McKinsey asks graduates to use AI chatbot in recruitment process

"McKinsey is asking graduate applicants to collaborate with an artificial intelligence tool as part of its recruitment process, as competence with the technology becomes a requirement in competing for top-level jobs. The blue-chip consultancy is incorporating an AI interview into some final-round interviews, according to CaseBasix, a US company that helps candidates apply for posts at leading strategic consulting companies."

"In an online post, CaseBasix said candidates in select final rounds in the US have been asked to complete tests using McKinsey's internal AI tool, Lilli. They are required to carry out practical consulting tasks with the help of Lilli. In the McKinsey AI interview, you are expected to prompt the AI, review its output, and apply judgment to produce a clear and structured response. The focus is on collaboration and reasoning rather than technical AI expertise, CaseBasix said."

"Instead of relying only on their own analysis, they use the AI as a support tool to explore information, structure thinking, and refine insights. CaseBasix said candidates are not expected to know advanced techniques for prompting the term for asking AI to carry tasks or answer queries. However, applicants should show they can use AI as a productive thinking partner and communicate their reasoning clearly, in a manner akin to how consultants interact with junior team members."

McKinsey is incorporating its internal AI tool, Lilli, into some final-round graduate interviews, requiring candidates to collaborate with the system on practical consulting tasks. Candidates are given business questions or scenarios and expected to prompt the AI, review outputs, and apply judgment to produce clear, structured responses. The assessment emphasizes collaboration, reasoning, problem structuring, and personal impact rather than technical AI expertise. Applicants are not expected to know advanced prompting techniques but should demonstrate the ability to use AI as a productive thinking partner and to communicate reasoning clearly, similar to how consultants work with junior team members.

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