Hi all,
My query is as simple as the title: Do consulting firms really value non-traditional backgrounds? I have been rejected after 2 rounds of applications at MBB and a couple of Tier 2 firms despite having referrals (consultant level) each time and multiple MBB consultants reviewing my CV.
I think the education part of my CV is fine (target school, lots of prizes, extracurriculars), so I think the issue must be my work experience. I work in a obscure industry that most people haven't heard of and my job title has no obvious link to consulting, but I do a lot of strategy work. My industry does come under professional services but it's a more creative industry, so I wonder if that is where the weakness lies; if recruiters only have 10 seconds to review a CV, maybe just the industry / job title puts them off no matters what I've actually done. I did train and work as a veterinarian before moving into my current role so I'd like to think my skillset is similar to a doctor's, but where doctors are highly valued in consulting there seems to be no interest in vets.
I've worked very hard on case interview prep, so it's frustrating that I have no opportunity to showcase my skills - especially as I keep hearing at recruiting / networking events that they have many interviewees who regurgitate frameworks and I know I would not do that.
I cannot afford an MBA and I have financial commitments so I can't start again in an industry that has a better reputation. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.