Is it possible for MBB to hire someone as an Associate 2 right away?

Hi there, and thanks for the good question. 

The short answer is that it is possible that you get the offer for an Associate 2 position, but unlikely. Since your experience is going to be lower than 1 year at the other firm, they will probably receive you as an entry level candidate. On my personal case, I had 3.5 years previous experience in project development/planning/business case and they offered me a SAC position at Bain (3rd year Associate). To make sure you stand a chance of getting “accelerated“, there are 3 things you should think of:

1) Go VERY well in the interviews: if the reviews from your interviewers state that you had a brilliant performance, this helps a lot

2) Try multiple recruiting processes: having a cross-offer definitely helps on how you are going to be perceived

3) Be careful on how to mention this goal to the recruiting team: once you have a feeling that you are going well in the process (and only if that’s the case), I would politely reach out to the recruiting team explaining that “I want to check if it makes sense to discuss a Associate 2 position given my previous experience”. Would only do that if you are doing well - failing on the #1 above will probably be a no go.

Having said all of that, have in mind that the consulting career is as accelerated as it can get - don’t try to push it even further. You will be often exposed to responsibilities and people you would otherwise just hear about years later in other normal jobs. I would avoid having this type of objectives, and would allow myself to follow the consulting career as it should be, giving the (little) time there is to learn the skills and progress along the (steep) curve. It makes no sense to find “shortcuts” which later will potentially bring you quicker but not ready to other positions. Remember it is more a marathon, and not a sprint ;)

Hope it helps! 

Wish you good luck, and keep us posted.

Best, Afonso

Hi there, 

To begin with, ‘Associate’ is a bit of a confusing firm because Associate is entry level in BCG but in McK is a couple of years after Business Analyst. 

Nevertheless, I assume that you mean the more senior non-manager consultant level and if that's true, I think it's quiet unlikely to get recruited directly in that role with the experience that you describe. They usually hire as associates people with significant work experience, ideally even with consulting experience or people with PhDs. 

Hi there,

I am not familiar with the ME dynamics, but here in Europe, in BCG, a candidate with a Masters and 2 years of work experience (even in another consultancy) is hired as an Associate 1 (so the entry-level full-time position), and it is only some PhD candidates from top schools that might get exceptionally hired as Associate 2 (i.e. promised a 1 year “discount” in the wait for the next promotion to a Senior Associate).

But that being said, negotiating never hurts!

Hope this helps and good luck,

Highly unlikely. Associates typically have work experience to begin with so that is nothing unique. Additionally what they want is relevant work experience (so ideally as a management consultant at MBB) which you do not have. It is not worth pushing for A2 from the start, you are much better off going through the experience as an A1 and if you are doing really well a lot of firms will promote you to manager sooner anyway.

Best,

Udayan

Extremely unlikely where you would not meet the expectations of a second year Associate (i.e., 6-12 months before next role).

Hi there,

With a Master's it actually should be possible. I wouldn't write it off as an option - ultimately you'll want to network and get in touch with HR/recruiting to see what's possible for your specific office etc.