McKinsey PEI - What should I cover in the "Action" portion of my STAR Story?

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

• First of all, I would advise you not to use the STAR framework as it is too simplistic and does not include all the necessary aspects of such a story.
• Moreover, the "actions" section is about exactly that - what you did in the specific situation.
• Lastly, it sounds like there is a misunderstanding, because STAR or any other framework is there to provide the necessary structure. Just present the story in the order of the framework.

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 pre-interview assessment and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hey there! 

I often see the action part as the "resolution" part of your story! I recommend to my mentees to use another framework since the STAR one is indeed confusing! :) Let me know if you need any support with your PEI - I am specialized in that and happy to help! 
 

Alessa 

Hey there, 

The "Action" part would relate to the specifics steps and activities you took in order to resolve the "Task" or complications / problems of your PEI story. 

So if it was personal impact story, you'd be telling what specific actions / activities you took in order to persuade someone to your side

Please feel free to reach out if you want more PEI deep dives or help. This is one of my specialties! 

All the best

Hi there,

In the “Action” part of your STAR story for McKinsey, focus on your specific contributions, showing ownership, problem-solving, and leadership. Here’s what to cover:
    1.    Your Role: Clearly state what you did (use “I,” not “we”). We want to know about YOUR contributions
    2.    Approach: Explain how you assessed the situation, developed a plan, and prioritized tasks.
    3.    Execution: Detail the steps you took and how you involved others.
    4.    Adaptation: Highlight how you handled challenges or adjusted your plan.

Be specific and logical, presenting your actions step-by-step, and quantify results where possible. This demonstrates structured thinking and your ability to take initiative.

Feel free to DM me for further help!

Best,

Evelina

Well, first of all, don't follow STAR.

9 times out of 10 it sounds incredibly canned, robotic, and generic. 

You want structure and personability/relatability.

Remember that for PEI, the "what I did" part should be quite fleshed out with multiple layers.

It's pretty impossible to provide input here so please make sure you get a coach for a session or two to make sure your stories come across properly!

Learn How to Ace the Behavioral/Fit Portion of the Interview

Hi there,

1. I would recommend the SCORE Framework - makes for a nicer story arc: Personal Experience Interview

2. The R would be the remedial actions, the core part of the story where you discuss how you solved the situation and why.

Cheers,

Florian