Consulting Q&A – Ask Questions about Your Career

In this overview, you will find all the questions asked so far by the PrepLounge community. Anyone can ask questions and write answers. Our coaches are also happy to share their expertise. If you like an answer, give it an upvote so that it rises to the top.

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1 - 20 of 71 results

BCG Personal Fit

Bain BCG behavoural fit interview FIT fit interview Fit Interview Stories HR MBB McKinsey PEI Personal Fit Personalfit
Most recent answer on May 11, 2023
The best answer (on Oct 13, 2017) is from:
Francesco
Expert
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Francesco
Expert
gave the best answer on Oct 13, 2017
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Hi Rob, usual topics for BCG are leadership, flexibility, teamwork and tenacity. In practice, questions will be mostly the same. The usual differentiator between other firms is: “Why BCG?”. Many people provide a gen ... (read entire answer)
34
Answers
62.2 k
Views
266
Total Upvotes
on May 11, 2023 on May 11, 2023
Last Activity

How to Answer "Why Consulting?" in Interviews

AT Kearney Bain BCG Case Interview consulting consulting job FIT fit interview management consulting MBB McK fit questions McKinsey Mckinsey interview motivation non-MBA PEI Personal Fit PrepLounge: Personal Fit reasons strategy consulting The Boston Consulting Group tier2 why why consulting why mbb
Most recent answer on Mar 17, 2023
Anonymous gave the best answer on Oct 04, 2017
I would recommend spending about 1 - 2 minutes on each question. You have a lot to get to in the interview. Less than a minute will make you seem rehearsed and shallow and more than 2 minutes for each will take up too m ... (read entire answer)
175
Answers
155.3 k
Views
565
Total Upvotes
on Mar 17, 2023 on Mar 17, 2023
Last Activity

McKinsey PEI - Personal Impact

FIT Interview MBB McKinsey McKinsey PEI PEI personal experience interview Personal Fit Personalfit Story
Most recent answer on Dec 24, 2022
The best answer (on Mar 10, 2021) is from:
Ian
Expert
MBB | 100% personal interview success rate (8/8) and 95% candidate success rate | Personalized interview prep
Ian
Expert
gave the best answer on Mar 10, 2021
MBB | 100% personal interview success rate (8/8) and 95% candidate success rate | Personalized interview prep
Hi there, There are some great prior Q&As for this. One example is here: https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/mckinsey-pei-number-of-stories-6842 Personal Stories Step 1 - Categorize the main sto ... (read entire answer)
23
Answers
62.3 k
Views
136
Total Upvotes
on Dec 24, 2022 on Dec 24, 2022
Last Activity

Best questions to ask at the end of interview

Addressing interviewer asking questions Bain Bain & Company behavoural fit interview candidate questions Case Case Interview cultural fit examples questions Final Round FIT fit interview Fit Interview Stories Fit questions interview questions Interviewer MBB McKinsey newbie Personal Fit Question questions
Most recent answer on Dec 24, 2022
The best answer (on Jul 23, 2018) is from:
Benjamin
Expert
ex-Manager - Natural and challenging teacher - Taylor case solving, no framework
Benjamin
Expert
gave the best answer on Jul 23, 2018
ex-Manager - Natural and challenging teacher - Taylor case solving, no framework
Hi Anonymous, This is the moment where you can confirm the good fit you had with the interviewer during the 1h itw. I personnally suggest to avoid every question that can be asnwered by the firm's website, as well as ... (read entire answer)
58
Answers
67.9 k
Views
187
Total Upvotes
on Dec 24, 2022 on Dec 24, 2022
Last Activity

MBB application after 1 year in Tier 2 consultancy

BCG McKinsey and Bain Cover letter personal experience interview Personal Fit Personalfit
Most recent answer on Nov 29, 2022
The best answer (on Nov 27, 2022) is from:
Maikol
Expert
BCG Project Leader | Former Bain, AlixPartner, and PE | INSEAD MBA | GMAT 780
Maikol
Expert
gave the best answer on Nov 27, 2022
BCG Project Leader | Former Bain, AlixPartner, and PE | INSEAD MBA | GMAT 780
I think your situation is very simple for three reasons. 1. Applying for MBB is always a good move, regardless of the current status.2. To MBB's eyes, your experience is zero, so don't worry about what you've learned or ... (read entire answer)
7
Answers
553
Views
32
Total Upvotes
on Nov 29, 2022 on Nov 29, 2022
Last Activity

Mention Failed business in interview

personal experience interview Personal Fit Personalfit
Most recent answer on Oct 31, 2022
The best answer (on Oct 31, 2022) is from:
Ian
Expert
MBB | 100% personal interview success rate (8/8) and 95% candidate success rate | Personalized interview prep
Ian
Expert
gave the best answer on Oct 31, 2022
MBB | 100% personal interview success rate (8/8) and 95% candidate success rate | Personalized interview prep
Hi there, Yes! In fact, in my interviews I used a personal story of me starting a business and failing as well! Here's what's critical though: Don't put yourself down too much. Emphasize all of the great things you did. ... (read entire answer)
11
Answers
295
Views
36
Total Upvotes
on Oct 31, 2022 on Oct 31, 2022
Last Activity

Mckinsey PEI difference drive and personal impact

McKinsey McKinsey PEI Personal Fit
Question edited on Oct 15, 2022
The best answer (on Oct 15, 2022) is from:
Francesco
Expert
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Francesco
Expert
gave the best answer on Oct 15, 2022
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
EDIT 2022: McKinsey recently added a new PEI dimension called Courageous Change. They are piloting this as a substitute for Entrepreneurial Drive. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ... (read entire answer)
5
Answers
20.4 k
Views
54
Total Upvotes
on Oct 15, 2022 on Oct 15, 2022
Last Activity

All three different PEI questions?

Actively preparing for interviews at McKinsey and BCG Mck McKinsey PEI Personal Fit Preparing for final round at McK
Most recent answer on Aug 31, 2022
The best answer (on Aug 18, 2022) is from:
Florian
Expert
430+ consulting offers | Highest rated coach for sessions | 5 years @ McKinsey | Author of "The 1%"
Florian
Expert
gave the best answer on Aug 18, 2022
430+ consulting offers | Highest rated coach for sessions | 5 years @ McKinsey | Author of "The 1%"
Hey there, The PEI selection is not random. Interviewers talk to each other and align beforehand. Usually, this it how it goes for Germany: The first three interviewers will cover one dimension each. For the fourth inte ... (read entire answer)
15
Answers
1.1 k
Views
132
Total Upvotes
on Aug 31, 2022 on Aug 31, 2022
Last Activity

Why BCG? Ideal interview answers for candidates

BCG BCG Interview Process germany Personal Fit
Question edited on Sep 05, 2021
Anonymous gave the best answer on Jul 25, 2018
Do not overthink this. It is important to have a solid answer, but your interviewer won't be looking to call you out - as long as you are sincere, you will be fine. From every interviewer I have ever spoken to (includ ... (read entire answer)
5
Answers
32.6 k
Views
15
Total Upvotes
on Sep 05, 2021 on Sep 05, 2021
Last Activity

PEI - Experience applying to both Entrepreneurial Drive and Team Leadership

personal experience interview Personal Fit
Most recent answer on Aug 24, 2021
The best answer (on Aug 19, 2021) is from:
Sofia
Expert
McKinsey San Francisco | Harvard graduate | 5+ years of coaching | Personalized approach
Sofia
Expert
gave the best answer on Aug 19, 2021
McKinsey San Francisco | Harvard graduate | 5+ years of coaching | Personalized approach
Hello! I would advise using different stories in the interview as much as possible. You only get a limited amount of time to present yourself as a candidate to the interviewers and will only be asked a few behavioral qu ... (read entire answer)
4
Answers
901
Views
27
Total Upvotes
on Aug 24, 2021 on Aug 24, 2021
Last Activity

PEI Stories - length/duration

McKinsey personal experience interview Personal Fit
Most recent answer on Aug 17, 2021
The best answer (on Jan 22, 2019) is from:
Francesco
Expert
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Francesco
Expert
gave the best answer on Jan 22, 2019
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Hi Anonymous A, I agree with Anonymous B comment, your part of the story usually takes 3-4 minutes. Most of the time the interviewer will then ask followup questions, which will require some additional time for the ex ... (read entire answer)
8
Answers
4.4 k
Views
52
Total Upvotes
on Aug 17, 2021 on Aug 17, 2021
Last Activity

PEI Interview at McKinsey

McKinsey McKinsey PEI Personal Fit
Most recent answer on Aug 17, 2021
Anonymous gave the best answer on Oct 03, 2017
Your framework is a good one but I would add a few things. Make sure you are conversational: Don’t be rote in your response. Make sure that when telling your story, you are really “telling a story” that makes the in ... (read entire answer)
6
Answers
15.9 k
Views
41
Total Upvotes
on Aug 17, 2021 on Aug 17, 2021
Last Activity

McKinsey PEI answers : how long should I speak ?

FIT McKinsey McKinsey PEI PEI Personal Fit
Most recent answer on Aug 17, 2021
The best answer (on Feb 18, 2018) is from:
Vlad
Expert
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Vlad
Expert
gave the best answer on Feb 18, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Hi, The length is related to your story and additional questions your interviewer may ask. The story about yourself should be 13-15 sentences. For the PEI story I recommend the following: In Situation, you sh ... (read entire answer)
12
Answers
16.9 k
Views
42
Total Upvotes
on Aug 17, 2021 on Aug 17, 2021
Last Activity

Tier 2 Interviews Internship Germany

ATKearney Case Interview internship Oliver Wyman Personal Fit Roland Berger tier2
Most recent answer on Jun 14, 2021
The best answer (on Jun 13, 2021) is from:
Ian
Expert
MBB | 100% personal interview success rate (8/8) and 95% candidate success rate | Personalized interview prep
Ian
Expert
gave the best answer on Jun 13, 2021
MBB | 100% personal interview success rate (8/8) and 95% candidate success rate | Personalized interview prep
Hi there, While there technically are, I genuinely wouldn't worry about it much. It's much better to focus time and energy on being adaptable and ready for anything. I aced all 8 of my interviews and I never worried a ... (read entire answer)
3
Answers
1.6 k
Views
36
Total Upvotes
on Jun 14, 2021 on Jun 14, 2021
Last Activity

Why consulting - How much time do I have to answer the question?

Personal Fit why consulting
Most recent answer on Apr 30, 2021
The best answer (on Apr 22, 2021) is from:
Florian
Expert
430+ consulting offers | Highest rated coach for sessions | 5 years @ McKinsey | Author of "The 1%"
Florian
Expert
gave the best answer on Apr 22, 2021
430+ consulting offers | Highest rated coach for sessions | 5 years @ McKinsey | Author of "The 1%"
Hey there, As a general rule, these types of questions should be answered in an effective and succinct manner. 1-2 minutes would be an appropriate length! Whenever you are asked: ''Why this, Why that?'', your answer ... (read entire answer)
6
Answers
1.1 k
Views
10
Total Upvotes
on Apr 30, 2021 on Apr 30, 2021
Last Activity

How to keep replies to FIT questions succint and engaging (and typically how short)?

Case Interview FIT fit interview Personal Fit
Most recent answer on Mar 01, 2021
The best answer (on Jun 20, 2019) is from:
Vlad
Expert
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Vlad
Expert
gave the best answer on Jun 20, 2019
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Hi, These answers are not supposed to be engaging. They are supposed to demonstrate that you know how consulting works and how the particular company works. “Why consulting?”, “Why McKinsey” or “Why BCG” questions ... (read entire answer)
3
Answers
2.2 k
Views
3
Total Upvotes
on Mar 01, 2021 on Mar 01, 2021
Last Activity

Fit preparation experienced hire Strategy& Germany

Experienced Hire germany Personal Fit strategy&
Most recent answer on Feb 21, 2021
The best answer (on Jan 05, 2021) is from:
Oliver
Expert
Manager | Ex-Strategy& | INSEAD MBA |50+ Interviews @ Strategy& - 75+ Mock-Up Interviews @ INSEAD for MBB applicants
Oliver
Expert
gave the best answer on Jan 05, 2021
Manager | Ex-Strategy& | INSEAD MBA |50+ Interviews @ Strategy& - 75+ Mock-Up Interviews @ INSEAD for MBB applicants
Hi, this might get a little longish, following your structure. Answers based on my experience as interviewer and Manager at Strategy&. A: Interview Generally: no. Cases usually are based on the experience an ... (read entire answer)
6
Answers
1.4 k
Views
52
Total Upvotes
on Feb 21, 2021 on Feb 21, 2021
Last Activity

PEI, leadership skills - is it ok to describe a project that actually failed?

interpersonal skills personal experience interview Personal Fit personal story
Most recent answer on Feb 10, 2021
The best answer (on Feb 09, 2021) is from:
Clara
Expert
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut
Clara
Expert
gave the best answer on Feb 09, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut
Ciao Giorgio! 1st of all, I did plenty of activities with ESN Milano! (Did Erasmus in Politecnico). Brought me some memories back and a big smile! Now to the serious topic: the story sounds a priori okay. However, i ... (read entire answer)
9
Answers
1.1 k
Views
96
Total Upvotes
on Feb 10, 2021 on Feb 10, 2021
Last Activity

Personal Fit: describing a leadership/teamwork situation from a competitor's event?

MBB Personal Fit
Most recent answer on Dec 30, 2020
The best answer (on Dec 03, 2020) is from:
Ken
Expert
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach
Ken
Expert
gave the best answer on Dec 03, 2020
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach
Congrats but I agree with Vlad. The fit question is your opportunity to stand out from the crowd where a group exercise at a recruitment event doesn't really help you share a unique story and based on your description, ... (read entire answer)
9
Answers
1.5 k
Views
35
Total Upvotes
on Dec 30, 2020 on Dec 30, 2020
Last Activity

Why didn't you join company XY, why join us now?

internship Personal Fit
Most recent answer on Dec 30, 2020
The best answer (on Dec 09, 2020) is from:
Vlad
Expert
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Vlad
Expert
gave the best answer on Dec 09, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Hi, Here are some other ideas that you can use to structure your thoughts: You can start with general facts about the local office. Something like “Sidney office is the fastest growing McKinsey office worldwide.” ... (read entire answer)
6
Answers
1.3 k
Views
55
Total Upvotes
on Dec 30, 2020 on Dec 30, 2020
Last Activity
1 - 20 of 71 results