Applying to US MBB office for non-US

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:

• Yes, you can apply to McKinsey, BCG, and Bain offices in the US even though you are not from the US, have not gone to school there, or have any other affiliation with it. These firms have a global presence and often hire candidates from different countries and backgrounds. However, it's important to be aware that obtaining a work visa to be eligible to work in the US can be a complex and time-consuming process.
• Given this, it may be more challenging for you to start your career directly in the US, especially if you are currently studying in Europe. However, this does not mean that you cannot pursue your goal of working in the US eventually.
• One approach to consider is to start your career in strategy consulting in your domestic market, gain relevant experience and skills, and then look for opportunities to transfer to the US later on in your career. This way, you can build a strong foundation of experience and skills, as well as demonstrate your commitment and value to the firm.
• It's also important to note that many consulting firms have rotational programs that allow consultants to work in different offices and countries, which can be an opportunity for you to gain experience in the US market.

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: Can I apply to the US even though I am not from there, have not gone to school there, or have any other affiliation with it?

Normally you need 3 things to apply to a foreign office:

1. Local language knowledge, unless otherwise stated
2. Visa
3. Connection with the country

If you want to work in the US, you have two possible options:

EU option (indirect – higher probability)

1. Find a referral in your home-country office
2. Get an offer in your home-country office
3. Transfer to the US for MBA/after a few years

US option (direct – lower probability)

1. Find a referral in the US
2. Get an offer in the US

Which one is best depends on the overall strength of your profile, the type of referral you can find and the urgency you have to move to the US.

You can find more on referrals here:

▶ How to Get an MBB Referral

Good luck!

Francesco

Hi there, 

It's very difficult. 

Recruiters are also trying to assess whether you have any sort of connection or background with that geography. Otherwise, your application can see random. 

My suggest would be to get a coach to help sharpen your value proposition and find way of creating bridges between your current experience and anything US based.

Best,

Cristian

The short answer in my opinion is that you will be wasting your efforts by doing so. Unless you have the right to work in the US it is close to impossible to apply directly to US offices. The visa process in the US is highly highly convoluted and not favorable to people applying for new roles from outside the US.

Your best bet is to start in Europe and transfer on an L1A visa after at least 1 year of working.

Hi there,

Pretty much impossible, especially now with hiring freezes all over.

I would rather get a job in Europe, then transition after 1-2 years.

Cheers,

Florian

Hello!

In short: no. You would need McK to sponsor you a visa from the very beggining (different than an L visa, that is a transfer once you have worked for 1 year), and that is simply not going to happen. Less so for a junior profile. 

Sorry not to have better news. Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

Hi there,

It honestly doesn't make sense.

If you network a ton and get some great referrals with them urging you to apply to the US, sure. But my view is that this is a tall order. Remember if you work at MBB in Europe that will then open the doors up for the US in the future!

You can. But if you don't have something in your CV that makes you really stand apart, you won't be invited to interview.

And then to get the job, you'll need to be quite superior, and have a really good explanation for why you want to apply to an US office. 

Given that recruiting activity has slowed down in the past few months, the likelyhood of sucess is very close to 0%.

Hi there,

You technical can but not much good is going to come of it, especially in this economic environment.

If you want to work for MBB in the US in the long run, you need to work your way there - either in MBB i.e., starting in Europe and transferring some years later, or build a new career in the US that is easier to enter, get some experience, and apply to MBB locally when you're ready.

Either way, it's a long way to go but not impossible. Best of luck!

Moritz