generalists. After the first few years, they are encouraged to develop expertise in one or more functional area or industry. They deepen their skills in specialized areas, and develop their generic problem-solving and consulting skills. The area you develop does not necessarily have anything to do with your experience prior to joining McKinsey. Most of our experts develop their expertise through their work here. Indeed, many develop expertise in several industries or functions over time.

What opportunities are there for transferring to a different office?

We strongly support and encourage transfers to overseas offices. Transfers help us leverage our accumulated skills and experience and can also accelerate a consultant’s personal and professional development.

To be considered for a transfer, consultants must be strong performers at their tenure.

How flexible are the working arrangements?

McKinsey supports flexible working arrangements that enable a consultant to shape his or her career.

Whom do I contact if I have any additional questions?

Please contact us at joh-recruiting@mckinsey.com or call the Recruiting Team on +27 (0) 11 506 8109 if you have any questions.