IQVIA (SEA) - Associate Consultant Position

Hi there, 

I've recently prepped a candidate for IQVIA Life Sciences US, so happy to share my perspective. 

1. How strong is IQVIA's overall brand? Does their Life science specialization on par or even better compared to MBB or others (ZS, LEK, etc.) ? They're perceived as a boutique brand that's growing fast and they're especially known for their Life Sciences brand. One could argue that they are specialising in that niche and are almost on par with LEK. 
2. Is it relatively easier to switch to MBB later on given I have 2 years of experience currently in Finance? does it really affect my specialization (generalist vs life science) and will I enter as entry-level or senior position after 1 year or 2? I wouldn't say it's easier, but it's possible. It's going to be as easy or hard as switching from any other consulting firm that is Tier 2 or 3. What matters rather is how you develop your own value proposition in the time that you are there. 
3. Are the engagements only locally-based or a mixed with international projects (meaning travel for work)? It depends on the office that you're going for, but you can rather assume that it's partly international. Not all projects will require you to travel though.
4. Is it easy/possible to get internally transferred to other offices permanently abroad (KL, Vietnam, Indonesia, etc.)? Yes, like with most other firms, this is easier to do once you're already in the firm for about 2 years or so. 

Best of luck,

Cristian

Hi there,

Here are some prior Q&As to help:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/is-iqvia-better-or-ey-parthenonmonitor-deloitte-9385

They're very much a boutique, but I can't speak to their exact reputation compared to ZS/LEK. It's really important to network with people at the firm to understand their work, ways of working, culture, etc.!

It will not be “easy” to switch to MBB. It will never be easy. Could this be a potential pathway? Sure! But a lot of stars have to align.

Hi,

IQVIA is pretty strong in terms of life sciences/healthcare consulting. I knew an ex-colleague who transferred there.

Is it possible to switch to MBB? Theoretically yes. But the reality is that the life science/healthcare consulting market is really small in SEA compared to other industries and MBB doesn't really do this.