as a McKinsey consultant, I was a member of my office's recruiting team for four years and later headed MBA recruiting. to be honest, the personal fit portion of the interview is least important. during the case, the interviewer will get a good sense of your interpersonal skills and how clients might react to you. just don't say anything stupid
When I applied to McKinsey and other consulting firms, I pulled a list of common CV / personal fit interview questions. I then prepared a written reply to each of them in silent work (also forcing me to think properly through what I would want to answer), and afterwards practiced my answers orally. Can only recommend this technique to anyone applying for consulting or other jobs. Having said that... apart from the person you mentioned in the video who said he/she wanted to work at McKinsey because it was the most prestigious firm, I cannot recall anybody who would have been rejected on the basis of the personal fit interview. So while I think it is a useful habit to think through common personal fit questions once properly, no need to get obsessed about them either 🙂
I had two Big 4 interviews this week and I was asked the same questions. Would have liked to see the video before that, but it still went very well. Best, Marek
Hi Heinrich, I think we need a video about how to maintain health and stamina as a consultant. Maybe something like diet, vitamin, and/or healthy lifestyle that consultants need to survive the working hours. Cheers.
hi, thank you for this video. please make a video on questions like 'why should we hire you', 'why should we not hire you' and how to go about mentioning your strengths and weaknesses and also how to go around solving case studies/ guesstimates for a consulting interview. this would be really helpful.
Thank you so much for your videos; you seem to genuinely want to see us succeed! Das bedeutet mir sehr viel! So zeitlos wichtige und hilfreiche Videos haben dir jetzt einen neuen Abonnenten verschafft :)
Hi Emanuele, thanks for watching and the suggestion! Indeed have a video on "office / business outfits" on my idea list for quite some time already, maybe indeed time to produce it soon :) Best! Heinrich
Hi Heinrich, thank you so much for these videos! As a former doctor and startup founder, I would really appreciate a video for Advanced Professional Degree applicants, maybe covering how to make the most of your non traditional background.
@@FirmLearning I would like to echo this request. All your content is useful, but seems most applicable for candidates fresh out of school. I am a mid-career professional making a switch after a decade (post MA) doing something else. I would assume the interviews might be slightly different at that level.
Good point about the culture, ,,The Culture here is amazing..." - Dan Snyder, Owner of The Washington Football team, formerly know as the Washington Redskins and common pun by RUclipsr UrinatingTree from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Thanks Heinrich for another sterling video, LG aus Space City, FVR
Hello Heinrich, thank you for all of the information you share. I like that you said McKinsey is a meritocracy, in that the best idea wins. Can you also quickly comment on how much autonomy consultants have in what they work on? Also, how do Specialists fit into the team, and is their role much different to a standard consultant?
Hi Harry, it is great to hear that you enjoyed the video! Generally consulting teams hope to give their consultants the opportunity to deliver on their own work streams but will only give extra responsibility when they are ready for it! I will consider making a video on how specialists fit into teams in the future.
Consulting is indeed a fantastic path for the beginning of your career! However, there are pros and cons of every job and everyone must choose what is best for them based on a number of factors. Thank you very much for watching.
From my numerous consulting firm interview I found they skip why consulting why this firm, but straight into why you. Even in the first phone screening process
Hey. For the question on 'why this firm', could saying that the firm works in a relatively flat hierarchy structure, and that you like to work in an environment where everyone is treated and valued equally regardless of the number of years they have worked in a field or how 'senior' they are in the corporate (in an interview for firm like LEK, or any one with such flat hierarchy structure), be a fair thing to say?
Hi Naman, yes agree this will be a good point! Though would likely add some other points as well, as this one might be perceived as a little bit generic as this will (hopefully) be true for a bunch of other companies as well. Best! Heinrich
Hi Praveen, know that several people recommend antichronologically. Personally I like to go chronologically. Believe both works, go with what feels best to you. When going chronologically, do not waste too much time talking about things very early in your life! Best, Heinrich
Nice videos! One question I have is how would you best categorise a Management Consultant,Market Analyst and a Business Analyst.As far as I understand some use them interchangeably.Having said that there are differences among them too.So what would be your take on this.Thank you.
Market and business analysts are usually internal team members for companies within a specific industry that analyse the market and various business opportunities for the firm. However some consulting firm use the term business analyst to describe their entry level positions (McKinsey). Management consultants are hired by other firms to advise them on problems they may have. Thanks for watching! :)
@@FirmLearning 😅😂Your video really helped a lot, I watched your video on day 1.. I cracked the interview, and today on day 6 I told my friend to watch this video.. he also cracked it!! Thanks alot!!🥳
Hi , i love your video! may i ask what would u recommend to engineering graduate ( bachelor and master) ? I have no consulting/ business experience that much ( except a startup project) so how can i justify that i have a passion for it?
Wah that's really good! I really like how you map out the structure! btw something just cross my mind. referring to 13:26, What would you say if the interviewer asks you " if you are interested in finance, why don't you apply to the investment banking / private equity / other financial institutions? Anyway great content! :D
The answer to this question is specific to each individual. I would advise that you use the positives of consulting (what draws you to consulting is different for each person) rather than the negatives of IB/PE. Thanks for watching :)
@@FirmLearning So is it fine to say that there are 2 possible reasons: - Consulting offers steeper learning curve since you get the opportunity to work on different types of projects with clients from different regions due to which you get better exposure of different industries. - Consulting is often perceived as more of client facing role, and I as an individual possess good listening as well as speaking skills, hence my skills and interests both aligns perfectly with consulting instead of IB/PE/etc
No hate, but I honestly think that was a rather poor-medium performance. In addition, I felt it was really emotionless. However, the points you make constitute a good foundation.
Can you create Consulting-style slide presentations? This is my complete Slide Writing course:
link.firmlearning.com/slides
So good, help us that aren’t in consulting
Don't say you join the firm because of their Reputation and prestige. Says minutes later he went to munich because the prestige of that University....
as a McKinsey consultant, I was a member of my office's recruiting team for four years and later headed MBA recruiting. to be honest, the personal fit portion of the interview is least important. during the case, the interviewer will get a good sense of your interpersonal skills and how clients might react to you. just don't say anything stupid
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
When I applied to McKinsey and other consulting firms, I pulled a list of common CV / personal fit interview questions. I then prepared a written reply to each of them in silent work (also forcing me to think properly through what I would want to answer), and afterwards practiced my answers orally. Can only recommend this technique to anyone applying for consulting or other jobs.
Having said that... apart from the person you mentioned in the video who said he/she wanted to work at McKinsey because it was the most prestigious firm, I cannot recall anybody who would have been rejected on the basis of the personal fit interview. So while I think it is a useful habit to think through common personal fit questions once properly, no need to get obsessed about them either 🙂
Sounds like a good strategy! Agree that the personal fit part is mainly about not raising any red flags :) Best! Heinrich
@YOUinConsulting would you be open to sharing your list of questions for a hopeful candidate? TIA
I had two Big 4 interviews this week and I was asked the same questions. Would have liked to see the video before that, but it still went very well. Best, Marek
Wishing you the best for the outcome of those interviews Marek! Hopefully this video can be helpful for any future interviews you may have.
all this years i am so confident with my anwers in interview, but after watching your video i learned a lot, good tips thank you man
Happy to hear it was helpful - all the best to you! Best, H
Hi Heinrich, I think we need a video about how to maintain health and stamina as a consultant. Maybe something like diet, vitamin, and/or healthy lifestyle that consultants need to survive the working hours. Cheers.
Thank you for watching the video and sharing your thoughts. I will add this to the ideas list and consider doing a video on it in the future!
Easy. Go for the special K
hi, thank you for this video. please make a video on questions like 'why should we hire you', 'why should we not hire you' and how to go about mentioning your strengths and weaknesses and also how to go around solving case studies/ guesstimates for a consulting interview. this would be really helpful.
Hi Atulya, also some good questions, thanks! Well noted for potential future videos, stay tuned! Best, Heinrich
Thank you so much for your videos; you seem to genuinely want to see us succeed!
Das bedeutet mir sehr viel! So zeitlos wichtige und hilfreiche Videos haben dir jetzt einen neuen Abonnenten verschafft :)
Super happy to hear you got value from the video - Vielen Dank! :) LG, Heinrich
Hello Heinrich,
you should do a one-week office outfit video, similar to "how to pack you consulting bag".
Hi Emanuele, thanks for watching and the suggestion! Indeed have a video on "office / business outfits" on my idea list for quite some time already, maybe indeed time to produce it soon :) Best! Heinrich
Yeah this would be highly appreciated from my side as well.
Good job. I'm really impressed with your eloquence and presentation skills.
Thanks for your kind comment!
Hi Heinrich, thank you so much for these videos! As a former doctor and startup founder, I would really appreciate a video for Advanced Professional Degree applicants, maybe covering how to make the most of your non traditional background.
Thanks for the idea, I will think about doing a video on this in the future! Thanks for watching and I am glad that you enjoyed it!
@@FirmLearning I would like to echo this request. All your content is useful, but seems most applicable for candidates fresh out of school. I am a mid-career professional making a switch after a decade (post MA) doing something else. I would assume the interviews might be slightly different at that level.
Good point about the culture,
,,The Culture here is amazing..." - Dan Snyder, Owner of The Washington Football team, formerly know as the Washington Redskins and common pun by RUclipsr UrinatingTree from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
Thanks Heinrich for another sterling video,
LG aus Space City,
FVR
lol ;) Thanks for watching Fabian! LG aus München, Heinrich
Danke für deine Arbeit!
Danke DIR fürs Zuschauen Eduard! LG, Heinrich
Danke schön, Heinrich!
Good perspective and information for job interviews 👍
Great to hear that - thanks for watching! Best, Heinrich
Your example answers were highly interesting! Please do more mock interview Videos :)
Great to hear that you enjoyed the video! Thank you for watching!
Well done! Like button detroyed
Super happy to hear that - thank you for watching Jamie! Best, Heinrich
Always Clutch with all of your videos H. Happy New Year
Thanks Ludger, happy to hear the videos are helpful. All the best to you as well! H
Hello Heinrich, thank you for all of the information you share. I like that you said McKinsey is a meritocracy, in that the best idea wins. Can you also quickly comment on how much autonomy consultants have in what they work on? Also, how do Specialists fit into the team, and is their role much different to a standard consultant?
Hi Harry, it is great to hear that you enjoyed the video! Generally consulting teams hope to give their consultants the opportunity to deliver on their own work streams but will only give extra responsibility when they are ready for it! I will consider making a video on how specialists fit into teams in the future.
I still don't understand, if you get everything from the consulting firm, why do you resign?
Consulting is indeed a fantastic path for the beginning of your career! However, there are pros and cons of every job and everyone must choose what is best for them based on a number of factors. Thank you very much for watching.
From my numerous consulting firm interview I found they skip why consulting why this firm, but straight into why you. Even in the first phone screening process
Thank you for your comment and for watching the video Emily!
Lovin this content Heinrich!
I am so glad that you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching!
thanks for sharing this!
Thanks for your support! Great to know that you enjoyed the video!
Hey.
For the question on 'why this firm', could saying that the firm works in a relatively flat hierarchy structure, and that you like to work in an environment where everyone is treated and valued equally regardless of the number of years they have worked in a field or how 'senior' they are in the corporate (in an interview for firm like LEK, or any one with such flat hierarchy structure), be a fair thing to say?
Hi Naman, yes agree this will be a good point! Though would likely add some other points as well, as this one might be perceived as a little bit generic as this will (hopefully) be true for a bunch of other companies as well. Best! Heinrich
good answers.
Glad that you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching!
Are there any tips for how to show/prove my interest if I have not secured any internships?
Great interview questions!!
Glad that you enjoyed the video! Thanks for watching.
Great tips!
Heinrich Beste 👍
;) Danke fürs Zuschauen Hans!
Thanks for the insights Heinrich! When we walk through the resume, would you recommend going chronologically or with the most recent experience first?
Hi Praveen, know that several people recommend antichronologically. Personally I like to go chronologically. Believe both works, go with what feels best to you. When going chronologically, do not waste too much time talking about things very early in your life! Best, Heinrich
A perfect video thankxx 🎉🎉🎉👍👍👍
Great to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!
I destroyed the like buttom.
Way to go!!
Were you an interviewer too or just a consultant at mckinsey
Hi Georges, did not go through interviewer training at McK. Best, H
Super super helpful!!!! Thank you!!
I am a PhD dropout, and its bit difficult to connect the dots and make story
Thank you!
Thanks for watching :)
very gooooooddd!thx a lot s2
Nice videos! One question I have is how would you best categorise a Management Consultant,Market Analyst and a Business Analyst.As far as I understand some use them interchangeably.Having said that there are differences among them too.So what would be your take on this.Thank you.
Market and business analysts are usually internal team members for companies within a specific industry that analyse the market and various business opportunities for the firm. However some consulting firm use the term business analyst to describe their entry level positions (McKinsey). Management consultants are hired by other firms to advise them on problems they may have. Thanks for watching! :)
Nice handshake
Thank you! Thanks for watching!
Are knowledge teams at MBB a good entry then pivot internally into consulting after a few years?
We got placed!!!!
Happy to hear that :)
@@FirmLearning 😅😂Your video really helped a lot, I watched your video on day 1.. I cracked the interview, and today on day 6 I told my friend to watch this video.. he also cracked it!!
Thanks alot!!🥳
Sehr hilfreiches Video, vielen Dank! :)
Thanks for watching :)
Very helpful video, thanks
very helpful
Awesome stuff
How to score an interview in such big companies?
Hi , i love your video! may i ask what would u recommend to engineering graduate ( bachelor and master) ? I have no consulting/ business experience that much ( except a startup project) so how can i justify that i have a passion for it?
great video. thank you
Wah that's really good! I really like how you map out the structure! btw something just cross my mind. referring to 13:26, What would you say if the interviewer asks you " if you are interested in finance, why don't you apply to the investment banking / private equity / other financial institutions?
Anyway great content! :D
The answer to this question is specific to each individual. I would advise that you use the positives of consulting (what draws you to consulting is different for each person) rather than the negatives of IB/PE. Thanks for watching :)
@@FirmLearning So is it fine to say that there are 2 possible reasons:
- Consulting offers steeper learning curve since you get the opportunity to work on different types of projects with clients from different regions due to which you get better exposure of different industries.
- Consulting is often perceived as more of client facing role, and I as an individual possess good listening as well as speaking skills, hence my skills and interests both aligns perfectly with consulting instead of IB/PE/etc
The quintessential German accent!
:) Thanks for watching!
great video
Great to hear you enjoyed it!
so you reccomend to start with lies
? No.
Its funny to hear when someone says I want to join this firm because I can leave this firm after 2 years😂😂😂😂
wHy conZAAIting
No hate, but I honestly think that was a rather poor-medium performance. In addition, I felt it was really emotionless.
However, the points you make constitute a good foundation.
Appreciate the Feedback. What elements would you suggest to improve?