Below the bar first project at MBB

Hey there,

100% it is possible to recover from this. Many experts and experienced hire encounter difficulties with their first projects and acquiring the consulting toolkits, so you are not alone and you won't be the last. Firms know this and many people come out of this successfully. Some ideas for you on how to bounce back:

• Get more detailed development feedback and work on it: From your first project, get the manager to give you more evidence and examples of where they expected better and ask how it should have been done. Reflect on this, practice it and build on this going forward in your next projects.
• Develop growth and positive mindset: The anxiety and worry that comes from this can weigh you down and actually affect your performance negatively. So try being focused on learning and achieving with a belief that you can and will do this! 
• Leverage your peer consultants: Speak with fellow peer consultants (and any mentors, development guidance leaders, staffers, etc.) to get tactics, shortcuts, methodologies, etc. that they can teach you to help you ramp up on consulting toolkit
• Understand your evaluation criteria for next review: Make sure that you develop the core skills and meet the bar for the precise elements that you will be evaluated on in your first review. You want to make sure you are growing and developing on the items that you will be reviewed against

All the best!

Sorry to hear that! Getting ramped up at MBB isn't easy, and you are not the only one who has ever struggled in that transition. Here are a few resources to leverage if your manager isn't giving precise guidance: 

1. Staffer/talent manager: work with your staffer to understand how to select the next project (and manager) to help you show growth  
2. Learning and development team: reach out to the L&D team (local or within your region) to get a better sense of expectations and strategies to address areas for improvement (e.g., 1-1 coaching, training)  
3. Peers (on this project or otherwise): find people you trust to open up about how your project went and debrief on strategies to improve on specific skills in the toolkit (e.g., quantitative analysis, slide writing, driving your work independently, leveraging firm resources effectively)

Don't be discouraged by the setback. If you want to discuss your situation's specifics and map out a more tailored action plan, feel free to DM me. 

hey!

It's possible to recover. A "below the bar" score early on is not unusual for lateral hires adjusting to consulting norms. Focus on:

1. Feedback: Regularly seek detailed feedback from managers and peers to identify specific improvement areas.
2. Mentorship: Connect with someone in your firm who excels in the consulting toolkit to guide you.
3. Skill Development: Take internal training courses or resources to strengthen toolkit skills.
4. Show Progress: Actively demonstrate improvement in subsequent projects during your probation.

Stay proactive and open to learning—you can turn this around!

Alessa

depends on which firm you are in. but lets assume mckinsey. 

Before your first official review: Yes you still have a chance. 

• get very specific points on what you are underperforming on. work towards this by getting your next EM and driving yourself to improve on those areas.
• Ensure that your next EM CLEARLY mentions that you have solved these gaps in your review cycle.

If this is your only review for this review cycle: No. this is probably it for you. 

Hi there,

Don’t spend time and energy on looking for another job, rather work on the feedback you received. Schedule regular informal touchpoints with your manager to discuss how you are doing and where you stand. Focus on showing that you are incorporating the feedback and are willing to improve. Your attitude and learning trajectory is what is most important here.

Best