MBB new joiner - this job is totally messed up

Hi there,

Consulting isn’t for everyone — and that’s totally okay. The key is not just surviving it, but playing the game strategically.

Start by protecting your energy. Eat well. Move your body. Meditate or unwind. And guard your weekends like your life depends on it — because, long-term, it kind of does.

Now, about the people. You won’t click with everyone. But if you get enough exposure, odds are you’ll eventually find your crew. That might take a few projects. In the meantime, don’t just stick to your current team — book coffees, breakfasts, or just hangouts at the office (Fridays are great for that). These little moments often unlock future staffing and better vibes.

Think of it like this: Your well-being and your tribe are both under your control — but you need to be intentional about both.

Best,

Alberto.

Hey, I’m sorry to hear that you’re going through this experience.

MBB hours can be unavoidably tough on some projects, but there are usually ways that you can set boundaries and work more time-effectively.

With regard to the people being cold/distant, perhaps you have been a bit unfortunate to date. Most people at MBB are at least somewhat personable. 

It may make sense to deliberately broaden your network in order to find nicer people to work with. Alternatively, there are ‘tactics’ you can use (in a consulting-specific context) to strengthen your existing relationships.

Let me know if you’d like to discuss further. I can suggest a range of actionable points to improve your situation.

Hi there,

First of all, I am sorry to hear about your negative experience thus far!

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

• Is your main issue the long hours, the cold, distant people, or both?
• If it's the former, unfortunately, this is something you should have been prepared for, though not all projects have such long hours.
• If it's the latter, I'm afraid you've had bad luck with the specific projects, and perhaps the region as well. Considering how little focus a lot of consulting firms in the Middle East put on personal fit in their interviews, I'm not surprised by your description, and it's not the first time I've unfortunately heard this. Nonetheless, I would strongly advise you to speak up if you feel that specific people are being rude.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Honestly, it's like I read what was going on in my mind in my first year. 

It's important to know you are not alone. 

Adjusting can be quite brutal, and some people have more luck than others. 

I've put together two guides with a few tips for new joiners, based primarily on my own experience of struggling in the beginning. You can find them here and I hope you'll find them helpful:

• Expert Guide: How to Become A Distinctive Consultant
• Expert Guide: How to Manage for Lifestyle in Consulting

The biggest change for me was around the one year mark when I started taking more ownership for the process and being more open to feedback. I feel like before that I was rather trying to hide what I didn't know, rather than trying to get better at it as soon as possible. 

Soon after I also ran into a team that I really liked and ended up working more and more with some of them on other projects. 

Then it got a lot better. The difference between, say, my third year and the first was enormous in terms of overall satisfaction. 

I hope it will get better for you too. 

Best,
Cristian
 

hey there :)

first, totally hear you—what you're feeling is valid and, honestly, more common than people admit. early MBB months can feel overwhelming, especially with long hours and little emotional support. the key is: don’t normalize burnout. people who stay long-term either find a way to set boundaries, switch internally to more sustainable roles, or use the experience as a stepping stone. it’s okay to reassess what balance means to you. keep checking in with yourself—and speak up when you need space. your well-being matters way more than any slide deck.

best, Alessa 😊

Hello there,

The long hours are real, I have experienced it for 1.5 years non-stop. But some colleagues of mine had had way much balanced projects so it is a bit dependent on luck.

As for the culture, it may vary by office, I hope you find your people soon as it makes the journey way much enjoyable, even with the stress.

I think the coaches above already gave you good tips on how to improve your work life balance, I hope you find ways to implement them and have a better overall experience. Dont sacrifice your health and mental wellbeing tho, at the end, this is just a job.

Best,

Mari