MBB Office Preference Strategy — Riyadh vs. Zurich vs. Milan?

Question

Hi everyone,

I'm about to start my MBA at INSEAD with the goal of joining MBB. I'm currently reflecting on which office(s) to prioritize, aiming to strike the right balance between competitiveness, compensation, and long-term growth.

My current preferences are:

1st: Riyadh – I’m strongly drawn to this office due to the sheer volume of exciting projects and regional transformation. However, the competition will be intense as many INSEAD MBAs are applying here. While the compensation is attractive, the working conditions are reportedly tough.
2nd: Zurich – Highly selective and difficult to crack, but possibly the best trade-off between compensation, quality of life, and career progression. I can legally work there and am genuinely interested in the market.
3rd: Milan – I’ve grown up in Italy and speak native-level Italian, which gives me a clear edge. However, this office reportedly offers the lowest compensation of the three, faces ~43% taxation, slower promotions, and less favorable working conditions.

Given the current market uncertainty, I’d love to hear your thoughts:

Would it be wiser to prioritize Milan for safety and language fit?
Or should I still go for Riyadh or Zurich despite the higher competition?
What would you personally do if you were in my position, considering today's job market?

Thanks in advance for your input — your insights would mean a lot!

Answer 1

Hey, congratulations on INSEAD — that’s already a huge step, and the fact that you’re being this strategic before even starting shows strong consulting instinct. It will pay off once recruiting kicks in.

If I were in your shoes today, I’d go for:

Zurich as top choice.

Why? Because it gives you:

High career longevity (great brand-building projects, diverse exposure),
A healthy lifestyle and culture,
Proximity to both key industries (finance, pharma, tech) and other strong offices in Europe,
And — this matters — the ability to cross-staff into high-growth regions like the Middle East when you want it, not because you’re forced to.

Milan is your home ground, and it will always be there. You have the language and cultural edge, and you can always lateral in later if that’s what you want. That option won’t close.

Riyadh is hot right now — no doubt. But starting there could come with downsides:

It’s incredibly fast-paced, high-pressure, and at times unpredictable in terms of projects and lifestyle.
Once you start in Riyadh, getting out can be tricky. Offices may prefer to keep you regionally if you’re staffed and up to speed.
Cross-staffing into Riyadh from Zurich is still very much possible. Cross-staffing out of Riyadh into Zurich? Harder.

So, in terms of long-term optionality and balanced growth, Zurich > Riyadh > Milan would be my order. But your choice should also factor in where you’d be excited to build a life for 2–3 years — that matters more than many realize.

Answer 2

Hi there,

You're clearly thinking about this the right way. Here's a more concise take on the trade-offs:

Riyadh – High risk, high reward
Tons of exciting work and top-tier compensation. Yes, it's competitive (especially with many INSEAD MBAs applying), and the hours can be long — but the exposure and career acceleration are unmatched if you're up for it.

Zurich – Balanced but selective
Arguably the best mix of lifestyle, pay, and progression. Extremely selective, especially without local language skills, but if you have a work permit and real interest in the market, you’re already ahead of many.

Milan – Safe but slower
You have a strong local edge, which boosts your chances. But compensation, promotion pace, and tax burden make it less attractive long-term unless you want to stay in Italy.

Prioritize Riyadh and Zurich, with Milan as a strategic backup. Apply to all three, and use INSEAD’s resources to build local ties in each. If I were in your shoes, I’d lead with Riyadh for opportunity, Zurich for balance, and Milan for fallback.

Happy to help you prep – feel free to reach out.
Best,
Evelina

Answer 3

Honestly, it may be a struggle to recruit for an office where you have no personal / professional connection or referral.

If you don't have a very compelling 'why Riyadh' or 'why Zurich' story, it may be a bit of a battle.

I think your best bet would be to recruit for Milan and then transfer after a couple of years to one of your priority regions. It's much easier to build a 'why XX region' story once you are on the inside.

Answer 4

Hi there,

Considering your credentials and taking a long-term view, I would focus less on competition and more on where you genuinely want to be.

Indeed, Italian offices tend to have lower compensation and a tougher lifestyle. At least this is what I heard. I haven't done projects in Italy myself or been part of an Italian office, so feel free to discount that.

With Riyadh however, if you're not from there, or have any sort of connection with the place, you stand a big chance of being screened out during the process. So do take that into account.

Best,
Cristian