The Personal Experience Interview (PEI) is a critical part of McKinsey's interview process, accounting for about 50% of each consulting interview (typically 20-30 minutes). Its purpose is to assess whether the candidate aligns with the firm's values and goals—in other words, whether the candidate has the potential to become a future colleague. Given its importance, let’s dive into everything you need to know about acing the PEI.

1. What Sets PEI Apart from Traditional Behavioral Interviews?

Unlike standard behavioral interviews, the PEI focuses on one single story or experience during each interview. You’ll need to carefully select the story that best demonstrates a specific quality. For instance, the interviewer might ask, “Tell me a story where you demonstrated strong leadership.” They’ll first ask you to provide a one-sentence summary of your experience. If the story doesn’t meet their criteria, they may ask you to choose another one.

McKinsey’s PEI currently focuses on four core qualities:

a)        Personal Impact

b)        Entrepreneurial Drive

c)        Inclusive Leadership

d)        Courageous Change

2. A Deep Dive into Your Story

Once your story is selected, the interviewer will ask you to elaborate, evaluating your communication and storytelling skills. They’ll want to understand:

• The context and background of the situation
• The challenges you faced
• The actions you took and why you made such actions
• The outcomes you achieved

Throughout your response, the interviewer might interrupt with probing questions, such as:

• What exactly did you say or do in that moment?
• How did others react to your actions?
• Why did you choose that particular approach?

These questions are designed to verify the authenticity of your story and gather specific examples to score your performance.

3. How to Stand Out in McKinsey’s PEI

Here’s how you can shine during the PEI:

a.        Prepare the Right Stories
Reflect on your experiences from the past 2–3 years and identify stories that individually showcase each of the four core qualities. Aim to prepare at least two strong examples for each quality to ensure you’re thoroughly prepared.

b.       Structured Communication
Organize your story with a clear structure, such as the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). This ensures your narrative is easy to follow, coherent and impactful.

c.        Engage in a Conversation, Not a Monologue
Treat the PEI as a dialogue rather than a one-sided presentation. Pause occasionally to allow the interviewer to ask questions, creating a natural and engaging interaction.

d.       Practice Makes Perfect
Rehearse your stories multiple times to build confidence while ensuring your delivery remains natural and engaging, avoiding a mechanical tone. This preparation will help you handle unexpected follow-up questions with ease.

4. Don’t Forget the Case Component

In addition to the PEI, McKinsey interviews include another critical component: the case interview. If you’re looking for effective case practice, check out MECE Academy, a platform designed to help you excel in case interviews and land your dream consulting job.

By preparing thoughtfully and practicing deliberately, you can excel in McKinsey’s PEI and case interview, demonstrating your potential as a future consultant. Good luck!