Which culture attracts you more – structured or entrepreneurial?

The personal fit interview is a crucial part of the selection process in consulting. It’s often underestimated by candidates who tend to focus on the challenging case interviews only. But the personal fit interview is just as important! It’s all about determining if you’ll fit well within the team and align with the company culture. Read this article to find out why the personal fit interview matters so much and how to prepare effectively.What to Expect in a Personal Fit InterviewThe personal fit interview can take place at the beginning or end of the interview process, or sometimes between other interview segments. This varies depending on the company and interview structure. For example, McKinsey often conducts a "Personal Experience Interview" (PEI) at the start or right after the case interview, while other firms like Bain or BCG are more flexible with the format. The personal fit interview usually only lasts 10 to 15 minutes, but don’t take it too easy. Consulting is a people's-business, so it’s crucial that you not only convince on a professional, but also on a personal level. Interviewers want to see that you’ll fit in as a team player and will become a valuable colleague.What Questions Are Asked in the Personal Fit Interview?The Personal Fit Interview isn’t about your technical qualifications; instead, it’s about getting to know you. Interviewers want to find out what motivates you, how you respond to challenges, and which experiences have shaped you. Here are the three main question categories you can expect:1. Resume QuestionsMost personal fit interviews start with questions about your resume. This allows interviewers to learn about the experiences you’ve gained and the skills you bring. They also get a sense of how you reflect on your past roles, helping them understand your personality. Sample questions include:"Tell us about yourself.""What challenges have you overcome in your career so far?""What areas did you focus on in your studies, and why?"2. Stress QuestionsStress questions are designed to test your resilience, self-reflection, and emotional stability. They help interviewers to evaluate how you handle unexpected or challenging situations and assess your ability to stay calm under pressure. These questions often present provocative or uncomfortable scenarios, allowing them to observe your reaction. Common examples include:"Why were your grades low that semester?""Are you really ready to make sacrifices for this job?""Why should we choose you?"👉 Do you want to improve your preparation? Try our Stress Question Tool to train your responses.3. Motivational QuestionsMotivational questions aim to show your reasons for applying. Interviewers want to know what drives you and why you’re interested in this specific role and company. The goal is to understand your personal motivation and evaluate whether you’re a good match for the job and company culture. Possible questions include:"Why do you want to become a consultant?""Why did you choose our company?""What are your career goals?"Preparing for the Personal Fit InterviewGood preparation is key to appear confident and convincing. It helps you provide clear answers and showcase your strengths and experiences without missing crucial points. Plus, preparation shows your genuine interest in the role and the company — interviewers can easily spot when someone is unprepared. So, let’s take a look at some preparation tips you can follow:Review Your Resume: Go over your resume and identify relevant experiences, strengths, and achievements you’d like to highlight during the interview.Practice Typical Questions: Prepare for common questions in the personal fit interview, such as those about your motivation, strengths, or past challenges. Practicing your answers will help you present them clearly and structured. Try to remain adaptable and use different scenarios for different questions, allowing you to respond flexibly and always have a fitting example ready. Avoid memorizing responses word-for-word; aim to sound natural and genuine.Research the Company: Learn about the company, its values, culture, and current projects. This will help you demonstrate genuine interest in your responses.Prepare Your Own Questions: Think of some questions to ask the interviewer at the end of the interview. This shows your engagement and helps you learn more about the role and company. Your questions should also help you determine if this company is the right fit for you long-term.Success Factors for Your Personal Fit InterviewKeep these key points in mind during your personal fit interview:Relate Your Answers to the Company.Always keep the company’s values in mind and try to reflect them in your answers. This shows you’ve researched the firm and your beliefs align well with the company culture.Be Specific.Avoid vague statements. Use specific examples to back up your answers. Instead of simply saying you're good at teamwork, describe a project where you collaborated successfully to achieve a goal.Show Confidence.Project confidence by sitting up straight, maintaining eye contact, and speaking clearly. Confident body language shows the interviewer that you believe in your abilities and are well-prepared for the conversation.Stay Authentic.Be honest and true to yourself when discussing your experiences. Interviewers appreciate authentic personalities who don’t put on a mask. Being genuine helps build a real connection with your interviewer and makes you appear more credible.Use the STAR Method.Structure is crucial in the personal fit interview. It helps make your answers clear and shows your analytical abilities, which are essential for consultants. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a proven tool for providing a clear structure to your responses. Let’s take a closer look at what each part means:Situation: Describe the specific situation or context, explaining when and where it took place.Task: Explain what your role or task was in this scenario.Action: Describe the steps you took, showcasing your skills and approach to problem-solving.Result: Conclude with the outcome, including any measurable achievements.👉 Check out the Integrated FIT Guide for MBB by Coach Clara to learn more about the STAR method and other hacks to ace the personal fit interview.Key TakeawaysThe personal fit interview is often underestimated but nevertheless it is vital to succeeding in consulting interviews. Prepare thoroughly and decide what you want to communicate clearly and concisely. Be genuine, show your personality, and highlight your skills. Use the STAR method to structure your responses and emphasize key points. With solid preparation and a clear understanding of what’s required in the personal fit interview, you’ll be ready to secure your dream job in consulting. Good luck! 🚀👉 Practice with our personal fit cases or use the Integrated FIT Guide for MBB, offering tailored tips for interviews with McKinsey, BCG, and Bain!

Consulting interviews are not just about your skills and knowledge — companies also want to see how well you align with their culture and values, often called "personal fit". This part of the interview is your chance to show you’re a natural addition to the team. Here’s a look at three common personal fit questions and some tips on how to answer them confidently and thoughtfully.1. Why Do You Want to Work in Consulting?One of the classic questions in any job interview is, "Why do you want to be a consultant?" Many candidates respond with generic answers, such as the chance to work on exciting projects across various industries, the opportunity to travel, or the potential for continuous personal growth. However, these answers often fall flat.Instead, aim to articulate your response more precisely and highlight personal motivations:Identify Your Areas of Personal DevelopmentFocus on specific development areas that are crucial for consulting and reflect your personal motivations. For instance, you might mention that you value leadership and teamwork in multicultural environments, emphasizing how international projects allow you to enhance your skills in engaging with diverse cultures and backgrounds. You could also express your enthusiasm for tackling complex challenges: explain how you view these projects as valuable opportunities to sharpen your analytical and structured thinking skills.Share Personal ExperiencesTalk about concrete experiences that demonstrate your ability to apply these skills successfully. If, for example, you led a multicultural team in a past project or overcame a challenge in a new field, relate those experiences to your goals in consulting. This approach shows not only your capability but also your readiness to thrive in the consulting environment.Highlight Specific Learning Goals in ConsultingEmphasize what you hope to learn or which skills you would like to deepen in your consulting career, and explain why consulting offers you the best opportunities to achieve those development goals. This connection shows how your interests align with the demands of the consulting profession.👉 If you're curious about how the PrepLounge community would tackle the question "Why consulting?" check out the discussions in our Consulting Q&A: How to Answer "Why Consulting?" in Interviews. 2. Why This Company?Another common question in a personal fit interview is, "Why do you want to work for this particular consulting firm?" Here, it’s crucial to show that you’ve done more than just skim the surface of the company. While many large consulting firms have similar structures, the real difference often lies in their corporate culture.Refer to the company's values and explain how they resonate with your own beliefs and goals. Share personal experiences that illustrate why this firm feels like the right fit for you. Perhaps you had an insightful conversation with a consultant from the firm that left a lasting impression, or you are interested in specific development programs that the company offers.A possible response could be:"I was particularly impressed by the open and team-oriented culture at [Company Name]. After speaking with one of your consultants, I realized that it's not just about technical excellence; personal development and collaboration are also highly valued. These principles align perfectly with my vision of an ideal work environment."For more insights on how to answer “Why This Company?”, the following threads in our Consulting Q&A might be interesting as well:👉 What is the difference between McKinsey, BCG, and Bain?👉 Why BCG? Ideal interview answers for candidates👉 Why Firm X? 3. Tell Me About Yourself!When the interviewer asks you to tell something about yourself, avoid simply reciting your resume. This question is your chance to add a personal touch to the conversation and leave a lasting impression.Instead of explaining your career path, think about a few unique qualities or experiences that highlight who you are and how you think. One effective approach is to choose three adjectives that describe you and support them with brief examples or anecdotes.Here’s an example of how your response could sound:"I would describe myself as solution-oriented, communicative, and curious. In my last role, I successfully handled a challenging situation within my team by bringing everyone’s needs to the table. I believe communication is key to success, especially in complex projects. Additionally, I have a strong willingness to learn — I love learning about new topics, which is one of the reasons I find consulting so interesting." Conclusion: How to Prepare for Personal Fit Questions in ConsultingPersonal fit interviews give you the opportunity to showcase not only your technical skills but also your personality. To answer fit questions successfully, keep the following points in mind:Research the Company: Familiarize yourself with the company’s culture, values, and unique characteristics. If possible, connect with consultants from the firm or explore their career page. Attending recruiting events is also a great way to engage with potential employers.Be Authentic: Stand out by sharing personal stories and answer questions honestly and concisely.Practice Your Responses: The best way to prepare is to practice your answers to personal fit questions with friends or colleagues. This will help you build confidence and present yourself more effectively in the interview.With these tips, you’ll be well-equipped to impress in your personal fit interview and take a significant step closer to landing your dream job in consulting.👉 If you want to prepare for more questions in personal fit interviews, check out our Stress Question Tool!