PEI Mckinsey

Question

Hello to all,

I have a question regarding PEI for Mckinsey interviews since i am preparing for the Round 1 in the next weeks.

I suppose the overall duration of PEI section is around 20 minutes.
Here is the question: how long should the story be?

i think that if it is more than 5 minutes it will sounds like a monologue. At the same time, if it is too short, i guess it may seem not detailed enough. Also, if the story is too short, then more drill-down questions can be asked, increasing the difficulty of the PEI section.

Thanks to you all !

Answer 1

Hi there,

Q: Here is the question: how long should the story be?

For your part only, 5 mins could be fine. In general it is more important that you structure the story correctly rather than stick to an exact timeframe.

The interviewer will likely ask clarifying questions so the whole answer with that could take 10-12 min.

Please be aware that McKinsey started to pilot a new PEI dimension (Courageous Change) together with the other common ones (Inclusive Leadership, Personal Impact, Entrepreneurial Drive).

You can find a few tips on PEI and case interview at McKinsey below:

▶ 3 PEI Dimensions You Should Know

▶ 4 Ways McKinsey Interviews are Different

▶ McKinsey Final Round Tips

Good luck!

Francesco

Answer 2

Hello!

That is a great question! Keep in mind that those 20 mins include the intro and then all the FIT, with the different types of questions that you will find (intro & CV questions, motivational, behavioral…) Hence it won't be a monologue, it's totally interactive.

If you want to deep dive on the topic, the "Integrated FIT guide for MBB" has been recently published in PrepLounge´s shop (https://www.preplounge.com/en/shop/tests-2/integrated-fit-guide-for-mbb-34)

It provides an end-to-end preparation for all three MBB interviews, tackling each firms particularities and combining key concepts review and a hands-on methodology. Following the book, the candidate will prepare his/her stories by practicing with over 50 real questions and leveraging special frameworks and worksheets that guide step-by-step, developed by the author and her experience as a Master in Management professor and coach. Finally, as further guidance, the guide encompasses over 20 examples from real candidates.

Furthermore, you can find 3 FREE Expert Articles on PreLounge, in a sreies dedicated to preparing for the different parts of FIT:

1. https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/cv-interview-questions

2. https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/motivational-fit-interview-questions

3. https://www.preplounge.com/en/behavioral-interview-questions

Feel free to PM me for disccount codes for the Integrated FIT Guide, since we still have some left from the launch

Hope it helps!

Answer 3

Hi there,

Anywhere from 5-10 minutes is fine…it depends more on the story itself (how “big” it is). The most important is that it is answering their question and that is it super structured (while also flowing and being not overly robotic/rehearsed). Make sure you're prepared to answer questions from them (deep-dive questions asking you to elaborate or talk through something related).

Answer 4

Hi there,

I usually recommend to candidates to aim for 6-7 minutes and to apply a slightly different structure than the STAR one that is commonly suggested (instead emphasing more the problem and the action so as to create contrast).

Reach out if you need more tailored support here. I provide my candidates with questions from actual interviews as well as a recording of a successful interview PEI story, so you get an idea of what good looks like in terms of length, structure, depth and questions from the interviewer.

Best,
Cristian

Answer 5

Hey there! 8-10min is good as you should also expect few follow-up questions from the interviewer about specific people and events in your story.

In general, there are structures to follow in the PEI ensuring you have 8-10min to talk about. These include summarizing not just the answer but the situation you were in, the problem/task, the actions you took and the impact you had. Happy to chat more.

Answer 6

So generally I recommend 3-5 minutes and then be prepared to talk really in depth about particular areas which the interviewer will pick out. You want to open by giving a quick blurb to check that the story is the right type of story, then lay out your answer clearly.

I like using the STAR framework for this - what was the:

Situation: what is the context?
Task: what did you have to do?

Action: what did you do?
Result: what was the outcome?

The PEI can sometimes feel like a grilling but they’re just trying to get you to explain how you behaved and what was driving that behavior - so be prepared to go deep and answer questions like: what were you thinking when you did that? Give me a play by play of that conversation as if it was a film script; and what was their reaction to that situation? What was your reaction?

Good luck!

Answer 7

It should be around 3 to 5 minutes, but with a few “hooks” that create curiosity and allow you to deep dive on some of the aspects of the situation and what you did. Overall you should be ready to have a 10 minute conversation about it.

You want to keep it a conversation. Meaning that it cannot be a too long monologue in the beginning, and also that you have interesting content to keep the conversation going.

Answer 8

Hi,

Great you're invited!

From my experience, take your time. Put enough details on the particular dimension but don't overcomplicate with details from other dimensions and technicalities. Duration of 8-10 min is totally normal. For example, one of my stories is some 5 min but it's very intensive (this one is very well accepted), others tend to 10 min.

In any case, be prepared for the questions. Those will be asked if something is unclear regarding the particular dimension you're asked about. So get all the moments from your memory in the tiniest details to tell them if asked.

Good luck!