McKinsey PEI: how long for each story

Hi there,

I think this is an interesting question that may be relevant for many people. I would be happy to share my thoughts on it:

• First of all, Courageous Change is a new dimension that occasionally replaces Entrepreneurial Drive. It seems that McKinsey is still experimenting with the dimension in interviews. Thus, normally, the recruiter will explicitly tell you whether you should prepare situations for this dimension or not.
• You will only be asked to provide a situation for one dimension per interview. Depending on whether the interviewer feels the situation fits or not, you might very well need to pitch another situation. As such, even if obvious, please ensure to prepare at least two situations per dimension.
• Regarding the length of your initial presentation, it really depends on the dynamics of the interview. Some interviewers like to interrupt and ask questions while you are presenting, while others prefer to wait for you to end the initial presentation. Generally speaking, though, I would aim for about 7-10 minutes of initial presentation, as long as the situation provides enough content.
• Normally, McKinsey interviewers do not tend to ask any other questions besides the dimension of the PEI, yet it might happen. As such, I would highly advise you to always have prepared both general and personal fit questions in addition to the PEI dimensions.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

1) Courageous change is not part of it? One recruiter mentioned this, but I'm not sure. 

Courageous change is used in some countries instead of Entrepreneurial Drive, so in particular if the recruiter mentioned it I would recommend to prepare for it.

2) Will the interviewer only focus on one dimension for each round? If so, that means just one story with details?

Each interviewer will ask for one dimension only. Normally each interviewer will ask for a different dimension in the same round. I agree with Emily that it is useful to have 2 stories for each dimension as a backup if they don’t like the first option or in case different interviewers ask for the same dimension in the same round (it’s rare but might happen).

3) If it's one story, how long should I talk? Should I talk about 5 minutes and wait for their following up questions or should I talk longer than that? 

5 minutes for your part should be fine. The interviewer may interrupt you to ask for details while you present. Together with their questions and your answers, the PEI should take 10-15 minutes.

4) There won't be questions such as why consulting and why McKinsey, correct? 

They could ask those questions as well, I helped candidates who have been asked them. Having said that, they are not as common as in other firms.

You can find some extra info below:

▶ 4 PEI Dimensions You Should Know

▶ 4 Ways McKinsey Interviews are Different

▶ How to Prepare for a McKinsey Final Round

Good luck!

Francesco

So there are four areas of PEI for McKinsey: personal impact, leadership, entrepreneurial drive and courageous change. However, the last one, courageous change, is very new (last year) and so you may well not be asked it. 

Each interview will cover one of those PEI areas and around 15 minutes of the interview will be focused on the PEI question. You will not be asked a question from the same area twice in a round, but you will be asked the same areas between rounds 1 and 2. You can use the same story between rounds, but not in the same round. 

I advise people to prepare two stories for each area, just in case the story that you have doesn't quite match their question. Be prepared for speak for about 5-7 minutes, and then answer some very indepth questions (what were you thinking when you sent that email? How did you contact that person? I'm a fly on the wall, replay that conversation for me). They're probing you to understand exactly what it is that you did, and why you did it, so be prepared to talk in the first person a lot and make sure that you can recount the details of each story. 

You're very unlikely to be asked a generic question like ‘why consulting’ (the idea is that if you've got as far as the interview you've probably thought this through), but it's always good to have an answer just in case a partner is curious and asks you. 

Good luck!

Hi there, 

Let me take your questions one by one.

1) Courageous change is not part of it? One recruiter mentioned this, but I'm not sure. 

CC is being tested currently in some geographies as a replacement for ED. They usually communicate it beforehand if they're planning on using it for your interview. The good news is that you can typically use the same stories you have for ED for CC questions.

2) Will the interviewer only focus on one dimension for each round? If so, that means just one story with details?

Yes, exactly. So if each round has two interviews, you will basically have to tell one story per interview, two in total per round. Which is why it makes sense to prepare usually 2 stories per dimension (6 in total) - even though the interviews typically align beforehand to pick different dimensions. 

3) If it's one story, how long should I talk? Should I talk about 5 minutes and wait for their following up questions or should I talk longer than that? 

I advise 7-8 minutes. The entire PEI part of the interview is 15-20 minutes but the rest should be filled with an actual conversation. Make sure that you're not dumping the content on the interviewer, but trying to engage them with the story and get them to ask questions. Happy to walk you through the right methodology for it. 

4) There won't be questions such as why consulting and why McKinsey, correct? 

Not to the extent to which you'll be assessed for what you answered. McK specifically doesn't assess for motivation, so if you get there sort of questions they're more like an ice-breaker discussion question for the interviewer to get to know you a bit better. Don't plat the tape with your ‘3 reasons’ - just be candid and try to connect with them :)

Best,
Cristian 

Hi there,

in addition to what has been said, ensure you prepare 2 stories per dimension. Usually, you will be asked for different dimensions in the different interviews. I would advise to prepare a presentation of the story of around 10mins. In addition, you will be asked questions while you present. So be prepared to go deep in your stories.

Cheers,

Andreas

Hi there,

Please please stop trying to create a memorized tempalte + pathway for exactly how this interview will happen.

However you expect it to happen, it won't!

Please train yourself in reacting/adjusting to the situation as it arises.

1) Courageous change is not part of it? One recruiter mentioned this, but I'm not sure. 

It may or may not be. Prepare for it!

2) Will the interviewer only focus on one dimension for each round? If so, that means just one story with details?

In general, a single interviewer will ask for 1 dimension/story. But, remember there are 2 interviewers! Please have multiple stories at the ready.

3) If it's one story, how long should I talk? Should I talk about 5 minutes and wait for their following up questions or should I talk longer than that? 

5-10 minutes is what you should be prepared for. Make sure there is structure and depth to the story. Be ready for them to interuppt or not interupt. Have points in the story where you can go deeper or not.

4) There won't be questions such as why consulting and why McKinsey, correct? 

Please please stom assuming.

There might be! Even though many people say McKinsey doesn't asked “why McKinsey”, I've had candidates that were asked.