- What’s the application process for the program?
Step 1: Upload your CV and required information
Step 2: You will receive an e-mail with a link to your Digital Shapers challenge on the platform HackerRank
Step 3: Complete this challenge until November 11th, 2019 to finish the application process.
You will receive feedback by November 30.
- What are the general terms of participation?
Digital Shapers aims to recruit the best digital talent to work on the current, real-life challenges our cooperation partners face. We are looking for data scientists, business visionaries, developers and customer experience designers.
As such, anyone who’s passionate about all things digital is invited to apply. However, it is essential that you believe fit one of the four Digital Shaper profiles outlined. For the general concept and the timeline of the Digital Shapers 2020, you find further information under: The Challenge
The following criterion must also be met to be eligible to participate in Digital Shapers 2020: Candidates must be at least 18 years old. Furthermore, please note that your participation in Digital Shapers 2020 does not mean you will be entering into an employment relationship with McKinsey and/or one of the cooperation partners.
Please note: Except for damages to life, body and health, liability of McKinsey and its cooperation partners for negligent breach of material obligations is limited to the damage typically foreseeable at the time of entering Digital Shapers 2020. The liability of McKinsey and its partners for plainly and slightly negligent breach of non-material obligations is excluded. The decision of the Digital Shapers 2020 Jury and the selection of finalists is final, there is no recourse to the courts.
- Who is organizing Digital Shapers 2020?
Digital Shapers 2020 is a joint initiative between McKinsey and various corporate partners (Bertelsmann, TUI Group, Eventim, Handelsblatt Media Group and Zeiss).
- I currently work for one of the cooperation partners. Can I still apply for this competition?
Yes, you can. However, please make sure you double check this with your HR department. They have already been briefed on the competition and can explain the finer details of any agreements the cooperation partner has established to address this topic.
- I cannot code (no programming skills). Can I still apply?
Of course! We have four different positions that you can apply for. Whether you’re a business visionary, a data scientist or a customer experience designer, you can apply even if you don’t know how to code.
- What’s the application process for the program?
Firstly, you’ll need to complete an online assessment. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to take part in a selection day where there will be interviews, a group exercise and individual challenges. These will all be used to determine our approximately 30 finalists.
- Do I need to pay in order to take part in the competition?
No, all costs related to the competition and the participation in the events, in particular accommodation, travel and catering costs, will be covered by the event hosts.
- In terms of travel expenses, what is covered?
We will cover flights (economy) and train tickets (second class) within Germany. Hotel bookings, meals and other expenses during the seminar weekends are also covered.
- Is fluent German required to take part?
No. The Digital Shapers 2020 will be held in English and fluency in German is not required.
- Is there an application deadline?
Yes, November 11. If you would like to apply, please make sure you do before the deadline.
- Can teams apply?
No, you can only apply as an individual — though of course, every member of your team could apply individually and you could simply cross your fingers and hope for the best!
- Does this also count as an application for a job at one of the companies issuing the challenges?
No, it is not. We are explicitly looking for candidates to take part in the competition. This said, you will get to know more about the companies helping host this event while taking part in the Digital Shapers 2020.
- Is there any other way I can apply for this event?
No, all applications must be submitted via the link on our website. You will then be redirected to our online assessment tests.
- How many people will be invited to participate in the Finale?
Approximately around 30 finalists will form teams, of which each will solve a real-life challenge from one of our cooperation partners.
- How will the winner be selected?
At the end of the challenge, all 5 teams will get the opportunity to present their digital innovation to our jury. The jury will grade on the following criteria: the best prototype, the developed business model, practicability of the project and business case, potential scale-up effect, the presentation of the results, dealing with questions and the all in all performance of the team. The winning team will be nominated during the final event in May 2020.
- What is the prize for the winner?
The winning team will get together a cash price. Furthermore there is a surprise prize which can be awarded from the jury also to another team than the winning team.
- I still have questions. How can I contact you?
Please send an email to contact@digital-shapers.com or contact us on Facebook.
For media inquiries, please contact press@digital-shapers.com
