Private Credit to Consulting

Hi,

Wait until you hit 12 to 18 months. Three months is too early; recruiters will read it as you not liking your job rather than wanting consulting, and you have nothing concrete to talk about yet. Apply in the autumn cycle next year.

Also:

1. Your background is an asset if you frame it right. Private credit means credit analysis, due diligence and modelling under time pressure. What you need to add is a clear story on why operational work rather than investing, because that is the question they will really push on.
2. On networking, experienced hire is almost entirely referral-driven. Start now, slowly. Target alumni and people who made the same finance to consulting move, ask about their transition rather than about a job, and keep them warm until you are ready to apply.

In the meantime, get on the most commercial and operational deals you can, and start light case prep six months before you apply.

Franco

Hi,

Answering your three questions:

1. On making the shift, the key is highlighting the relevant skills that you developed in private credit. Your work is about assessing companies from the outside, so lead with the problem-solving and judgment rather than the financing mechanics, and pair that with serious case practice, which is where most people from a finance background lose points.
2. On timing, two routes. Move now and go through the normal entry-level cycle, since at three months you would not count as an experienced hire and little tenure would be recognised. Or wait until you have a couple of real deals behind you and a sharper reason for the switch, which makes for a stronger story.
3. On networking, I'd keep the outreach small and targeted, by focusing on people whose background has similarities with yours and gives them a reason to reply, letting a referral come out of a real conversation later.

Hope it helps, and feel free to DM me if you want to discuss this further.

Federico

Hi there,

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

• First of all, contrary to what other coaches have said, in case you really dislike your current role, there is no point in waiting for 12-18 months before the move.
• Moreover, if, however, you want to get more operational experience, I fear consulting may not be the right thing either. Real operational experience in business is something you mostly get in corporates and startups, not in professional services of any kind.
• Lastly, contrary to what other coaches have said, with only 3 months of work experience, you most certainly do not qualify for an experienced hire application. This would mean that you'd have to apply in the graduate cycle, which has already opened (and already closed again for certain consulting firms).

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare your application files, for your upcoming MBB pre-interview assessments and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Applying for lateral roles at the 3-month mark rarely works. Consulting firms view candidates with less than a year of experience as too green for lateral hiring and usually push them back into campus cycles.

You need to hit the 12-to-18-month milestone at your firm before making a serious push. Use this time to build a solid track record. Focus on framing your private credit work around business operations, commercial diligence, and company fundamentals rather than just debt mechanics.

When you start networking, reach out to alumni or consultants in Private Equity and Principal Investor practices. Position your credit background as an asset for diligence work, where your ability to evaluate operational risks is directly relevant.