This is a position for candidates who hold a master’s, an MBA, a PhD, or another advanced degree and have more than three years of work experience.
Associates lead key parts (usually called “workstreams”) of client engagements. They apply a broad range of creative problem-solving skills, combining technical and analytical excellence to help solve their piece of the client’s overall puzzle. Associates develop conclusions into recommendations and work directly with the client’s senior leaders to implement change.
As associates serve clients in different industries and functional areas, they develop a broad tool kit of problem-solving skills, leadership capabilities, and foundational knowledge that they can apply to each new client engagement. Because the skill sets of associates entering McKinsey vary, so will their mix of client exposure and formal training. When associates are ready for the next level of responsibility, they become engagement managers.
The final decision about your role—junior associate or associate—will reflect your performance in the interview.