Interviewing is a Two-Way Process
Interviewing with McKinsey is as much about us getting to know you as it is about you learning what you can do here and what makes our firm a special place. We want you to succeed and feel confident as you step into our process.
We seek smart, driven problem-solvers from a wide range of disciplines—whether you come from law, medicine, engineering, or another field entirely. What matters most is your ability to think critically, tackle complex challenges, and create meaningful impact. We’re committed to attracting individuals from all backgrounds, because with diverse perspectives, we can deliver distinctive solutions for our clients and create a welcoming, inclusive culture. And we are particularly excited about people who resonate with our values.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do, guiding how we work and who we hire. They shape how we collaborate, mentor, and encourage every voice to be heard—hallmarks of our non-hierarchical, diverse meritocracy.
During your interview, you may hear stories about these values in action, like our culture of apprenticeship and support or the expectation to engage and dissent. We encourage you to explore these values and discuss them in your conversations.
Our commitment to integrity also informs how we adopt new technologies like AI, and how we apply it in our work and hiring. We expect candidates to use AI responsibly, ensuring a fair process where we can understand your skills and experiences.
We’re proud to be at the forefront of AI—shaping, building, and using cutting-edge tools every day. We work alongside global leaders on high-stakes AI topics and equip our people with training and access to advanced AI solutions—like our proprietary platform Lilli, ChatGPT Enterprise, and other emerging tools so they can strengthen their AI skills, work smarter, and make a bigger impact. We welcome those who share our curiosity about AI and its potential.
We know many candidates use AI to prepare, whether that’s polishing a resume or practicing interview questions—just as people have long sought feedback from mentors, friends, or family. When used responsibly, we see AI as a valuable tool that supports preparation.
Misuse, however, compromises fairness. Using AI to misrepresent yourself or to generate real-time responses during an interview goes against our values, creates an uneven playing field, and prevents us from understanding who you truly are. We want to get to know you, not your AI tool.
| Polishing your resume or practicing interview questions | ✅ Encouraged |
| Exaggerating or creating achievements that aren’t yours | ❌ Not Allowed |
| Generating real‑time answers during an interview | ❌ Not Allowed |
| Asking AI to explain concepts or frameworks as part of your prep | ✅ Encouraged |
| Using AI during assessments (unless specifically permitted) | ❌ Not Allowed |
Your interview experience will differ depending on the role for which you apply. Several include an online assessment, writing test, or a group exercise. All candidates have at least one individual interview, and the number of colleagues you meet will vary.
But regardless of the path or office location you pursue, the process is consistent, fair, and offers you the opportunity to showcase your skills, learn more about the role, and meet our colleagues so you can get to know McKinsey.
So how should you prepare for your interviews? Relax and be yourself. Bring questions for us. Come prepared to share your experiences, knowledge, skills, and accomplishments.
Our goal is for any virtual interviews to closely match the experience of meeting in person. Here are some tips candidates find helpful.
Just as with in‑person interviews, we’re committed to a fair, objective process and expect our candidates to adhere to our Assessment Integrity Expectations.