Hi there,

Let me answer by adding a question:

• Is it possible? Yes, absolutely. At McKinsey, we lived and worked by the “Make your own McKinsey" principle, which puts you in the driving seat of your career (sort of). If you network well at Partner level and with PD/Staffing, and have a compelling story to tell as to why you should be the chosen one on a given project, you have a good shot. I did this from time to time.
• Is it advisable? This is where it gets tricky since ‘abandoning' your home office may have some consequences for your career development. If you do projects all over the place and spread yourself thinly, nobody will know you in the place that matters and where you need Partner support to raise the ranks, i.e. BA → ASC → EM → JP and so on… Hence, be careful not to overdo it and prioritize building strong connections in your home base, first.

Hope this helps a bit. Best of luck!

Moritz

Great question and one that often comes up as people want to know how flexible staffing is

The not so great:

• While staffing is theoretically global, there are some practical (financial) constraints. For example, an Associate in US costs a certain $ amount and the same Associate based out of Malaysia costs a lot lower. So being it is harder to justify flying a US based associate to Malaysia for a project as it eats into the P&L of the team and potentially reduces the team size
• Partners like to staff teams with people that are known to them or come highly recommended. It is hard to be known to a partner in a different country and then convince them to staff you. That can be solved of course but takes time
• There are logistical challenges to be worked out. If you are based in the US and staffed in Japan how often can you fly back for example etc.

The Good

• Firms like to encourage staffing across countries where it makes sense. When does it make sense?
  • If you bring expertise that is not found locally - this is the easiest way to be staffed anywhere
  • If you are well known to the client based on prior work
  • If there is a role that fits your profile well 
  • If it is financially judicious
• There is a high demand for staffing across regions so people will support you IF you are a high performer and well liked by the firm
• There are many alternatives - e.g., short term office transfers that can make the process a lot easier.

All the best,

Udayan

HI there, 

It's very easy in McKinsey. And it gets increasingly easy with experience and as you develop your network. 

I did regular glass-tower banking projects in Frankfurt but also gold mining on an island in Papua New Guinea, even though my home office was in Central Europe. If you want it to happen, you can. The downside is that you might be ‘sent’ to places you don't want to go to because you're junior and you don't have much of a choice. You can find more advice HERE on how to approach life as a fresh consultant. 

BCG and Bain don't make it as easy, especially when it's outside of the region. You have to be more intentional about it and look out actively for opportunities on the Intranet. 

Best,

Cristian

McKinsey does allow you to travel quite internationally even post COVID. BCG is a bit less and you need to seek them out outside of your local region but they are still possible. However, there are cases of even BCG consultant travelling to other countries for work.

Hello,

You're exactly right!

1) McKinsey has a global model, BCG regional and Bain local

2) However, the ‘range’ would also depend per office. E.g. BCG Middle East offices have pooled resources across Dubai, Riyadh and Doha. I imagine BCG's offices in the US / Canada would have pooled resources across a lot more cities than just 3 like the Middle East.

3) Travelling also depends on the needs of the local office where you are based in. Again taking the example of BCG, resources in Riyadh would rarely travel outside of KSA because there's a ton of work happening in KSA - so much so that its a big hub for talent import, but less so for talent export. 

4) You're best bet is to go with McKinsey if you're really keen on travelling. No matter what the levels are post-covid, McKinsey would certainly have more globalized projects than any other firm in this post-covid era.

Hope this helps!

Rushabh

Hi there,

It would be really helpful if you could tell us what geography you're in.

Obviously Europe will have a lot of travel across countries.

Obviously Australia won't have much.

In general, the order of “ease” of international projects is probably McKinsey > BCG > Bain.

But, this is dependent on office, timing, role level, experience, and you.

Remember, a lot does have to fall in place for this to happen. And, remember, you are a number. They have to staff the people they want. So, you have to sell yourself. 

The process can almost be viewed as applying to a job (you have to show that you are the one that should be on that project, as opposed to all the other people who are interested).

Hi there,

You are correct!

The one-firm principle and global staffing is really lived at McKinsey. There might be times (very high local demand) when you are asked to work in the region of your home office, but most of the time you are really flexible to pursue your career and engagements as you see fit (given proper networking and performance). I remember once that when there was a crunch in Germany, I was asked to stay in Germany for an engagement (which was not really interesting to me). I reached out to one of my mentors and the issue was fixed and I could go to a much more interesting project that fit my interests and career trajectory within the firm. On top of that, McKinsey also has other options available (short-term transfers, etc.)

For BCG and Bain, staffing is indeed more local, especially at Bain.

Cheers,

Florian