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Anonymous A

on Aug 08, 2020

Global

When Interviewer asking PE questions, is it okay to take 30 sec to structure thoughts or you need to run ahead? Thanks!

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Top answer

Sidi

Coach

on Aug 08, 2020

McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 400+ candidates secure MBB offers

Hi!

Of course, it is ALWAYS okay to take a moment to think through your answer! Multiple times during an interview, if necessary!

This is even something that is tested in MBB interviews - whether you have the maturity to order your thinking before blurting out immature thoughts. Because this maturity is exactly what is expected of you in a client situation! From the perspective of a Project Leader, there is nothing more dangerous than a young colleague making undeveloped statements in front of clients - there is no quicker way to destroy creditbility of the entire team.

Cheers, Sidi

Vlad

Coach

on Aug 08, 2020

McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

First of all, always take a minute at the beginning of the case to structure your thoughts!

While going through the case, always take a minute as well to structure your thoughts and come up with a structure:

It's not OK to take 30 seconds and then come up with just 1 or 2 ideas. And then if the ideas are not correct to keep the science again. This is called "Guessing"
It's OK to take 30 seconds, draw a new structure (or continuation of your previous structure) and come up with a structured way to approach the problem further.

Best,

Vlad

Emily

Coach

on Aug 09, 2020

9 years in MBB Southeast Asia & China| 8 years as MBB interviewer | Free intro call

Hi,

Regardless of what type of cases/questions you are asked, it is always better to think before you speak. Don't rush for no good reason.

You want to come across as a structured logical thinker who can take the specifical context into consideration. It would be hard to make that impression without collecting your thoughts first.

Best,

Emily

Francesco

Coach

on Aug 09, 2020

#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Sure, you can ask time to structure for any question during the case. So for PE questions as well.

Best,

Francesco

Ian

Coach

on Aug 09, 2020

Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Absolutely you can pause!

Just make sure to "ask" and say "Could I take a moment to gather my thoughts"

However, if you're going to do this, make sure you come back with something very structured and thorough!

Deleted user

on Aug 10, 2020

Dear A,

Of course you can ask for a few moments to gather your thoughts together for structured answer.

Best,
André