Experienced Hire (12 years) with PhD

Experienced Hire PhDtoConsulting
Neue Antwort am 15. Apr. 2021
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Anonym A fragte am 15. Apr. 2021

I am interested to enter the Strategy/Management Consulting industry as an Experienced Hire. I have ~ 12 years of progressive experience (post-PhD) in three major F500 CPG companies in the US. I have performed well in my career, earned internal promotions in each of the three companies, been part of M&As, completed stretch assignments and am currently at the Sr. Principal Scientist/Sr. Manager level in the R & D division of my current company. My expertise is in Innovation, Product Development, Commercialization & Lean. I am curious about:

(1) How do I leverage my experience for a successful entry in MBB or other Tier 2 firms? A friend of mine says that COVID has made experienced hires very attractive to the consulting industry. I wanted to know what do experts on this forum think?

(2) If successful, what would be the level of entry I can expect in the consulting industry?

(3) I have tried networking with MBB employees in the past (in 2018) but with mixed success. I have seen LinkedIn a hit or miss. Any other ideas to do some targeted networking?

(4) For those who have been experienced hires, did they find working in the MBBs or other consulting firms worth it?

Thanks

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Florian
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antwortete am 15. Apr. 2021
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there,

Definitely possible!

1. Your profile sounds interesting. I am not sure how COVID plays a role but experienced hires have become more and more important over the years since clients increasingly demand consultants that have tangible domain expertise I would just reach out to local HR and ask them for a brief feedback discussion and intro call to discuss details.

2. You could either apply for a generalist role or a specialist/expert role based on your background. Again, this is something I would discuss with HR in a private call. With regards to your position, I would say you could enter as an Engagement Manager / Project Leader if you have tangible leadership experience to show for.

3. Reach out to people you have something in common with (same schools, clubs, background, previous employers, hometown,...). These people are usually more likely to reply and help you out by screening your resume and potentially even provide a referral. It would still be cold outreach, yet more targeted with much higher success rates. Some more info on networking in this article: https://strategycase.com/become-a-consulting-networking-ninja-and-get-your-name-out-there

4. Not being an experienced hire myself, however, I believe the experience is equally valuable for everyone. Yet experienced hires often have a harder time adjusting to the very strong company culture and fast pace and there is a higher chance to live through a culture shock (as I have heard from many colleagues that joined later in their career). Also, based on my observations, experienced hires on average leave sooner than graduate hires, which makes sense since the MBB recruiting machinery was focused on graduate hiring for decades and does a really good job at integrating them into the firm. Additionally, graduates have only limited prior experience that could shape their expectations.

All the best with your goals!

Cheers,
Florian

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Francesco
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antwortete am 15. Apr. 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

  1. Not sure why COVID should have made experienced hires more attractive. Given your experience, you may want to target an expert role if present instead of a generalist one. The best thing to be invited is to get a referral from a Principal/Partner sharing your background/operating in the practice you want to join. You can find more on referrals at the link below: https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/hey-everyonehope-all-is-well-3176
  2. It depends on how transferable they see your skills. Probably Manager level assuming they see the leadership experience relevant, possibly with an initial period (3-6 months) at post-MBA level to get you accustomed to the new role.
  3. I would not use LinkedIn as a channel to network and use the suggestions mentioned in point 1
  4. Was not an experienced hire myself, but in general it depends on your long term goals and opportunity cost compared to your current progression

For additional questions please feel free to PM me.

Best,

Francesco

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Ian
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bearbeitete eine Antwort am 15. Apr. 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

First, I view your background as competitive so there's good news there.

1) This is all in your resume. You need to highlight experiences that involve, team management/leadership, strategic thinking, managing/driving a P&L, client/stakeholder management, etc. etc. Feel free to send yours through and I can provide some feedback.

2) I would say you'd come in as a specialist/expert and either a Project Lead/Engagement Manager

3) For networking:

a) Reach out to people in your network

b) Reach out to people once removed from your network

c) Reach out to people with a similar background to you (i.e. same alma mater, same historically underrepresented demographic i.e. gender, orientation, ethnicity, etc., same career switch, etc.)

d) Tailor a message to them specifically both showing interest in them and their journey and demonstrating that you have done your research and could be a valuable hire

e) Play "tag" across calls you get so that you can work your way towards the company/office/role you want

f) Never directly ask for a referral, but "hint" at needing one (this is nuanced and important...happy to talk through wording)

(editiert)

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Antonello
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antwortete am 15. Apr. 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, definitely your cv is a good fit for consulting and I strongly recommend it. The role will be the Associate for McK, consultant for BB. To leverage your profile I would apply to a specific practice, trying to network with the related consultants.

Best,
Antonello

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Florian gab die beste Antwort

Florian

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