Key Takeaways:
- McKinsey is incorporating an AI interview into its recruitment process for graduate applicants
- The AI interview assesses a candidate’s ability to collaborate with an AI tool, think critically, and communicate effectively
- Candidates are not expected to have advanced technical AI knowledge, but rather show how they can use AI as a "productive thinking partner"
- The use of AI in the recruitment process is becoming increasingly common, with other companies such as Microsoft and Clifford Chance also adopting similar technologies
- Competence with AI is becoming a crucial part of the selection process for top-level jobs
Introduction to AI in Recruitment
McKinsey, a leading management consultancy, is taking a bold step in its recruitment process by incorporating an artificial intelligence tool into its final-round interviews. According to CaseBasix, a US company that helps candidates apply for posts at leading strategic consulting companies, McKinsey is using its internal AI tool, Lilli, to assess a candidate’s ability to collaborate with AI technology. As CaseBasix notes, "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." This move highlights the increasing importance of AI competence in competing for top-level jobs.
The AI Interview Process
The AI interview is designed to test a candidate’s ability to work with AI technology in a practical consulting scenario. Candidates are given a business question or scenario similar to real consulting work and are required to use Lilli to explore information, structure their thinking, and refine their insights. As CaseBasix explains, "In practice, candidates are typically given a business question or scenario similar to real consulting work. Instead of relying only on their own analysis, they use the AI as a support tool to explore information, structure thinking, and refine insights." The goal is to assess how candidates think, judge, and collaborate with an AI tool, rather than their technical AI knowledge. According to CaseBasix, "Based on early reporting and candidate feedback, the McKinsey AI interview appears to assess how candidates think, judge and collaborate with an AI tool rather than their technical AI knowledge."
Assessment and Evaluation
The AI interview is just one part of the overall assessment process, which also includes tests of problem-solving and structured thinking, as well as personal impact, leadership, and values. McKinsey declined to comment on the use of Lilli in the interview process, but the move is seen as a significant development in the use of AI in recruitment. As the McKinsey chief executive, Bob Sternfels, told the Harvard Business Review’s IdeaCast, the company has a "workforce" of 20,000 agents operating alongside its 40,000 staff. This highlights the increasing importance of AI in the company’s operations and the need for candidates to be able to work effectively with AI technology.
The Growing Importance of AI Competence
The use of AI in the recruitment process is becoming increasingly common, with other companies such as Microsoft and Clifford Chance also adopting similar technologies. Microsoft announced in 2024 that McKinsey would be an early adopter of its Copilot Studio project, which can handle autonomous AI agents, or virtual employees, which can perform tasks such as handling client queries and identifying sales leads. As UK recruitment specialists told the Guardian last year, an affinity and competence with AI is becoming a crucial part of the selection process for top-level jobs. This trend is likely to continue, with AI technology becoming increasingly ubiquitous in the workplace.
Conclusion and Future Implications
The incorporation of AI into the recruitment process highlights the changing nature of work and the skills required to succeed in a rapidly evolving business landscape. As AI technology becomes more prevalent, companies are looking for candidates who can work effectively with AI tools, think critically, and communicate effectively. The use of AI in recruitment is likely to become more widespread, and candidates who can demonstrate their ability to collaborate with AI technology will have a significant advantage in the job market. As CaseBasix notes, "The McKinsey AI interview appears to assess how candidates think, judge and collaborate with an AI tool rather than their technical AI knowledge." This shift in focus highlights the importance of developing skills that complement AI technology, rather than simply relying on technical expertise.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jan/14/mckinsey-graduates-ai-chatbot-recruitment-consultancy