BCG transferring office post intership

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the internship offer from BCG!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your questions:

• First of all, transferring offices after an internship is possible but can vary greatly depending on the firm's needs, the offices involved, and your performance during the internship. Generally, it's easier to transfer within the same country or region. For a move to a different country, factors such as work permits and language requirements could add complexity.
• Moreover, regarding the interview process for transferring, it largely depends on the policies of the specific BCG office you're aiming to transfer to. Some offices might require a new set of interviews, especially if there's a significant time gap between your internship and the transfer request. However, if your performance during the internship was exemplary, this might be leveraged to simplify the process.
• Lastly, I would highly advise you to initiate this conversation as early as possible with your HR contact or mentor within BCG. Expressing your interest in a different office post-internship should be approached with tact, focusing on your commitment to the firm and the specific reasons why the other office aligns better with your professional and personal goals.

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

Best,

Hagen

You can find the DACH consulting salaries report 2024 here!

Hi there,

congratulations on the offer. 

You are typically expected to join the office you receive the offer from. If you have some specific (personal) reasons as to why you would want to join a different office (in the same country), then this is something that could be talked about with the firm. Because the same management and HR team is responsible for both offices and it all falls under the same overall P&L.

If you are talking about transferring to another office in a different region/country, then this becomes next to impossible. Each region/country has their own needs, requirements, budgets and processes to recruit candidates so that offers are not fungible across the board. 

You would either have to start where you received the offer, perform well for 2+ years and establish a good standing, network with people from your desired target office so you have advocates and then apply for an internal transfer. Or you would have to do a separate recruiting process with the other office - which of course still creates internal issues.

Hope that helps

Hi there,

Congratulations on the BCG offer! In terms of your questions:

1) How easy is it to transfer after an internship?

This is quite difficult right after the internship. I would expect you will need to work there for a few years before being able to relocate.

2) Will I have to go through the whole interview process again? 

If you would like to move internally after a few years, that should not be needed. If you want to move immediately, you might need to do a new application for that office.

Best,

Francesco

Hi there,

Q1: How easy is it to transfer after an internship?

Quite difficult. Transfers usually happen after 1-2 years working in a full time position. On top, consulting firms are becoming more strict with internal transfers these days due to the economic situation.

Q2: Will I have to go through the whole interview process again? 

That might be the case if you want to start in the new office now. I just you discuss your options with HR.

Best,

Alberto

—

Check out my latest case based on a real MBB interview: Sierra Springs

To be completely transparent, until you have worked for ~2 years at the firm, any such moves are typically looked at unfavorably. Now some people have a legitimate reason (e.g., getting married to a partner that lives in the new location) but outside of that early moves are not encouraged.

So in short - it will not be easy to transfer unless you have a very strong reason to do so and you will likely have to interview again depending on the recommended process for the new office.

It's next to impossible. 

Sorry. 

Realistically, most offices don't like transfers. They tend to see themselves as having invested in your recruitment and they don't want to lose you. Plus, they don't like the administrative hassle of a transfer.

Transfers become way easier after the first 2 years when you have a value prop and you can create a strong pull (i.e., you have 1-3 Partners from the target office requesting your transfer). 

The alternative - which I actually think is easier - is to reapply for a different location. 

Sorry. Just wanted to be 100% honest.

Best,
Cristian

It is very difficult. Moreover in current market situation.

Unless you have a valid reason - if something changed in your life, it is normal that you change your priority location as well. If nothing changed… it is unlikely to happen.