Applying to London firms

Question

Hi everyone.

I have been working at a supranational bank in London for the past few months. Although it’s more of a middle office position, there’s lots of hard skills I’m learning and deploying. My job is financial modelling, but it’s very intensely focused on details and aggregation. It’s mostly for investments in project finance & energy. The point of the job is to take the hard part (financial modelling, structuring, etc) off the deals team, as it is more focused on managing the deal flow and the ”politics” associated with it. Apologies for the redundancy, just wanted to clarify where I’m coming from.

I also didn’t go to uni in the UK. I have a target MSc in Finance from a european uni.

I’m thinking about applying to consulting positions in London. However, I worry tha:

1. My background isn’t preferable. I hear that MBB for example are nearly full of UK uni grads only, with relevant experience.

2. I don’t have the best GPA.

Thoughts?

Answer 1

Hi there,

Q: I’m thinking about applying to consulting positions in London. However, I worry that my background isn’t preferable and I don’t have the best GPA. Thoughts?

While your education/work experience might not match the standard profile, it doesn’t mean they won’t consider your application. I am currently helping a candidate with several years of experience in a national central bank (not a common profile) and he got easily connected with the partners in many consulting firms and scheduled interviews right after.

In terms of the GPA, your grades are going to impact the application, but are not the only relevant factor. They will also consider:

The rest of the CV (school brand name, work experience, leadership experiences, extracurriculars)
The cover letter (if required)
If you have referrals

Getting a referral is probably the best way to compensate for any issue with the GPA. You can find more information on networking and referrals below:

▶ How to Get an MBB Invitation

Good luck!

Francesco

Answer 2

Your experience in financial modelling and your MSc in Finance can be valuable assets in the consulting industry. It's important to highlight the transferable skills you have gained, such as analytical thinking, problem-solving, and attention to detail. Regarding your GPA, while it is a factor that firms consider, it is not the sole determinant of your suitability for a consulting role. It's important to showcase your skills, achievements, and the impact you have made in your current role. Additionally, networking and obtaining referrals can significantly enhance your chances of securing an interview. I would be happy to provide further guidance and support in your application process.

Answer 3

You are developping analytical skills and that is a position, although consulting firms don't care in particular for the specific financial skills you are getting (i.e., they value, but it's not the same a consulting).

You should network a bit to increase your chances, but the only sure way to know is to actually apply.

P.S. Recruiting is slow, particularly in the UK, and experienced candidates are not a priority.

Answer 4

Hi there,

I don't really know enough without seeing your resume. However, that said, why not try? Get your resume as strong as possible. Network a ton. Apply at the right time. And apply to a bunch of firms (not just MBB). Then, see what happens.

You have nothing to lose other than time!

Answer 5

Hi!

Thanks for sharing your profile.

First of all, I wouldn't make it the singular target to get into MBB. I'd rather make it about you wanting to enter the industry. Once you achieve that, then you can shift between firms in time.

If you believe you don't have a great profile, then don't attempt to enter the most competitive firms in one of the world's most competitive offices right from the beginning. Take it step by step.

Second of all, you can't change much about your profile / experience in the short term. But you can change a lot about how you present your story. I recommend actually get expert help on this. Sharing with you a guide on how to put together your application strategy:

Expert Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

In short, you have a decent profile and stand a change. What will make the difference at the end of the day is how you approach the process.

Good luck!
Cristian

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