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. Here you can also find our guidelines and FAQs for the Consulting Q&A.

How does the Consulting Q&A work?

Anyone can ask a question
Anyone can write an answer
Upvotes let answers rise to the top
Sort by
Last Activity
Newest question
Newest answer
Answer upvotes
Most views
Most relevant
Limit Selection
Answered
Your questions
Saved questions
Saved answers
Your Tag Subscriptions

International staffing @Bain & Company

Bain & Company International Travel
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2023
The best answer (on Sep 30, 2023) is from:
Hagen
Expert
#1 Bain coach | >95% success rate | interviewer for 8+ years | mentor and coach for 7+ years
Hagen
Expert
gave the best answer on Sep 30, 2023
#1 Bain coach | >95% success rate | interviewer for 8+ years | mentor and coach for 7+ years
Hi there, First of all, congratulations on the offer from Bain! I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question: First of all, and contrary to what other coaches have said in the past, every multinational firm (a ... (read entire answer)
6
Answers
87
Views
1
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2023 on Sep 30, 2023
Last Activity

Office relocation within the Middle East and relocation costs

dubai Middle East office preferences relocation riyadh salary negotiation tier2
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2023
The best answer (on Sep 26, 2023) is from:
Lorenzo
Expert
University of St.Gallen graduate | Learn to think like a Consultant | Personalized prep | CV review
Lorenzo
Expert
gave the best answer on Sep 26, 2023
University of St.Gallen graduate | Learn to think like a Consultant | Personalized prep | CV review
Congratulations on receiving the offer! Addressing your preferences and concerns with the firm is a reasonable step to take. Here's how you can approach both matters: 1. Inquiring About Placement in the Dubai Office: Ti ... (read entire answer)
5
Answers
84
Views
40
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2023 on Sep 30, 2023
Last Activity

Is private equity operation a good exit opportunity?

exit options
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2023
The best answer (on Oct 06, 2021) is from:
Hagen
Expert
#1 Bain coach | >95% success rate | interviewer for 8+ years | mentor and coach for 7+ years
Hagen
Expert
gave the best answer on Oct 06, 2021
#1 Bain coach | >95% success rate | interviewer for 8+ years | mentor and coach for 7+ years
Hi there, This is indeed an interesting, very specific question, so I am happy to provide my perspective on it: Generally speaking, it really depends on what your skills, preferences and career plans are. Without knowin ... (read entire answer)
8
Answers
697
Views
47
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2023 on Sep 30, 2023
Last Activity

McKinsey PEI - Professional vs. personal stories and time relevance

McKinsey PEI
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2023
Anonymous gave the best answer on Sep 17, 2018
1) I have done 1000+ interviews and I can remember probably 50 or so PEI stories. Every single one that I remember are personal stories. I can't remember a single one about a work situation. So, absolutely feel free to ... (read entire answer)
7
Answers
3.1 k
Views
3
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2023 on Sep 30, 2023
Last Activity

McKinsey 1 round interview PEI

BCG McKinsey McKinsey casing summer internship
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2023
The best answer (on Jan 20, 2020) is from:
Daniel
Expert
McKinsey / ex-Interviewer at McKinsey / I will coach you to rock those interviews
Daniel
Expert
gave the best answer on Jan 20, 2020
McKinsey / ex-Interviewer at McKinsey / I will coach you to rock those interviews
I don't agree with Clara – at least in McKinsey Germany interviewers do shortly share the stories content, so I wouldn't recommend using the same story.
9
Answers
2.3 k
Views
2
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2023 on Sep 30, 2023
Last Activity

McKinsey PEI Entrpreneurial Drive

McKinsey personal experience interview
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2023
The best answer (on Sep 08, 2021) is from:
Florian
Expert
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 450+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets
Florian
Expert
gave the best answer on Sep 08, 2021
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 450+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets
Hey there, Both target the same dimension with the same evaluation metrics behind them. If you want to know more about the 3 dimensions, potential content ideas, and how to communicate the stories most effectively, read ... (read entire answer)
7
Answers
1.7 k
Views
73
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2023 on Sep 30, 2023
Last Activity

EYP TSE and Corporate Strategy pay difference

EYP
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2023
Anonymous A asked on Sep 28, 2023
Hi, I would like to ask for the London office for EYP. Does the salary between TSE and Corporate Strategy varies? If yes, how big is the difference?
4
Answers
58
Views
0
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2023 on Sep 30, 2023
Last Activity

Fit Interview Preparation

FIT Fit Interview Stories
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2023
The best answer (on Nov 17, 2022) is from:
Florian
Expert
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 450+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets
Florian
Expert
gave the best answer on Nov 17, 2022
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 450+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets
Hey there, The McKinsey PEI is very different from all other firms' fit interviews. Why? There are 3 dimensions you need to talk about (a 4th one is currently being rolled out) and that is it For each dimension, you wil ... (read entire answer)
7
Answers
470
Views
35
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2023 on Sep 30, 2023
Last Activity

PEI McKinsey Sample Questions

I'm preparing to McK coming next week McKinsey McKinsey PEI PEI
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2023
The best answer (on Nov 29, 2022) is from:
Florian
Expert
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 450+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets
Florian
Expert
gave the best answer on Nov 29, 2022
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 450+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets
Dear Nouran, The questions might sometimes be phrased a bit differently, however, will always fall into the 3 dimensions. What I have found online on some websites that claim to have a list of all PEI questions is factu ... (read entire answer)
5
Answers
484
Views
28
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2023 on Sep 30, 2023
Last Activity

McKinsey Final Round PEI--switching the first round episodes into different dimensions?

McKinsey Final Round McKinsey PEI
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2023
The best answer (on Oct 20, 2022) is from:
Florian
Expert
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 450+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets
Florian
Expert
gave the best answer on Oct 20, 2022
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 450+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets
Hi there, The issue that interviewers have with providing feedback on the PEI is that they cannot go into any details that would spill the secret sauce. Hence, their feedback is usually only directionally useful but not ... (read entire answer)
6
Answers
487
Views
42
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2023 on Sep 30, 2023
Last Activity

McKinsey Behavioral Question

behavioral behavioral interviews McKinsey
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2023
Anonymous gave the best answer on Nov 24, 2022
Hi there,  generally speaking about personal interview, bare in mind: •Questions will be selected based on your CV and cover letter (in addition to your job position), ensure alignment when preparing all 3 •Choose the r ... (read entire answer)
6
Answers
587
Views
36
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2023 on Sep 30, 2023
Last Activity

Mckinsey PEI

McKinsey PEI PEI
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2023
The best answer (on Oct 02, 2022) is from:
Mario
Expert
Ex-Mckinsey (analyst->associate->manager) and now in tech (Bytedance) + Part time interview coach and mentor
Mario
Expert
gave the best answer on Oct 02, 2022
Ex-Mckinsey (analyst->associate->manager) and now in tech (Bytedance) + Part time interview coach and mentor
Hey there,   It's actually completely okay to have a few stories only in mind as long as you learn how to tailor these depending on the question.    Step 1 - Find flexible stories and know which skills they cover There ... (read entire answer)
6
Answers
629
Views
39
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2023 on Sep 30, 2023
Last Activity

Mckinsey Round 1 interviews

McKinsey experienced professional
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2023
The best answer (on Sep 09, 2020) is from:
Antonello
Expert
McKinsey | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching
Antonello
Expert
gave the best answer on Sep 09, 2020
McKinsey | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching
Hi, 1. usually yes, but in this period of online interviews it happens to be assessed in 2/3 different days 2. 3. it's the standard fit part of the interview and involves questions related to your experience to assess y ... (read entire answer)
7
Answers
956
Views
12
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2023 on Sep 30, 2023
Last Activity

PEI Questions

fitquestion Interview PEI
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2023
The best answer (on Oct 22, 2020) is from:
Robert
Expert
McKinsey offers w/o final round interviews - 100% risk-free - 10+ years MBB coaching experience - Multiple book author
Robert
Expert
gave the best answer on Oct 22, 2020
McKinsey offers w/o final round interviews - 100% risk-free - 10+ years MBB coaching experience - Multiple book author
Hi Mehrasa, I copied for you an answer from my own "McKinsey PEI Blog" here: For most candidates, the McKinsey PEI lasts in total around 12-15 minutes. It follows some social chit-chat in the very beginning of your ... (read entire answer)
7
Answers
1.2 k
Views
32
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2023 on Sep 30, 2023
Last Activity

Mck final round questions

Final Round Interview McKinsey
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2023
The best answer (on Mar 26, 2020) is from:
Robert
Expert
McKinsey offers w/o final round interviews - 100% risk-free - 10+ years MBB coaching experience - Multiple book author
Robert
Expert
gave the best answer on Mar 26, 2020
McKinsey offers w/o final round interviews - 100% risk-free - 10+ years MBB coaching experience - Multiple book author
Hi Anonymous, First of all congratulations to reach final round interviews! While first round interviews are highly standardized especially at McKinsey, in second-round interviewers bascially everything can happen. ... (read entire answer)
8
Answers
1.3 k
Views
10
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2023 on Sep 30, 2023
Last Activity

Does my Entrepreneurial Drive story have to be in a situation with tight schedule?

entrepreneurial drive
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2023
The best answer (on Sep 17, 2020) is from:
Vlad
Expert
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Vlad
Expert
gave the best answer on Sep 17, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Hi, I never heard of a tight timeline requirement. What you can do - tall the full story and highlight that coming up with a new creative approach itself took less than a week Best
9
Answers
1.5 k
Views
30
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2023 on Sep 30, 2023
Last Activity

Differences in preparing FIT for McKinsey, Bain and BCG.

FIT
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2023
The best answer (on Mar 07, 2020) is from:
Robert
Expert
McKinsey offers w/o final round interviews - 100% risk-free - 10+ years MBB coaching experience - Multiple book author
Robert
Expert
gave the best answer on Mar 07, 2020
McKinsey offers w/o final round interviews - 100% risk-free - 10+ years MBB coaching experience - Multiple book author
Hi Clemens! From a top-level perspetive, you need to differentiate McKinsey from the others. While Bain, BCG and other top consulting firms have their personal fit interviews as you know them from any other company ... (read entire answer)
8
Answers
1.5 k
Views
39
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2023 on Sep 30, 2023
Last Activity

Recency of McKinsey PEI Stories for Experienced Hires

McKinsey McKinsey experienced professional McKinsey PEI
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2023
The best answer (on Aug 30, 2021) is from:
Florian
Expert
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 450+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets
Florian
Expert
gave the best answer on Aug 30, 2021
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 450+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets
Hey there, There is always a trade-off. If you are an experienced hire, its not 15 years ago, and you actually can demonstrate significant impact, then 4 or 5 years are ok (in your case) Have a look on how to draft the ... (read entire answer)
8
Answers
1.5 k
Views
48
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2023 on Sep 30, 2023
Last Activity

How improve my PEI stories?

Fit Interview Stories I'm preparing to McK coming next week Interview interview story McKinsey McKinsey & Company PEI personal experience interview
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2023
The best answer (on Oct 04, 2021) is from:
Agrim
Expert
BCG Dubai Project Leader | Learn to think like a Consultant | Free personalised prep plan | 6+ years in Consulting
Agrim
Expert
gave the best answer on Oct 04, 2021
BCG Dubai Project Leader | Learn to think like a Consultant | Free personalised prep plan | 6+ years in Consulting
The fact that you got feedback during an interview is itself unique and promising. Probably the interview saw potential in you - and felt that it was the story-telling that was undermining your profile. I would suggest ... (read entire answer)
21
Answers
9.7 k
Views
142
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2023 on Sep 30, 2023
Last Activity

Which industry/practice is the best to specialize for accelerating your development in McKinsey (Or other Firm)?

BCG McKinsey
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2023
The best answer (on Feb 05, 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 05, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut
Hello! Congrats for surviving your first year, it´s usually the most difficult one ;) The answer to your question is: whichever you see you like most! It´s true that one needs to be strategic (e.g., if you are pas ... (read entire answer)
11
Answers
1.6 k
Views
123
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2023 on Sep 30, 2023
Last Activity
61 - 80 of 14118 results
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