McKinsey PEI - What should I cover in the "Action" portion of my STAR Story?

Question

Hello,

I am trying to write a STAR story for my Mckinsey interview, but I am not sure specifically what they want to hear from me in terms of the action I took (the A in STAR). I am also unsure about how to communicate this in a structured way. Does anyone have any tips?

Answer 1

Hey there!

I often see the action part as the "resolution" part of your story! I recommend to my mentees to use another framework since the STAR one is indeed confusing! :) Let me know if you need any support with your PEI - I am specialized in that and happy to help!

Alessa

Answer 2

Hey there,

The "Action" part would relate to the specifics steps and activities you took in order to resolve the "Task" or complications / problems of your PEI story.

So if it was personal impact story, you'd be telling what specific actions / activities you took in order to persuade someone to your side

Please feel free to reach out if you want more PEI deep dives or help. This is one of my specialties!

All the best

Answer 3

Hi there,

In the “Action” part of your STAR story for McKinsey, focus on your specific contributions, showing ownership, problem-solving, and leadership. Here’s what to cover:
    1.    Your Role: Clearly state what you did (use “I,” not “we”). We want to know about YOUR contributions
    2.    Approach: Explain how you assessed the situation, developed a plan, and prioritized tasks.
    3.    Execution: Detail the steps you took and how you involved others.
    4.    Adaptation: Highlight how you handled challenges or adjusted your plan.

Be specific and logical, presenting your actions step-by-step, and quantify results where possible. This demonstrates structured thinking and your ability to take initiative.

Feel free to DM me for further help!

Best,

Evelina