Would I be considered an experienced hire?

Question

Hi

I am prepping for upcoming MBB applications in October.

I see people being considered as experienced hire even at Analyst/Associate levels so got a bit confused.

I graduated in 2024 July and started work in March 2025 for a Healthcare Market research company for 10 months and now as an Associate consultant in a boutique life science consultancy since December 2025.

I assume I'd still only be applying to the grad recruiting cycle, if I am not wrong?
It would be great to be hired into the healthcare/life science practice of MBB , so should I wait longer if I am not an experienced hire?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi,

Short answer: You would most likely be applying through the graduate / entry-level recruiting cycle.

Some quick points below:

1. How MBB defines "experienced hire": Generally, experienced hire recruiting kicks in when a candidate has 3+ years of meaningful post-graduation work experience. With your timeline — graduated July 2024, ~10 months in healthcare market research, and now a few months into a boutique consulting role — you are well within the entry-level / graduate recruiting window.

2. Why you see some Analyst/Associate-level "experienced hires": This sometimes happens when candidates have prior work experience that is specialized that the firm wants to slot them differently — example candidates who did 2-3 years in investment banking or a PhD with industry experience. It does not apply to most candidates with under 2 years of general work experience.

On whether to wait longer to qualify as an experienced hire — I would say no, do not wait. Here is my reasoning:

- Entry-level cycle is your best bet right now. Expectations from experienced hires is also a bit different (example senior-client handling etc.)

- Your healthcare/life sciences background is already a differentiator. MBB firms, especially their healthcare practices, actively value candidates who bring sector-specific knowledge. You do not need more years of experience to make that story compelling — you just need to articulate it well in your application and interviews.

Apply in the October cycle, in your application, make it clear that you are interested in the healthcare / life sciences practice. That signals intent and helps the recruiting team route your application appropriately.

Hope that helps! Happy to connect over a session if you would like to talk through your application strategy or do some case practice together :)

All the best!

Answer 2

Hi there,

Based on your timeline, you would not typically be considered an experienced hire yet. With roughly 1–1.5 years of post-graduation experience by October, you’d still fall into the early-career / analyst-level recruiting track at most MBB offices.

“Experienced hire” usually refers to candidates with several years of substantial full-time experience (often 3–5+), or people coming in at Associate level with clear seniority.

In your case, applying through the regular analyst/associate cycle is completely appropriate. It also won’t prevent you from joining a healthcare or life sciences practice — MBB typically hires generalists first, and specialization happens through staffing and interest alignment after you join.

You don’t need to wait longer just to be labeled an experienced hire. Focus instead on building strong case skills and clearly positioning your healthcare exposure in your CV and interviews.

Happy to help you prep – feel free to reach out

Best
Evelina