I am applying for a Spanish speaking office, already landed an interview but don't know the date yet. I imagine that they are going to test my english at some point of the interview process. Where can i expect this? In the PEI or in the case?
Hey!
McKinsey typically tests your English during both the PEI (Personal Experience Interview) and the case interview. They may switch to English at any point to assess your fluency, especially if the role requires it. Be prepared for questions or case discussions in English, even if applying for a Spanish-speaking office.
Alessa
Hi,
I am not familiar with Spanish-speaking offices but heard from some colleagues in Asia offices that it depends by the interviewer.
Typically they would conduct interviews in English regardless, due to the possibility of serving clients that speak English. Given the uncertainty, I highly recommend to confirm with your recruiter to prep ahead. Especially if you are more comfortable in one language than the other, live translation could be tricky and affect your performance.
Hope this helps!
Han
It depends on which office if they will test your English. Ask the recruiter and your network if it's needed.
There is no "usual" part with any of these interviews.
Be prepared for anything at any point - seriously...that's what the job will be and the interviews reflect that.
(IF they test your English, be ready for this for both the fit and the case)
The Most Common Pitfalls in Case Interview Preparation
Hi Isabella,
At McKinsey, when applying to a Spanish-speaking office, your English skills are typically assessed informally throughout the interview process. This may occur during the PEI, where you could be asked to share examples or respond to questions in English, or in the case interview, especially if case materials involve English-language content or if you’re asked to explain your thought process in English. Some offices may also include a written component or exercises in English, particularly in later rounds. While not a primary focus, demonstrating proficiency is important for collaborating with global teams.
Best,
Evelina
Hey Isabella,
They can test your English both at PEI and case interview parts, therefore you should always be prepared as the interviewer may ask to switch to English rather unexpectedly (mid case or your storytelling process).
Good luck!
Nick
Hi Isabella,
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 pre-interview assessment and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.
Best,
Hagen
Hi there,
Can be both for a PEI dimension/interview or a case so I would recommend you practice in both languages.
All the best,
Florian
Hey Isabella,
This could really be at any part of the interview. It could be during the ice-breaking introduction stage, or even after the case where you ask questions. So just to cover all bases, be prepared for all :-)
All the best
In the interview, if the interviewer starts using English.
For MBB level firms, it is very rare that you do not need English. At BCG, at least one interview is done in English for most geographies.
Expertencase von
