MBB application

Question

Hi,

I’m currently leaving my Big 4 consulting firm after ~3 years as an Associate, mainly on digital/transformation projects. My long-term goal is strategy consulting (ideally MBB), and I previously passed McKinsey screening from a target school background.

I’m currently preparing for case interviews, but I’m a bit lost on positioning. While strategy is my main objective, I also want to secure a strong consulting brand in parallel in case I don’t break into strategy immediately.

Would you recommend applying now to MBB/generalist roles, or would my profile be better positioned for digital/transformation practices first?

And more broadly, is it a good idea to apply simultaneously to both strategy and digital consulting roles within the same firm, or is it better to stay focused on one track?

I probably don’t have the luxury to apply to one track first and then the other later, as I’m working with some timing constraints in my search

Would really appreciate your honest view.

Answer 1

hi!

With 3 years in Big 4 digital/transformation, you’re competitive for both tracks, but MBB will naturally see you as closer to digital/implementation unless your CV clearly signals strategy exposure.

If your goal is strategy, apply to generalist now. You already passed McKinsey screening before, so you have a real shot. But in parallel, it’s smart to also apply to digital/transformation practices as a safety net, just don’t apply to both tracks within the same firm at the same time. Pick one track per firm to avoid internal conflicts.

Across firms, you can mix: MBB generalist + Tier‑2 digital, or MBB digital + Tier‑2 strategy. That’s normal and safe.

Alessa

Answer 2

Hi Anonymous,

I think the question you are asking is a good one, and I agree with the answers from the other coaches. That is, obviously, you are much better positioned for digital transformation projects and are more "plug and play" there.

At the same time, the truth is that the real answer depends heavily on the specific country and local market conditions. To give you an example from two or three European offices that I know well, there are two tracks: a digital one and a non-digital one.

Right now, the digital track is a bit more bottlenecked in terms of hiring and promotions because it grew so much recently. Conversely, a more generalist profile (for example, one tied to Corporate Finance or Corporate Strategy) is seen as very interesting. They get fewer applications for that track, as it's harder to attract people from, say, investment banking or traditional finance careers.

So, to reiterate, the general logic is correct: you bring more immediate value to digital or transformation. However, my advice is to reach out on LinkedIn to Associates (or even Partners) who perhaps share your university background or are alumni, and ask them this question directly.

Ultimately, the conversion rate from sending a resume to actually getting an interview depends immensely on those specific local conditions — specifically, the demand for projects versus the current supply of available associates and consultants.

Hope this helps,

Tom

Answer 3

Hi there,

In practice, you might have fewer options than you assume.

And that might be a good thing.

What I mean is the following - have a chat with the recruiters from MBB from your target office location. Present them your proile, inform them of your desire to transition, and discuss with them what roles would be the best fit for you.

It's possible that they are not even recruiting for digital or generalist roles, and then you might need to pivot.

So in that sense, the fact that there are only a few options, and some of them might not even be possible, might make your decision making and thinking process easier.

If you have any follow-up questions, don't hesitate to drop me a line.

Best,
Cristian

Answer 4

Digital is a hot topic across firms right now so your 3 years in digital and transformation at a Big 4 is actually a strong angle. If you have clear and impactful project examples, push to get your foot in the door through strong referrals at your target MBB offices. Talk to recruiters as well to understand which offices are actively considering digital and transformation profiles.

On the strategy versus digital track question, no harm in pursuing both in parallel given your timing constraints. Position your story around the digital angle for now since that is your strongest credential and where the demand is, but keep strategy as the long term narrative.