Get Active in Our Amazing Community of Over 448,000 Peers!

Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Case Partners to connect and practice with!

When Interviewer asking PE questions, is it okay to take 30 sec to structure thoughts or you need to run ahead? Thanks!

PEI personal experience interview
New answer on Aug 10, 2020
6 Answers
927 Views
Anonymous A asked on Aug 08, 2020

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best answer
Sidi
Expert
replied on Aug 08, 2020
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 350+ candidates secure MBB offers

Hi!

Of course, it is ALWAYS okay to take a moment to think through your answer! Multiple times during an interview, if necessary!

This is even something that is tested in MBB interviews - whether you have the maturity to order your thinking before blurting out immature thoughts. Because this maturity is exactly what is expected of you in a client situation! From the perspective of a Project Leader, there is nothing more dangerous than a young colleague making undeveloped statements in front of clients - there is no quicker way to destroy creditbility of the entire team.

Cheers, Sidi

Was this answer helpful?
Vlad
Expert
replied on Aug 08, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

First of all, always take a minute at the beginning of the case to structure your thoughts!

While going through the case, always take a minute as well to structure your thoughts and come up with a structure:

  • It's not OK to take 30 seconds and then come up with just 1 or 2 ideas. And then if the ideas are not correct to keep the science again. This is called "Guessing"
  • It's OK to take 30 seconds, draw a new structure (or continuation of your previous structure) and come up with a structured way to approach the problem further.

Best,

Vlad

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous replied on Aug 09, 2020

Hi,

Regardless of what type of cases/questions you are asked, it is always better to think before you speak. Don't rush for no good reason.

You want to come across as a structured logical thinker who can take the specifical context into consideration. It would be hard to make that impression without collecting your thoughts first.

Best,

Emily

Was this answer helpful?
5
Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Aug 09, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Absolutely you can pause!

Just make sure to "ask" and say "Could I take a moment to gather my thoughts"

However, if you're going to do this, make sure you come back with something very structured and thorough!

Was this answer helpful?
Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Aug 09, 2020
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Sure, you can ask time to structure for any question during the case. So for PE questions as well.

Best,

Francesco

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous replied on Aug 10, 2020

Dear A,

Of course you can ask for a few moments to gather your thoughts together for structured answer.

Best,
André

Was this answer helpful?
1
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely