How to best position yourself with a "non-traditional" MBB background?

Hi there,

You actually have a really interesting profile, and it’s far more relevant to MBB than it might seem at first glance. Your mix of finance, tech, and now organizational change gives you a rare combination of commercial and human insight: That’s exactly where a lot of MBB work is heading.

The key is how you tell your story. Frame it as a progression: you started in finance, learned how businesses make money, then spent years in tech learning how partnerships and ecosystems work, and now you’re deepening your understanding of people and change. That narrative makes consulting sound like a natural next step rather than a pivot.

In conversations and your application, emphasize skills that already mirror consulting work: Managing complex stakeholders, solving unstructured problems, driving cross-functional projects. You don’t need an MBA to stand out if you can show that you already think and communicate like a consultant.

If you want a practical next step, start reaching out to MBB consultants with similar “non-traditional” backgrounds (tech, industry, psychology) and learn how they framed their transitions. Those stories can give you the exact language to position yourself effectively.

Best of luck!

Hello! 
This is great! Happy to answer as it is so important for people to know that it IS possible to enter MBB even if you're not on the 'traditional path'.

To answer simply the things you must focus on are: Storytelling, Networking and Mastering the Case Prep.

1) Storytelling While important for all candidates for you this will be even more critical. With your CV, cover letter and interactions while networking you need to show the logical flow of why consulting is next, why the firm you're applying for is the best fit and all the transferable skills you bring to consulting - not to mention a fresh perspective!

2) Networking You already have it on your side that you will have INSEAD on your CV which is great for MBB, but you will need to dig into that (and other) networks to get your CV noticed among many of the other more traditional MBA backgrounds. Take the time to properly invest in this part of the process to get yourself in front of the right people, secure referrals and land your interview.

3) Case Prep For everyone this is important, but i think for a non-traditional background you also want to be almost over prepared so that in case they throw something at you to see if you can handle it, you can answer back with solid skills that maybe 'pleasantly surprise' them. 

Good luck with all of this, sounds like you're off to a great start. Happy to connect if you wish to discuss further.

Annika

You profile is not exactly "non-traditional". You have a business background, both from the academic and professional point of view. And used to working in B2B type of roles.

What you need to do applies to any profile. You need to show markers of excellence. You have at least one (studying at Insead). Another one is an international career. I'm sure you may have other markers. Good grades, fast promotions, relevant volunteer work or entrepreneurial activities, etc. 

Add a bit of networking on top of that, and support to have a very well crafted CV (it's not just about what you've done, but how you show what you've done), and you should have a good chance to interview.

Hi,

Great question! I myself faced the same challenge, having applied to consulting with a History background.

I talk about this and also how to prepare for the interview in the following article:

Breaking into consulting from a non-traditional background

Feel free to reach out to me if you would like a more detailed chat.

All the best!

Hey there :)

Your background is actually a strong asset if positioned well. MBB values candidates who bring differentiated experience and maturity, especially in areas like tech partnerships and change management. The key is to frame your story around impact, leadership, and transferable consulting skills: show how you’ve solved complex, cross-functional problems, influenced senior stakeholders, and driven measurable results.

Highlight your Executive Master as evidence of analytical and people-driven thinking, and link it to consulting’s focus on organizational transformation. Emphasize how your blend of business acumen and behavioral insight lets you bridge strategy and human dynamics, something most consultants learn much later.

In interviews, stay structured and hypothesis-driven but let your experience show depth and client empathy. Many non-MBA hires succeed by showing they already think like advisors, even if they haven’t “grown up” in the consulting track.

best, Alessa :)

I disagree that you don't have a traditional background. 

Finance, Executive MBA, Change Management, Tech >>> With these you are as close as possible to the typical profile. 

Non-traditional, rather, means that you're doing a PhD in Chemistry and want to transition into consulting. Or that you used to be a musician and now want to have a corporate career. 

I would need to know more about your background to help you refine your personal story - feel free to reach out - but high level it seems obvious why you would be interested in pursuing consulting.

Best,
Cristian 

Hi there,

Your background seems quite diverse. MBB hires experienced professionals without MBAs when there’s a clear fit between their prior work and consulting skill sets, which is mainly problem-solving, structured thinking, and client leadership.

The key is to translate your experience into consulting language. For example, instead of focusing on “partnerships” or “organizational psychology,” describe how you’ve diagnosed issues, built strategies, and delivered measurable outcomes. The challenge will be showing that you can adapt to consulting’s structured, analytical way of working and not just its people or change aspects.