Hello there,
Kinda lost here. I just wanted to ask how a private coaching sessions would advantage me as a young professional looking to break into consulting in Saudi Arabia (Saudi national btw). Aside from case practice, will it help me with networking skills and things like that?
I come from non-target school, background..etc.
I just want to hear some opinions before I invest money into it.
Thank you very much for this amazing platform and community!
Hi,
A coach can help on 3 main aspects:
For points 2 and 3, the impact depends a lot on both the quality of the coach and the amount of work you personally put in. A good coach can definitely accelerate your preparation.
Point 1, however, is also strongly influenced by your past background. No coach can perform miracles. I would honestly be cautious with coaches who promise unrealistic outcomes.
That said, optimizing your resume and building a proper networking strategy are the best tools you have right now, and a coach can help greatly with both. It is just important to understand that this is not a guaranteed path to success.
That is also why I always recommend applying broadly across several consulting firms rather than focusing only on one company.
Hope this helps.
Franco
Hi,
Honestly, for non-target candidates, coaching can help a lot, but mainly because it shortens the learning curve.
A good coach should help you:
Especially in Saudi/GCC recruiting, positioning and networking matter more than many people realize.
That said, I wouldn’t spend a lot of money immediately. I’d first do a few live cases, understand where you struggle, then use coaching in a more targeted way.
In my opinion, 2–3 strong coaching sessions with the right person are usually more valuable than buying a huge package too early.
Best,
Soheil
Very fair question.
My honest view is that good coaching is not just about “doing cases.” The real value is helping you understand:
A lot of people think consulting interviews are about being naturally smart or coming from the right school. In reality, interviewing well for consulting is a very trainable skill.
Especially coming from a non-target background, coaching can help with:
And honestly, another underrated benefit is that it can help you understand whether consulting is actually the right fit for you before you invest years into it.
You definitely do not need coaching to succeed — many people make it without it. But for some candidates, especially those without a traditional background or network, it can accelerate the learning curve a lot.
The important thing is to choose someone whose background and style fit what you need. Different coaches are useful for different things.
If you want, happy to do a quick 15-min intro call and discuss your profile / goals. Sometimes even a short conversation helps clarify whether coaching would actually be useful in your case.
Hi there,
Honestly, a coach is usually most valuable not because of “more case practice,” but because they help you avoid wasting time and fixing the wrong things. Especially coming from a non-target background, having someone who understands the recruiting process can accelerate your progress quite a bit.
A good coach should help with:
For Saudi Arabia specifically, networking and positioning matter a lot, and many candidates underestimate that. Your profile/background does not automatically disqualify you at all — in fact, local nationals are highly valued in the region — but you need to position your experience correctly and perform well in interviews.
It’s usually better to start with 1–2 sessions, assess the value, identify your gaps, and then decide if it’s worth continuing. A good coach should give you clarity and direction fairly quickly.
Also, coaching is not a substitute for your own prep — it works best when combined with consistent practice.
Happy to help you in this - feel free to reach out
Best
Evelina
hey!
Private coaching helps most when you don’t have a target‑school brand and want to remove guesswork. A good coach won’t just run cases with you; they’ll tighten your whole profile. They can finalize your CV so it actually fits consulting standards, tell you which companies in Saudi Arabia match your background, and train you on personal fit, communication, and confidence. They can also help you with networking, how to reach out, what to say, and how to build relationships without feeling awkward.
For someone from a non‑target background, the real value is speed and clarity. Instead of spending months figuring things out alone, you get a clean plan, clean habits, and someone who pressure‑tests you until you’re consistent.
Alessa
Where coaching helps. Sharp feedback on the case habits peers miss. CV and fit story help from someone who's seen thousands of applications. After 3 to 5 sessions, the coach learns your patterns.
Where it helps less. Networking, that's on you. Daily case volume, peers are fine. Insider firm intel comes from your own network.
For your situation, Saudisation works in your favour. The real bottleneck is case performance, and that's where coaching helps most. CV positioning also matters more for non-target backgrounds.
How to invest. Start with 3 to 5 sessions, not 20. Most coaches charge $200 to $400 per session. Pick one with GCC or Saudi experience.
Good luck.
Hey there,
I think its a very good question to ask you start contemplating making an investment in coaching. Having worked with McKinsey Riyadh office, I can share a lot of insights on expectations around networking and would be able to work with you on a plan to prepare for your application process and afterwards help you with practicing for the interviews.
Please reach out if interested to schedule a 15-minute intro call.
Sherif
Hi there,
That's a great question.
Indeed, a coach can help you with interview prep. But they can do much more than that.
Ideally, they are a mentor to you. They guide you through the application process, they set your expectations of the job, they sharpen your thinking process, etc.
Effectively, they try and teach you everything that they know so that your overall journey is smoother and better.
If you need help with this, reach out for an intro call and I'd love to meet you.
Best,
Cristian
