Question about Recruitment Eligibility - Sabrina Elouardi, 2y PL Member

Question

Hi all,

Greetings from Madrid! To introduce myself, my name is Sabrina, I have been a PL member for the past two years and am reaching out to ask about my eligibility for recruiting for this year's incoming Associate/Associate Consultant recruitment cycle.

For context, I am Moroccan-American (hold both passports) and just finished a Masters in Spain (at a target business school) and am continuing my studies (at another target business school in London). I've done 10 internships, worked full-time for a startup for about 1.5 years, and am joining a Fortune 500 consumer goods company this fall for a placement year. In short, pretty experienced, but also still pretty junior.

For context, I have gone through two consulting recruitment cycles -- been prepping on-and-off. I know my strengths and weaknesses in casing generally, but to get invited to an interview...it's always been an issue and I'm not sure as to why. CV is optimized, referrals are locked in, etcetera.

Here's a bit more context:

In my final year of my Bachelor, 2020, I prepped really hard for the Fall 2020. Reached out to MDs, everything, for Fall 2020. Couldn't get into MBB and Tier 2 in the US.
Pivoted my strategy to Europe. In my first and ultimate year of my first Masters, in Spain, recruited for MBB and Tier 2. Timed my referrals better; continued prepping (albeit anxiously). Got passed Bain CV screen for London, invited to R1 with RB London, but couldn't make it passed those points. Even tried boutiques, other geographies (Middle East and North Africa) but couldn't break through, so decided to pivot to industry - to a more technical, product strategy oriented role.

I am considering applying again to both major markets (London, particularly, because of my Masters and Dubai, because of culture fit), as well as non-major markets (smaller African and Middle Eastern offices, potentially non-major cities in the US) but am hesitant because:

Have a lot of experience, more than a typical Associate Consultant's at this point.
Know that the other recruitment pipeline that is easiest (even though getting into consulting is far from easy) is from getting an MBA, and I aim to get my MBA in the US in the next few years, so know that can be an option as well.

Pretty much, reaching out because I'm unsure if I should invest energy into prepping for this year's recruitment cycle, if so, how would I go about that, and what options are on the table.

Would love to hear your thoughts! Also happy to chat about this via PL messaging or via LinkedIn! Thank you!

Answer 1

Hi there,

I think you should 100% give this a shot! 2020 was a terrible year but business right now is booming. I'd be surprised if at least some of the offices didn't let you re-apply this time around.

In re-applying I agree with your strategy to apply to multiple places...but I would include the US as well as it's the best market at the moment AND you having working rights (Europe will be harder).

Finally, make sure to network extensively. Not only will this help you figure out exactly where you're eligible to re-apply (and where you have the best odds i.e. office demand is high), but you may also get a referral to boost your odds of being invited.

Best of luck!

Answer 2

Hey Sabrina,

Based on your exhaustive info (thanks for that), I do not see a reason why you would not be able to get to the interviews with MBB and tier-2 + other consulting firms. As Ian correctly said, most firms are on a hiring spree this year!

The key question is what geography you want to apply to. Keep in mind that London is one of the toughest consulting markets to get into due to competition from Oxford, Cambridge + other global top schools.

I believe that Dubai or the Middle East (McK for instance is only hiring in Doha at the moment) in general would provide the best opportunities for you and could be a good stepping stone.

Happy to take a look at your resume for further guidance.

Cheers,

Florian