Management Consulting

Depending on how you define soon, here’s what I’d suggest assuming you have a 3-month plan

1. Start engaging recruiters at MBB in your desired offices (always send comms earlier as they might not always see it immediately)

2. In parallel, familiarise yourself with the interview style of your desired MBB firm (I can help with setting your foundation for McKinsey prep via 15min intro call)

3. Start your casing prep with peers and build up muscle to engage an experienced coach. In your case, the short time span means you need to get your prep foundation right so you don’t waste much time figuring it out yourself

A portion of the below might be helpful for you. 
https://www.preplounge.com/consulting-forum/how-to-build-a-solid-foundation-for-consulting-22863#answer-91973

Hi there,

As other coaches have mentioned, there are a few things you can do to get started.

• Polish your resume so that you are ready to start having meaningful discussions with recruiters
• Reach out to recruiters / your network at your target firms; I would suggest not just MBB but also T2 and boutiques, to maximise your chances. They will give you a sense of what roles are available to you.
• Send in your application and start case prep; this could involve leveraging numerous online resources (e.g., PrepLounge, CaseCoach, etc.) as well as books teaching you how to case (e.g., Case in Point, MBA case books). Ideally you'll want to leave yourself a month or two to get ready.

Consider reaching out to a coach to accelerate your prep. Best of luck!

Hi there,

Sorry to hear about the situation. 

Your best course of action is to develop a targeted application strategy, along the lines that I suggest here:

• Expert Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

There are a few considerations to have in mind.

First, leaving with <1 y of tenure is not great. Employers like to see at least 2 years of tenure because they can then assume that you've absorbed the learnings and working style of a consultant at your previous firm. Leaving earlier might also suggest that you're 'hopping' from firm to firm. 

Second, the fact that you're already in consulting is a great asset. Especially because you already know the industry and the typical application process and that you've proved yourself that you can get into such a firm. Meaning, if you put in extra effort to improve your skills, and go for a broader application strategy, you're likely to get into one of the top firms you're targeting. 

Best,
Cristian

hey!

Totally hear you, and great that you’re clear on what you don’t want, that’s already a strong starting point. To move into strategy consulting ASAP, I’d recommend three focus areas: prep hard for interviews (especially cases and fit), start networking with consultants (alumni, LinkedIn, events), and tailor your CV to highlight structured thinking, impact, and leadership (even if from audit work). Apply broadly, MBB, Tier 2, and strong boutiques, and ideally start applying in the next recruiting cycle (which is now or very soon in many regions). Happy to help if you want to review your CV or prep cases!

best,
Alessa :)

Hi there — thanks for sharing your situation. The desire to pivot from internal audit-focused work into strategy consulting is completely understandable, and it’s great that you’re recognizing this early in your career.

Here’s a practical roadmap to help you move toward top strategy firms like MBB (McKinsey, BCG, Bain) — or others such as EY-Parthenon, which is one of the more prestigious strategy arms within the Big 4:

Clarify Your Target Role

Top strategy firms typically hire into:

• Associate-level roles (often post-MBA or exceptional pre-MBA candidates)
• Business Analyst roles (for candidates with ~0–2 years' experience)

With only 6 months of experience, you're still early enough to qualify for entry-level or junior strategy roles, especially if you move quickly.

Bridge the Gap Strategically

Since you’re currently in a risk/internal audit function, aim to transition internally or laterally into a more relevant area, such as:

• EY-Parthenon (especially in commercial strategy or transaction strategy teams)
• Strategy&, Monitor Deloitte, or KPMG Strategy

If an internal move isn’t possible, then apply externally to:

• Tier-2 and boutique strategy firms like LEK, Roland Berger, Oliver Wyman, or Kearney
• EY-Parthenon directly, especially if you’re already at EY and can leverage internal networks

These firms are often more open to non-traditional candidates than MBB, and can serve as an excellent stepping stone.

Build Your Consulting Profile

• Start case interview prep right away — use materials like Case in Point, Victor Cheng’s LOMS, or platforms like CaseCoach.
• Tailor your CV to highlight structured problem-solving, analytical skills, and any quantifiable impact, even from audit-related work.
• Begin networking with consultants to gain insights and increase your chances of getting referrals.

This is a very achievable pivot — especially given how early you are in your career. You’ll just need to be intentional and focused in how you position yourself.

Happy to help you prep so you can stand out in interviews — feel free to reach out.

Best,

Evelina 

Hi there,

- Make a consulting ready CV highlighting all of your achievements (academically, professionally and contributions to the community). Happy to help you with this if needed.

- Make a great Cover Letter

- Network to get referrals (cold message on LinkedIn asking for a coffee chat)

- Apply considering the deadlines 

- Train for the assessments if you’ll go with MBB and for the Case and Behavioral interviews 

That can take from 1 to 6 months depending on your ability to conduct every step above and the demand for consultants in your region. 

Good luck!

Best,

Mari

Hi there,

First of all, I am sorry to hear about your negative experience with your current employer!

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

• First of all, I would strongly advise you to work with an experienced coach like me on this. Even if the initial steps may be similar for many applicants, a list or article is not enough for the entire process until the offer decision.
• Moreover, however, one piece of advice that holds true for every applicant is to start practicing case studies as soon as possible.

You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.

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