Hi all,
I've heard exit opportunities being cited as one aspect in which MBB/tier 2 beat smaller strategy boutiques, and I can definitely understand the reasoning behind that. However, I was wondering how large the gap is; does strategy consulting still carry weight whichever firm you work for, or do future recruiters only really take notice when the applicant is coming from a larger, well-known firm?
And is the gap more noticeable in certain exit opportunities, e.g. public sector?
Thanks
Hello!
The distinction here is largely one that comes through signaling and network. The MBB name carries a lot of weight, which tends to get you noticed by recruiters (more cold emails, an immediate standout point in your resume, etc.). In addition, the size of MBB means that there are a lot of MBB alumni working in a lot of interesting companies/sectors, and a lot of opportunities get passed through that network. This will probably depend on office/country culture, but in my experience at McKinsey North America we regularly got emails with exit opportunities with ex-McKinsey consultants, who were specifically looking to hire from the firm because they know what McKinsey consultants are like already. So yes, I would say there is a difference, but one that gets smaller with seniority and one that you can diminish for yourself through good work and networking.
Its not the 90s or 2000s anymore and there really isn't a one size fits all answer to your question.
Generally, MBB/Large consulting companies carry weight and will get you noticed better than boutique. But the more senior you go and exit, in my personal experience and through my network, this difference is smaller i.e. if your profile is good and you are market relevant, you will get noticed. Combine this with good networking and making savvy moves, the difference is negligible in a few years of exit.
We live in a tech & supply chain driven world, so a pure strategy consultant without this exposure or good understanding of these area wont go far. Hope you get the point.
I think the answers provided so far are both right. Whether it's warranted or not, recruiters do indeed still use “Ex-MBB” as an easy heuristic to identify quality candidates. That being said, the gap is getting slowly smaller, and the more senior you are, the smaller the gap is.
In some industries (e.g., private equity investing), the gap is near insurmountable. In other industries, the gap is nonexistent or reversed.
But don't let any of this worry you. Exit opportunities for all consultants are attractive, and I'd focus on the next couple of years before you start thinking about your exit.
Good luck!
Hi there,
There is indeed a big gap between the two groups. Just anecdotally, I get reached out to multiple times a week on LinkedIn by people specifically looking for ex-MBB. I have colleagues from non-MBB that barely get reached out to.
Just like going to a top school, a top consultancy is a signal to future employers.
The gap is certainly more noticeable depending on the exit opp.
Hey there,
Agree with Ian here. Anecdotally, the outreach from head hunters + the offered positions are quite different for MBB vs. boutique. Additionally, MBB carries much more weight in large corporations, where boutiques are not even known.
However, some boutiques have a very good reputation in a particular field, which head hunters know about.
Cheers,
Florian
