Applying to MBB (transitioning from industry). Please, see the questions below

Question

Dear Community,

I hope you all are doing well. Stay safe and healthy.

I am interested in joining MBB as a consultant. I currently work in the aviation business of a well-known American conglomerate wherein I provide strategic inputs that directly influence the intellectual property strategy of the business. I look at digital technologies concerning aviation, and in past provided similar inputs to the other businesses of the company (healthcare, power, transportation).
My total experience at the company is 3 years. Prior to the current role, I was in academia as a postdoc for a year and researched on IoT/sensor networks and hold a PhD in Telecommunications.

I look forward to answers regarding the following:
a. How valued will be my overall experience to MBB especially as I look into digital technologies from an IP standpoint?
b. Which level would I suit to once transitioning into consulting?
c. I am based in India, and therefore in context of MBB operations locally, is it good to apply as soon as possible or wait for a while?

I would be highly grateful for answers to the above questions and any other advice/suggestions.

Thank you and kind regards!

Answer 1

Hi there,

(1) Overall digital experience combined with business experience would be valuable for consulting firms. Though IP might be too niche, so you might want to expand the scope

(2) Based on your experience, consultant (BCG) / Associate (McK) would fit you.

(3) I suggest you try to reach out to connections in the local offices to get a better sense of the hiring situation there.

Best,

Emily

Answer 2

Hello!

My toughts:

For sure your profile will match what a recruiter is looking for, both from the PdH backfround in the field and from the previous experience. Digital is a plus, too
Associate (for McK) or senior Associate. Even if you don´t have an MBA, you have a PhD.
Apply whenever you are ready to face the interviews and you are only fine tunning. In these context, you don´t want to be called for an interview that you cannot go to and pushback.

Hope it helps! Good luck!

Best,

Clara

Answer 3

Hi, below are my 2 cents on your questions:

a. Your profile definitely could an interesting one for MBB - you hold a PhD and worked in industry strategy function

b. I would recommend to apply for Consultant level in BCG or other equivalent title in other MBB. (i.e. one level below manager)

c. Apply whenever you are ready and try to network to get a referral that way you will get interviewed faster

Hope that helps :)

Answer 4

Hi there,

please find my answers below:

Your profile is definitely interesting
Probably equivalent to a post-MBA position (Associate at McK, Consultant at BCG/Bain)
I would work on finding a referral, which will help to a) increase the chances of an invitation and b) understand if now is the best time to apply given the virus situation

Best,

Francesco

Answer 5

Hi A,

1) Your digital experience will certainly be appreciated. What's more, this intersection of aviation and digital sounds very interesting, will definintely make recruiters remember you.

2) Updating my previous answer because I chatted with a friend from the the McKinsey India office. She says that unless you are straight out of college or MBA, you'll likely be considered for a "specialist" role, which is becoming increasingly important, but for now career progression is slower and starting salary is lower than on the generalist path.

3) Not sure if I understand. Would you wait with the application due to the C-19 situtation or for some other reason? If the local offices recruit, I would apply now but there is a chance they will push out your start date if you get accepted.

Good luck!

Réka

Answer 6

Hi there,

1) You seem like a very compelling candidate - on the surface, I would ask to interview you!

2) Consultant at BCG, Associate at McKinsey. Also, you would likely come as an expert, and they would probably want you for their Digital practices (BCG Platinion, McKinsey Digital)

c) Start networking now! This helps you both gauge timing and improve your odds. Then, apply when you understand the timelines and this fits with your interview preparation plan.

Answer 7

Hi Anonymous,

Thanks for sharing a good level of detail to be able to answer.

a) Based on your brief summary, your main asset looks like strategy in combination with technology/digitalisation, which sounds good to me and will make you an interesting candidate. Possibly your focus will need to become a bit broader once you are onboard, moving a bit away from intellectual property strategy.

b) For McKinsey, your profile would be Associate.

c) For India specifically I don't have current insights - apart from that however, I would work as much as possible in direction of getting an internal referral. Apart from passing the CV screening in 99% of cases, it will also open an informal communication channel for tactical advice of interview timing.

Hope that helps - if so, please be so kind and give it a thumbs-up with the green upvote button below!

Robert

Answer 8

Dear A,

Regarding (A) your experience in digitization is, of course, valuable and would be one of your US piece of your profile during the interviews. Regarding (B), most probably you will start on the entry position of Business Analyst or Fellow Associate, because you still don't have so much experience. So you will be downgraded to learn the basics in consulting. Regarding (C), I would rather advise you to wait you for a while and analyze the situation in September - of market and recruiting pick up, then apply. Since you are in a good position and there is no stress for you to change the job right now.

If you need any question or further advice, drop me a line.

Best,
André