McKinsey could be the ideal match for your skills, interests and goals
McKinsey helps leaders in business and society tackle their most pressing problems. To do this, we need a diverse set of consultants, all with different backgrounds, experience and passions. We value these differing views and ideas as they lead to keener insights, innovative thinking, and sound solutions for our clients. So whatever your background is and whatever industry, business function or geography you are interested in working in, McKinsey could prove to be the perfect match for you.
Why do people join McKinsey?
Many of our people join the firm because they want to build on their specialized skills and also broaden their opportunities. Others come to try something completely different, knowing that the skills they gain here will open doors for them even if they eventually decide to leave. Still others are experienced professionals who are looking for a fresh challenge or the chance to have greater impact. McKinsey has the size, scale, and culture to help you discover and realize your ambition, whatever it is.
Diversity of backgrounds
McKinsey consultants represent a broad range of academic and professional backgrounds. Some joined the firm directly after earning their undergraduate degree, M.B.A. or other advanced degree. Others arrived after establishing themselves in another career. A business background isn’t a prerequisite for success at McKinsey. We look for exceptional ability and a track record of accomplishment. We’re most interested in innate qualities that make a lasting difference: problem solving, personal impact, drive to achieve, and leadership. Consultants with an education or experience in other fields – such as law, medicine or science – also thrive here.
Roles and career paths at McKinsey for Experienced Professionals
The number of Experienced Professionals at McKinsey Amsterdam is growing and we now have a rich community and network of professionals joining from many different industries and backgrounds. McKinsey’s clients value the diversity of knowledge and insight that our experienced consultants bring to engagements. A typical career path for Experienced Professionals at McKinsey starts with the role of Associate and progresses to Partnership through a set of distinct career steps:
Associate
Associates lead a key portion of an engagement. They apply a broad range of creative problem solving skills, combining technical and analytical excellence. They synthesize conclusions into recommendations and work directly with senior leaders to implement change. Associates have to develop foundational knowledge across each of the basic functions (e.g., strategy, organization, and finance). Because the starting point for each associate entering McKinsey varies, so will the mix of client exposure and more formal training needed to build capabilities. Generally, most associates identify an area of real interest in their second year and focus on learning more in that field.
Engagement Manager
When associates are ready for the next level of responsibility, they become engagement managers. Engagement managers are the hub and center of the full engagement team, and are responsible for determining how to bring the best of McKinsey to the client. By working closely with clients, they maximize the impact of our work and lead the client through the change process. They also continuously follow up on our work to ensure sustained impact. More experienced engagement managers act as thought leaders in an industry section and/or a function and are sought out by colleagues and clients for this expertise.
Associate Principal
Recognized and elected as “partners-in-training,” associate principals begin to split their time among multiple engagements, rather than working on one engagement at a time. Associate principals continue to build real expertise in functional or industry areas in order to create new thinking and develop new problem solving approaches. They are inspirational team leaders, typically having several people viewing them as a mentor. They make sure that each associate on their team leaves their engagement better performing than when they joined the team.
Partner
Associate principals who are elected partner have demonstrated their superior ability to deliver significant impact for our clients. They possess distinctive knowledge and can use it to serve high-performing industry leaders. They inspire their colleagues and team members to achieve great things and actively mentor the next generation of firm leaders. They live our values and ensure our firm continuously fulfills its mission statement. Typically, successful consultants who join McKinsey early in their career can expect election to principal partner (the first stage of partnership) within five to seven years. People with substantial prior professional experience may be elected sooner. There is no limit to the size of our partnership.
Director
Directors are the most senior partners at McKinsey. They are typically elected director six to seven years after their partner election. They establish strong relationships with senior leaders and create opportunities for others to grow and develop. They are passionate about impact for our clients and the leadership of our firm.