My McKinsey performance rating is ruining my job prospects months after leaving the firm

Sun, 05/26/2024 - 05:47

Man holding resume with speech bubble showing low review stars: 2/5 — One former employee said the dynamic of his interviews completely changed once potential employers learned about his McKinsey rating.
Getty Images; Alyssa Powell/BI

A former McKinsey consultant says the firm pushes employees out with contrived performance ratings.
He says the stigma of a low rating impacted his job search after leaving the firm.
He also said his mental health took a hit, and it was tough to project confidence.

This is an as-told-to conversation with a former associate at McKinsey & Company. They spoke on condition of anonymity due to privacy concerns. Business Insider has verified their identity and employment at McKinsey. The following has been edited for length and clarity.