McKinsey PEI preparation course

In our course you will find:

  • The meaning behind PEI dimensions and how they are assessed

  • Each PEI dimension broken down into specific skills and levels of proficiency that the interviewer will be looking for

  • Interview simulations and story examples

  • Common mistakes and guidance on how to avoid them

Course curriculum

Introduction (2 sessions)

Session 1: Introduction to the PEI preparation course

In this video, we provide an overview of the course materials and how they are structured. We also give you some more flavor of who we are as coaches and our background at McKinsey.

Session 2: Understanding the PEI interview

In this video, we explain the meaning behind each PEI dimension, discuss what to expect from the interview and demonstrate what the underlying assessment process looks like.

Entrepreneurial drive (3 sessions)

Session 3: Entrepreneurial drive deep dive

In this video, we explain underlying skills and levels of proficiency for each skill that candidates need to demonstrate in the Entrepreneurial drive dimension.

Session 4: Entrepreneurial drive example interview

In this video, we provide an example PEI interview for Entrepreneurial drive with a breakdown into important components. This session will help you understand the dynamic in a PEI interview with a McKinsey partner and observe how key Entrepreneurial drive elements can be demonstrated in a personal story.

Session 5: Entrepreneurial drive common mistakes

In this video, we explain some of the most common mistakes made by candidates in McKinsey PEI interviews when talking about Entrepreneurial drive and provide guidance on how to avoid them.

Personal impact (4 sessions)

Session 6: Personal impact deep dive

In this video, we explain underlying skills and levels of proficiency for each skill that candidates need to demonstrate in the Personal impact dimension.

Session 7: Personal impact example interview (part 1)

In this video, we focus on one of the skills within Personal impact dimension, candidate's ability to influence others. We discuss what the interviewer is looking for and illustrate how to get it right by comparing two Personal Impact story examples, one containing a very common mistake candidates make and another one more in line with best practice.

Session 8: Personal impact influencing tactics

In this video, we discuss and illustrate influencing tactics and techniques that the interviewer will be looking for in your Personal Impact PEI story. Knowing how to leverage and communicate those tactics will allow you to avoid one of the most common mistakes that candidates make.

Session 9: Personal impact example interview (part 2)

In this video, we continue with the interview example for Personal impact. This time, we focus on the remaining skills within Personal impact dimension and demonstrate how to make them stand out in your personal story.

Inclusive leadership (3 sessions)

Session 10: Inclusive leadership deep dive

In this video, we explain underlying skills and levels of proficiency for each skill that candidates need to demonstrate in the Inclusive leadership dimension.

Session 11: Inclusive leadership example interview

In this video, we provide an example PEI interview for Inclusive leadership with a breakdown into important components. This session will help you understand the dynamic in a PEI interview with a McKinsey partner and observe how key Inclusive leadership elements can be demonstrated in a personal story.

Session 12: Inclusive leadership common mistakes

In this video, we explain some of the most common mistakes made by candidates in McKinsey PEI interviews when talking about Inclusive leadership and provide guidance on how to avoid them.

Courageous change (2 sessions)

Session 13: Courageous change deep dive

In this video, we explain underlying skills and levels of proficiency for each skill that candidates need to demonstrate in the Courageous change dimension.

Session 14: Courageous change example interview

In this video, we provide an example PEI interview for Courageous change with a breakdown into important components. This session will help you understand the dynamic in a PEI interview with a McKinsey partner and observe how key Inclusive leadership elements can be demonstrated in a personal story.

What candidates say about the course

  • "I had already gone through more than a dozen coaching sessions with a different coach to prepare for my McKinsey interviews as an experienced hire. The Build a Skill course for the McKinsey Personal Experience Interview (PEI) finally provided answers on how the PEI is assessed and helped me to adjust my stories in a much more targeted manner than all the coaching sessions I had had before. I therefore highly recommend this course for those who want to prepare for the PEI in an entirely targeted and effective manner"

    Sam H

  • "Literally what you need for McKinsey. The best I found in terms of details, examples, theory and structure. Saves you literally dozens of hours of research. All you need is in the course. Definitely feel ready for my Mckinsey interviews finally!"

    Ignacio E F

  • "The course is great and by far better than anything I could find on the internet. Love the breakdown into three skills - something I have not found anywhere else. If I were to point out one thing, the PEI examples are usually from a work perspective. If you were able to add stories from a fresh university hire perspective I would at least love that."

    Sam A

  • "Build a Skill helped me with my preparation for the behavioral part of my McKinsey interviews. They gave me very specific feedback and were super responsive. I would not have gotten an offer from McKinsey if it wasn't for their help. Highly recommend both their PEI digital course and also booking a personal session with them!"

    Alexis I

  • "I believe this course has been pivotal in helping me adjust my stories and target the right skills that McKinsey evaluates"

    Eric G

  • "I wanted to reach out to say a huge thank you. I bought the course when I was feeling pretty lost with the PEI prep and was able to channel my stories according to the course's recommendations. Happy to share that I got the offer from McKinsey – and they mentioned that they loved my stories! Especially loved the sample stories the course had so, a huge shout out to the team and thanks a ton!"

    Ananya S

Not sure if our course is right for you? Check selected free content to get a sense of the content quality and get to know us as coaches or reach out for individual PEI coaching.

Best of luck with your McKinsey PEI interviews!

Course created by

Anders

Former McKinsey Partner | Former leader of McKinsey’s recruiting in South East Asia

Through his more than 15 years of tenure at McKinsey, Anders coached, interviewed and assessed more than a thousand candidates that applied to McKinsey offices around the world. As a former partner responsible for McKinsey’s regional recruiting, Anders understands the recruitment process at McKinsey better than most. He guides candidates through their interview preparation process with unique insights from his previous experience, combined with his passion for talent development and coaching.

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Anna

Former McKinsey Engagement manager | Experienced interview trainer and executive coach

After getting her MBA, Anna got 5 offers from the top consultancies without memorizing any frameworks. Through her tenure at McKinsey and afterwards, she worked with hundreds of management consulting candidates, particularly focusing on development of their strategic thinking. Her strength is training candidates in structuring any problem without previous industry knowledge through logic and rigor of thinking as McKinsey consultants do.

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