Behavioral / Fit Interviews
How long should a fit interview answer be outside McKinsey?
For firms other than McKinsey, how long should I aim to speak in a fit answer? I'm not sure whether to prepare a whole story or assume I'll be interrupted. Does the right length change depending on the kind of question they ask?
Ian’s Answer
2-3 minutes in general for a story-based answer.
But, remember they might simple ask “what makes a great leader” which, of course, should be a 20 second answer.
Or, they might say “explain nuclear energy to my 7 year old daughter”. Which, again, would be a 20-40 second answer.
Remember, it depends.
It's like you're about to go on a date and you're asking me “how long should my answers be and how should I rsepond". It depends…on your date…their questions…their demeanor…if they're paying attention or not…if your answer/story has a lot to it or a little.
Make sense?
Don't anticipate these things. Practice being flexibility to any question that comes your way (like we do in…. LIFE!)
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