Should I try MBB for the third time and abandon a Product Strategy Director role?

Question

I am currently in a Product Strategy Director role in a robotics company and I am considering a move into MBB. I got into my current employer 5 years ago as an analyst and worked my way to up director, a promotion I got last year. I am considering MBB for different reasons:

I am very valued at the company but I feel a bit tired of the industry and would like to start somewhere refreshing.
I also work regularly with ex-consultants in my current job and I feel like they are ahead of me in many ways.
Add more thickness to my resume to support future opportunities: I would like to join a smaller company (startup or scaleup) and pitch myself for a leadership position, but so far I have failed to network myself into such opportunities. Even if the company I work for is well-known, I feel that the startups I have spoken to are very picky in terms of who they hire. I feel that a MBB logo on my resume would help me in this regard.

However, I am continuously having doubts about staying in my current role vs applying for MBB given that:

I have a good role today
I would be getting in at best as Consultant (feedback I got from BCG recruiter)
I have no guarantee I will be able to land a better role after my MBB period

I am considering this path now as I will likely be starting a family in ~2 years or so, therefore I see it as the "last chance" to take a sprint and bring my resume to the next level. I have applied twice to BCG before and got to the 2nd round both times.

Does it make sense for me to try again with MBB? Do you have any suggestions to help me think about this?

Answer 1

Hi,

Your situation is actually very similar to my previous situation. I was unsure of whether to leave my relatively senior role in a fast scaling startup to join in a relatively more junior role at McKinsey.

This is a very personal decision. If I were you, I'd apply and try my best, and see where it goes. I'm a big believer of not making decisions that do not have to be made yet. What's the point of deciding whether to abandon the Product Strategy Director role now when you haven't gotten the offer from MBB yet? Maybe you won't get the offer and that's not even a decision you are in the position to make. If you try for MBB, the only thing you lose is effort and time in preparation for the interview, but IMO you learn a lot just in the preparation.

This was the exact approach I took for myself. In my preparation, my mindset shifted and I focused 100% on learning rather than on the result of "getting the offer" and was able to perform a lot better, enjoy the process, and get the job.

Good luck to you.

Answer 2

Hey there :)

Given your background, it could make sense to give MBB one last try, but only if you are truly motivated by the consulting experience itself and not just the logo. You already have a strong trajectory, and being a Product Strategy Director is a solid platform for startup leadership roles. MBB would add breadth, brand and network, but the trade-off is starting at Consultant level, the hours, and uncertainty on exits. If you do it, you’d need a very clear story for why now and how it fits with your long-term plan. If family and stability are priorities soon, staying where you are (or moving directly toward scaleups) might be more aligned.

best,
Alessa :)

Answer 3

Hi there,

You are in a strong position already, so the trade-off comes down to what you value most in the next 2–3 years. Staying means stability, seniority, and continued growth in a company where you are highly valued. Moving to MBB would likely mean a step back in title but give you the brand, toolkit, and network that can open doors to startups and leadership roles later.

Since you have already reached second round twice, a third attempt is reasonable, especially if you sharpen your preparation and target the firm where you have the best cultural fit. At the same time, you should weigh the lifestyle impact of consulting against your personal plans.

Best of luck!