Hi everyone,
I have an upcoming interview at McKinsey and I’m currently preparing my PEI (Personal Experience Interview) stories. I have a question — is the PEI usually conducted in the local language or in English? I’m applying for a position in the Polish office, but I’d appreciate any answers from different offices as well — every perspective is helpful!
Thank you so much in advance!
Great detail to confirm with the recruiter. By and large, the language in which the case is conducted should be the same for PEI component.
If the office does business in Polish, then you may find that interviews could also be in Polish local language.
Hi there,
Most McKinsey offices in Europe run interviews in the local language. The main exception are the Nordics, where it’s more flexible and English is often accepted.
That said, always double check with your recruiter. Some specialized practices (e.g., Operations, Digital) might conduct the entire process in English even if based in a local office because the staffing tend to be more international.
Best,
Alberto
hey there :)
PEI is usually in the language of the office you're applying to, so for the Polish office, it’ll most likely be in Polish unless your interviewer prefers English or if the role is very international. It’s totally fine to ask the recruiter in advance just to be sure! Good luck, and let me know if you want feedback on your stories!
best, Alessa 😊
Hi there,
First of all, congratulations on the invitation from McKinsey!
I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:
You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.
If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming McKinsey interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.
Best,
Hagen
Hi there,
Q: Is the PEI usually conducted in the local language or in English?
In most cases, it should be the local language. When I interviewed in Italy, the only company that asked for fit questions in English was BCG, for one question, to test the level of English.
Good luck!
Francesco
As other coaches have said, it is very likely to be in the local language.
I would recommend reaching out to your recruiting contact to confirm this.
Almost always, the PEI is delivered in the local language, and the case is in English.
If you're preparing for the PEI, I've put together a comprehensive course with audio examples of stories that have successfully passed the interview, plus a collection of sample questions. You can read more about it here:
Best,
Cristian
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