Hi everyone,
I want to prepare for PEI for Mckinsey interviews. I have about 3 weeks to get ready before the interview (I have been working on cases for a few weeks now). Could you guide me on where to start and how to approach the PEI preparation?
Hi everyone,
I want to prepare for PEI for Mckinsey interviews. I have about 3 weeks to get ready before the interview (I have been working on cases for a few weeks now). Could you guide me on where to start and how to approach the PEI preparation?
Hey there,
I have written a detailed article on the PEI and will share some quotes from it below:
1. Learn about the PEI dimensions
Below are the three dimensions plus some ideas on what to include:
a. Entrepreneurial Drive
b. Personal Impact
c. Inclusive leadership
2. Select the right stories with the right content
When it comes to the selection of your McKinsey PEI stories, you need to think about three dimensions in the following order:
a. Fit with the actual dimension that is asked. The stories need to fit the criteria set out by McKinsey to match with Entrepreneurial Drive, Leadership, and Personal Impact. For content ideas see above.
b. Diversity of experience. Your stories should be from different walks of life, e.g., jobs or careers, universities, extracurriculars, etc. Don’t take all stories from one experience.
c. Recency. In general, the more recent the better. Unless you interview for an experienced hire or more senior position, your stories should not date back more than 2-3 years.
Make sure that
3. Learn how to communicate them most effectively
Communication is key in the interview. Speak like a consultant, follow a logical, top-down structure, and make sure to
I have developed a framework specifically for the effective communication of McKinsey PEI, the SCORE framework. Reach out if you want to know more about it.
4. Shortcut get it right quickly: Book a session with a coach that knows these dimensions in and out to make sure that
No story I worked on with my candidates has ever been rejected. Reach out if you need help!
I have written a detailed insider perspective on the PEI that covers all aspects and will help you prepare strong stories here: https://www.preplounge.com/en/mckinsey-pei
Cheers,
Florian
(edited)
1. Read https://www.mckinsey.com/careers/interviewing thoroughly where McKinsey essentially tell you what they will ask you and what they are looking for in each dimension
2. Take a framework like the PARADE method to structure your story, highlight the key parts of the story that addresses what McKinsey is looking for in the specific dimension, and to reflect on the details of the story that your interviewer will ask about (e.g., key conversations, reason behind your decision, etc.)
3. Practice telling your story in an engaging way, both as a "speech" (for a disengaged interviewer) as well as a conversation (for a very engaged interviewer). Delivery is super important. A good story will go to waste if you can't tell it in an effective way
4. (Optional) book a session with a former McKinsey interviewer to get any feedback on both the story, structure and delivery. I personally think the ROI of a coaching session for PEI is extremely high as you will then be fully prepared for something you can actually be fully prepared for (vs. the case)
Good luck!
Hello!
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 5 free cases in the PrepL case regarding FIT preparation:
Feel free to PM me for disccount codes for the Integrated FIT Guide, since we still have some left from the launch!
(edited)
That's a big question.
Actually, for anybody who is looking into the PEI topic, I recently released this end-to-end course covering PEI. More on it here:
Best,
Cristian
Hi there,
The PEI at McKinsey is structured around 3 key dimensions: inclusive leadership, personal impact and entrepreneurial drive. Normally, you receive a question for each dimension in each interview.
Since 2020, McKinsey started to use the wording “inclusive leadership” to specifically address the leadership question as related to a diverse team.
Below you can find a description of the three dimensions:
1) Inclusive leadership is about leading a diverse team in a challenging situation and showing team management skills. Example:
Here you want to emphasize how you overcome a difficult situation by leading a diverse team.
2) Personal Impact is mainly based on persuading someone about doing/not doing something. Example:
Here you want to emphasize your influence on someone else, usually in disagreement with you.
3) Entrepreneurial Drive is about starting and implementing something overcoming major difficulties. Example:
Here you want to emphasize the fact you started something and achieved it, with details on the process that led you there.
Besides asking questions on the previous PEI dimensions, they may also ask questions like the following:
I would recommend the following to prepare:
I helped a lot of people in PEI preparation (you can check the reviews on my profile mentioning that) if you need additional help please feel free to PM me.
Best,
Francesco
Hi there,
In terms of practicing, the best way is to first prepare the answers to "Resume Walkthrough", "Why Consulting" and "Why the Company" as well as your personal stories first. Then, practice with a friend and/or coach (highly recommended) to make sure your answers are clear, concise, persuasive, etc.
Personal Stories
Step 1 - Categorize the main stories
There are 5-10 "themes" you need to prepare for. i.e. Leadership, teamwork, challenge, etc. (note: These all fit into the 3 McKinsey PEI themes) Figure out this list and make sure your stories cover this range (PM me and I can provide you with a template for this list)
Step 2 - Create FLEXIBLE stories that cover a range of categories
You need to create 4-6 stories that each cover a range of topics. They need to be powerful stories that can be adjusted and adapted based on the question asked.
One of my "core" or "killer" stories was usable for Initiative, Achievement, Leadership, Challenge, Change of direction, AND Persuasion.
Write down these stories along STAR or similar format...use bullet points
Step 3 - Organize these stories so you know which ones can be used for what and PRACTICE
Make sure you cover the whole gambit. Then, practice getting asked a question and thinking of which stories apply. I can assure you, no-one is coming up with full stories in a few seconds. Rather, they have practiced how to adapt an existing story to the question asked.
One question for coaches, do interviewers time you during the PEI? i.e., will I be penalized for an 8 minute story as opposed to a 12 minute story? Thanks
Definitely not. A McKinsey interviewer is trained to maximise your PEI performance so time is not really an indicator of anything