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

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.

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

If you're seriously considering Riyadh, it deserves real attention, not because it’s the easiest or most comfortable option, but because it offers disproportionate exposure if you're willing to manage the trade-offs.

Here’s the honest read based on my experience in Riyadh and Dubai:

1. The projects are massive, but volatile.
You’ll likely touch national-level initiatives linked to Vision 2030, think giga-projects (NEOM, Red Sea Global), privatization, PIF-backed industrial ventures. The scope is unmatched, but these projects often shift direction fast. Timelines slip, stakeholders change, priorities realign. You’ll build resilience and breadth, but not always depth in the classic sense (that you'd otherwise get in Zurich / Milan)

2. Promotions are fast, if you can handle the pace.
Due to high attrition and aggressive project cycles, strong performers are rewarded quickly. But burnout is real. Clients work weekends, nights, and expect constant responsiveness. That said, the exit landscape is strong if you're looking to stay in the region: SWFs, giga-project management teams, and government-linked entities are actively hiring, especially ex-MBB consultants.

3. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a geopolitical career accelerator.
If you're looking for a career that intersects policy, finance, infrastructure, and reform, few places can match the Gulf right now. But you need to go in with your eyes open. Cultural nuances, regional dynamics, and internal politics are part of the deal.

Given the competition, especially from other INSEAD MBAs, your story has to stand out as more than just another ambitious candidate “excited by Vision 2030.” I've helped several candidates land offers in the Gulf by tightening both their narrative and regional awareness.

If you decide to go down the Gulf path, even as one of your top 2 office choices, I’m happy to walk you through what you’ll need to hit the bar.

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the MBA offer at INSEAD!

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

• First of all, I think you are overthinking the situation. The most important factor is whether you would be happy to spend most of your weekends in one city or the other.
• Moreover, I would strongly advise you to keep in mind whether you actually have any form of affiliation with the office, because without it, your chances will be significantly lower.

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 McKinsey pre-interview assessment and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

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

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.