Hi there,

interesting question. Adding on a few thoughts to what other coaches already mentioned…

• Don't over-index required experience - most corp strategy teams are very familiar with generalist candidates from T1/2 firms - they understand the business model of such firms and hence don't expect you to be an absolute industry expert, especially for more junior roles
• Overemphasize existing industry exposure - for most roles, it will be required for you to have had at least some experience in the resp. industry the employer operates in. Provided you do (e.g. you did one short project), make sure you over-emphasize this exposure in your application  (e.g. split the experience into multiple bullets)
• Do your homework - if you want to land such role, make sure you familiarize yourself with the company, its industry and ecosystem so that you can compensate for the lack of direct project exposure - they will want to see that you have at least some foundational knowledge and are willing and able to ramp up fast. 
• Network - finally, try to network with people currently or previously in such corp strategy team - they'll be able to tell you very specifically what the expectation is, so you can prepare in a more targeted manner.   

Hope this helps.

Regards, Andi   

Hi,

Sharing based on my experience of having received multiple offers within Corporate strategy with industry players while being a generalist consultant.

I believe, their 2 key components to showcase:

1. Industry specific knowledge: Do a bit of research and come up with suggestions of what some strategic initiatives that the organization can pursue which showcase your understanding of the industry (e.g., new market entry, new products, M&As etc.) and which may be actually relevant for the organization. I would not mind showing off any background reading and research you have done.

2.  Strategy consulting toolkit: Make sure to brush up your structuring and top-down communication skills and ensure you come off as a polished strategy consultant.

Of course, you have to show motivation and appear to have a fit with the team's culture and way of working, but I believe showcasing above 2 will make you attractive for a corporate strategy role within the industry of your preference.

Transitioning from consulting to a corporate strategy role in a specific industry can be a unique challenge, especially when the desired industry requires specific experience. However, there are several strategies you can employ to effectively spin your story and demonstrate the value you can bring to hiring companies. Here are some suggestions based on the experiences of those who have successfully made similar transitions:

Highlight Transferable Skills: While your experience may not be directly in the retail industry, emphasize the transferable skills you have developed during your consulting tenure. Showcase your abilities in strategic analysis, problem-solving, data-driven decision-making, project management, and stakeholder engagement. Demonstrate how these skills can be applied to the challenges and opportunities within the retail sector.

Leverage Relevant Projects: Identify consulting projects from your diversified industries experience that have similarities or intersections with the retail industry. Focus on the aspects of those projects that involved customer insights, market analysis, competitive landscape assessment, or other relevant areas for the retail sector. Highlight the insights gained and the impact of your work, showcasing how it can be applicable to retail-specific challenges.

Emphasize Industry Exposure: Although you may not have direct industry experience in retail, emphasize any exposure you have had to the industry through client engagements or proactively seeking retail-related projects. Highlight your ability to quickly learn and adapt to new industries, showcasing instances where you successfully navigated the retail landscape, even if they were not your primary focus.

Showcase Your Retail Industry Interest: Demonstrate your genuine passion and interest in the retail industry. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications, industry events, or personal projects you have undertaken to enhance your understanding of the sector. This will show your commitment to building industry-specific knowledge and your eagerness to contribute to the retail space.

Leverage Your Network: Utilize your professional network, including contacts from consulting firms, business school alumni, or industry professionals, to gain insights and advice on making the transition to a retail-focused corporate strategy role. Leverage these connections for informational interviews or to explore potential opportunities within the industry.

Remember, storytelling is crucial in conveying your transition effectively. Craft a compelling narrative that showcases your motivation, transferable skills, relevant experiences, and a genuine interest in the retail industry. By demonstrating your ability to adapt, learn quickly, and add value in different contexts, you can position yourself as a strong candidate for corporate strategy roles in retail.

Best of luck with your transition!

Hi there, 

This is a great question.

In short, to really help I'd need to have your CV or a summary of your experience in front of me, plus a discussion with you. 

But what seems obvious already is that you need to highlight across all your professional experiences anything that either:

1. Was retail-related work

or

2. Has an overlap with skills needed within the retail sector

You would then need to strategically position these hints in the CV so that the recruiter arrives on their own at the conclusion that you have lots of retail experience. Don't try to convince them of this by ‘telling’ them, as some people do with the upfront ‘intro pitch’ in CV. 

Last but not least, you also need to play your chances a bit, which is why I'd recommend that you apply broadly. You can use the following guide to craft an application strategy:

• Maximising your chances of getting a consulting job during an economic downturn

Best,
Cristian

Hi there,

I actually wrote an article on this!

https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/tell-me-about-yourself-interview-question

I'd highly recommend you hire a coach to make sure you have a perfectly crafted story. You'd be surprised to discover how many people think they're telling their story right and aren't selling themselves properly at all!

Hello,

Looks like you've got some great advice here already, so I'll just add my additional two cents. Large retail companies are familiar with (and hire a lot of) consultants with a more generalist background, so if you've been admitted to interview, chances are they know what they are getting regarding your skills and experiences. The key will be to position yourself appropriately. I would focus on the skills you have built up in the generalist consultant toolkit, as well as the breadth of industry exposure that enabled you to see different business models at work. To compensate for the lack of “deep” experience as you mention, I would emphasize your interest in retail, talk about how transferable your skills/knowledge are, as well as talking about any insights/experience you've gathered within retail in your consulting job.

You are overthinking this. Either they really want someone who is an industry specialist… or they don't. Usually it's the latter. They prefer someone with industry experience, even if not much, or that at least is excited about retail.

You may not know a lot about retail directly, but you probably know a lot about things that touch upon retail. Digital, logistics, certain consumer trends, esg/energy transition, etc., etc., etc. 

You may be a generalist, but most likely you have something that you are able to leverage.