How to Ace the McKinsey Personal Experience Interview (PEI)

The McKinsey version of the consulting behavioral interview has its own quirks and challenges -- here are top strategies for success from two expert consulting coaches and McKinsey alumni.
To work with them on your own interview prep, head to their coaching profiles:
- Ben L.: www.joinleland.com/coach/ben-...
- Missy P.: www.joinleland.com/coach/mari...
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[@adentett3820]

Great video! Really appreciate the tips!

[@CimolOk-nz5yj]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:
00:00 🗣️ *Introduction to McKinsey's Personal Experience Interview (PEI)*
- The PEI is an in-depth behavioral interview paired with a case study, focusing on a single experience for about 30 minutes.
- It is designed to complement the case study and assess candidates' operational effectiveness as consultants.
01:11 🤓 *The Importance of the PEI in Consulting Interviews*
- Preparing for the PEI can equip candidates for various behavioral interviews.
- The PEI is distinct in its depth, focusing on fewer experiences but with greater detail.
02:09 🕵️‍♂️ *Assessing Candidate Traits Through Deep-Dive Questions*
- The PEI aims to uncover traits like resourcefulness, teamwork, and ability to navigate ambiguity.
- Deep, focused questions reveal traits that are hard to gauge with surface-level inquiries.
03:31 💡 *The Relevance of Behavioral Traits in Consulting*
- Behavioral traits are crucial for success in consulting, like convincing clients and navigating complex interpersonal dynamics.
- These traits are tested because they are essential for adapting to new teams and environments.
04:43 🧐 *Example PEI Questions and Their Significance*
- Questions about conflict resolution, adapting to change, and working with diverse teams are common.
- These questions assess essential consulting skills, like meeting deadlines and handling unexpected challenges.
05:11 📚 *Preparing for the PEI: Using Life Stories and Experiences*
- Candidates should prepare stories from their life that are complex, nuanced, and cover significant transitions.
- These stories should be adaptable to various scenarios in the interview.
06:10 🎯 *The Importance of Specific Actions in Responses*
- It's crucial to focus on specific actions taken in a given situation rather than general context or team actions.
- Interviewees should emphasize their individual contributions and decision-making processes.
07:00 🤔 *Addressing Broader Interview Questions*
- Interview questions are designed to be broad enough for candidates from various backgrounds.
- Candidates should prepare to discuss experiences that showcase their skills, even if they don't directly relate to traditional business scenarios.
08:09 ✨ *Leveraging Extracurricular and Non-Professional Experiences*
- Non-professional experiences can be valuable in showcasing relevant traits.
- Traits matter more than the context; candidates should focus on demonstrating their capabilities in various scenarios.
09:06 📝 *Writing and Practicing Stories for the PEI*
- Writing out answers and experiences in detail helps in preparation.
- A common mistake is over-focusing on context; the emphasis should be on specific actions and outcomes.
10:30 🌟 *Emphasizing Personal Contribution in Responses*
- Candidates should highlight their specific actions and contributions.
- The use of "I" instead of "we" is important to demonstrate individual impact.
11:11 📖 *Balancing Preparation Without Sounding Scripted*
- Preparation should focus on understanding the story's key aspects rather than memorization.
- Being adaptable and responsive to the interviewer's questions is crucial.
12:21 🗣️ *Adapting Stories to Different Interview Questions*
- It's important to tailor stories to the specific question being asked.
- Using the same setup for multiple questions can be ineffective and appear unauthentic.
13:59 🚩 *Avoiding Over-Structured Answers*
- Overly structured or pre-planned answers can detract from the authenticity of the response.
- Responses should be tailored to the specific question, showing spontaneity and genuine reflection.
15:09 💬 *The Value of Practicing Out Loud*
- Practicing stories out loud helps refine the narrative and identify awkward phrasings.
- Vocal practice can lead to more natural and effective storytelling.
16:17 🎭 *Bringing Personality into the Interview*
- Showing personality and treating the interview as a conversation can make candidates more relatable and engaging.
- Authenticity and being oneself are valued in the interview process.
17:12 🔄 *Revisiting and Improving Interview Responses*
- Reflecting on responses and considering how they could be improved is beneficial.
- Understanding the importance of context, specific actions, and results is key to effective storytelling.
18:10 🔄 *Requesting a Different Story in the Interview*
- Interviewers may ask for a different story if they feel the current one doesn't provide the necessary information.
- Flexibility and having multiple stories prepared is important.
19:26 🤔 *Discussing Failures and Mistakes in Interviews*
- It's important to discuss failures and learnings honestly.
- Demonstrating humility and the ability to learn from mistakes is valued.
20:22 💡 *Key Tips for PEI Responses*
- Focus on specific actions taken, maintain a steady pace, and ensure responses are directly answering the question.
- Expect to be interrupted as interviewers probe for more details.
21:44 🎯 *Using Different Examples in Multiple Interview Rounds*
- Try to use different examples in different interview rounds for diversity in responses.
- Avoid repetition as interviewers will compare notes.
22:56 🖋️ *Writing Thank You Notes to Interviewers*
Handwritten thank *you notes can leave a lasting impression.*
- Small gestures like this can make candidates stand out in the selection process.
23:42 📌 *Structuring Interview Responses*
- Ensure responses have a clear structure: situation, actions taken, and results.
- Avoid excessive jargon and focus on clarity and authenticity.
24:38 🚩 *Red Flags in Interviews: Jargon and Impoliteness*
- Overuse of jargon and impoliteness to staff or co-interviewees are major red flags.
- Authenticity and courtesy are highly valued in candidates.
25:46 🤝 *Finding Commonality with the Interviewer*
- Engaging with interviewers by asking about their experiences or common interests can build rapport.
- Avoid overly personal or invasive questions based on LinkedIn research.
27:09 🧩 *Tailoring Stories to Interview Questions*
- Stories should be tailored to fit the specific question being asked.
- Recycled or generic stories may not effectively address the interviewer's query.
28:35 🔍 *Depth of Detail in Responses*
- Provide sufficient details in responses to paint a clear picture of the situation.
- Avoid unnecessary or overly detailed context that doesn't contribute to the main point.
29:48 🎙️ *Using the Interview as a Two-Way Street*
- The interview is an opportunity for mutual assessment and understanding.
- Candidates should feel free to ask questions and engage with the interviewer.
31:12 🌐 *Considering Other Stakeholders in Responses*
- Consider the impact and involvement of other stakeholders in your stories.
- Demonstrating awareness of others' perspectives is important.
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