Consulting Consulting
Consulting Finance General
Login Sign up for free Sign up for free
Consulting Finance General
Community
Meeting Board
Consulting Q&A
Interview Partner
Premium Membership
Coaching
Coaches
Coaching Packages
Consulting Q&A
Resources
Case Interview Basics
Case Library
AI Casebot
Tests & Guides
Mental Math Tool
Stress Questions
Drills
Video Tutorials
Brainteaser
Career
Employers
Career Events
Consulting Jobs
Consulting Blog
Sign up for free
Login
Community
Meeting Board
Consulting Q&A
Interview Partner
Premium Membership
Coaching
Coaches
Coaching Packages
Consulting Q&A
Resources
Case Interview Basics
Case Library
AI Casebot
Tests & Guides
Mental Math Tool
Stress Questions
Drills
Video Tutorials
Brainteaser
Career
Employers
Career Events
Consulting Jobs
Consulting Blog
Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!
Meeting Board
Consulting Q&A
Interview Partner
Premium Membership
Back to overview
Question merged
This question is read-only because it has been merged with
Repeating Fit Interview Stories
Anonymous C
on Apr 28, 2018
Global
I want to receive updates regarding this question via email.

Re-reposition stories or have new sories

Hi,

There is a recommendation to have 3 stories for each McKinsey core question. Should one have non-overlapping stories or can same stories be used/repositioned to focus, for example, from managing the team on leadership question to driving a change on enterpreneurial drive question? 

FYI, I'm taking about 1st round interview, so there would be only 1 question from one manager, and another question from the 2nd manager (in contracts to R2 where you have 3 interviews and might need to have more stories. )

3
2.4k
0
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
Vlad
Coach
on Apr 28, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi!

I would recommend to have 2 stories per question that are rather different for the following reasons:

  1. "This story does not fit. Do you have another story?" - an interviewer can easily say something like this if he is not convinced that your story is good enough or the story does not fit his criteria for some reason.
  2. It is essential for you to prepare at least three stories for each area so that in case you get the same question by a couple of interviewers you are not telling the same story. I personally had 3 interviewers asking me exactly the same story. Originally the three of your interviewers are supposed to ask the different questions. In reality, interviewers don't often have a chance to meet before the interview, and sometimes they are urgently replaced by the colleagues. Of course, you can use the same story, but it is much better to demonstrate a diverse experience.
  3. Finally, the interviewer may ask you the questions you didn't even expect. It's always good to have some backup stories and adapt them to answer those unexpected questions.

Good luck!

1
Contact coach
0 comments
Francesco
Coach
on Apr 28, 2018
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi Anonymous,

non-overlapping stories usually work better. The reason is that:

  • using the same story twice although from a different angle could lead you to “force” a story not perfectly fitting the request
  • interviewers will align after the interview, thus using the same story could bring the perception of not enough experience/coverage of relevant fit areas

If you really have to reuse the same story, it should then have to appear as coming from a completely different angle.

Hope this helps,
Francesco

1
Contact coach
0 comments
Robert
Coach
on Apr 28, 2018
McKinsey offers w/o final round interviews - 100% risk-free - 10+ years MBB coaching experience - Multiple book author

Hi there!

In principle - i.e. if you have the opportunity to do so - it's definitely better to use different, non-overlapping examples. By using different examples you also implicitly communicate to the interviewers that you have a range of experience under you belt from which you can choose from, instead of needing to stick to 1 single underlying situation.

That being said - quality always comes first. If you feel that this one underlying situation makes a clearly superior example compared to all other options you have for a certain PEI dimension, than I would still recommend using the same underlying situation with a different focus for the respective PEI dimension.

In respect to "re-using" examples across different interview rounds, you can find a detailed blog post on my McKinsey PEI Blog (http://mckinsey-pei-blog.consulting-case-interviews.com/can-i-use-the-same-pei-example-in-different-interviews/)

Hope that helps!

1
Contact coach
0 comments
Similar Questions
Consulting
How to get ready for the PEI & FEI Mckinsey Orphoz Interview?
on Feb 11, 2025
Global
7
700+
Top answer by
Hagen
Coach
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 8+ years consulting, 8+ years coaching and 7+ years interviewing experience
14
7 Answers
700+ Views
+4
Consulting
MBB Fit Interviews
on May 05, 2025
USA
5
200+
Top answer by
Thabang
Coach
Ex-McKinsey Consultant | McKinsey Top Coach & Interviewer | Special Offer: Buy 1 Session Get 1 Free (Limited time!)
7
5 Answers
200+ Views
+2
Consulting
McKinsey PEI - What should I cover in the "Action" portion of my STAR Story?
on Feb 11, 2025
USA
6
600+
Top answer by
Hagen
Coach
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 8+ years consulting, 8+ years coaching and 7+ years interviewing experience
18
6 Answers
600+ Views
+3
Top Answer by
Vlad
Coach
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
To coach profile
Related Article
McKinsey PEI (Personal Experience Interview)
Master the McKinsey PEI with expert tips on storytelling, key dimensions, and the right preparation!
View article
Related Product
The Secret McKinsey PEI Cheat Sheet
3.3
12 reviews
USD 9
More information
Related Case
Expert case by
Francesco
MBB 1st Round Case - Hazella Light
5.0
6.0k times solved
Advanced
Candidate-led
Open case
Similar Questions
Consulting
How to get ready for the PEI & FEI Mckinsey Orphoz Interview?
on Feb 11, 2025
14
7
700+
Consulting
MBB Fit Interviews
on May 05, 2025
7
5
200+
Consulting
McKinsey PEI - What should I cover in the "Action" portion of my STAR Story?
on Feb 11, 2025
18
6
600+
Everything for Your Career
  • Interview Coaching
  • Q&A
  • Interview Partner
  • Mental Math Tool
  • Interview Drills
  • Stress Questions
  • Blog
Everything for Your Career
  • Interview Coaching
  • Q&A
  • Interview Partner
  • Mental Math Tool
  • Interview Drills
  • Stress Questions
  • Blog
Popular in Consulting
  • Case Library
  • Meeting Board
  • Case Partner
  • Case Interview Basics
  • Case Interview
  • Consulting Q&A
Popular in Finance
  • Finance Q&A
  • Interview in Investment Banking
  • Investment Banking Salaries
Popular in Consulting
  • Case Library
  • Meeting Board
  • Case Partner
  • Case Interview Basics
  • Case Interview
  • Consulting Q&A
Popular in Finance
  • Finance Q&A
  • Interview in Investment Banking
  • Investment Banking Salaries
Consulting and Finance Employers
  • RWE Consulting
  • Whiteshield Advisory
  • All Employers »
About PrepLounge
  • For Companies
  • For Universities
  • For Coaches
  • About Us
  • Career
  • FAQ
© 2012 PrepLounge
Our servers are powered by electricity from renewable sources.
  • Cookies & Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Imprint
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
Questions or Feedback?
Select category
  • Select category
  • General Feedback
  • Case Interview Preparation
  • Coaching
  • Technical Problems
  • Other
Your name
Your email address
Cancel