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Anonymous A

9 hrs ago

Asia

Transitioning from Boutique Consulting Firms to MBB

Hi everyone reading here,

I want to ask: How difficult is it to transition into MBB from small, boutique consulting firms within Asia? Is the transition realistic for someone with a few years of working experience?

Thank you in advance. I appreciate any useful answer I can be provided with here.

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Top answer

Evelina

Coach

5 hrs ago

EY-Parthenon (7 years) l BCG offer holder l 7+ years coaching l 10% off first session l free 15' intro call l LBS

Hi there,

Yes, transitioning from a boutique consulting firm in Asia to MBB is possible — but the difficulty depends on a few factors:

1. Type of boutique

If you’re in a specialist boutique with strong brand recognition (e.g., L.E.K. in life sciences, Oliver Wyman in FS, or a local firm with a solid reputation), MBB will see it as relevant and comparable.
If it’s a small, unknown local boutique, the leap is harder, and you’ll need to demonstrate transferable skills (problem-solving, structured thinking, client impact).

2. Experience level

1–3 years in consulting: much more feasible, since you can slot into an Associate/Consultant track.
4–6 years: trickier, because MBB is more selective at the Manager level. Unless you bring deep sector expertise or a very strong CV, you may be asked to come in at a slightly lower level than your current one.
7+ years: usually quite challenging without an MBA or industry pivot, unless you have niche expertise that MBB is actively hiring for.

3. Recruitment process

You’ll still go through the standard case + fit interview process. Boutique experience won’t exempt you, but it can give you an edge if you show client leadership, problem-solving, and impact.
Networking is critical. MBB offices in Asia get many lateral applicants, so referrals matter to get your CV looked at seriously.

Practical advice:

Position your boutique experience as end-to-end project ownership, measurable impact, and strong client exposure.
Be prepared to potentially take a half-step back in seniority.
Target offices where MBB is growing (e.g., SEA, India) since they’re more open to lateral hires.

So: yes, it’s realistic, but you’ll need to prepare well, network strategically, and be flexible on entry level.

Happy to help you prep – feel free to reach out.

Best,

Evelina