Gabriela, a junior talent research analyst on our experienced professional recruiting team in Poznan, joined McKinsey about two years ago straight out of university. Her favorite part about McKinsey is the opportunity it provides for her to learn new things every day and use that experience to help recruit top talent.
Interviewer: Tell us about your path to McKinsey.
Gabi: The EMEA Services Center (where I now work) hosted an event at my school. McKinsey wasn’t new to me – I’d heard about the firm on several occasions and had researched it – but I was very happy to learn more about the types of roles available locally, as I wanted to start my professional career and continue my education in Poznan. I came determined to leave the meeting with an invitation to interview and it worked!
Interviewer: What were your first few weeks here like?
Gabi: My first impression was that everyone here was incredibly nice and driven – something I frankly wasn’t expecting. I quickly became involved in a host of tasks supporting recruiting teams across Europe with their day– to– day activities. I developed a lot in the process; I experienced a corporate environment and learned just how important time management is. Throughout my internships, I observed several different jobs and learned what interested me the most. One of my first clients as an intern was the experienced professional recruiting team in Poznan, the team I joined full-time after few months. I intensively supported that group in administrative tasks and research.
Interviewer: What drew you to the EP team?
Gabi: The work I did for the team was fun. I was learning all the time; I flexed my brain looking for hard– to– find information, preparing huge spreadsheets, and streamlining administrative processes. It turned out there is demand for people like me who enjoy gathering and analyzing data, learning about anything and everything, and tenaciously pursuing their work.
Interviewer: What do you like most about your role?
Gabi: With each project, I learn something new and bring something more to the table. As my experience builds, I’m able to better advise my internal clients (the recruiters) and propose more effective solutions. I also learn something new about the firm or an industry, which accelerates my development. When all these things come together and result in finding a great candidate, I feel at my best. That impact is what it is all about.
Interviewer: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Gabi: Learning! I watch documentaries, read non– fiction, and try to improve my knowledge in areas I don’t understand. I enjoy modern art and independent films, a lot of TV series and general dolce far niente. My great group of friends spread all over the world give me plenty of excuses for travel as well.
We’re looking for smart, fun, IT-savvy problem solvers to join our Poznan experienced professional recruiting team. If you excel at project management, please consider joining us as a recruiting administrator like Marta. You can progress into junior talent research analyst roles, like Gabi’s, and then recruiter positions, like Nora’s.