You need to change your mindset. It seems you are assuming that you will not go completely prepared for the first few companies you interview with (which will be your preferred ones), and you'll improve as time goes by.

You will therefore waste your chances of getting the job you want in the companies you want the most.

Regarding using Tier 2 as “practice”, I would also advise against it. If you fail, you lose the job offer. If you pass, will you take the offer without looking back? And honestly, there are cheaper and valuable ways to get practice than wasting a chance for a job offer (e.g. coaching session).

My advice is that you start interviews fully prepared, and you divide them in groups which you order based on your preference (no, I don't think you should apply to 6-7 companies at a single time, but 2-3 every month would make sense).

(editiert)

Hi there,

1) It's unconventional/atypical but if it works for you it works for you! It sounds like you've thought this out and you'll only be able to handle one at a time. You then want to allow yourself time to improve. I'm ok with this!

That said, you're assuming that when you apply to x firm, you will get x interview. Just be careful with these assumptions…odds for interviews are just that…odds!

2) Whatever works for you. I do think you're overengineering this a bit and assume the world works perfectly (are you an Economist by any chance? :P). Remember, not all firms will get back to you. Period. Not all firms will invite you to interview. And not all firms will invite you to interview you right away - or stick to the interview dates they initially propose…

You'll need to flexible with the plan!

Hey there! Some observations from my end:

• Focusing on 1 firm at a time vs all at once is a personal call. Some people can handle the rush. Some people like to take it step by step.
• Typically the recommended approach is to become 90% ready and apply to anything and everything.
• Tier 2 and MBB are all equally good firms! The Tier 2s are tier2s because of what society says. Apply to firms that you would like to join regardless of what sequence you get the offer. If you join a Tier 2 and are determined to join MBB later in life - that is very much on the card.
• Don't keep Tier 2 firms as a back-up. They are not distinctively easier to get into compared to MBB. One might argue that MBB is easier than Tier 2 because MBBs accept a very wide range of profiles.
• If you are desperate to join consulting then still the above points apply
• Try to get referrals as much as possible

Hope this helps!

Hi!

1) I think a good approach might be to try with one company at first and see the response (i.e. whether you pass the screening stage), but then apply to all of them. You need to prepare in the same way for all companies.

2) It depends on different factors: your interest in those companies, time available, etc.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Anto