Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!

Anonymous A

on Jul 14, 2025

Middle East

From Legal to Consulting: Looking for Guidance on Entering the Middle East Market

Hello everyone! I’m currently looking for career advice and would truly appreciate your insights.

Let me briefly introduce my background:

I hold both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Law (non-target schools), completed in Russia and Germany.
I have professional experience as a legal specialist (international trade law) and, more recently, as a business analyst and brand analyst.
I also completed an internship at the United Nations.

Now, I’m very interested in exploring opportunities in the consulting industry, especially in the Middle East region. I understand that we’re currently in a quieter hiring period, and that the next active recruitment season is expected to begin around September.

I have two main questions:

Based on my background, what are my chances of entering the consulting market in the Middle East?
Is it realistic to expect a noticeable increase in job opportunities in September compared to the summer?

Thank you very much in advance for your thoughts!

200+

Be the first to answer!

Nobody has responded to this question yet.

Top answer

Salman

Coach

on Jul 16, 2025

Ex-McKinsey (Dubai) | 4+ YoE | Jr. Engagement Manager in Private Capital + Public Sector | Interviewer-led MBB coaching

There are two realistic paths forward for you in the Middle East:

Option 1: Consulting
You’ll need to build a clear narrative around why you're pivoting from law to consulting. Focus on transferable skills: structured thinking, research, communication, and client-facing work.
That said, most candidates from non-STEM backgrounds struggle with case math and data handling. You’ll need to invest real time in mastering that. Start networking with consultants from your region who’ve made similar pivots (including Russian or Central Asian profiles now working in UAE/KSA, MBB office closures in Moscow led to a lot of people moving from Moscow to Dubai/Riyadh). Apply when you feel ready, as experienced hire application windows operate on a rolling deadline basis.

Option 2: Legal track
Don’t overlook top-tier legal firms. Magic Circle and white-shoe firms like A&O, White & Case, and Trowers & Hamlins are actively expanding in the region, especially in KSA and the UAE. Regional leaders like Al Tamimi are also scaling. Your legal background (especially in international trade) aligns well with regulatory, project finance, and infrastructure advisory roles they’re hiring for. These roles often require international exposure and adaptability.

Both paths are viable. Consulting will require heavier upskilling. Legal is closer to your core and may offer a faster entry point regionally. Depends what you want.

Cristian

Coach

on Jul 14, 2025

#1 Rated McKinsey Coach | Top MBB Coach | Verifiable success rates

Hi there,

I've worked with several candidates transitioning from law to consulting, so feel free to reach out for a more in-depth discussion.

Overall, yes, former lawyers or law students are attractive to consulting firms because the field already signals a rigour of thought and high academic performance.

However, you need to craft and tell your story in the right way, to explain why you're making this transition and why you would be qualified to do it.

Regarding the Middle East specifically, if you don't have any connection with the place (you didn't study there, aren't from there, etc.) then chances are small that you'll pass the screening. Still, there are ways, such as ensuring you have a strong referral.

You might find these two guides useful:

Best,
Cristian

Evelina

Coach

on Jul 15, 2025

EY-Parthenon (7 years) l BCG offer holder l 97% success rate l 10% off first session l free 15' intro call l LBS

Hi there,

Your diverse background—law, business analysis, and international exposure—can absolutely translate into a compelling consulting profile, especially in the Middle East, where firms value multilingual, cross-functional candidates.

To your questions:

Chances of breaking in: While a non-traditional path and non-target schools mean you’ll need to tell a crisp, well-structured story (why consulting, why now, why you), your international experience and analytical roles are assets. Networking and referrals will be key—especially in the Gulf markets where warm intros matter.
Hiring timeline: Yes, September marks a clear uptick. Most firms ramp up hiring in early autumn, after summer slowdowns and budget resets. Now’s the time to prep cases, polish your CV/cover letter, and start building connections.

Happy to help you prep – feel free to reach out.

Best,

Evelina

Top Answer by

Salman

Coach

Ex-McKinsey (Dubai) | 4+ YoE | Jr. Engagement Manager in Private Capital + Public Sector | Interviewer-led MBB coaching

General Knowledge

In case interviews, having solid general knowledge can make a big difference, especially in market sizing questions. Knowing basic facts about regions, population sizes, and economic indicators helps you build stronger arguments. It’s not just about the analysis itself but also about showing interviewers that you understand global trends and can quickly process key information — an important skill in consulting.In a case interview, quick and accurate estimates are essential. For example, if you're asked to evaluate the potential market for a product in a specific country, having solid data — like the population size — is crucial. Without this information, it can be challenging to make a meaningful calculation.In addition to national market data, it's important to know about key global markets. Being familiar with major economic regions like the U.S., China, and the EU is valuable because large consulting firms such as McKinsey and BCG operate extensively in these areas. A solid understanding of these regions shows that you can think about global factors and helps you stand out from other candidates. What Your Knowledge of Population, Economy & Geography Says About YouHaving strong general knowledge in specific areas not only shows that you are well-prepared, but also that you can quickly understand economic relationships—a crucial skill in consulting. When you have information like population sizes or a country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at your fingertips, you can quickly verify assumptions and make informed decisions, which is exactly what case interviews expect.Additionally, your knowledge of these topics demonstrates a genuine interest in world affairs and your ability to recognize and understand global trends. This insight is vital for evaluating how political, economic, and social changes affect businesses. It also highlights your capability to absorb and use complex data effectively.PopulationCountry/RegionPopulation (approx.)Worldwide8.05 billionChina1.426 billionIndia1.419 billionEurope (EU states)450 millionUSA335 millionIndonesia277 millionBrazil203 millionRussia143 millionJapan124 millionGermany83 millionUK68 millionGDP Forecast in USD for 2024Country/RegionGDP 2024 (approx. in trillions USD)Worldwide105 trillion USDUSA25 trillion USDChina18 trillion USDJapan4.3 trillion USDGermany4.5 trillion USDFrance3.0 trillion USDUK3.1 trillion USDIndia3.9 trillion USDItaly2.2 trillion USDBrazil2.1 trillion USDCanada2.2 trillion USD Key Data to Know for Your Case InterviewIn case interviews, making quick and accurate estimates is key. A good grasp of units, along with basic fraction and percentage calculations, is essential for working efficiently. Additionally, being comfortable with time units is important for making rough estimates and calculations. The table of larger and smaller time units below provides a handy overview of commonly needed values. These fundamental skills help you tackle tasks confidently and quickly.Overview of Time Conversions: Days, Weeks and HoursLarger UnitsSmaller UnitsDays/Year365 days (In leap years: 366 days)Days/3 Years1,095 daysDays/4 Years1,461 days (including 1 leap year)Weeks/Year52 weeksHours/Week168 hoursSeconds/Hour3,600 secondsConversion of Fractions to Percentages and Decimal ValuesFractionPercentageDecimal1/520%0.201/616.67%0.16671/714.29%0.14291/812.5%0.1251/911.11%0.11111/1010%0.101/119.09%0.09091/128.33%0.08331/137.69%0.07691/147.14%0.07141/156.67%0.06671/166.25%0.06251/175.88%0.05881/185.56%0.05561/195.26%0.05261/205%0.05Remember, it’s not enough to just memorize these numbers—you also need to be able to calculate with them effectively!Use our Mental Math Tool to specifically train your math skills and prepare for your next interview.

View article

PowerPoint for Consultants – Tips & Tricks

PowerPoint is an essential part of every consultant's day – here, expert Agrim shares his top tips and tricks with you.

View article