Swiss MBB recruiting pipeline

Alejandro,

Congrats on starting the IE Masters!

Typically, recruiting cycles are either in autumn (sep-nov) or spring (mar-apr). It's likely that you'll be considered for the autumn cycle and, if you get an offer, start in summer or autumn of the following year.

That being said, the process differs between firm to firm and location to location so once you get started the Master make use of their career service to clarify these deadlines or reach out yourself directly to the recruiters. 

You might also find this guide useful that walks you through the recruitment process:

• Expert Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

Best,
Cristian

Hi Alejandro, congrats on starting the IE Masters!

Switzerland works quite differently from other regions:

1. Most consulting firms hire year-round rather than following strict cycles (like in the UK or US)
2. Start dates are flexible - typically adapted to your personal availability.

From my own experience & candidates I’ve supported, it’s very common that after receiving an offer, firms simply ask: “When would you like to start?” Adjusting your start by a few months to match your studies or personal plans is rarely a problem.

Because of that, it’s smart to apply early rather than waiting for a specific “intake.” Once you have the offer, you can then choose your start date to best fit your timeline.

Best, Melanie

Great question, Alejandro! And one that trips up a lot of candidates.

Switzerland is not like the US or UK with rigid recruiting cycles. MBB firms here recruit pretty much year-round, especially for consultant and experienced hire roles. That means there isn’t a “one shot per year” window - applications and interviews are rolling.

To give you a concrete example: two of my mentees just signed MBB offers in Switzerland last month. Their start dates are only 1–3 months after the offer - so the pipeline is relatively fast compared to many other regions.

What this means for you:

• You don’t need to wait for a specific “intake” like April. You should apply as soon as you’re ready and competitive.
• Firms will align your start date with your graduation (or availability). That’s much more flexible than in other geographies.
• Your April 2026 graduation won’t be an issue. You’ll likely apply in late 2025, go through interviews, and then negotiate a start date shortly after finishing your program.

Bottom line:
Switzerland runs on a rolling basis. There’s no fixed cycle, and offers can translate into start dates within just a few months. Focus on becoming offer-ready rather than timing the market.

Hope this helps!
Sidi

___________________

Dr. Sidi S. Koné

Former Senior Engagement Manager & Interviewer at McKinsey | Former Senior Consultant at BCG | Co-Founder of The MBB Offer Machine™

Hi Alejandro,

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

• First of all, contrary to what other coaches have said, Swiss strategy consulting firms conduct recruiting on a rolling basis, not with strict cycles like the US or UK. I would advise you to apply as soon as you feel competitive, rather than waiting for a specific intake.
• Moreover, firms in Switzerland tend to align start dates with graduation or availability. I would advise you to plan for interviews around late 2025 and then expect a start date soon after your graduation in 2026.

You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.

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

Best,

Hagen

Hey Alejandro :)

For MBB in Switzerland, applications usually open around September–October for roles starting the following year. First-round interviews follow soon after, with final rounds by November–December. If you start your Master in April 2026, you could still apply, but you’d likely be looking at the next year’s cycle (applications in late 2026 for 2027 start). Some firms allow off-cycle hiring, but timing can be tricky.

You can reach out if you want advice on aligning your Master with recruiting windows!

best, Alessa :)

Hi Alejandro,

beyond what others have stated leverage contacts to MBB during your time at IE to get a better understanding of the timelines first hand from the recruiters.

Best,
Lukas