What should an application include?
Please fill out the online application form. Different positions will have different requirements, but in general you will need to submit a resume/CV, cover letter, and unofficial transcripts.
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How long is the application process?
Typically, the whole process from application submission to final decision should take around one month.

In what language should I write the application?
Unless otherwise noted, please write your resume in English.

In what language will the interview be conducted?
The interviews can be in English and Chinese (Mandarin and/or Cantonese), depending on the office and the interviewer's discretion.

Can I apply for a job in another McKinsey office?
Yes. We ask that you only fill out one application and rank your top four office preferences. To learn more about our various offices, visit our locations on mckinsey.com.

When should I apply?
We accept applications year-round, but we encourge you to use the suggested application submission dates listed in the job descriptions.

If my application is not successful for one office am I able to apply to another one?
We ask that you wait at least 18 months before reapplying. A decision from one office is a decision from McKinsey worldwide.

Can I apply even though I have worked for a few years elsewhere?
Yes, we welcome experienced hires.

Can I apply even though I work for one of your clients or another consultancy?
McKinsey's policy is never to headhunt from clients or competitors. Still, if you do work for a client or competitor and wish to apply for a job with McKinsey, this is of course your own decision and your application will be treated just like any other application.

What are the language requirements of the Greater China complex?
All candidates are required to be fluent in Mandarin (we define fluency as being able to lead a business meeting in Mandarin as well as being able to read and write) and English, which the firm's global language.

Which position am I eligible for?

What is the difference between a Fellow, Junior Associate, and an Associate?
All consultants in McKinsey take an active role in all aspects of an engagement-identifying issues, forming hypotheses, planning and conducting interviews and analyses, synthesizing conclusions into recommendations, and helping to implement change. We allow Fellows and Junior Associates more time to develop as a consultant and to start managing teams.

If I am interested in multiple Greater China offices should I apply to each individually?
While filling out your online application, you will be able to rank order your office preferences.

If my application is not successful for one office am I able to apply to another one?
We ask that you wait at least 18 months before reapplying. A decision from one office is a decision from McKinsey worldwide.

If I do not meet your academic criteria, will you look at my application?
Generally we would expect you to show a good academic record. Having said that, if your post-academic experience is truly distinctive we would consider your application.

What are the academic backgrounds of your consultants?
Approximately 52 percent have a business background either from China or abroad. Some 43 percent have an engineering background. Many of these have studied business as a second degree, but this is not a requirement. Through internal training programs McKinsey offers several ways to build the required business knowledge, e.g., basic accounting and finance. Some of our consultants have alternative backgrounds, e.g., medicine, law, or history.

I am considering studying for an M.B.A. Would this be an advantage in applying to McKinsey?
All 'top flight' qualifications help you in your application. Whether or not an M.B.A. would help your application to McKinsey will depend on your current status. - If you are an undergraduate, or have two years or less work experience, then we would prefer you to apply as a business analyst. - If you are currently studying for a Ph.D. and successfully apply to McKinsey, you will usually be offered the opportunity to attend our 'Mini-M.B.A. program', a three week business program designed to provide consultants who have not had advanced business education with basic business skills, team work, client relations and problem solving skills. - As an experienced hire with between two and ten years of exceptional business experience, an M.B.A. would not be essential to your application.

What are the chances of working in all the offices in the Greater China region?
As long as you are legally allowed to work in all Greater China areas there is a very good chance that you will be able to work on a study in another area of the region.

Who needs a work permit?
In Hong Kong, you will not need a work permit if you have:

In Shanghai and Beijing, you will not need a work permit if you have:

In Taipei, you will not need a work permit if you have:

If you do not fall into one of the categories above, you will need a work permit and your offer will be conditional on our ability to obtain one on your behalf. This process may take a number of weeks and will be done through your local office.

How long is a typical project?
Projects are normally from 6 weeks to 3 months.

Can you influence or perhaps choose the studies to work on?
We are able to indicate our preferences in the on-line internal "project market" which is updated weekly with upcoming opportunities. Our staffing department will then try to match offer and demand in the best way possible. Right from the start, all associates are encouraged to work in different industries and with different problems (e.g., restructurings, M&A, supply chain). After a couple of years, we start building a spike - a specific industry knowledge or a specific practice skill.

Why do you never talk about clients?
We do not talk publicly about clients because we often work with highly sensitive commercial issues. Our philosophy is that by maintaining client anonymity, we can provide our clients with the most objective counsel.

How many hours will I work a week?
There is no typical week at McKinsey. There may occasionally be some weekend work but you can usually manage your time to avoid this. Your weekly hours will vary according to the work or engagement you are involved in and teams normally discuss working patterns at the start of an engagement to take into account individual needs and manage 'crunches'.

How much time will I spend away from home?
We believe that only by working on site with our clients can we truly understand their problems and come up with the best solutions. Given the diversity of clients we serve, many of our engagements take place 'out of town' and in such cases, consultants typically spend three nights away from home per week. However, all teams are encouraged to spend Fridays in their home office.

I know consulting is challenging work, but what kind of flexibility will I have?
You can set the tone for the way you work on an engagement. At the outset of each engagement, the team will meet to determine its preferred work schedule and style. Some team members may prefer not to hold morning meetings, for example, while others may need to leave earlier in the day to be with their children - it's up to each member of the team to speak up and ensure that individual needs are met to the best extent possible. We also have programs in place that promote flexibility in our offices.

Is it possible to take a leave of absence for traveling or educational purposes, or for family reasons?
McKinsey strives to offer consultants flexibility and therefore quite a few take a leave of absence between projects or go on a part-time program for a certain period of time. It is an individual discussion between the consultant and the office.

When can I start working?
We have introduction courses (Basic Consulting Readiness) each year. Since we prefer that you start by attending such a course, your starting date depends somewhat on the course schedule.

How much internal training do you have?
All new hires will start out with a one-week training course (Basic Consulting Readiness). All non-business students must complete a Mini-M.B.A. course of 3 weeks. During the first 4-5 years, all consultants spend a couple of weeks per year on training and conferences.

When and how do I specialize?
After a couple of years, most consultants choose to specialize in an industry or function, e.g., finance, retail, or telecom.

Will I have a chance of working abroad?
On a short-term basis it is very likely that you will work on projects in other countries.

Is a transfer to an overseas McKinsey office an opportunity or a requirement?
It is an opportunity. One strength of our "One Firm" philosophy is that you will have the opportunity to work overseas usually after 2-3 years in the firm. The decision is always based on agreement between the individual, the partners in Greater China, and the overseas destination office.

What if I join an exchange program, such as Jade or Asia House, and want to stay longer?
Upon applying to exchange programs we ask that you have an interest in returning to Greater China. If you do not have an interest in returning to Greater China, we would ask that you apply directly to that destination office. With that said, if your intentions were to return to Greater China and due to personal reasons you would like to pursue a career in your exchange office, we will work with you to find the best solution.