In a round with 2 interviews, will the McKinsey interviewers ask the same PEI question twice - which forces you to give two separate examples? Is this common?
This is for the summer business analyst position by the way.
Hello Anonymous A!
As I have just finished my interviews with McKinsey on Friday, I think I can add something to this.
During the first round, I was asked about two experiences on ED and PI.
During the second, I was asked a L, a PI and a L from the last interviewer. The question was identical to the first one, the same. I had a Senior Partner interviewing me. What do you think that his reaction would be, if I've mentioned to him that I had already "used" my Leadership experience story and that I was "supposed" to be asked about an ED story? You do not have to get into these kind of trouble, believe me. This would only raise a red flag.
What did i do?
I've said the following:
"This is a very interesting question and I have two relevant experiences that I could share with you. However, as I have already shared the first one with the first partner, I would suggest to go on with the second one. What do you think?"
By doing this, I showed to him my level of preparation (2 stories for each dimension) and at the same time I've answered to his question.
In conclusion, have 2 stories ready for each dimension, for each round.
(edited)
That's highly unlikely.
Typically, the interviewers align before the interview so they don't ask the same question. It can happen, but it's rather accidental then.
I would recommend that you develop two stories per dimension to be on the safe side. Ideally, you also have stories that can be used (with adjustments) for more than one dimension - so that you don't need to create that many stories.
For anyone else who is preparing for the PEI component, I've created a video course with my 6-step storytelling framework that has helped my candidates get distinctive feedback on the McKinsey PEI. You can find out more about it here:
Best,
Cristian
Hello!
I disagree with other coaches here, since the answer is pretty clear. NO, they will not ask the same question in the same round, for sure.
When an interviewer comes to the interview, he/she receives the instructions form HR on what dimension to test (entrepreneurial drive, personal impact or leadership).
If you want to read more about it, 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 2 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)
The same PEI question will not be asked. In the rare chance that your second interviewer asks you an identical PEI question by mistake then it is in your favour to share a different story. Unfortunatley, they will not be able to pass you to the final rounds or extend an offer without having a read on more than one PEI dimension (i.e., Pesonal Impact vs. Entrepreneurial Drive vs. Inclusive Leadership).
(edited)
This is the final round. There are only two interviews because it is a summer analyst position (new change). Will they ask the same question twice in this case?
No
Hi there,
They shouldn't...but, you should honestly always be prepared for anything!
My approach to casing has always been: don't prepare for everything, prepare for anything.
So, try to not define the exact possibilities, but rather be ready to react to any scenario...this applies to when you're in the job itself as well! (working with clients, completing work, solving problems, etc.)
Hi,
McKinsey tend to ask different stories in one round.
Moreover you should be ready to have an extra story for each of the competencies tested.
I also suggest that you should review possible stress questions since McK sometimes refer to them ask well:
Can you describe your most difficult client/ colleagueand how you were able to handle their needs?
Can you tell me about a time when you were more than halfway through a project and had to pivot quickly due to an unexpected change? How did you handle it?
If one of your close work colleagues stole a $1 item, what would you do?
When given an unfamiliar task, how do you ensure you handle it properly?
If you are given two conflicting priorities from two separate managers, how do you figure out how to proceed?
Give me an example of when you received criticism. How did you respond to the information?
Tell me about a time when you were handling a project that went outside of your scope of work. How did you handle it?
Describe a situation where you had to deal with ambiguity when making a decision.
If a team member wasn’t pulling their weight, what would you do?
How do you handle a missed deadline / productivity target?
Tell me about a time when you failed to meet expectations. What did you do to recover?
Describe an instance where you were overwhelmed while on the job. How did you handle it?
What qualities do you possess that will help you succeed with McK/ BCG/ Bain?
Best,
Anton
Ideally not, but over the course of both rounds, this can of course happen. You should therefore have several stories for each dimension. To give you more flexibility, you can also work your stories in a way that each stories checks multiple boxes. That way you get away with a smaller total number of stories.
I'm talking about within the same round. Not across rounds.
Usually it's very rare that in one round you might ask the same PEI quesion.
But you may be prepared to anything. And training with a coach can be helpful in preparing to anything)
Cheers,
GB
