Transfers and MBA for Bain vs BCG

Hi,

As you can guess, BCG is simply bigger and thus might have more transfers and international project opportunities. But it's still a matter of luck

Office transfers are happening here and there, but you need to have:

1. Top- performance
2. Local contacts in the office you are transferring to
3. Personal family circumstances will make the case more compelling

Exit opportunities are very similar but may vary by country. Again, the size of the firm matters, since there are more BCG alums on the market hiring ex BCGs

MBA - similar approach across the firms, but differs significantly by country. In any case, being a top performer gives you more leverage

Best

Hi there,

There aren't major differences across the firms in terms of office transfers; they are all multinational firms with vast transfer opportunities. Much more important is how you leverage this within each of them.

I've transfered a few times within companies and have the following advice:

1) Build a stellar reputation - do good work, work hard, and be known as "the guy/gal" for xx

2) Build your network - network agressively (yes, networking doesn't end once you've gotten the job offer). Make sure you're known by and have allies in people who make decisions such as staffing managers, Partners (specifically those responsible for recruiting/resources and who are heads of industry/function verticals), etc.

2) b). When I say network "aggressively" please don't be needy/annoying :) There's nothing worse than someone who is obviously working the room or trying to please!

3) Look out for opportunities - look for office transfers, short-term projects, ambassadorships, etc.)

4) Practice patience and be flexible - This might take a year or more. And you need to be ready to go at the flip of a coin.

Hello!

Honestly, differences are very little among them -and also you can include McK-. 

Furthermore, it depends on the geographies too. 

My thoughts: 

• Exit opportunities: depending on the geography you are in -since you exit many times to clients-. 
• MBA sponsorship: in Spain at least there is a difference, since Bain requieres 3 years before sponsoring
• Transfers: BCG is bigger, hence you would have wider options than Bain

Best regards, 

Clara

Hi there,

Pretty much everything important has been said already. BCG is bigger, so you have more transfer opportunities, but at the same time it depends on companies' geography and the office itself. 

As to the weak points of MBB, I can think of the following:

• Work-life balance. You can easilly end up working 80+ hours a week.
• There are not enough senior options for all the consultants, so there is a chance you'll need to make a move to still grow in your career.

Hope it helps,

Cheers,

GB

Hi,

I agree with the other coaches.

MBB value your opinion, interests, and desired career path. I think if you'll able to communicate all of that you'll achieve your goals independently from the company you'll work in.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Antonello

Hi,

The posibility to get an MBA an transfer will be higher if you are a top performer. For transfer you would also need contacts in destination office that wants you to transfer. 

Exit options I would say is similar across the MBBs as the brand name is more or less as valuable with slight difference in different countries.

Project abroad really depends again on your performance and business demands, as such region / office with large business will demand more cross office staffing and if you are top performer you will definitely be preferred.

Best,
Iman