McKinsey pilots AI-simulated client interviews for entry-level consultants
McKinsey is testing a new hiring step in some North American offices in which college applicants for entry-level business analyst roles must first hold a roughly 10-minute conversation with an AI-simulated client, meant to gauge how they react under pressure. According to The Wall Street Journal, the system is not designed to be deliberately hostile but aims to cover about 80% of real-world scenarios, playing clients with different styles, such as those curious about details or pressing for deeper explanations. The AI does not score candidates itself; human interviewers on site do the evaluating, watching whether applicants grasp the key points, respond promptly and build trust.
It shows generative AI moving into a high-stakes screening step, and how well it works and stays fair could shape whether other employers follow.