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Expert Networks vs Local Consulting Firm

Hello everyone, 

I have an offer from an alphasights; however, I am extremely skeptical about taking it since my end goal is to join a top tier consulting company. Would it be better than joining a local boutique firm that was recently acquired by Kearney (it has a very good reputation in the MENA region). 

Thank you in advance folks. 

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Top answer
on Feb 29, 2024
#1 Rated & Awarded McKinsey Coach | Top MBB Coach | Verifiable success rates

Congrats on the two offers!

Actually, if your plan is to be in consulting, it might make sense to take the consulting offer from the firm that Kearney acquired in MENA. 

Then, you can move up the tiers in 2-3 years if this is your objective. 

Best,
Cristian

Anonymous A
on Feb 29, 2024
Thank you for the answer Christian,
Actually my objective is to get into MBB within a year or so from joining the local firm. Would that be feasible?
Dennis
Coach
on Feb 29, 2024
Roland Berger|Project Manager and Recruiter|7+ years of consulting experience in USA and Europe

Hi there,

as a consultant you will use Alphasights (and the likes) to find experts for you to interview during due diligence projects for example. If you want to become a consultant, don’t waste your time at an expert agency sifting through LinkedIn profiles and cold-calling people. Build your consulting skill-set instead asap. So in your case, the boutique consulting firm would be better suited for your midterm objectives. 

Best of luck 

Pedro
Coach
on Feb 29, 2024
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Senior Coach | Principal | Recruiting Team Leader

For alphasights I guess your expertise would be on tracking down experts, validating their expertise, and signing them on the platform. Not a very useful skill for consulting.

Definitely the best option would be to join the boutique consulting firm.

on Mar 01, 2024
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Q: Would it be better than joining a local boutique firm that was recently acquired by Kearney (it has a very good reputation in the MENA region). 

If you want to work in strategy consulting, the boutique seems a better fit, at least in terms of the type of work.

You can double-check the best option in terms of exits as follows:

  1. Look for alumni of the two companies on LinkedIn.
  2. Check how many moved to your preferred exits in your target region.
  3. Normalize for the size of the companies in the region.

This hopefully will give you a data-driven answer.

Good luck!

Francesco

Alberto
Coach
on Mar 06, 2024
Ex-McKinsey AP | Professional MBB Coach | +13yrs experience | +2,000 real interviews | +150 offers

Hi there,

The boutique firm jobs looks more aligned with your end goal of joining top tier consulting. Under my experience, AlphaSight (and platforms alike) makes more sense in a later stage of your career when you have wide professional experience and work outside consulting.

Best,

Alberto

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

on Feb 29, 2024
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer

Hi,

I would take the consulting offer.

Alphasights will not really give you as relevant of a background, training or ‘in’ into the consulting field that you want to join.

Happy to chat more in detail (I've worked extensively with Alphasights before as a vendor during my time in BCG).