Boutique/ Local Consulting

associate consultant Boston Consulting Group MBB McKinsey
Neue Antwort am 9. Apr. 2021
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Anonym A fragte am 7. Apr. 2021

Hope all of you are well.

I am having an interview with local/ Boutique consulting firm. I am wondering how to tackle questions like

1) Did you apply to any other consulting firm ?

2)Why this company ? Instead MBB/Tier 2

I think one of the way to answer the second question is the advantage of working for Boutique consulting company. I am wondering what are the benefits of working with small Boutique consulting (Client exposure, hierarchy,etc) compared to big firms ?

Thank you

(editiert)

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Adi
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Content Creator
antwortete am 7. Apr. 2021
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

1) Did you apply to any other consulting firm ?

  • Be honest on this one. If you are interviewing elsewhere, worth mentioning to show you are in demand. Say something like..Yes, I am in various stages of interview process at x other firms. But I am particularly very keen to explore a mutual fit with you.

2)Why this company ? Instead MBB/Tier 2

  • Answer this for yourself- what about this firm makes it a better fit for you? E.g. its more in line with your career aspirations, not wanting to work for a big corporate, type of role, industry focus, good vibes you got based on the due diligence you did/people you spoke to etc. Basically show them that you have done the research and this firm is a better fit BOTHWAYS

All the best.

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Ian
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Content Creator
antwortete am 7. Apr. 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Did you apply to other firms

Don't lie! Say yes, and say you're interviewing with a few. This is perfectly fine and makes them further recognize you're a desireable candidate!

But, then use this as an opportunity to segway into....you guessed it...why this company!

Say "Yes, I'm intervieiwng at x and y, but your company is my top choice because..."

Why this company

  • Start with a "mini" why consulting
  • Then have 2-3 reasons why x company is your target
  • Every "reason" needs to incorporate 1) That you know they value x 2) That you not only value x but have exhibited it and done it in the past
  • Be very very mindful of what they want you to want
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Clara
Experte
Content Creator
antwortete am 9. Apr. 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Those are indeed among the tricky and complicated FIT questions. This said, it´s very weird to get asked something like "why us and not x". Overall, don´t lie, since it´s quite easy to see that as an interviewer.

If you want to deep dive on the topic, the "Integrated FIT guide for MBB" has been recently published in PrepLounge´s shop (https://www.preplounge.com/en/shop/tests-2/integrated-fit-guide-for-mbb-34)

It provides an end-to-end preparation for all three MBB interviews, tackling each firms particularities and combining key concepts review and a hands-on methodology. Following the book, the candidate will prepare his/her stories by practicing with over 50 real questions and leveraging special frameworks and worksheets that guide step-by-step, developed by the author and her experience as a Master in Management professor and coach. Finally, as further guidance, the guide encompasses over 20 examples from real candidates.

Furthermore, you can find 3 free cases in the PrepL case regarding FIT preparation:

Feel free to PM me for disccount codes for the Integrated FIT Guide, since we still have some left from the launch!

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Anonym B antwortete am 9. Apr. 2021

Hello, I currently work a top strategy boutique in Europe so I will share my insights on why a boutique can "beat" MBB

1/ Strategy only (at least for my boutique, but others may focus on marketing etc). As such, you can really focus on the area you like. This is often what my friends at MBB are "jealous of" as I can brag about my strategic plans, growth strategy, due dil etc.

2/ Personal growth & visibility = there are less people and support staff working at a boutique as such you can really grow hyper fast depending on your skills / appetite. However, it can also be "negative" as you will have to do a lot of things "by yourself" and "figuring it out" (market research, admin tasks, etc.). However, you really learn to be independant. Finally, day one as Junior Consultants you are given responsabilities (and not only taking minutes)

3/ Knowing each personal individually. I can tell you all the consultants know each other, eat lunch often together etc. You can really create some nice connections whereas with bigger firms you always meet new people which means it's hard to create lasting friendship

4/ Entrepreneurial aspect: I wanted to a pitch the CEO of a large company so I asked my MD if we could do it and we actually did it! This is truly a highlight for entrepeurial profiles. You can start any initiatives you are interested in (of course if it fits the firm goals) whereas in MBB it's harder to start big initatives like this one.

All in All, I really enjoy my time at a leading strategy boutique and I can tell you the learning and work is not very different from Tier 2/MBB. As I am leaning towards "senior positions" I am often approached by headhunters and HR from MBB/Tier 2 so if the end goal is MBB, a few years in a top boutique can defintiely help you get there.

Best of luck

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Antonello
Experte
Content Creator
antwortete am 8. Apr. 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, I confirm to answer yes to the 1st question. This shows really your strong interest into strategy consulting

Best,
Antonello

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Adi

Content Creator
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience
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