What is a Fit Interview?
A fit interview (also called behavioral interview) is the portion of a consulting interview that assesses your cultural fit, soft skills, and leadership potential through questions about your past experiences. While the case interview tests analytical skills, the fit interview determines whether you would thrive in consulting's collaborative, client-facing environment. At MBB firms, fit accounts for 30-50% of your overall evaluation.
| Also known as | Behavioral interview, experience interview, personal fit |
| Used by | All consulting firms (BCG, Bain, McKinsey, Deloitte, etc.) |
| Duration | 5-10 min (BCG/Bain) or 15-20 min (McKinsey PEI) |
| Weight in evaluation | 30-50% of total interview score |
| Answer framework | STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) |
| Stories needed | 5-8 polished stories covering key themes |
Definition
The fit interview is designed to answer one fundamental question: "Would this person succeed and thrive as a consultant?" Technical skills can be taught, but consulting requires specific personality traits and soft skills that are harder to develop.
Interviewers assess your fit through behavioral questions that ask you to describe real situations from your past. The assumption is that past behavior predicts future behavior - how you handled challenges before indicates how you'll perform as a consultant.
Unlike case interviews, which have right and wrong approaches, fit interviews are more subjective. Interviewers look for genuine stories that demonstrate the qualities they value: leadership, influence, collaboration, resilience, and intellectual curiosity.
Fit Interview vs. Case Interview
| Aspect | Fit Interview | Case Interview |
|---|---|---|
| What it tests | Soft skills, cultural fit, leadership | Analytical skills, problem-solving |
| Format | Behavioral questions about past experiences | Business problem to analyze and solve |
| Evaluation | Subjective - "Would I want to work with them?" | More objective - structure, math, insights |
| Preparation | Story development, practice telling them | Frameworks, mental math, case practice |
| Common mistake | Generic, rehearsed-sounding answers | Rigid framework application |
McKinsey PEI vs. BCG/Bain Fit
Different firms approach fit interviews differently. Understanding these differences helps you prepare appropriately.
McKinsey: Personal Experience Interview (PEI)
McKinsey dedicates 15-20 minutes to a single behavioral story. The interviewer probes deeply with follow-up questions: "What exactly did you say?" "How did they respond?" This depth makes it hard to embellish.
Tests: Personal Impact, Entrepreneurial Drive, Inclusive Leadership
BCG/Bain: Woven Fit Questions
BCG and Bain integrate fit questions throughout the interview (typically 5-10 minutes total). You'll answer multiple shorter questions rather than one deep-dive. Questions often come at the start or end of the interview.
Tests: Leadership, teamwork, "Why consulting?", "Why our firm?"
Key insight: If interviewing at multiple firms, prepare for both formats. Your stories should work as 2-minute summaries (BCG/Bain) and 15-minute deep-dives (McKinsey PEI).
The STAR Method
STAR is the standard framework for structuring behavioral interview answers. It ensures your stories are complete and focused on your individual contributions.
S - Situation
Set the context briefly. What was the situation? Where were you working? What was the challenge? Keep this to 2-3 sentences.
T - Task
What was YOUR specific responsibility? What were you asked to do or what did you take ownership of? This clarifies your role versus the team's role.
A - Action
What did YOU specifically do? This is the longest section. Use "I" not "we." Be specific about your decisions, actions, and reasoning. This is where interviewers assess your thinking and approach.
R - Result
What was the outcome? Quantify if possible: revenue impact, efficiency gain, team size managed, etc. Include what you learned or would do differently.
Common Fit Interview Questions
| Category | Example Questions |
|---|---|
| Leadership | "Tell me about a time you led a team through a challenge." |
| Influence | "Describe a time you convinced someone to change their mind." |
| Failure | "Tell me about a time you failed and what you learned." |
| Conflict | "Describe a disagreement with a colleague and how you resolved it." |
| Motivation | "Why consulting? Why our firm specifically?" |
Related Concepts
- PEI (Personal Experience Interview) - McKinsey's specific version of the fit interview
- Case Interview - The analytical portion that complements fit interviews
- Behavioral Interview Guide - In-depth strategies for preparing your stories
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fit interview in consulting?
A fit interview assesses your cultural fit, soft skills, and leadership potential through behavioral questions about your past experiences. It determines whether you would thrive in consulting's collaborative, client-facing environment.
How do I prepare for a fit interview?
Prepare 5-8 stories from your experiences that demonstrate leadership, influence, teamwork, and resilience. Structure each using the STAR method. Practice telling them out loud with behavioral interview practice until they sound natural, not rehearsed.
What's the biggest mistake in fit interviews?
The biggest mistake is giving generic, rehearsed-sounding answers. Interviewers can tell when you're reciting a script. Use specific details, genuine emotions, and be prepared to answer follow-up questions that probe the real story.
Can fit interviews make or break an offer?
Yes. Fit accounts for 30-50% of your evaluation at MBB firms. Candidates with strong case performance are regularly rejected due to weak fit. Interviewers ask themselves: "Would I want to staff this person on my project?"
Practice Fit Interviews
Tell your behavioral stories out loud and get feedback on clarity, structure, and impact.
Start PracticingLast updated: January 15, 2026