| Topic Name: |
Non-US offices - GCO in particular |
| Message Name: |
couple of answers |
| Date Posted: |
02/21/2006 |
| In Reply To: |
First, congratulations on your recent offer from McKinsey. I'm sure you were very excited with the news.
During your application process, about how many interviews were conducted in English and how many in the native language? I would imagine business-level mastery of local language is a requirement. What was the background of the consultants who interviewed you? were they all Chinese origin or multinationals? I'm sure there were some 2nd generation Chinese-american folks along with native Chinese folks with foreign degrees such as yourself. How competitive do you think the process was? What is Jr Associate position? I don??t think there are such roles in the US offices.
Sorry for too many questions.
Best!
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| Message: |
ALL interviews were conducted in English. 1st round started with the APS test (paper-based) in campus. Got a reply to go to 2nd round within 24 hrs. Interviewed in London office by 2 Associates and 1 EM -- all of different nationalities but none of them Chinese (Indian, British and Scandinavian). Got a reply to go to final round in Hong Kong, my destination office, within 72 hours.
Final round took place about 6 weeks after 2nd round, in HK. Was interviewed by 1 associate principle (British born Chinese), 1 Partner (French) and 1 Director (Native Hongkie). They only ASKED if I speak Chinese but didn't bother testing me.
In terms of competition, I happen to have very precise figures as I have become a very good friend of the HR girl in HK office (who helped me A LOT, God bless her). For the 2006 recruit batch (HK office alone) they screened 800ish resumes, gave 80ish 2nd rounds and 10 final rounds; and finally 6 offers were given. What I heard is that the 6 are all non-MBAs, and I assume MBA recruitment is still going as we speak. The offerees are all from Ivy or Oxbridge schools and native Hongkies.
Jr Assoc is paid around 40% more than BAs and 30% less than Assocs. They do everything BAs do, and they have to take the mini-MBA. They are expected to promote to Assoc within 18-24 months and will not be considered for bschool sponsorship. I think JA doesn't exist in the States but its quite common in Europe and Asia. Most APDs enter as JAs in these regions.
I think SOME of the interviews are conducted in Chinese if you apply to Mainland offices (Taipei, Shanghai and Beijing), but not for HK office. But from what I heard they still required excellent English. Alternatively, for those who has the potential but lack the English ability, they have a program called AsiaHouse. Google it to find out more.
Final note: imho, the competition is fierce, and interviews are extremely exhausting and challenging. But what makes Mck such a great firm is that they treat me respect and care even at very early stages. Giving full support, case study workshops and assigning a mentor of similar backgroud to help me with case studies. I could feel they WANTED me to succeed.
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