Milan Consulting Hiring Trends - Post-MBA Recruitment

Milan is an interesting market. It is one of the stronger consulting hubs in Southern Europe but it operates very differently from London, Dubai, or the major US offices. The talent pool is smaller, the client base is more regional, and hiring tends to be more relationship driven than in bigger markets.

Here is what I see in practice. MBB offices in Milan do hire post-MBA candidates but the volume is significantly lower than what you would see in London or Paris. McKinsey Italy tends to be the most active of the three, followed by BCG which has a strong Italian presence historically. Bain Milan hires too but in smaller numbers. The important thing to understand is that these offices often have a strong preference for candidates with Italian language skills and ideally some connection to the Italian market. If you don't speak Italian fluently, that is a real barrier for Milan specifically, even at MBB. Clients in Italy, especially in the mid-market and family business space which is a huge part of the Italian economy, often operate in Italian.

For Tier 2 firms, Strategy& and Roland Berger have a solid presence in Milan. Roland Berger in particular is strong in Italy and Germany, so worth looking at seriously. EY-Parthenon and Accenture Strategy are active too but their post-MBA hiring tends to be less structured than MBB. It is more about timing and open roles than a formal recruiting cycle.

Here is what people from INSEAD often get wrong about Milan. They treat it as a backup to London. It is not. Milan has its own dynamics, its own client relationships, and its own hiring preferences. If you genuinely want Milan, you need to show that clearly in your applications and networking. Why Italy, why Milan specifically, what is your connection to the market. Firms get a lot of applicants who list Milan as their second or third choice and they can tell.

My practical advice. Network directly with INSEAD alumni in Milan offices. INSEAD has a decent Italian alumni base and that is your strongest channel. A warm introduction from an alumnus inside McKinsey Milan or BCG Milan is worth more than any online application. Reach out now, not after the cycle starts. Have coffee chats, understand what each office is working on, and make sure the right people know your name before you formally apply.

Also, don't limit yourself to just the branded strategy firms. The Italian market has some strong local players and advisory boutiques that do very interesting work, especially in luxury, manufacturing, and family business transformation. These won't have the same brand on your CV but the experience and network you build can be excellent.

Hi there,

Based on recent cycles and what candidates are seeing on the ground, consulting hiring in Milan is active but selective for post-MBA roles.

MBB
McKinsey and BCG continue to hire post-MBA consultants in Milan, though class sizes are smaller than in peak years and the bar is high. Bain Milan is typically more selective and hires fewer post-MBA candidates, but it does recruit when demand allows. Overall, MBB is present and hiring, just not at aggressive volumes.

Tier-2 / Strategy firms
Firms like Oliver Wyman, Strategy&, EY-Parthenon, Accenture Strategy, and Roland Berger are generally active in Milan, often with stronger demand than MBB in certain practices. Hiring tends to be more practice-driven (e.g., financial services, industrials, transactions, digital/transformations), and timelines can be less standardized.

Market context
The Milan market is steady rather than booming. Firms are prioritizing candidates with clear fit for local clients and practices, strong language skills, and a convincing Italy/Milan story. Networking and referrals matter a lot.

In short: yes, firms are hiring post-MBA in Milan, but competition is intense and pipelines are tighter than a few years ago. Being proactive with networking and flexible across firms and practices improves odds significantly.

Best,
Evelina

I'm working with a couple of Italian candidates atm who are interviewing with those firms. 

So empirically, I can confirm they are hiring. 

But do bear in mind that hiring is also role-dependent. 

One candidate that I'm working with now is a grad and the other an experienced hire. You are an MBA so role availability might be different. Which effectively means: check it directly with the recruiter.

Best,
Cristian