Robert's McKinsey PEI Blog

How to prepare for the new McKinsey PEI prompts “Embracing Change” or “Courageous Change” and “Values and Purpose”?

Currently McKinsey is testing 2 specific new Personal Experience Interview dimensions, which are

Embracing Change or Courageous Change, and
Values & Purpose.

Those 2 PEI dimensions are for the moment only tested in North American offices, although not consistently across all offices and not across all candidates. And since those are 2 brand new PEI dimensions, many candidates ask me in my 1:1 coaching sessions how to approach them, and we typically work through the exact McKinsey requirements and expectations for those 2 dimensions, as well as drafting the storyline for indiviual PEI stories to ensure that they resonate well with the interviewer.

Continue reading How to prepare for the new McKinsey PEI prompts “Embracing Change” or “Courageous Change” and “Values and Purpose”?

How long does the McKinsey PEI (Personal Experience Interview) take?

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 interview session and some more general CV-related questions your interviewers might have, and will be before your case interview.

(Hint: Since the PEI takes place before your case interviews, you want to make double sure to perform well on this part of your interviews – as it might already frame your interviewer’s mindset in terms of your interview performance and spill over to your case interview)

For structuring your 12-15 minutes PEI, I always recommend the PARADE framework. As a rule of thumb, the total PEI time is split up as follows: Continue reading How long does the McKinsey PEI (Personal Experience Interview) take?

How to structure your McKinsey PEI – STAR vs. PARADE

Each situation you are preparing for the McKinsey PEI needs to be well structured. It is not only about telling an example – you also need to get the main topics across in a short period of time, which is roughly 10-12 minutes out of the total interview time which is allocated to the PEI.

Continue reading How to structure your McKinsey PEI – STAR vs. PARADE

What are some typical McKinsey PEI questions during your interviews?

This is one of the most common question from candidates in my PEI coaching sessions. Everyone seems to be curious how a real McKinsey PEI (Personal Experience Interview) is starting, and how difficult it is to find out which of the dimensions the interviewer is referring to (Leadership, Personal Impact or Entrepreneurial Drive).

Continue reading What are some typical McKinsey PEI questions during your interviews?

How to best prepare your McKinsey PEI (Personal Experience Interview)

Before downloading The Ultimate McKinsey PEI Prep eBook, lots of candidates email me and ask how to best prepare for the McKinsey PEI. Whenever receiving such emails, I need to smile. Not because it’s a funny question, but because it shows to me that a candidate is generally on the right track in the McKinsey interview prep.

But why can I say that a candidate is on the right track, just because he is asking me how to prepare for the McKinsey PEI?

Continue reading How to best prepare your McKinsey PEI (Personal Experience Interview)

Common Mistakes to Avoid in the McKinsey Personal Experience Interview

The McKinsey Personal Experience Interview (PEI) is a crucial part of the consulting firm’s recruitment process. It is an opportunity for candidates to showcase their skills, experience, and personality to the interviewer. However, many candidates make common mistakes during the interview that can harm their chances of getting hired. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common mistakes to avoid in the McKinsey PEI and provide tips on how to ace the interview.

How to Craft Your Personal Experience Interview Story for McKinsey

Preparing for a McKinsey Personal Experience Interview (PEI) can be a daunting task. One of the most important aspects of the interview is telling your personal experience story in a way that demonstrates your skills and abilities to the interviewer. In this blog post, we will provide guidance on how to structure and present your personal experience story using the PARADE framework.

Ace Your McKinsey Personal Experience Interview: Tips from Successful Candidates

If you are a job applicant looking to join McKinsey & Company, you know that the Personal Experience Interview (PEI) is a crucial part of the recruitment process. The PEI is designed to evaluate your skills, experiences, and personal qualities that are relevant to the job you are applying for.

To help you prepare for the PEI, we have compiled tips from successful candidates who have been through the process and come out on top. Here are some of their best tips:

The McKinsey PEI Survival Guide: Tips and Tricks for Overcoming Common Challenges

The McKinsey Personal Experience Interview (PEI) is a critical aspect of the McKinsey selection process for aspiring consultants. It’s a rigorous evaluation of your skills in leadership, personal impact, and entrepreneurial drive/courageous change, and it’s essential that you’re prepared to showcase your strengths and overcome any challenges you may face. In this blog post, we’ll explore the McKinsey PEI survival guide and provide tips and tricks to help you succeed.

The Art of Storytelling in the McKinsey PEI: How to Showcase Your Skills

The McKinsey Personal Experience Interview (PEI) is a critical part of the consulting firm’s recruitment process. During the PEI, McKinsey evaluates candidates on key dimensions: Leadership, Personal Impact and Entrepreneurial Drive/Courageous Change.

To stand out from the crowd and demonstrate your potential as consultant, it’s not only essential to have the right skills in place, but to also effectively communicate your experiences and personal brand. That’s where storytelling comes in.

The McKinsey Interview Process – What to Expect

The general interview process for university graduates at McKinsey typically involves several rounds of interviews. The process can vary depending on the office and practice area, but typically includes the following elements.

The McKinsey Personal Experience Interview in a Nutshell

As a top management consulting firm, McKinsey & Company is known for its rigorous hiring process, which includes a thorough evaluation of a candidate’s personal and professional experiences. One of the key components of this evaluation is the McKinsey Personal Experience Interview (PEI), which is designed to assess a candidate’s personal impact, leadership qualities, and problem-solving skills.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into the McKinsey PEI and provide insight into what to expect during this critical component of the interview process.

Insider Tips for Succeeding in the McKinsey PEI

As one of the world’s leading management consulting firms, McKinsey & Company is highly selective when it comes to hiring new consultants. The McKinsey Personal Experience Interview (PEI) is a crucial part of the hiring process and can be a daunting experience for candidates.

But with the right preparation and insider tips, you can increase your chances of success in the PEI and take one step closer to landing a consulting role at McKinsey.

The McKinsey PEI – Leadership: Which 5 key elements your interviewer is looking for

Candidates for the McKinsey Personal Experience Interview (PEI) should be aware of the following key elements that the firm is evaluating for the “Leadership” dimension. McKinsey looks for candidates who possess the ability to inspire and influence others, take initiative, and drive results.

To showcase your leadership potential in the PEI, here are a few key things to keep in mind and include into your PEI story:

The McKinsey Personal Experience Interview (McKinsey PEI): What You Need to Know

The McKinsey Personal Experience Interview (PEI) is an integral part of the consulting firm’s hiring process. It is designed to assess a candidate’s potential for success as a consultant, by evaluating their experiences, skills, and personal attributes.

If you are preparing for the McKinsey PEI, it is essential to understand what the interview will entail and what the company is looking for in a candidate. In this blog post, we will provide an overview of the McKinsey PEI and give you the information you need to succeed in this important interview component.

Continue reading The McKinsey Personal Experience Interview (McKinsey PEI): What You Need to Know