I’ve been at an MBB firm for about six months and believed my performance and progression were on track. The feedback I’ve received so far has been mostly minor and focused on job mechanics, but recently a couple of managers indicated that I’m likely to receive a negative first review.
This has been discouraging, especially given the emphasis on strong early-case performance to build momentum and maintain billability. I’m concerned about how difficult it may be to recover from this position and avoid a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP).
I’d appreciate hearing from others who’ve had a weak first review and were able to bounce back. How hard is it to get back on track after a lackluster initial evaluation, and what high-ROI actions or tactics helped you secure stronger reviews going forward?
I’ve also started questioning whether consulting is the right fit for me. While I expected the long hours and travel, I underestimated the pressure to deliver high-quality analysis on unfamiliar topics and, at times, to build entirely new analyses or models I’d never done before—often in hours rather than the days most typical jobs would allow. Also, when things aren’t going well—whether due to being on a difficult case or team, low physical energy, morale, or challenges outside of work—being engaged in work all day makes it impossible to properly mentally reset, unwind, and recharge in the evenings.
This leads to a broader question: what are the best litmus tests for deciding whether management consulting is worth sticking with, or whether it’s better to consider an exit?
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TL;DR: Six months into MBB, I’m facing a likely weak first review despite strong effort, seeking advice on how to recover effectively—and how to tell whether consulting is the right fit or if it’s time to consider an exit.
