Hi have anyone move from Tier 2 (~5 YOE) to in house strategy (~1-2 YOE) and to MBB? What is the advantage of this route vs disadvantage (age isnt a big factor)?
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Hi thanks for sharing your experience! Any reason why you moved to MBB aside from the brand name, instead of pursuing the in house route a little longer?
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I actually went through this exact route. When I was at a Tier 2, I was applying to both MBB and in-house while prepping cases. The in-house offer came first, so I joined. But I kept applying to MBB time to time, and 2 months into the new role I got the interview invite and eventually the offer.
To be honest, I think a lot of it just comes down to firm hiring needs. If they’re not actively recruiting, your resume just goes into a black hole. I’m not sure my short in-house stint really boosted my profile, since I’d only been there two months when I got the MBB interview.
What did help was mindset. Once I already had a job and wasn’t obsessing over MBB, things clicked more naturally, and that’s when the opportunity showed up...
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Hi there,
yes, people do make that move and it can be a viable path depending on your priorities and timing.
Advantages of going Tier 2 → In-house → MBB
- You broaden your perspective. In-house strategy gives you exposure to how decisions actually get implemented, which can make your thinking more practical and execution-oriented. MBB values candidates who can balance strategic insight with operational reality.
- You gain industry depth. If your in-house role is in a sector you later want to specialize in (for example healthcare, tech, or financial services), it can position you as a more attractive candidate for MBB.
- It gives you a narrative of progression. You can frame the move as “I built my consulting toolkit, applied it in-house to see impact, and now I am ready to bring that combined perspective to clients at the highest level.”
Disadvantages to consider
- Re-entry can be harder. MBB will sometimes prefer to hire directly from consulting rather than after an in-house stint, especially if your in-house work is less structured or not directly comparable to consulting projects.
- You may need to start at a lower level than expected. Five years in Tier 2 plus one to two in-house does not always translate one-to-one into MBB tenure. They may calibrate you back a level to ensure you meet their standards.
- Risk of losing consulting “muscle memory.” After one or two years away, your case interview readiness and consulting toolkit might be rusty, so you’ll need to invest in prep before applying again.
Overall
This route can absolutely work if you choose your in-house role wisely, keep your consulting skills sharp, and are intentional about when to reapply. The key is to frame your path not as a detour but as a conscious step to strengthen your profile.
Actually, jumping between firms is rather common in the industry.
What's the advantage?
Well, it depends on where you want to get to.
Most people aim to get into MBB and if they don't get into MBB from the beginning then they move between firms until they get there.
That enables them to get more experience and a stronger value proposition, which positions them as stronger candidates.
Best,
Cristian
