Hostile interviewer @ McKinsey

Navigating different interviewer styles in a case interview can be challenging, but it's important to remember that interviewers often have different approaches, and some variability is natural. Here’s a breakdown of your questions:

1. Is some play on purpose or is it just a possible natural character of that interviewer?

It can be a mix of both. Some interviewers adopt a more challenging or "hostile" style intentionally to assess how candidates handle pressure, think on their feet, and remain composed under scrutiny. This method can reveal a candidate's problem-solving abilities and resilience. On the other hand, some interviewers might simply have a more direct or critical communication style, which can come off as intimidating or harsh, even if it's not their intention.

2. At both scenarios how can you win over these kinds of interviewers and pass?

For the Outgoing, Supportive Interviewer:

• Engage Actively: Take advantage of their supportive nature by engaging with them. Ask clarifying questions and seek feedback during the case.
• Show Enthusiasm: Demonstrate your passion for the case and the consulting role. This can create a positive rapport.
• Build on Ideas: If they provide suggestions, incorporate them into your responses to show adaptability and collaboration.

For the Hostile, Critical Interviewer:

• Stay Calm and Composed: Maintain your composure, even if you feel challenged. Take a deep breath and don’t let interruptions fluster you.
• Acknowledge Feedback: If they dismiss an idea, acknowledge it without being defensive. Try to understand their perspective and ask for clarification to guide your next steps.
• Be Adaptable: Use their prompts to pivot your thinking. If they ask for better ideas, quickly brainstorm alternatives and articulate your thought process clearly.
• Demonstrate Resilience: Show that you can handle criticism constructively. Acknowledge the challenge and respond with confidence, illustrating your problem-solving approach.

General Tips:

• Practice Active Listening: Whether supportive or critical, listen carefully to what the interviewer is saying. This helps you respond appropriately and demonstrates your engagement.
• Frame Your Responses: Use the "STAR" method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly, helping to convey your thoughts even under pressure.
• Seek Clarification: If you’re unsure about the interviewer’s expectations or if they interrupt, politely ask for clarification. This shows that you’re engaged and willing to adapt.

By preparing for both types of interviewers and developing strategies to handle varying dynamics, you can approach case interviews with greater confidence and adaptability. Good luck!

Hey there!

From my experience as an interviewer at McKinsey, encountering hostile interviewers is uncommon, but it does occasionally happen, particularly at other firms like BCG, where my recent mentees have reported similar experiences. The main goal is not to test your knowledge per se but to observe how you handle pressure, as this reflects how you might respond in high-stress client situations.

In either scenario, the key to winning over such interviewers is to stay calm, composed, and very friendly throughout the conversation. This demonstrates your ability to remain professional under pressure, which is crucial when dealing with challenging clients. Instead of reacting negatively, maintain positive energy, take a deep breath, and continue to engage thoughtfully, even when they push back. That resilience is what they ultimately want to see.

Good luck with your interview! Alessa :)

Hi friend. 

This is against policies at McKinsey, so it sounds like you were truly unlucky in finding an interviewer who wasn't having the best day and took it out on you. This is against protocol and not okay - so I'm sorry. 

Only way to win here is to stay confident and calm - "gentle parent" them through it lol. During the interviewer conversations later they'll realise how great you were during their grilling, and give you even more brownie points to make up for it.

Hey there,

No. This is completely against our policies on providing a helpful and encouraging interview experience. I'd even raise it to recruiting as it may be grounds for a re-try. 

I've only heard of such encounters in senior partner rounds where experiences might be more....unpredictable

In general, winning over means staying calm and being receptive to feedback/being coachable (while naturally inquiring why the interviewer is recommending x and y, while also sharing your initial hypothesis and raising why you thought that way). But honestly its very difficult overcoming a difficult interviewer

Hi there,

At McKinsey, this should not happen (very simple). Interview conditions should help candidates perform at their best. I had clients have their interviews "deleted" and another interview scheduled with a different interviewer.

Could be worth a shot!

However, if the first interviewer already had to smoothen out tough parts, it could very well be that there are no grounds for having another first round interview, unfortunately.

All the best to your friend!

Cheers,

Florian

Hello there,

It’s most definitely not a deliberate act of playing good cop, bad cop. Interviewers are trained to provide a supportive environment for the interviewee to perform at their best. 

However, when this unusual situation occurs, you should focus on being as present, responsive, polite, and amiable as possible so you don’t give in to the pressures.

Fathu