How do I apply for a consulting position?
If you are not a student at a university where we currently recruit, the best way to get your résumé or CV in front of the right McKinsey recruiter is to use our on-line application. You can apply either for a general consulting role (such as a business analyst or associate) or for a specific position listed in our current opportunities. When your on-line application is submitted it will be routed to specialized recruiters focused on the areas matching your strengths and interests. At the same time, your application will be visible to every one of our recruiters worldwide so that we may consider you for all possible opportunities. You may select up to four offices and/or practices of your choice. Please submit only one application.

• If you are currently studying or have graduated but have less than 4 years' full time work experience, it's likely you will be considered for a business analyst position.
• Those studying for an M.B.A. usually apply for associate positions.
• Those studying for their Ph.D. usually come in at the associate level.
• Those with more than two solid years' full time work experience are usually considered for associate positions.

However, if you feel you may have applied for the wrong position, don't worry. Every CV and covering letter is reviewed by our dedicated recruiting team and we will determine which role you are suitable for after carefully assessing your education and experience.

When can I apply?
Most of our applicants send their application 6–12 months before they plan to start. Although we accept applications all year long, our formal recruitment period application deadline for full-time positions is typically mid-September for a start date the following year. For a summer internship, the deadline would be mid-January for the upcoming summer.

When will I hear about the status of my application?
You should receive a response to your application three weeks after submitting it.

If I do not meet your academic criteria, will you look at my application?
Generally we would expect you to show a strong academic record with at least a 3.5 CGPA. Having stated that, if your post-academic experience is truly distinctive we would consider your application.

I am considering studying for an M.B.A. Would this be of advantage in an application to McKinsey?
All "top flight" qualifications are of advantage. Whether or not an M.B.A. would be of advantage to your application to McKinsey will depend on your current status. If you are an undergraduate, or have 4 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.," 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 3 and 10 years of exceptional business experience, an M.B.A. would not be essential to your application.

If I am interested in multiple offices should I apply to each individually?
No – as a firm worldwide we have a centralized application process, you will need to specify on your application which offices you are interested in. You are able to specify up to four offices and you should do so in order of preference with the first being your first preference.

If my application is not successful for one office may I apply to another one?
New applications will not be accepted until 12 months has passed since your previous application. A decision from one office is a decision from McKinsey worldwide.

Are there opportunities for undergraduates to do summer jobs/internships in the Montréal office?
Yes. We offer a 10-12 week program for undergraduate students who would still have at least one semester of studies remaining at the end of the summer. We also run a Summer Associate Program for individuals currently studying for an M.B.A. or Ph.D.

What responsibilities do Summer Associates / Business Analysts Interns have?
Summer interns work on a team just like every other new consultant. This means that you will collect data, complete analyses, prepare presentations, and participate in meetings.

What skills are required to get a job at McKinsey and how is this tested in the interview?
Applicants are evaluated along several dimensions – see How to Apply for more information.

How long is the application process?
1. Submit application on-line including cover letter, CV, school transcripts and a brief essay on leadership and/or personal impact.
2. Interview process: There are two rounds. If the applicant passes the first round, a second round of interviews with partners and senior consultants follows 1-3 weeks later. Results and feedback from the interviews are given within 48 hours of the interview.

What are the language requirements of the Montréal office?
Fluency in both English (the common language of McKinsey) and French is required.

Should the application be in French or English?
The application can be submitted in either language as we are a bilingual office.

Will the interview be in French or English?
The interviews can be in either French or English, depending on the interviewer.

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OUR PEOPLE

How many consultants work in the Montréal office?
The Montréal office employs approximately 60 consultants. Including support and administrative staff, we have approximately 80 employees.

How many female consultants work in the Montréal office?
In the Montréal office approximately 13 % of the consultants are women. In our Canadian locations generally, the figure is almost 25 %.

What are the academic backgrounds of your consultants?
Including those with several degrees, approximately 60 % have a business background, 50 % have an engineering background, 50 % have an APD (advanced professional degree – including law). Through internal Learning Programs McKinsey offers several ways to build required business knowledge, e.g., basic accounting and finance.

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Our Daily Work

How many hours do you typically work per week?
There is no typical week at McKinsey. On average a consultant works 60-65 hours per week, but this varies from project to project. Teams normally discuss working patterns at the start of an engagement to take into account individual needs and manage "crunches". Occasionally some weekend work may be needed but you can usually manage your time to avoid this. The reason why we work so many hours is that we need to gain a deep understanding of the clients' businesses and industries before we start solving their problems. We also work with very tight deadlines, which can change with short notice.

How much time will I spend away from home?
By working on site with our clients, we can do a much better job of understanding their situation and delivering maximum impact. 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 the Montréal office and there are opportunities for you to voice preferences for projects closer to home.

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

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Life as a Consultant

Can you have a family while working at McKinsey?
It does work, but it takes discipline and good planning. Approximately 40 % of Montréal consultants have children. The structure of our work, i.e., project-based work, makes it easier to take maternity or paternity leave (between projects) at McKinsey than in other jobs.

How is the social life in the office?
We focus on creating a great social life by offering activities that are not work related. With your team, you will attend activities such as dinners and smaller events. In addition, the office arranges social events such as outings, retreats, parties, and sports events to ensure that people get to know one another outside of their teams. Spouses and children often attend the social activities.

Is the work environment at McKinsey very competitive?
Every consultant has their own "performance track". Evaluations are individual and are not dependent on or limited by any other consultants' success. On the contrary, part of a consultant's success is to create opportunities for others and to help others succeed. Consultants are evaluated in part on their ability to help and inspire colleagues.

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