Office Selection Advice for MBB / Big 4 – INSEAD MBA + Unconventional Background

Question

Hi everyone,

I’m currently preparing my applications for MBB and possibly Big 4 strategy practices, and I’d really appreciate your advice on which office location I should target.

A bit about my background:

Originally French, but have lived internationally for the past 14 years (Thailand, Hong Kong, USA).
~8 years of professional experience in hospitality management, with leadership roles in five-star luxury hotels across Asia and the USA.
My work has focused on operations, P&L management, team leadership, and client experience.
Academically, I hold a B.B.A in Hotel and Resort Management from a well-recognized program, and I will soon start my MBA at INSEAD (January intake).

Languages:

French (native)
English (fluent, bilingual)
Thai (fluent, bilingual)

Personal considerations for office choice:
I’m very open to international opportunities, but I’d like to balance professional growth with lifestyle and long-term career goals.

My initial shortlist includes:

Hong Kong → proximity to immediate family and long-term career stability. However, the current economic climate is less favorable, and my lack of Mandarin/Cantonese could be a limitation, as many projects still require those skills.
Sydney → attractive given proximity to immediate family and lifestyle appeal. That said, the office is smaller and recruitment may be more challenging due to visa/work permit requirements.
Singapore → one of the largest offices in Asia with strong regional outreach, excellent career growth potential, and robust exit opportunities (PE, VC, corporate HQs). However, recruitment is highly competitive, and I don’t currently have work authorization. On the plus side, the strong INSEAD alumni presence in Singapore may help.
Bangkok → a very familiar location, having spent 10+ years in Thailand and speaking the language fluently. This makes me a good cultural fit. That said, the office is smaller, which means fewer recruitment slots and possibly narrower project variety.

Through networking, I’ve also been advised to consider:

Middle East (Dubai, Doha) → large and fast-growing offices with strong exposure to public sector transformation and mega-projects. Very international environment where language is less of a barrier, plus financial benefits from tax-free income.
Europe (Paris) → as a French national, language and cultural fit would be natural, and it offers long-term career stability. However, competition is very intense given the large pool of applicants.

My question:
For someone with my profile, which offices would you recommend I prioritize for MBB or Big 4 strategy practices? I’d love to hear perspectives on:

Which offices are most open to international profiles / MBA hires.
Where my background (hospitality leadership + MBA) could be a differentiator.
Lifestyle and career progression considerations across these regions.

Thanks a lot in advance for your advice! Would especially love to hear from anyone with direct experience applying to or working in these offices.

Answer 1

Hi,

fellow INSEADer here.

In general, I would think about where I want to work (including the working culture) and then contrast this with where you can tell a compelling story for why they should hire me for that office.

Your list of countries all may make sense and you could also add London - yes it is competitive but also generally open to international candidates. Out of the offices you mentioned Middle East might value your experience the most - I do know that there have been projects around setting up new hotel brands, etc.

In terms of career opportunities I would differentiate in vs. outside of consulting. Let's say for example you want to pivot to luxury fashion - you might be better served already being based in France rather than Sydney.

Happy to bounce further!

Best,
Lukas

Answer 2

Hey there :)

Given your profile, Singapore and the Middle East stand out as strongest bets: both are very international, open to MBA hires, and less strict on local language. Singapore gives you INSEAD alumni leverage and strong exit options, while Dubai/Doha offer rapid career growth, international teams, and attractive comp. Bangkok is a natural fit for you culturally, but smaller intake limits options. Paris is possible but very competitive, and Sydney/Hong Kong both come with barriers (visa and language).

So I’d prioritize Singapore and Middle East, with Bangkok as a backup where your Thai gives you an edge.

best, Alessa :)

Answer 3

Which offices are most open to international profiles / MBA hires.

Usually the Middle East and South Asia offices

Where my background (hospitality leadership + MBA) could be a differentiator.

They value your MBA, Insead is a globally respected brand. No office will hire you for your specific professional background (they're not looking for specific industry experience), so you can ignore this criteria.

Lifestyle and career progression considerations across these regions.

Lifestyle is a personal issue. It's more about YOU than about the office. Regarding career progression, it's easier in offices that are growing more. However, on the long run, your network is of value to you. I would focus on countries where Insead has a stronger network (most likely Europe and Middle East).

Answer 4

Hi there,

As a Singaporean who has been working in MBB in Southeast Asia for 9 years, I think your best bet would be Thailand. With your Thai language advantage and INSEAD MBA, your profile would give you an edge for Thailand office. All the MBB firms in SEA are now trying to convince people in Singapore to relocate to other cities (KL, JKT, BKK, HCM), one way or another.

Without a citizenship or PR, Singapore is almost mission impossible. That's just the reality.

Best,

Emily