Experienced hire: should I apply to generalist role or specific practice?

Hi there,

The ideal choice between generalist vs specialist depends on your interest and where you want to focus in the future.

Answering your questions:

(1) Given that I have several years of banking experience, and I have been worked on several financial service projects at my current consulting firm, would applying to the financial service practice increase my opportunity to be recruited?

If you have competencies in a specific area and they are looking for someone with your profile there, you will have higher chances to be invited for interviews. However, if you don’t want to cover that practice area anymore, I don’t think it is a good idea to apply there just to increase your chances – you may get the job and then work further on something you don’t like.

(2) If I select specific practice, will I be able to be staffed in other industry's project? I am not totally sure I want to focus just on one industry at this career stage.

Possibly. But you will most likely focus on that practice the majority of the time. I would not recommend to join a practice hoping to do something else.

All in all: if you want to focus on different sectors, I would apply for generalist, otherwise for the specific practice you want to specialize in.

Best,

Francesco

Sounds like it is a discussion on trade-off between your chances of being hired and your enjoyment of the actual consulting role. For experienced hires, it helps if you can “sell” your industry knowledge, which you have in banking. 

So to answer your questions 1 and 2 directly:

1. Yes, applying to FS practice will increase your chances

2. At least at the start, you will be staffed mostly on FS projects. Later, you could ask to move sectors or work in other sectors, but would need very good reasons…

Hi!

The most important consideration is: Where do you see yourself in 2-5 years?

Then you might also discuss with HR and see where they see the best fit within the company.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Anto

Considering that you have significant FS experience - it will be difficult for you to evade FS regardless of which track you choose. There is still a possibility to do so in the generalist track by trying to reach out and network with partners in other practice areas.

The answer to this question is one of personal preference. If you do decide to apply for an industry specific role there is a higher chance of being invited to interview at McK. However, you will be expected to work at least 50% of your time in that practice and realistically it will be closer to 100% of the time at least for the first year or so. 

If you don't want to work in financial services then it is not worth applying to it as you may end up at McK but not end up in a role you desire to be in. 

Udayan

Hi there,

I want to simplify for this.

You don't want to keep working in banking/FS…so you should not apply to be a banking/FS consultant…apply GENERALIST!

Yes, you will have better odds being hired as a specialist (as long as  “several” years means more than just 3-4).

But, what's the point? You will be “stuck” on FS projects (no, you're not going to be able to go and explore…that's the entire point of a generalist path). 

My strong view is you should apply generalist…if you truly don't want to stay in FS.