Fired from MBB

Hi, I'm sorry to hear about your layoff. Firstly, I do not think you need to disclose that you were laid off. Your previous company will also not disclose this (this may differ based on where in Europe you are but I am pretty sure of it) and your prospective employer would not have a reason to suspect so unless the employment dates you give them don't match (e.g. you say that you are currently still employed at the MBB but when they verify that with the MBB, they find out you are no longer there). 

Therefore, what the previous commenter mentioned about the narrative being all that matters is correct. I have seen someone go from MBB after a year to a role at Strategy& (not sure if they were laid off - again, nobody will know unless you tell them), and another to a product manager role at FAANG. It is not at all the end of the world.

I would recommend looking online (LinkedIn, Reddit, other forums etc.) for people who are in your target industry/have pivoted from other industries and reach out to ask how they framed their stories. This will give you an idea of how to frame yours. Best of luck!

Hey, I’m sorry to hear you had this experience. Lateraling into MBB as an experienced hire is tough, especially in this environment.

- You certainly have a chance at strong exits. With 6 years + 1 year at MBB, you can still tell a compelling story

- There are many, many options available to you. You could seek out corporate strategy roles, startup/scaleup roles, etc. Without knowing your seniority at your previous job or at MBB, it’s hard to say what level you would come in at

- I would focus on the story you tell. For example, if you want to move into a P+L role, you could say that MBB was something you wanted to try, but you decided you needed something more hands-on. The narrative is important.

Hope this helps

Hey there :)

first of all, I’m really sorry you’re going through this — it’s incredibly tough, but it doesn’t define your worth or your future. One year at MBB, especially combined with six strong years before, absolutely opens doors. Many firms value the MBB stamp regardless of how long you stayed. You can confidently aim for strategy roles at top corporates, high-growth startups, VC/PE portfolio companies, or even other consultancies if you still want to build that skill set further.

What matters most now is how you frame the story: stay honest, but focus on what you learned, how you grew, and what you’re looking for next. Most people won’t care that you left after a year as long as you present your experience confidently and clearly. And you're definitely not alone — this happens to way more people than you’d think.

Happy to help review your story or prep you for the search if helpful!

best, Alessa :)

Hello there,

First of all, I am so sorry for this situation. I understand that you’re feeling devastated but know that no company defines your value as a professional and as a person. In addition to what was stated, I want to share some notes.
I was an Okish consultant (being super honest, the job did not make sense to me), and after leaving the Firm, I was promoted in 6 months in my next job (tech), received a 50% salary increase in this same company and in the following job, I was rated as a top 5% performer in a 8000 people pool. My goal is definitely not to brag, but to show that sometimes you’re just not in the environment that helps you to perform and that you can absolutely deliver better results and get recognized for it in regular conditions.

If you have the time, don’t rush. Diggest this situation, remember the good things you have done in this 7 years, how much you have learned, and reflect on what you would like to do from now on. That may be a blessing in disguise, the Mck stamp will open doors and you will find out that you can do a brilliant and fulfilling work in a friendlier context.

If that may help, I have an exercise for personal brand / career reflection that I can share with you. Just DM me and I’ll send you.

Best,

Mari

Hi there,

Sorry to hear about the layoff — that’s tough. But here’s the truth most people don’t realize: the average experienced hire at MBB stays less than 12 months. So your tenure? Pretty standard.

That means yes, you do have access to strong exits. But those exits? They’re not handed to you.

Recruiters aren’t just lining up with offers. The best opportunities — the ones that change your trajectory — are hidden behind networking. Quiet conversations. Warm intros. Reaching out before the job even exists.

So be proactive. Even if you’re out, you’re still “ex-MBB” — that’s a powerful card.

Start with former colleagues, especially partners. Reach out to past clients. Tap into that network like your career depends on it — because in a way, it does.

The good exits are real. But you’ll have to go get them.

Best,

Alberto.

Hi there,

First of all, I am sorry to hear about your negative experience!

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

• First of all, I would advise you to not underestimate the value of your consulting experience - even one year, in addition to six years of industry experience, can make for a strong profile.
• Moreover, unfortunately, no one can seriously answer the question of what types of roles you are suited for without seeing your resume and understanding your experience and expertise. Generally, though, you have many options in terms of both roles and industries.
• Lastly, I would advise you to approach this transition the same way you successfully approached the previous one. If you feel that your mental health has been significantly impacted, please consider reaching out to a professional.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare your application files or for your interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

Thanks for sharing so honestly — that takes courage, and you’re definitely not alone in this. What happened is tough, but it doesn’t define your worth or your future.

Yes, you absolutely still stand a chance at strong exits. One year at MBB, combined with six years of prior experience, is a solid foundation. MBB experience carries weight, and many companies value that exposure — even if brief.

Don’t let this shake your confidence. These firms move fast, and sometimes people are caught in shifting priorities. It’s not uncommon, and it says far less about you than you think. What matters now is how you tell your story: focus on the skills you’ve built, your impact, and what you’ve learned.

In terms of next steps, consider:

• Strategy or operations roles at high-growth tech or fintech companies
• Chief of Staff positions
• Internal strategy or transformation teams
• VC platform/portfolio roles
• Specialist or boutique consulting firms

Lean into your network, stay focused on what energizes you, and don’t rush — this is a hard chapter, but not the end of the story. Feel free to DM if you want to talk through options — happy to help.

Best,

Evelina
 

Hi there, 

Sorry to hear this. It must be crushing indeed. 

First of all, 'they don't want anybody who was let go after a year' is mostly in your head. Nobody knows whether you were let go or opted to leave and it's not something you are required to disclose. 

Second of all, even people who are let go by the MBBs are still top calibre people and any mature organisation understands that people have their ups and downs. So nobody is going pin this on you now and not give you a chance. Especially since everybody is aware of how difficult it is to adjust as an experienced hire. 

My recommendation is to first try and shift this into a more positive way in your own mind. Then start having conversations with other people in the industry or firms that you'd want to join. I'm sure opportunities will start popping out soon enough. 

Best,
Cristian