(edited)
Get Active in Our Amazing Community of Over 451,000 Peers!
Is it a red flag to not be MECE in your structure in a first round interview? What are the red flags in an interview, especially with an MBB?
Overview of answers
-
Upvotes
-
Date ascending
-
Date descending
Common Red flags I look for:
1. Too defensive / married to a hypothesis. Shows lack of coachability.
2. Unreasonably confident in an anaysis when the appropriate data wasn't available (i.e. too "gut feel" oriented -- leave that job to the CEO). Shows lack of empathy / self-awareness.
3. Not MECE enough, OR far too focused on being MECE so much so that everything feels over-structured and robotic. Shows lack of originality.
4. Very "list oriented" vs bucket oriented - similar to point #3. Shows lack of structured thinking.
5. Error in analytics - shows lack of focus
6. Executive presense (depending on level) -- shows lack of confidence / comfort with oneself.
7. Weak personal stories -- shows lack of real-world experience / lack of self-reflection.
Not only is this a red flag - not being MECE will usually be the kiss of death and ensure you are not invited back for a 2nd round. This is just one of the many reasons why we always tell you guys to take a full 60 to 90 seconds to really hone your initial structure. Time spent here is an investment, will save you many minutes of anguish later in the case... and might be the difference between coming back or not. You have to be MECE, absolutely!
Thx,
G.
ex-BCG Dallas
(edited)
I particpated in a case challenge and it was a red flag, if MECE was not followed.
Related Products
McKinsey Solve Game Simulation Package by Francesco
- Play for Real the Ecosystem Game (Coral Reef & Mountain Ridge)
- Play for Real the Redrock Game (All 4 Phases Included)
- Receive for FREE the Imbellus Solve Combo and McKinsey Imbellus Game Secrets Guide
Premium Membership (1 week)
- ALL the resources you need for your case interview preparation
- Unlimited meetings with peers
- Access to #number-of-cases# cases, video tutorials, and 220+ case interview exercises
Break Into Consulting - Strategy Consulting Firm's All-In-One by Alexandre
- Created by 2 BCG consultants
- Covers most strategy consulting firms
- Get you to the backstage of the strategy world
Break Into Consulting - Industry Overviews by Alexandre
- Created by 2 BCG consultants
- 15+ industries covered
- Practical tips to master any industry
Break Into Consulting - Frameworks I wish I knew by Alexandre
- Created by 2 BCG consultants
- Covers most interview cases
- Practical tips to crack the case
Imbellus Solve Combo: Guide + Videos by Francesco
- Watch how to Crack the Ecosystem Game in 23 Minutes
- Find Out how to Master each of the 4 Phases of the Redrock
- Receive for FREE the McKinsey Imbellus Game Secrets Guide
Imbellus Test at McKinsey – Guide by Luca
- Detailed and full game analysis
- Hands-on example to solve the game and support you
- Practical tips to crack the game
McKinsey Imbellus Solve Game Secrets by Francesco
- Learn the Exact Steps to Crack the 6 Games of the Imbellus
- Discover the Proven Way to Master the 5 Skills Tested in the Game
- Create your Ecosystem Chain Automatically with the Automated Excel Included
The Secret McKinsey PEI Cheat Sheet by Robert
- Learn how to correctly prepare and structure your McKinsey PEI
- Impress your McKinsey interviewer with a perfect PEI
- Save tons of time in your PEI prep
Integrated FIT Guide for MBB by Clara
- Combines key concepts review and a hands-on methodology
- Contains printable worksheets to prepare your stories
- Includes 20+ real examples and 50+ practice questions
Prep Guide for McKinsey PST by PrepLounge
- McKinsey PST preparation guide incl. 13 pages of useful tips
- Created by ex-McKinsey consultants
- Detailed information on test structure, question types & core skills
McKinsey PST #3 by Riccardo
- PST with 26 questions about "Delicious Juice Case"
- Created by ex-MBB consultant Riccardo
- Industries: Beverage, tourism, pharma
McKinsey PST #2 by Gaurav
- PST with 26 questions about "WeKlin Case"
- Created by ex-McKinsey consultants
- Industries: Retail, energy, franchise
McKinsey PST #1 by PrepLounge
- PST with 26 questions about "FloraFashion Case"
- Created by ex-McKinsey consultants
- Industries: Retail, energy, franchise
Premium Membership (6 weeks )
- ALL the resources you need for your case interview preparation
- Unlimited meetings with peers
- Access to #number-of-cases# cases, video tutorials, and 220+ case interview exercises
Related Articles
Case Interview 2024
EY-Parthenon Case Guide
Bain Case Interview
Strategy& Case Interview Guide
PowerPoint for Consultants
Free Guide to LEK Consulting Case Interviews
Charts and Data in Consulting Case Interviews
Interviewing in the Middle East
Oliver Wyman Consulting Case Interview Guide
How to Stay Confident in Case Interviews
Dos and Don'ts in a Case Interview
Why Consulting?
Unstructured Case Interviews
Candidate-Led Cases: What to Expect With Example Cases
The Typical Terms in Case Study Interviews for Consulting Firms
Related Cases
Related Case Interview Basics article(s)
How to Start The Case Interview Preparation
Learn the basics of a real consulting case interview and repeatedly train the skills you need to ace your real case interview at MBB or the Big Four.
7S-Framework of McKinsey
Discover what McKinsey's 7S framework is and how it helps companies maximize their strengths and identify weaknesses while focusing on 7 internal elements.
McKinsey Growth Pyramid
Structured framework for sustainable corporate development, including market penetration, product development, market development and diversification.
GROW Model
Discover the secrets to Goal setting, Reality checking, Options exploring, and Way forward planning that will redefine your path to success.
Influence Model
The Influence Model by McKinsey emerged in the early 2000s and is the result of practical experience of the consultants at McKinsey & Company.
best answer!!... just calling it a red flag is to simplified