Shot at Manager at MBB from OW Associate?

Question

I left an Associate role at Oliver Wyman MEA to pursue an MBA at a top european school with the intention of pursuing entrepreneuship after. Due to the COVID-induced economic downturn, I'm deciding to put those plans on hold, and try to go back into consulting. Do I have a reasonable shot at EM at MBB? I'd love to hear thoughts outside of my immediate networks. Thank you.

Answer 1

I think you have a good chance at getting in, but be flexible about the role. If you are good you will get to EM in a short amount of time anyway.

Answer 2

In addition to getting people's inputs I suggest you check out the Engagement Manager job description/expectations and see how you match up and exceed the criteria. If you meet/exceed most of the role criteria, that combined with killer CV, referral, cover letter etc can do the job for you.

Answer 3

Having worked for a number of consulting firms, most recently six years at McKinsey, it's extremely rare for any of them to hire into the manager level.

The reason is that this role requires an experienced understanding of how the firm works in order to be successful. It's not something that you learn in school. Furthermore, it's not something that a manager role at another firm will entirely prepare you for.

However, many firms will quickly promote into the manager role if you gain the trust of your leadership and prove yourself. So I wouldn't worry about what title they will give you. Work your way up quickly, if you can!

Happy to share more stories over chat. In the meantime, hope this helps!

Allen

Answer 4

If you have not reached project manager at your previous consultancy, I don't see how a new MBB employer who consider you for a role you have never had. That's not to say that you wouldn't progress faster than your other MBA hire peers but there are a fair few non-MBB consultants who move to MBB post-MBA and join at the entry post-MBA level and so its a common track.

Answer 5

Hello!

TBH, totally depends on:

Your peroformance before leaving
The way you left

Best,

Clara

Answer 6

Hi there,

I don’t think you can target a Manager role straight away, however you may negotiate a fast track to that starting as Associate (McK) / Consultant (BCG/Bain).

If you want to become an entrepreneur though I think this is the perfect moment to do so, exactly because of the COVID.

Best,

Francesco

Answer 7

Hi,

It will be extremely hard to get EM post-MBA. Especially taking into account that you were not a Manager before. Usually, it's an associate (McKinsey scale) role.

Best

Answer 8

While nothing is impossible, I doubt that MBB will make you a Manager offer. An MBA typically puts you in a Consultant/Associate postition and experience at T2 firms is typically not recognized 1:1.

Answer 9

Sorry, but you pretty much have a 0% chance here.

You never managed anyone before, why would they let you manage people now?

You're going to come in as a Mck Associate/BCG Consultant....just like pretty much everyone else out of the MBA program.

Answer 10

Hello! I think it will be difficult, but absolutely possible. But here it is important to consider your skills and how well you fit for this company, how well you worked in your previous workplace, how you will be responded to from your previous job and how you left. In any case, it is worth trying and putting in your best efforts.

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GB