All my Interviews with McKinsey partners were extremely conversational. I am not sure if this will hurt?

I love this question! This question perfectly demonstrates what I emphasize to my candidates - don't "expect" anything...rather be prepared for anything!

This is perfectly fine. Life is not this rigid, "here is exactly the steps you take" thing. Nor are interviews. Fundamentally, these Partners just wanted to get to know you. They get the same info from you by asking off-the-cuff questions as by going through the PEI.

If you adapted to this, and answered their questions in a structured but personable way, you should be just fine! The fact that they did this is neither a good nor bad sign in-and-of-itself. Rather, how you reacted is what's important.

Take it easy!  If you are trying to interpret everyone's reactions, the job will stress you out even more.  So you're looking at lose/lose situation.  Take it easy!  Breathe.

In general, if a partner goes "off script," it's a good sign.  Meaning they're pretty sure that you meet the objective criteria and trying to move beyond that.

Many interviewers don't really care about the "script" since, especially by the second round, the candidates are too well prepared.  So they try a different approach to learn what the candidate is really about.  In considering responses, they definitely are aware that you weren't expecting these questions.  

So take it easy!

Hope this helps,

Allen

Hello!

I wouldn´t read too much into it honestly, one of mine was totally like that too, and very different than what you read in the books! This is why it´s so important to be ready for anything in the 2nd round. 

A priori, I would say that partners being conversational is, if so, a good thing. It demostrates interest. 

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

There is no correct way to interpret final round interviews. Partners all have their own style and conversational interviews are very common in their approach. Often times they want to see how you are as a person, what your communication style is like and how well you present your thoughts. The style of interview is irrelevant in the final outcome.

Udayan

You wouldnt know and no one can tell you for sure. So, dont fret. 

While it could be a good sign that they deviated from the standard format & wanted to just have a dialogue, its hard to say. As long as you gave your best , just wait patiently to hear back. Otherwise, am sure you will have a good gut feeling about answers you could have done better. 

All the best.

Hi there,

Usually if you have simply a “conversation” that's a good sign. It happened to me once with OW – no case or fit – just a chat with the MD. It resulted in the end in an offer.

No one can know for sure, so you cannot do much more than wait – McKinsey is usually quick to provide feedback anyway.

Best,

Francesco

Hey there,

Classic. There is no reason to worry.

If they wanted to test you on specific dimensions (case or PEI) they would have done it. If they wanted to have a chat about more general things and your motivations that is totally fine and my hunch is that this is a rather positive sign.

It seems that your previous interviewers got enough positive, coherent, and consistent observation points to evaluate you on the core dimensions. If the previous interviews raised some concerns, the partners would have drilled down into them. If your performance in the previous interviews would have been not good enough, you would not have made it to the final round.

Fingers crossed for the outcome!

Cheers,

Florian