How to break into Middle east consulting

Hi,

Interesting question!

Hoping I can help since I incidentally went to INSEAD, then worked at McKinsey for 7 years and now I am based in Dubai :)

Let's break this into two parts:

(A) Getting a consulting interview: Your proposed way forward is definitely on the right track. INSEAD is a top consulting school and has consistently been the #1 source of talent for MBB for a very long time. McKinsey for example (almost always) hires the most number of consultants from INSEAD, than from any other school in the world, and this has been true for a very long time!

(B) Landing a top-consulting offer in the Middle East: There are two important things to note here. It is almost impossible to change industry, function and geography (all three) at the same time even if you do an MBA. Here's why:

- Prior to INSEAD, my background was in Industry -> Media, Function -> Sales and Geography -> India. It is neigh near impossible to transition from that to Industry -> Investment banking, Function -> Finance and Geography -> London for example, simply because you cannot change all three dimensions. 

- Therefore, it is very important to figure out what is your non-negotiable and then anchor around that dimension. In my case, I ensured that I kept Function constant by specifically applying to the Marketing & Sales practice of McKinsey. This allowed me to change my Industry to -> Consulting and Geography to -> Europe.

The next thing to note is that there is an unconscious bias when it comes to recruiting into consulting. One way or another you will see that the most preferred profiles for consulting shortlisting often comes down to the following:

- Most preferred -> Candidates with prior Investment banking experience, private equity background etc. at large American brand names
- Next most preferred -> Candidates with ex-consulting experience at Tier 1.5-2.0 consulting firms, or roles like CEO's office, strategy work, in-house consulting etc.
- Next most preferred -> Candidates who have had experience in the same geography to which they are applying, with large global well-known brands (e.g., have previously worked in London for five years, if you are applying to London office etc.)
- Next most preferred -> Prior industry experience in sales, operations etc. if you apply specifically to that practice (e.g., Operations practice, Marketing and Sales practice etc.)

Happy to connect one on one if you'd like to chat. Hope that helps and good luck!

hey there :)

Your profile would be very strong for Middle East consulting. Prior consulting experience is one of the biggest advantages for ME offices, and lack of regional experience or Arabic is not a blocker, it is a nice to have but not required. I worked at BCG Dubai as well and saw many hires from INSEAD with similar backgrounds who transitioned successfully. What matters most is clear motivation for the region, strong performance during the MBA and solid networking with the target offices. You definitely have a real shot. Happy to help more if you want.

best,
Alessa :)

Hi there,

With BCG India experience, your profile would be very strong for both INSEAD and Middle East consulting recruiting. INSEAD in particular is one of the main feeders into consulting roles in the region, and prior MBB experience significantly increases your odds.

Not having prior Middle East experience or language skills is not a blocker. While regional exposure can help, offices primarily value consulting skill, performance, and clear motivation for the region. What will matter most is a convincing story for why the Middle East, strong networking with the target offices during the MBA, and solid case performance.

Overall, assuming admission to INSEAD, your chances of landing consulting in the Middle East would be good.

Best,
Evelina

About a third of the candidates I work with target ME, so the profile you're describing is very familiar to me. 

In short, yes, you do have a chance. 

An MBA at a top European school would be a great lever because the ME offices tend to recruit directly from there (I've had this exact situation with multiple candidates). 

You will need to ensure that you have a top application package. If you need support with reviewing your CV and CL, please reach out for a professional review. 

And ideally, you will need a referral. I'm sharing here a guide I developed that will walk you through the main steps of getting a referral if you don't have contacts in the region. By the way, I would only start the referral process once you're weeks away from submitting the application:

• • Expert Guide: How To Get Referrals Via LinkedIn?

Best,
Cristian

Hi there,

Given your experience in BCG, and if you get a top European school, there shouldn't be any issues for you to have a good shot at moving to the middle east. INSEAD in particular is known to be a very international school where students move geographies post-graduation. You should try to build a story as to why you want to move to the middle east, although not required.

This is a smart approach. Planning to leverage your BCG Associate background through a top feeder school like INSEAD is arguably the most efficient way to land an MBB role in the Middle East.

Let's cut straight to the mechanics: Your profile—BCG experience paired with an INSEAD MBA—is exceptionally strong for the ME offices, particularly Dubai (DXB) and Riyadh (RUH). INSEAD is a high-volume pipeline for McKinsey, Bain, and BCG in that region. The ME offices actively seek candidates who already have high-caliber consulting experience because it significantly reduces their onboarding risk, which is a major concern when hiring high-cost expats. Your BCG tenure is a massive advantage; it signals immediate competency.

Regarding your concern about regional experience or language, here is the reality: While Arabic is certainly useful for client service and internal career progression in the long run, it is rarely a requirement for direct entry into the Consultant rank via the MBA route. The ME firms rely heavily on target schools like INSEAD to fill slots, and they know the majority of those candidates are not native Arabic speakers. Focus on articulating your commitment to the region and demonstrating cultural adaptability, not fluency.

Your immediate strategic priority isn't regional knowledge; it's getting the INSEAD acceptance. Once you have that, you should start internal networking now. Reach out to your BCG India alumni network who have transferred to ME offices. An internal transfer pathway, even if preliminary, can further grease the wheels for your post-MBA hiring narrative. You are positioned extremely well.

Hope it helps!