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What is the best way to prepare for the fit interview part of the interview?

How to prepare for the FIT interview?

good morning, I am preparing for the fit interview in MBB, do you have advices about how to prepare and what is the best way to manage it? thanks in advance! 

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Top answer
Ian
Coach
on Nov 07, 2022
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Be prepared with "Resume Walkthrough", "Why Consulting" And "Why X Company".

Here's some reading on that: https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/tell-me-about-yourself-interview-question

In addition to these questions, there are a range of personal questions they'll ask, for which you can also prepare.

Personal Stories

Step 1 - Categorize the main stories

There are 5-10 "themes" you need to prepare for. i.e. Leadership, teamwork, challenge, etc. Figure out this list and make sure your stories cover this range (PM me and I can provide you with a template for this list)

Step 2 - Create FLEXIBLE stories that cover a range of categories

You need to create 4-6 stories that each cover a range of topics. They need to be powerful stories that can be adjusted and adapted based on the question asked.

One of my "core" or "killer" stories was usable for Initiative, Achievement, Leadership, Challenge, Change of direction, AND Persuasion.

Write down these stories along STAR or similar format...use bullet points

Step 3 - Organize these stories so you know which ones can be used for what and PRACTICE

Make sure you cover the whole gambit. Then, practice getting asked a question and thinking of which stories apply. I can assure you, no-one is coming up with full stories in a few seconds. Rather, they have practiced how to adapt an existing story to the question asked.

Emily
Coach
on Nov 07, 2022
Ex McKinsey EM & interviewer (5 yrs) USA & UK| Coached / interviewed 300 +|Free 15 min intro| Stanford MBA|Non-trad

As others have said, the first thing is to be prepared for the standard general questions that you can expect e.g., tell me about yourself, why consulting, why this firm. 

You then want to have a few stories prepared for questions which focus on:

  • Leadership - e.g., when have you led a team to achieve something
  • Inter-personal conflicts e.g., when have you had to convince someone of something
  • Taking the lead e.g., when have you gone above and beyond what was expected of you

Then you need in the interview to be able to flex the answers to address the exact question being asked. Take time to think it through and try to not force a story into a question that it doesn't fit in.

Good luck!

Lucie
Coach
on Nov 08, 2022
10+yrs recruiting & BCG Project leader

Hi there, 

First of all undertsand well:

1. recruiting process of the firm you apply and their style

2. what capabilities you need to prove during the process

3. Then prepare well your stories to prove you do have those capabilities. 

As 90% of the candidates don't tell stories that can be well understood, I would suggest to tell your story to someone who doesn't know you very well and test if:

1. Let them tell you in their own words what they understood: are you telling stories in comprehensive way?
2. Test a few stories to see which one seems “more exciting”
Beyond that, recapitulate different stories you could say and try to think what capabilities you would like to get out of that, then choose the best suit. 


Last but not least, learn the methodology we do tell stories in MBB, you can leverage resources here https://www.preplounge.com/en/bootcamp


You also have option to go for a coach, with one hour you should improve significantly. Feel free to reach out. 


Good luck,
Lucie
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Erica
Coach
on Nov 18, 2022
Ex-McKinsey, former recruiting team member

My joke I tell people about FIT interviews is that “it should be a joke you would tell at a party." Now - doesn't mean that you'll be the party animal when you tell that story but it DOES mean it should show real impact and - most importantly - you REALLY care about it! Nothing is worse than listening to a story when the person telling it is bored themselves…

Some other pieces of advice: 

  • People get worried about having their stories be about big budgets or important people. None of that matters. What matters is telling a story that shows who YOU are. Whether the conflict was with your peer or the CEO, or you saved $100 or $10M, what matters is the action you took. If you have a great story but you're worried it doesn't have the “pop” or isn't “important enough” - think about if the actions YOU took are impactful and impressive and that's the golden key
  • Be real! At my McK interview I told about a conflict I had with someone and the interviewer asked “how did that make me feel” and I was honest! I said “his actions really upset me and hurt me as I looked up to him as a mentor. Which made it clear I needed to remedy the situation for both our benefits'” - consultants are people too, not robots
Maikol
Coach
on Nov 06, 2022
BCG Project Leader | Former Bain, AlixPartner, and PE | INSEAD MBA | GMAT 780

First, it depends on the firms you are preparing for. 
McKinsey, Bain, and BCG look for different things.

However, certain things are common. For instance, the most important ones are:

  • You should show motivation to join that specific firm
  • You should be aware of what the firm does and which practice you want to join
  • You have to convey that you have curiosity, energy, pragmatism, an analytical mindset, and the ability to work in a team
  • Your answers should definitely be concise, structured, top-down, relevant, and clear
  • You should have to remain calm and humble in case the interviewer is tough and want to test your behavior under stress

Given those requirements, you can structure your preparation accordingly.
My further two cents here are to discuss your answers with people who already work in MBB, in particular coaches.

on Nov 06, 2022
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer

Great points already mentioned by Maikol. I will add a few more thoughts

  • Authentic stories are strong/powerful stories. If there is real conflict, real challenge, it will make the story more compelling
  • Don't underestimate the time it takes to prepare for the fit interview
    • It can take a while to find the right stories, especially if some of them took place a while back
    • It also takes time to tweak, refine and sharpen the content of the stories
  • Lastly, I strongly encourage you to also practice the fit portion. Don't just read and rehearse it in your mind, practice it live with someone to improve the actual delivery
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