Struggling to Break into Consulting

Question

Hi everyone,

I’m feeling quite frustrated. I've been trying to land a position in consulting for over four months now, but despite many applications, I've received mostly direct rejections and very few opportunities for interviews. So far, I’ve only been invited to one interview with a boutique consulting firm and received an invitation to take the McKinsey Solve test.

I hold a Bachelor's and Master's degree from a well-known European university with strong grades. However, I don’t have any prior internships in consulting. Instead, I’ve gained practical experience in Marketing & Sales through various working student roles during my studies.

I’d really appreciate any tips or feedback from those who’ve been in a similar position:

How can I improve my chances of landing interviews?
Should I focus on boutique firms or explore other entry paths?
How important is a consulting internship for getting a foot in the door?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Answer 1

Consulting internships are definitely not a prerequisite to get into consulting. I got into MBB (and interviewed with 2 out of 3) for grad role without prior consulting and case competition experience.

Instead, i would 1) focus on internships at companies with strong brand names, and 2) showcase ownership and impact in your CV. Specifically highlighting concrete examples where you found a problem, solved it and delivered impact

I would cast the net as wide as possible and apply to both boutiques and MBBs. Getting an invite to McKinsey Solve test means you've already passed the CV stage - so congrats and prep well for that!

Answer 2

First of all, keep your head up, all it takes is one win. Rejections are part of the journey.

Here are a few things you can do to improve your chances:

Perfect your CV and cover letter: You may have a perfect profile, but if it’s not clearly reflected in your documents, it can significantly hurt your chances. Make sure both are consulting-tailored, well-structured, impactful, and highlight your achievements.
Apply broadly across firms and geographies: Don’t limit yourself to top-tier or specific locations. A role at a boutique or local firm can be a great starting point, once you get your foot in the door, other opportunities will follow, and doors will open.

As for your final question: a consulting internship isn’t mandatory, but it can definitely help. If you perform well, they might offer you a full-time job.

Hope this helps, feel free to reach out if you'd like feedback on your CV/CL or want to work on your casing skills!

Answer 3

Hi there,

If you’re getting McKinsey interviews, your profile isn’t the issue — you’re clearly qualified.

So if you’re not getting interviews now, one of two things is off:

Your resume and cover letter need work — maybe they’re not telling the right story
You’re applying through open channels — which means your app might never even get read

Blunt truth: without a referral, your odds drop fast. So fix the documents, but also build relationships. That combo works.

Best,

Alberto.

Answer 4

Hey there :)

I was in the same situation a few years ago and totally get how frustrating it can feel. Not having a consulting internship makes it a bit tougher, but it’s definitely still possible, I’m happy to guide you through it! Focus on tailoring your CV to highlight structured thinking, problem-solving, and impact from your Marketing & Sales experience. Networking is key too, especially with boutique firms or alumni at MBB.

Consulting internships help, but they’re not everything, many people break in through strong applications and good referrals. Happy to review your CV or chat through next steps if helpful!

Best,
Alessa :)

Answer 5

Hi there,

Thanks for sharing — I know how discouraging the process can feel, but it’s great that you’re staying persistent. Your strong academic background and relevant work experience are solid foundations, even if you haven’t followed the “traditional” consulting path.

Here are a few tips that might help:

1. Broaden your target firms
While MBB is competitive, many excellent firms are actively hiring and more open to diverse profiles — including Tier 2 firms and growing strategy arms of Big 4s (like EY-Parthenon, Roland Berger, Kearney). These can be great places to start and often serve as launchpads into the industry.

2. Tailor each application
Rather than sending out many generic applications, focus on a smaller number and customize your CV and cover letter to highlight skills like problem-solving, analytical thinking, and ownership — all of which can come from Marketing & Sales roles.

3. Network strategically
Reach out to alumni or current consultants on LinkedIn for short, thoughtful conversations. A well-placed referral can make a big difference, even if your profile isn’t “standard.”

4. Consider alternative entry points
Look into internal strategy roles, in-house consulting teams, or off-cycle positions — these can provide great experience and help you pivot into mainstream consulting.

5. Internships help but aren’t essential
Not having a consulting internship isn’t a dealbreaker — many consultants come in through other paths. What matters is how clearly you can link your existing experience to the core consulting skill set.

Keep at it — rejections are part of the process.

Happy to review your CV if that’s helpful, to make it more impactful and hopefully get you through the screening.

Best,

Evelina

Answer 6

Hi and thanks for your question! Consulting experience or internship/working student experience in the industry is mo... (read entire answer)

Hi and thanks for your question! Consulting experience or internship/working student experience in the industry is mostly one of our requirements - at least for BearingPoint Ger... (read entire answer)