Do candidates pass/fail fit interviews or are those also scored on a competitive basis?
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So it's rarely ever that one doesn't pass only because someone did better in the fit or has a better CV right?
Good question! Here are two elements of response:
1. In most cases, the CV/resume is ONLY relevant during the screening process. Once you are “in” and got invited to an interview, what will matter is your performance during the interviews. Please note: while this is almost always true for college/MBA recruiting, the only exception would be for a specialized role (e.g., experienced hire, applying for Expert positions, etc) where you are being hired partially for your expertise.
2. Keep in mind that, at each round, you get interviewed by at least 2 to 3 people. And the fit/PEI question will always be different. So it is extremely unlikely your performance will be exactly the same as someone else. If it is the case for the case (which means you get the same scores, across all four components, across all five interviewers = very unlikely), then yes, your PEI performance will obviously be taken into account.
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Hello,
This is an excellent question, and the answer is actually in the middle: you are competing with yourself, but you are actually also competing with others. Let me explain.
During a fit interview, you get a score on 3 to 4 different components (for the PEI interview at McKinsey, at least). For each of them, you receive a score.
If you get a 0s or 1s, you fail. Regardless of the rest of your performance during the case. So here, you are competing with yourself.
But if you get 2s and 3s, it does not necessarily mean you pass. It means you will be considered for comparison with others. And, during that comparison process, your entire performance will be looked at: the scores you got for the case, and the scores you got for the PEI.
This is why the PEI/fit interview is so important during your interview preparation process.
Happy to chat more if helpful!
Thomas
2 comments
Hi there,
It is indeed pass / fail and no scoring per se. Sometimes though in the decision making process, when ranking candidates the relative “performance" during fit section is also compared.
By performance I of course mean, how good and credible your answers was, how strong of a motivation where you able to show and even how you presented yourself.
So it could come to it that it's a differentiator between you and other candidates.
Hope this helps,
Ariadna
Hi there,
Consulting interviews (case and fit) for most firms and offices are not scored on a competitive basis but individually. You are competing against yourself.
In that sense, it's more of a pass or fail.
Cheers,
Florian
Your scoring is against yourself only. In the interview, and in the job as well. Rarely are these decisions done on a relative or competitive basis. Do not worry.
There is a set of criteria that they look for.
If you're interested in this, I just launched a video course specifically on storytelling for interviews:
Video Course: Master the McKinsey PEI
Best,
Cristian
Passing the fit part is mandatory. I personally turned down McKinsey candidates for not performing in the fit part, despite doing a solid case.
Both.
You pass / fail. And you get scored as well… but of course, what is paramount is the case interview.
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