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Can you suggest certifications to strengthen profile for consulting?

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Vlad
Coach
on Oct 20, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Hi, it's less about certificates, but more about various achievements and other factors:

  1. University brand
  2. Internships you had before
  3. Extracurricular activities:
  • Launching your own venture and entrepreneurial activities (even failing them is fine)
  • Grants / scholarships - even better if related to some research or entrepreneurial projects
  • Projects for companies - you may consider doing a free project for the company or a startup or writing a case that future grads will use
  • Volunteer / social activities. I would aim at the activities where you can have a leadership role. Organizing some club may work as well.
  • Case Competitions-especially the ones organized by your target company
  • Researches / articles published in well-known sources

4. Career moves so far:

  • Brand of the company
  • Career growth and achievements
  • Postgraduate extracurricular activities

Best,

on Oct 19, 2018
Ex-MBB, Experienced Hire; I will teach you not only the how, but also the why of case interviews

What kind of consulting are you talking about? Assuming strategy... Graduate education (MBA, JD, PhD) + MBB. Cerfitications are meaningless in this field of work.

If now you are talking about specific consulting, things are different. A CFA or CPA would obviously have value for banking / investment / ... consulting; an MD would be valuable for Healthcase. These aren't certifications however. Perhaps IT cerfitifications for an IT company? In general though, I view certifications as degree-lite programs -> short amount of time invested in getting that piece of paper, and low value.  Your best bet is still a long list of happy clients.

Anonymous A
edited on Oct 20, 2018

I am a PhD STEM student and I did a certificate in Business Management (240hrs) with a finance specialization at my schools Extension school at night.  Really helped me with business concepts and firms** liked it becuase it showed my long-standing interest in business.

**Got an MBB offer

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