Tell me about a time you faced an ethical dilemma.

Pick a real dilemma with pressure from someone, like a request to book revenue early. Say no clearly with the reason, take it to the person whose call it is, offer a fair alternative, and stay fair to the other person.

Structure it with the STAR method template

What the interviewer listens for

• Is it a real dilemma, with pressure from a person?
• Did you say no clearly and give the reason?
• Did you take it to the right person quickly?
• Are you fair to the other person, without moralizing?

Common mistakes

• Picking something that isn't a dilemma, like returning extra change at a shop.
• Sounding self-righteous about the other person in the story.
• Handling it alone, by quietly going along or by going over people's heads without telling them.
• Not knowing the lines banking actually draws: confidentiality, inside information and accuracy.

Likely follow-ups

• What if the controller had told you to book it?I'd ask what I was missing, in case a contract term changed things. If it still looked wrong, I'd put it in writing and take it to the CFO or the ethics line, and I wouldn't book it.
• A friend asks which company your team is working on. What do you say?Nothing, not even a hint, because deal information can be material non-public information. If they pushed, I'd tell compliance.
• An associate asks you to change a number so a valuation looks better. What do you do?I'd ask the reason first, since there may be a real one. If it was only to hit a number, I'd say I wasn't comfortable and raise it with the VP or compliance.

More behavioral and fit

• It's 1 AM and you find an error in a model your VP already sent to the client. What do you do?
• Describe a time the numbers and the stories you were hearing did not match. What did you do?
• Tell me about a time you achieved something difficult against real obstacles.
• Tell me about a time you had to make a decision without all the information you wanted.
• Tell me about a time you had more work than you could finish on time.

Consulting behavioral interview questionsAll interview questionsBehavioral interview practiceTimed video practiceHireVue interview questionsMcKinsey PEI questions