How did you prepare your personal experience examples for your interviews?
It was a journey for me. I started by exploring McKinsey’s careers website to learn more about the skills the firm seeks in consultants. I reflected on experiences in which I was challenged and personally made a difference. I used the situation, task, action, result, lessons-learned (STAR-L) framework to build examples, then practiced sharing my stories with a several friends who were also applying to give each other constructive feedback and help refine my own approach.
How did you feel prior to your interviews?
Nervous and excited. The interviews were my opportunity to join a team of talented people and work collaboratively to tackle challenging problems. I’m an avid runner so I tackled my nerves by taking short jogs that helped turn my anxiety into enthusiasm ahead of each round of interviews.
What surprised you most about the McKinsey interview process?
I was surprised by how relaxed the atmosphere was. Each interview was more of a conversation. I quickly felt I could establish a relationship with my interviewers. They guided our discussion and wanted to help me succeed. The cases felt like teamwork; the supportive environment and insightful feedback I received boosted my confidence and made me more comfortable.
Aside from case coaching, how did McKinsey best help you prepare?
I felt very supported throughout the process. My recruiter went the extra mile to make sure that I had all the information and resources I needed; she answered all my questions related to what to expect during interviews. Additionally, the feedback and coaching from my interviewers was extremely valuable. I was immediately able to incorporate it into my final round interviews.
Looking back, how did you feel about the overall experience?
My experience was extremely positive. The consultants I met were genuine and supportive. Aside from sharing information with me about the recruiting process, they also taught me about McKinsey’s values. The values that resonated with me most were the approach to each firm member’s professional development through mentoring and apprenticeship. I could already feel that throughout the interview process so was confident it is a strong part of the firm. Also, I was impressed by the inclusive work environment, and the firm’s commitment to helping clients sustain improvements by building capabilities. Learning about these values and seeing them for myself made me realize McKinsey was a place I wanted to join.
Why are you excited to join McKinsey?
Mainly for the people. Several good friends in my MBA program work at McKinsey. I was impressed with how collaborative and humble they are despite being extremely accomplished in their careers. This has been consistent when meeting people at the firm throughout the hiring process.
I am also looking forward to joining the Implementation practice because I believe turning a company’s strategies into operational excellence is critical. More importantly, working and forming lasting relationships with supportive and inspiring people while helping organizations thrive and have lasting impact make me excited about what lies ahead.
More about Bayu:
Bayu is an incoming associate in Jakarta. He is currently finishing his MBA at the University of Cambridge. Prior to business school, he led the corporate planning department of an energy and utilities company for nearly two years, where he was responsible for its corporate strategy, M&A, and project development. Before that, he spent nine years working in the oil & gas and mining industries, where he managed several multimillion-dollar projects. Bayu earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Bandung Institute of Technology and his masters from the University of Aberdeen. Outside of work, Bayu is an avid runner and enjoys travelling with his family.