Advice for late-finisher PhD

Hi there,

My advice:

1. Get another job in the meantime
2. Do “pro bono” consulting work. There are hundreds of organizations out there that get you consulting experience
3. Start daily reading to build up your knowledge
4. Start case prep (you can always take breaks)
5. Network
6. Get your resume ready

Here's some reading regarding case prep: https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/pitfalls-case-interview-preparation

Hi there, 

It's great to hear that you have that clarity. 

There are multiple things that you can in do in between. Here are some of them:

1. Apply - even if the cohort-based recruitment is over, companies are still recruiting on an off-cycle basis. Just reach out to the recruiter and ask for it. 
2. Work on your application documents - make sure you have an amazing CV and cover letter
3. Network - speak with consultants, learn about the industry, figure out what sort of role would be the best fit for you and get a referral. HERE you can read about how to do this. 
4. Practice - start doing cases and developing your stories and value proposition for the fit interview. This part can take a while so it's great if you can spread it out over a longer period of time
5. Develop a cadence for practicing so you don't burn out or lose enthusiasm. I've coached candidates even across 12 month timelines and this part is critical.

Reach out to me directly in terms of jobs. I have one idea that might be super relevant for you. 

And good luck,

Cristian

Hi there,

I think this is an interesting question that may be relevant for many people. I would be happy to share my thoughts on it:

• First, it's important to gain relevant work experience. While you may be looking for a job now, it's important to find one that aligns with your goals and helps you to develop the skills and experience that are valued in the consulting industry. Look for roles in industries or functions that are relevant to consulting, such as finance, strategy, operations, or project management.
• Second, it's important to continue developing your problem-solving and analytical skills. This can be done by taking on complex projects at work, volunteering for additional responsibilities, or even taking on a side project that allows you to apply the skills you've acquired during your PhD.
• Third, it's important to build a network of professionals in the consulting industry. This can be done by attending recruiting events, connecting with alumni from your university who work in consulting, and reaching out to consultants through LinkedIn. Building a strong network will help you to learn more about the industry and to make valuable connections that can assist you in your job search.
• While it may be frustrating that you missed the application deadlines for the 2023 intake, it's important to focus on the steps you can take now to prepare yourself for future opportunities. With the right combination of work experience, skills development, and networking, you will be well-positioned to apply as an advanced degree candidate with strategy or operational consulting firms in September 2023.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to address your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

Q: What is the best thing for me to do between now and then? I need a job, but ideally one which will help me on my career progression

In terms of brand name, the following are probably the options that help the most with the screening:

• Consulting (possibly some smaller firms still have openings for summer internships)
• Investment banking
• Strategy division of big brands or growth-stage startup

What works best also depends on your country. You can easily reverse-engineer the best options by looking on LinkedIn where current consultants in your target companies worked in the past.

Finally, I would also take into account what you would like to do – I don’t think it makes much sense to get a job that you don’t like just because it makes it easier to move to consulting later on.

Good luck!

Francesco

Hello!

First, I think that the fact that you have a PdH makes you somehow too senior for a BA role, and hence either associate or jr. associate would be the right fit. That is going to depend on your experience prior to the PhD. 

THis is great news, since for those roles the intake timing is not strict as for BAs (that go in classes). 

Hence, do apply as soon as you can, and netoworking is always the best way to get in (particularly in off-cycle situations)

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

Hi there,

As a PhD, in many offices, you are considered an experienced hire candidate and can apply off-cycle. However, the first step would be to network and reach out to consultants from your target office to get their buy-in for a referral and feedback if your profile would be interesting for MBB.

Cheers,

Florian

You can apply off-cycle. That should be your first step. And you should apply to both MBB and Tier 2 firms immediately.