Level of Competition of MBB and Tier 2 Applications in Emerging Markets vs. Developed Markets

hey there :)

I wouldn’t assume that Southeast Asian offices are automatically easier to break into. The applicant pool may be smaller than London or New York, but local offices can still be extremely selective, especially Singapore. Competition also depends heavily on your background, work authorization, language skills and whether you have a genuine connection to the market.

I’d keep your preparation level the same regardless of office. If anything, tailor the application itself to the specific market by showing why Indonesia or Singapore makes sense for you and highlighting relevant regional experience. The biggest mistake would be treating an emerging market application as a “backup” because you assume it will be easier.

best,
Alessa :)

Hello,

While in SEA applicant volumes are definitely lower than in New York and London; offices are also smaller and hire fewer people. Singapore, in particular, is actually very competitive given the strong international applicant pool.

I would keep the same interview-preparation standard regardless of the office. What should change is your application strategy: tailor your resume/story to the office, demonstrate a credible connection to the target geography, and consider language/work authorization requirements. 

I would not apply to an office simply assuming the bar will be lower.

Best,
Franco

Hi,

How easy it is to break into a particular office is a function of supply and demand,  so for New York and London for example the demand is clearly higher than for most SEA offices, but available spots per intake are also higher given the size of both offices.

That said, if you have genuine ties to one SEA country (e.g. Indonesia), it might be marginally easier to get into that office than in highly sought after locations (e.g. New York or London), just because you are more familiar with the local culture, the economic and societal landscape and so on, which could make a difference in (i) how you connect with the interviewers, (ii) solve cases if they have a local flavour and (iii) how genuine your motivation  looks.

As for the prep, I’d keep the same level no matter the office, aiming at always doing as best as you can throughout each step of the process.

Hope it helps and feel free to DM me if you want to discuss trade-offs among offices based on your specific background.

Best,

Federico

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your questions:

• First of all, it is true that the applicant volumes in Southeast Asia are lower than in New York or London. However, the offices there are also much smaller and hire fewer people per year, and locations like Singapore attract strong international applicants on top of the local talent pool. So in the end, the acceptance rates are not necessarily better, and I would not build my strategy on the assumption that these offices are an easier way in.
• Moreover, what matters more is your fit with the region. Offices will look closely at whether you speak the local language, have the right to work there, and can show a credible connection and commitment to the market. A candidate with strong local ties often beats a slightly stronger candidate without them.
• Lastly, I would advise you to keep your case interview preparation at the same level no matter which office you apply to, since the interview bar is the same globally, and to tailor only your application documents, so your resume, cover letter, and your motivation for each specific office.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare your application files, for your upcoming pre-interview assessments and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

As your comment below suggests, no office is "easy".

In fact, trying to play this game is not going to get you anywhere.

Stop worrying about the competition and worry about yourself!

I highly recommend that you apply where your application most "makes sense". That is, where you have the most work, education, and living experience. You want the recruiter to say "I understand why this person applied here".

So, apply to the offices where:

1) You have work rights

2) You speak the language

3) You have work experience

4) You have networked or have a referral

Keep the same level of interview preparation for every office. Tailor the application and your office story, not the standard of your preparation.

I would recommend my Applications course given the importance of office selection, networking, and tailoring your application here.

Hi,

I used to work in MBB in SEA - drop me a DM and I can share a more honest and nuanced perspective.