Life as a Consultant

Our clients grapple with tough questions: how to improve operations to become globally competitive; how to plan for and manage expansion into growth markets in the region; and how to put in place organisational structures and processes that drive innovation and long-term performance.

In every engagement, our teams share a structured problem-solving approach where all opinions and options are considered, researched and analysed to come up with recommendations. McKinsey engagements typically last 1 to 6 months, so each new project is another opportunity to learn and grow.

We are committed to helping you make your mark wherever you work, with both clients and colleagues. We provide tools distilled from previous work and access to an extensive team of experts in all key sectors and functions.

The variety of projects and clients mean that our consultants often take varied paths throughout their careers at McKinsey—and beyond. Based on their experience, our consultants usually focus on a specific function or industry that interests them.

With our excellent training programs, team-based approach, commitment to mentorship, and global presence, McKinsey offers you unequaled opportunities to develop your career. Working in small teams, you’ll have critical client responsibilities from day one. Your learning will be constant, with assignments that offer you the opportunities to develop your strengths and create new ones. Working at McKinsey enables you to gain powerful leadership and analytical skills so that you can make your mark on clients and the world—whether you stay at McKinsey or choose a different career path.

McKinsey has more than 140 offices across every region, providing plenty of opportunities for our consultants to see the world—through client work, training programs abroad, and office exchanges and transfers. Last year, consultants from the Amsterdam office worked in over 50 different countries on six continents. Working abroad is a great opportunity for professional and personal growth–bolstering cross-cultural problem-solving and people skills, as well as allowing you to craft a career that reflects your interests. Successful consultants are offered the chance to transfer to other offices around the world: our dedicated mobility team will advise you on your move, ease your transition, and coordinate with your receiving office.

McKinsey is a highly diverse organization. In the Amsterdam office, our consultants are drawn from at least ten nationalities and have an incredibly wide range of knowledge, backgrounds, and life experience. Women make up around one-third of our consultants and 40 percent of new recruits, and our women’s network provides coaching and events to support professional development and connectivity. Our global Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) consultants network promotes equality and respect in our firm, our clients, and our societies.

We support flexible working arrangements, and several of our consultants work with part-time programs at McKinsey, providing space for family or pro bono commitments. Our “Take Time” program allows consultants to take time off between engagements to pursue personal interests and passions, including travel and further study. You can learn more about how meaningful our Take Time program is to our people by watching and reading their personal stories on our global site.