Just before I went off to Venice a couple of weeks ago, I told Nikesh and Antosh that I was about to send off a couple of applications for some IT consulting opportunities. The intention was to send off the application for Accenture, Customer Systems, and another firm that I cannot remember the name of, and has not even sent an e-mail to notify the receipt of application - I doubt I would want to work there anyway. With Nikesh MSN-ing me over his iPhone from India, Antosh added, “why don’t you try McKinsey’s BTO as well?”
Yeh, why not?!
I remember applying to McKinsey a year ago, sending off the application for the opportunity to be a business analyst in the London office. The reply came back quickly with a rejection. Thanks for the love & support from all friends and family, but it was quite a dream at that time anyway: if you’re going to dream, you might as well dream big, right?
But after having spent some time doing web design & development, I thought I might as well have another shot at McKinsey, this time with the Business Technology Office (BTO). Skipping my reasons for the choice - this isn’t the time nor place for cover-letter-ing - I’d like to share the short but sweet experience of having passed the initial application screening.
Stage 1: Online Application
So I went to the McKinsey & Co. website, making sure that nothing major (i.e. infrastructure, career path, etc.) has changed since I last applied, before hit the APPLY NOW button. The online application interface was well designed. It doesn’t have all the NEXT buttons that the majority of firms have with their application interface. Instead, it’s probably driven with the AJAX technology that gives you more forms and questions “as you fill them in”.
At the beginning, the only sections were Personal Information, Language Skills, and the Position that you’re applying. As you fill in these details, other questions such as Location Preference, Education, and Work Experiences start to appear. Some may think, “is this ever going to end?!” But I personally think that it makes the filling in process psychologically shorter and easier. Followed by the Resume/CV and Cover Letter uploading, I then completed the application and submitted it. The response came at 5AM before I left for Stansted, and it was obvious that the notification of receipt was sent personally by the recruiter, and not generated automatically - a small sign of dedication here.
Stage 2: Problem Solving Test (PST)
Less than a week later, just before Chinese New Year, I received an e-mail on my mobile phone while sitting in Yauatcha saying that McKinsey would like to invite me to the next stage of the recruitment process. They call it the 1st stage, but I’d like to include the initial Resume/CV screening as the initial stage. The stage consists of a multiple choice problem solving test that lasts 60 miniutes.
After some research, it appears that the PST test (excuse the repetition of test) is necessary for all applications, be it applications for the graduate program or for the experienced recruitment. Unlike the numerical tests that investment banks give to applicants, the test much more complex, despite the recruitment team has stated, “the test assumes no specific prior business knowledge.”
Calculators are not allowed, which means fast-paced logical thinking and timing become the two crucial factors of succeeding. Standard case studies usually emphasise on the chain of thoughts of the applicants when dealing with complex problems. However, with only one correct answer each question and the assessment marked on a pass/fail basis, you have to give the one and only correct answer.
What I would advise for the people who get to this stage would be:
- Get a good night sleep and breakfast to keep a clear mind.
- Remember to keep your time. Practise a couple of times with sample tests if you have them.
- The test isn’t (or at least wasn’t for me) negatively marked, so don’t leave any questions unanswered!
- Have fun! You either have it or you don’t. It is true that the test assumes no specific prior business knowledge. The business terms used are only there for you to show that you possess the if-A-then-B logic, even in time limited situations.
At the end of the test, the recruiter came in, stopped the test, and said she would have it marked before the end of the day so that she wouldn’t be keeping our minds hanging (it was a Friday). I left the McKinsey office just after 4PM, and received the e-mail just before 6PM saying I will not be going on to the next stage. Too bad. But the impression that McKinsey has left me remains a majestic one.
Summary
Like I said, you either have it or you don’t. The screening process is rigorous, and the test is well designed, with only a couple of sample tests available on the internet. I was lucky enough to have 2 copies. But I was lucky in more than just one way.
I submitted the application well after the graduate recruiting deadline. In fact, I didn’t even know there was a deadline. First I didn’t apply because I didn’t think I was ready for the management consulting giant, and then I applied because of Antosh’s “why don’t you”. And he was exactly right - why not!?
Only two people took the PST test: myself and another Indian guy who turned out to be my EEE senior that graduated in 2002. He was surprised that I got through to the PST stage because the recruitment process had ended, and he got through to that stage only because someone inside McKinsey recommended him.
As for me? I guess I was either very lucky, or they really liked my CV and cover letter. So my advice for everyone out there who are looking for a job they really want - take my “why-not” attitude, just go ahead and apply.
You would be able to find a copy of the 2001 PST that I found HERE, for which the original link was kindly provided by another person on vault.com.
Premium
