McKinsey wants job candidates to practice interviews with AI, not pricey coaches

• McKinsey has built an AI-preparation tool for its interview candidates.
• The firm is offering applicants “unlimited” attempts at the quantitative case study.
• A McKinsey talent leader said it would help level the playing field for those who can’t afford

The firm has also brought AI into other parts of recruiting. Last year, it introduced an interview component that asks candidates to use a publicly available generative-AI tool to work through hypothetical client problems, Padberg said.

McKinsey also uses an AI simulator to train interviewers and has begun piloting an AI interviewer as a first screen for some roles that serve the firm, including visual graphics and technology positions.

Padberg said the goal is to screen more people without being constrained by recruiter capacity, while giving recruiters more time to build relationships with candidates. But, she added, hiring decisions are not something McKisney would outsource to AI.

“At the end of the day, we hire humans; you join a human company,” Padberg said. “We believe the in-person interview is absolutely crucial.”