Application Process: Applied through a job board for the Software Engineer position. The process took around 1 month, starting with a phone call with a sourcer, followed by a recruiter call, and then a paired programming exercise.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Phone Screening with Sourcer:
Questions Asked: Discussed my experience and details about the team in Denver.
Your Approach: Answered questions honestly and tried to understand the role better.
Outcome: Moved to the next round with the recruiter.
Round 2 - Phone Screening with Recruiter:
Questions Asked: Repeated the same questions as the sourcer call (experience, background, etc.).
Your Approach: Repeated my answers and tried to stay patient.
Outcome: Scheduled for a paired programming exercise after multiple follow-ups.
Round 3 - Paired Programming Exercise:
Questions Asked: Collaborated with an engineer to solve a coding problem.
Your Approach: Explained my solution, implemented it, and worked collaboratively.
Outcome: The engineer praised the solution, but we ran out of time. Despite this, the feedback seemed positive.
Conclusion:
The interview process was frustrating due to poor communication from the recruitment team. The paired programming round went well, but the lack of timely feedback and transparency was disappointing. If given another opportunity, I would not interview with them again due to the unprofessional handling of the process. Future candidates should be prepared for delays and follow up persistently.
Application Process: Applied through the company’s career portal. The process was straightforward, and I received a confirmation email shortly after submitting my application.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Coding Round:
Questions Asked: The round consisted of algorithmic problems focusing on data structures and problem-solving. The questions were of medium to hard difficulty, testing both coding skills and logical thinking.
Your Approach: I practiced extensively on platforms like LeetCode and HackerRank to get comfortable with problem-solving under time constraints. During the round, I focused on writing clean, efficient code and explaining my thought process.
Outcome: Cleared the round and moved to the next stage.
Round 2 - Code Pairing Round:
Questions Asked: This round involved live coding with a McKinsey employee. The problem was more practical, simulating a real-world scenario. The interviewer also asked about my approach to debugging and optimizing code.
Your Approach: I made sure to communicate my thought process clearly and asked clarifying questions when needed. I also demonstrated how I would test and refine the solution.
Outcome: Successfully cleared this round and advanced to the face-to-face interviews.
Round 3 - Face-to-Face Interview (Technical):
Questions Asked: The interviewer asked about my past projects, technical challenges I’ve faced, and how I overcame them. There were also a few system design questions.
Your Approach: I discussed my projects in detail, highlighting my contributions and learnings. For the system design part, I structured my answers using a top-down approach, breaking the problem into manageable components.
Outcome: The interviewer seemed satisfied with my responses, and I moved to the final round.
Round 4 - Face-to-Face Interview (Behavioral):
Questions Asked: This round focused on behavioral questions, such as teamwork, handling conflicts, and time management. The interviewer also asked about my motivation for joining McKinsey.
Your Approach: I used the STAR method to structure my answers, providing specific examples from my past experiences. I also aligned my responses with McKinsey’s values and culture.
Outcome: Cleared the round and received positive feedback.
Preparation Tips:
Practice coding problems regularly, especially on platforms like LeetCode and HackerRank.
Brush up on system design concepts and be prepared to discuss your projects in detail.
For behavioral rounds, prepare examples using the STAR method and research the company’s values to align your answers.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was challenging but well-structured. I felt prepared, but I could have spent more time refining my system design skills. My advice to future candidates is to practice consistently and focus on clear communication during interviews. Good luck!
Application Process: Applied through an online application process. The role was for a Software Engineer specializing in .NET and VSTO development.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - HackerRank Coding Challenge:
Questions Asked: A coding challenge on HackerRank to assess problem-solving skills and familiarity with coding practices.
Your Approach: Focused on writing clean, efficient code and ensuring all edge cases were covered.
Outcome: Cleared the round and moved to the next stage.
Round 2 - Technical Interview:
Questions Asked:
Detailed questions about my work experience, especially projects involving .NET and VSTO.
Questions about project architecture, design decisions, and challenges faced.
Behavioral questions to assess teamwork and problem-solving in real-world scenarios.
Your Approach: Provided clear explanations of my projects, emphasizing my role and the technical decisions made. For behavioral questions, used the STAR method to structure my answers.
Outcome: The interviewers seemed satisfied with my responses. The focus was on ensuring my experience matched the job requirements exactly.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on .NET and VSTO concepts, especially if you have prior experience.
Practice coding challenges on platforms like HackerRank to improve problem-solving speed.
Be ready to discuss your projects in detail, including architecture and challenges.
Prepare for behavioral questions using the STAR method to articulate your experiences clearly.
Conclusion:
The interview process was thorough, with a strong emphasis on matching the candidate’s experience to the job demands. While the technical questions were challenging, they were fair and relevant to the role. I would advise future candidates to ensure their experience aligns closely with the job description and to practice articulating their project details clearly.
Your Approach: The interviewer was very knowledgeable and supportive. Despite initial nervousness, the candidate felt appreciated and confident in their responses.
Outcome: Positive feedback from the interviewer.
Preparation Tips:
Focus on building confidence and technical knowledge.
Practice answering questions clearly and concisely.
Conclusion:
The overall experience was positive, with the interviewer providing encouragement and appreciation. The candidate suggests working on managing nervousness to perform even better in future interviews.
I discussed my projects in detail, highlighting the technologies I used and my role in them. For the Java questions, I focused on core concepts and problem-solving.
Outcome:
The round went well, and I advanced to the next stage.
I broke down the problem into components like database design, scalability, and user experience. I also discussed potential challenges and solutions.
Outcome:
The discussion was engaging, and I received positive feedback.
Round 3 - Behavioral Interview:
Questions Asked:
Situational questions about managing different scenarios in my current organization.
Your Approach:
I shared specific examples of how I handled challenges, emphasizing teamwork and problem-solving.
Outcome:
The round was conversational, and I felt confident about my responses.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on core Java concepts and coding problems.
Practice system design questions, especially for behavioral rounds with technical twists.
Prepare STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories for behavioral questions.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was thorough but enjoyable. The technical rounds tested my problem-solving skills, while the behavioral rounds assessed my ability to handle real-world scenarios. I could have prepared more for system design questions, but the discussions were insightful. For future candidates, I’d recommend practicing both technical and behavioral aspects thoroughly.
Application Process: Applied through the company’s career portal.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Interview:
Questions Asked: Professional and scenario-based questions, including chart-based discussions to depict process architecture.
Your Approach: Focused on explaining the architecture clearly and logically, using diagrams where necessary.
Outcome: Challenging but informative; advanced to the next round.
Round 2 - Technical Deep Dive:
Questions Asked: Further detailed technical questions, including problem-solving scenarios and system design.
Your Approach: Broke down problems systematically and discussed trade-offs in design decisions.
Outcome: Intense but passed; moved to the final round.
Round 3 - Behavioral Interview:
Questions Asked: Questions about teamwork, leadership, and handling challenges.
Your Approach: Shared specific examples from past experiences to highlight skills and adaptability.
Outcome: Positive feedback; cleared the round.
Preparation Tips:
Practice explaining system architecture using diagrams.
Review common behavioral questions and prepare STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) responses.
Solve case studies to improve problem-solving skills.
Conclusion:
The interview process was rigorous but rewarding. The technical rounds were particularly challenging, but thorough preparation helped. I recommend practicing both technical and behavioral aspects to succeed in such interviews.
Application Process: The recruiter reached out to me on LinkedIn to initiate the process. After an initial call explaining the job description and interview process, I proceeded to the technical and behavioral rounds.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Recruiter Call:
Questions Asked: Overview of the role, my background, and why I was interested in McKinsey.
Your Approach: I kept my responses concise and aligned my experience with the job requirements.
Outcome: Moved forward to the technical rounds.
Round 2 - Technical Interview (Zoom):
Questions Asked: Data structures and algorithms problems, system design concepts, and coding challenges.
Your Approach: I practiced LeetCode problems beforehand and focused on explaining my thought process clearly.
Outcome: Passed this round and advanced to the next technical interview.
Round 3 - Technical Interview (Zoom):
Questions Asked: More in-depth coding problems, optimization techniques, and real-world scenario-based questions.
Your Approach: I emphasized clean code and efficiency, and I asked clarifying questions when needed.
Outcome: Cleared this round and moved to the behavioral interviews.
Round 4 - Behavioral Interview:
Questions Asked: Teamwork experiences, handling conflicts, and problem-solving in collaborative environments.
Your Approach: I used the STAR method to structure my answers and provided specific examples.
Outcome: Progressed to the next behavioral round.
Round 5 - Behavioral Interview:
Questions Asked: Leadership scenarios, time management, and adaptability questions.
Your Approach: I highlighted my leadership roles and how I managed challenges in past projects.
Outcome: Cleared this round and awaited final feedback.
Preparation Tips:
Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode and HackerRank.
Review system design concepts and be ready to explain your thought process.
Prepare for behavioral questions using the STAR method and reflect on past experiences.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was thorough but well-structured. I felt prepared for the technical rounds, but I could have practiced more behavioral questions in advance. My advice for future candidates is to balance technical and behavioral preparation and to communicate clearly during the interviews.
Application Process: Received a call from HR for the Gurgaon office.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Interview:
Questions Asked:
Projects discussion
Consistent hashing
Data structures and algorithms (one question on trie, another on tree)
OOPs concepts
Your Approach: Focused on explaining my projects clearly and tackled the DS/Algo questions by breaking them down step by step.
Outcome: Passed to the next round.
Round 2 - Technical Interview:
Questions Asked:
Tree-based DS question
Overloading
Multithreading, future, callable, threadPool
Singleton design pattern
API concepts, load balancing, Redis
Spring concepts (beans, cycle)
Your Approach: Answered concisely, especially in the rapid-fire segment. Avoided system design as I wasn’t confident.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 3 - Technical Interview:
Questions Asked:
Memory leak, heap concepts
Two tree-based questions
Locking concepts
Two puzzles (cake cutting)
High-level design of Paytm payment gateway
Managerial questions
Your Approach: Focused on problem-solving and explaining my thought process clearly.
Outcome: Moved to the behavioural rounds.
Round 4 - Behavioural Interview:
Questions Asked: Behavioural questions (details not specified).
Your Approach: Answered based on past experiences and teamwork scenarios.
Outcome: Proceeded to the next round.
Round 5 - Behavioural Interview:
Questions Asked: More behavioural questions.
Your Approach: Maintained honesty and clarity in responses.
Outcome: Advanced to the final round.
Round 6 - HR Interview:
Questions Asked: Basic HR questions.
Your Approach: Kept it professional and concise.
Outcome: Final round completed.
Preparation Tips:
Focus on core CS concepts like DS/Algo, OOPs, and multithreading.
Practice system design and puzzles if you’re comfortable with them.
Be ready for rapid-fire technical questions.
Prepare for behavioural questions using the STAR method.
Conclusion:
The interview process was rigorous but well-structured. I could have prepared better for system design questions. My advice is to stay calm, think aloud, and be honest about your strengths and weaknesses.
Application Process: The interview process was structured and moved quickly. It started with an online assessment (OA), followed by an HR call, a technical interview, and finally a virtual onsite (VO) that included both PEI (Personal Experience Interview) and technical interviews. Feedback was provided within a few days after the interviews concluded.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Online Assessment (OA):
Questions Asked: The OA consisted of coding problems and logical reasoning questions.
Your Approach: I practiced coding problems on platforms like LeetCode beforehand and focused on optimizing my solutions for efficiency. For the logical reasoning part, I reviewed common problem-solving techniques.
Outcome: Passed this round and was invited for the HR call.
Round 2 - HR Call:
Questions Asked: The HR representative asked about my background, interest in the role, and why I wanted to join McKinsey.
Your Approach: I prepared by researching the company culture and aligning my answers with McKinsey’s values. I also practiced articulating my career goals clearly.
Outcome: Successfully moved to the next round.
Round 3 - Technical Interview:
Questions Asked: This round focused on data structures, algorithms, and system design. I was asked to solve a couple of coding problems and discuss trade-offs in system architecture.
Your Approach: I brushed up on core CS concepts and practiced explaining my thought process aloud while solving problems. I also reviewed system design principles.
Outcome: Cleared this round and advanced to the virtual onsite.
Round 4 - Virtual Onsite (VO):
Questions Asked: The VO included a mix of PEI and technical interviews. The PEI involved behavioral questions about past experiences, while the technical interviews covered advanced coding and problem-solving scenarios.
Your Approach: For the PEI, I prepared by reflecting on my past projects and framing my answers using the STAR method. For the technical part, I focused on writing clean, efficient code and communicating my approach clearly.
Outcome: Received positive feedback and an offer from McKinsey.
Preparation Tips:
Practice coding problems regularly, especially on platforms like LeetCode.
Review system design concepts and be prepared to discuss trade-offs.
For behavioral rounds, use the STAR method to structure your answers.
Research the company thoroughly to align your responses with their values and culture.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth and well-organized. I felt prepared because I dedicated time to practicing coding problems and refining my communication skills. One thing I could have done better is to simulate more mock interviews to get comfortable with the pressure of timed technical rounds. My advice to future candidates is to start preparing early, focus on both technical and behavioral aspects, and stay confident throughout the process.
Detailed questions about my project, including follow-up questions.
Asked if I had any questions for them.
Mentioned that the job involves traveling (not mentioned in the job description).
Your Approach:
I explained my project thoroughly, focusing on my contributions and the technologies used.
I asked about the team structure and the nature of the travel involved.
Outcome:
Passed the screening round.
Preparation Tips:
Be ready to discuss your projects in detail, including your role and the technologies involved.
Prepare questions for the recruiter about the role, team, and expectations.
Conclusion:
The recruiter screening was straightforward but highlighted the importance of being clear about job expectations, especially regarding travel. Overall, it was a good experience, and I learned the value of asking detailed questions early in the process.
Application Process: Applied through the company’s career portal.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Interview:
Questions Asked: Focused on JavaScript fundamentals and cloud computing concepts.
Your Approach: Reviewed core JavaScript concepts like closures, promises, and event loops. Also brushed up on AWS services and architecture.
Outcome: Passed this round with positive feedback on problem-solving skills.
Round 2 - Technical Interview:
Questions Asked: More in-depth questions on backend development, including system design and scalability.
Your Approach: Leveraged prior backend development experience to discuss real-world scenarios and best practices.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 3 - Behavioral Interview:
Questions Asked: Similar to Amazon’s Leadership Principles, focusing on teamwork, conflict resolution, and project challenges.
Your Approach: Used the STAR method to structure answers and provided concrete examples from past experiences.
Outcome: Successfully cleared this round.
Round 4 - Behavioral Interview:
Questions Asked: More situational questions about handling deadlines and stakeholder management.
Your Approach: Emphasized adaptability and communication skills, drawing from previous projects.
Outcome: Moved forward to the final round.
Round 5 - Behavioral Interview:
Questions Asked: Focused on leadership and decision-making under pressure.
Your Approach: Shared leadership experiences and how I navigated high-pressure situations.
Outcome: Cleared the final round and received an offer.
Preparation Tips:
For technical rounds, focus on JavaScript and cloud computing if you’re applying for a backend role.
Practice system design questions and review AWS services.
For behavioral rounds, prepare using the STAR method and align answers with leadership principles.
Conclusion:
The interview process was rigorous but well-structured. Having prior backend development experience definitely made the technical rounds easier. For future candidates, I’d recommend practicing both technical and behavioral questions thoroughly and aligning your answers with the company’s values.
Application Process: Applied through the company’s official website. The initial screening involved a gamified test, details of which are available on McKinsey’s official site. Successful candidates were then invited for further rounds.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Gamified Test:
Details: The first round was a gamified assessment, designed to evaluate problem-solving and cognitive abilities. The specifics of the test can be found on McKinsey’s official website.
Outcome: Cleared this round and moved to the next stage.
Round 2 - Coding Round + Technical Test (HackerRank):
Questions Asked: The round included coding challenges and technical questions on HackerRank. The exact questions varied but focused on algorithms, data structures, and problem-solving.
Your Approach: Prepared by practicing coding problems on platforms like LeetCode and HackerRank. Focused on optimizing solutions for time and space complexity.
Outcome: Successfully cleared this round and proceeded to the interview stages.
Round 3 - Technical Interview 1:
Questions Asked: Covered topics like system design, algorithms, and data structures. Also included scenario-based questions to assess practical problem-solving skills.
Your Approach: Reviewed core computer science concepts and practiced mock interviews. Emphasized clear communication while explaining thought processes.
Outcome: Performed well and advanced to the next round.
Round 4 - Technical Interview 2:
Questions Asked: Similar to the first technical interview but with deeper dives into specific areas like database design, concurrency, and scalability.
Your Approach: Focused on demonstrating depth of knowledge and ability to handle complex problems. Used real-world examples to explain solutions.
Outcome: Cleared this round and moved to the managerial round.
Round 5 - Managerial Interview:
Questions Asked: Behavioral and situational questions to assess fit within the team and company culture. Also discussed past projects and leadership experiences.
Your Approach: Prepared by reflecting on past experiences and aligning them with McKinsey’s values. Practiced the STAR method for behavioral questions.
Outcome: Successfully cleared this round.
Preparation Tips:
Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode and HackerRank.
Review core computer science concepts, especially algorithms, data structures, and system design.
For behavioral rounds, use the STAR method to structure answers.
Mock interviews can help improve communication and problem-solving under pressure.
Conclusion:
The interview process was thorough and challenging, but well-structured. The gamified test was a unique experience, and the technical rounds tested both depth and breadth of knowledge. Preparing in advance and practicing consistently were key to success. For future candidates, I’d recommend focusing on both technical and behavioral aspects to ensure a well-rounded performance.
Application Process: Applied through campus placement.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - CV-Based Interview:
Questions Asked: Detailed cross-questioning on projects mentioned in the CV.
Your Approach: Ensured thorough understanding of all projects, including challenges faced and solutions implemented.
Outcome: Passed the round by confidently explaining project details.
Round 2 - Technical Interview:
Questions Asked: SQL queries and array manipulation problems.
Your Approach: Focused on writing efficient SQL queries and practiced array manipulation problems beforehand.
Outcome: Struggled with some complex SQL queries but managed to solve the array problems.
Preparation Tips:
Be thorough with your CV projects; expect deep dives.
Practice advanced SQL queries and array manipulation problems.
Conclusion:
Overall, the experience was challenging but rewarding. I could have prepared more for SQL to handle the technical round better. My advice is to focus on both theoretical and practical aspects of your projects and brush up on core technical skills like SQL and data structures.
Application Process: Applied through the company’s career portal. The process included a coding round followed by three interviews (2 technical and 1 HR).
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Coding Round:
Questions Asked: Questions were based on BFS, DFS, and dynamic programming. The focus was on writing optimized code.
Your Approach: I tackled the problems by first understanding the requirements thoroughly and then implementing the solutions with optimization in mind. I ensured my code was clean and efficient.
Outcome: Passed this round and moved forward to the technical interviews.
Round 2 - Technical Interview 1:
Questions Asked: Deep dive into data structures and algorithms, with a focus on problem-solving and optimization.
Your Approach: I explained my thought process clearly and discussed trade-offs between different approaches. I also emphasized writing modular and reusable code.
Outcome: Successfully cleared this round.
Round 3 - Technical Interview 2:
Questions Asked: More advanced algorithmic challenges, including system design principles.
Your Approach: I broke down the problems into smaller components and discussed potential solutions before coding. I also considered scalability and edge cases.
Outcome: Cleared this round as well.
Round 4 - HR Interview:
Questions Asked: Behavioral questions, career goals, and cultural fit.
Your Approach: I answered honestly and aligned my responses with the company’s values and expectations.
Outcome: Received positive feedback and moved forward in the process.
Preparation Tips:
Focus on mastering core data structures and algorithms.
Practice writing clean, optimized code under time constraints.
Prepare for behavioral questions by reflecting on past experiences and aligning them with the company’s culture.
Conclusion:
The interview process was rigorous but well-structured. The emphasis on optimization and problem-solving was clear. I could have practiced more system design questions, but overall, it was a great learning experience. For future candidates, I’d recommend practicing consistently and understanding the trade-offs in your solutions.
Application Process: The interview process began with a live coding round, which could have been conducted online but was instead held at a specific campus. The round was monitored by McKinsey employees, and candidates were required to explain their pseudo-code to the evaluators.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Live Coding Round:
Questions Asked: The exact coding problem wasn’t specified, but it involved solving a problem while explaining the pseudo-code to the evaluators.
Your Approach: Focused on breaking down the problem into logical steps and clearly articulating the thought process behind the pseudo-code.
Outcome: The round was challenging due to the live monitoring and the pressure of explaining the approach on the spot.
Conclusion:
The experience was insightful but could have been more efficient if conducted online. For future candidates, practicing live coding and explaining your thought process clearly is crucial, especially in a high-pressure environment.
Application Process: Applied through the company’s career portal. The process was straightforward, and I received a confirmation email shortly after submitting my application.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Screening:
Questions Asked:
Basic data structures and algorithms questions.
A problem-solving question involving optimizing a piece of code.
Your Approach: I focused on explaining my thought process clearly and writing clean, efficient code. I also made sure to discuss edge cases.
Outcome: Passed this round and moved to the next stage.
Round 2 - Technical Deep Dive:
Questions Asked:
More complex algorithmic problems, including dynamic programming.
System design basics, like designing a scalable service.
Your Approach: I tried to break down the problems into smaller parts and discussed trade-offs for the system design question.
Outcome: Unfortunately, I did not pass this round. The feedback was that I needed more practice with dynamic programming and system design.
Preparation Tips:
Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode and HackerRank, especially focusing on dynamic programming and system design.
Mock interviews with peers can help simulate the pressure of the actual interview.
Reviewing past projects and being able to explain them in detail is also beneficial.
Conclusion:
Overall, it was a great learning experience. I realized the importance of thorough preparation, especially for advanced topics. For future candidates, I’d recommend dedicating more time to system design and dynamic programming, as these seem to be key focus areas for McKinsey’s technical interviews.
Application Process: [Brief description of how the student applied]
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Coding Round:
Questions Asked: Leetcode medium-level problems
Your Approach: Focused on solving problems efficiently and optimizing code. Practiced common patterns like two-pointer, sliding window, and DFS/BFS.
Outcome: Passed the round by solving all problems within the time limit.
Round 2 - One-to-One Coding Round:
Questions Asked: Another set of Leetcode medium problems, with a focus on problem-solving under pressure.
Your Approach: Prioritized clear communication of thought process while coding and ensured edge cases were handled.
Outcome: Successfully cleared this round as well.
Round 3 - Technical Interview I:
Questions Asked: Basics of data structures, algorithms, and system design. Some questions were tailored to projects mentioned in the resume.
Your Approach: Explained concepts clearly and linked them to real-world applications. Discussed project details in depth.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 4 - Technical Interview II:
Questions Asked: More in-depth technical questions, including system design and behavioral aspects.
Your Approach: Combined technical knowledge with problem-solving skills and maintained a calm demeanor.
Outcome: Cleared the final round.
Preparation Tips:
Focus on Leetcode medium problems, especially those involving common patterns.
Revise core CS fundamentals like data structures, algorithms, and system design.
Be prepared to discuss your resume projects in detail, as questions are often based on them.
Practice explaining your thought process while coding to improve clarity during interviews.
Conclusion:
The interview process was challenging but well-structured. Being thorough with Leetcode problems and having a strong grasp of fundamentals helped me succeed. I could have practiced more system design scenarios to feel even more confident. For future candidates, I’d recommend balancing problem-solving practice with conceptual clarity and resume preparation.
Application Process: Applied online for the Software Engineer position. The process included an online assessment followed by an interview round.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Online Assessment:
Questions Asked: The assessment included 4 questions covering front-end, back-end, and SQL topics.
Your Approach: Focused on solving each question methodically, ensuring clarity in logic and code structure.
Outcome: Successfully cleared the online assessment and moved to the next round.
Round 2 - HR Interview:
Questions Asked: Basic HR questions, resume review, and some technical questions related to front-end, back-end, and SQL.
Your Approach: Answered confidently, highlighting relevant experiences and skills from my resume.
Outcome: The interview lasted about an hour and was not overly challenging. Received positive feedback.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on core front-end and back-end concepts.
Practice SQL queries for common scenarios.
Be prepared to discuss your resume in detail.
Conclusion:
The overall experience was smooth and professional. The questions were fair, and the interviewers were supportive. I would recommend practicing coding problems and reviewing your resume thoroughly before the interview.
Application Process: Applied online and received an Online Assessment (OA) as part of the initial screening process.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Online Assessment (OA):
Questions Asked: The OA included coding challenges in SQL, JavaScript, and a medium-level LeetCode-style problem.
Your Approach: I tackled the LeetCode problem confidently but struggled with the SQL and JavaScript sections due to lack of preparation in those areas.
Outcome: Did not advance further in the process. The feedback highlighted the need for stronger proficiency in full-stack languages.
Preparation Tips:
Study full-stack languages like SQL and JavaScript thoroughly, not just LeetCode problems.
Practice coding challenges that mimic real-world scenarios, as McKinsey’s OA tends to be more application-focused.
Allocate time to review database queries and front-end scripting to ensure well-rounded preparation.
Conclusion:
The experience was eye-opening, revealing gaps in my technical skills. For future candidates, I’d emphasize the importance of diversifying your preparation beyond just algorithms and data structures. McKinsey’s process is rigorous, so being well-versed in multiple programming languages is key to success.
Application Process: Applied through the company’s career portal.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Interview 1:
Questions Asked: The interviewer focused on problem-solving and algorithmic questions. They were very supportive and provided hints when needed.
Your Approach: Tried to break down the problem into smaller parts and discussed my thought process openly.
Outcome: Passed to the next round.
Round 2 - Technical Interview 2:
Questions Asked: Similar to the first round but with more emphasis on system design and real-world applications.
Your Approach: Explained my reasoning step-by-step and asked clarifying questions to ensure I understood the problem correctly.
Outcome: Successfully cleared this round as well.
Round 3 - Behavioral Interview 1:
Questions Asked: Questions about teamwork, handling conflicts, and past project experiences.
Your Approach: Shared specific examples from my past experiences and highlighted my learnings.
Outcome: Positive feedback from the interviewer.
Round 4 - Behavioral Interview 2:
Questions Asked: More situational questions and how I would handle certain challenges in the workplace.
Your Approach: Stayed honest and focused on my strengths while acknowledging areas for improvement.
Outcome: Another positive interaction.
Round 5 - Behavioral Interview 3:
Questions Asked: Similar to the previous behavioral rounds but the interviewer seemed disinterested and critical.
Your Approach: Tried to stay calm and professional despite the interviewer’s negative tone.
Outcome: Felt like the interviewer had already made up their mind before the interview.
Preparation Tips:
For technical rounds, practice problem-solving on platforms like LeetCode and HackerRank.
For behavioral rounds, prepare STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories from your past experiences.
Mock interviews with peers can help build confidence.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was challenging but fair. The technical interviewers were very supportive, and most of the behavioral interviewers were appreciative. However, one interviewer seemed biased, which was a bit demotivating. My advice would be to stay confident and focus on showcasing your skills, regardless of the interviewer’s attitude.