I think you're hitting on the right points by questioning if your motivations for applying are the right ones to put on a cover letter. In my opinion it's much better to focus on the positives vs highlight negatives for all the reasons you mentioned. So for example if you're applying to McKinsey you can say that you really admire the feedback culture at McKinsey and the many opportunities to find mentorship at the firm given its values etc. 

You can highlight the opportunities you will get at mbb (opportunity to work across industries or at least clients and problem types, ability to become a global thought leader in the space both within and outside the firm. Etc. There's many ways to make the same point without making it a negative against your current employer. 

Lastly it doesn't help your case if you think you had no shot at mbb (because they'll ask what's changed now?) and if you didn't think they were kind to their employees - same question. So again maybe say that you didn't have the right guidance or knowledge about the industry and went with the firm that came to campus first. But now that you've worked and read about the industry you know exactly what you're after etc etc. 

Hope this helps,

Udayan 

Hi there,

1) I hope to find exactly a solution for these 4 points at MBB. Should I be honest and tell them exactly that since I find these are valid reasons? 

I would not frame the reasons as negative points of your current employer. Instead, say that MBB would offer you the opportunity to focus more on XXX, without direct reference to what is lacking in your current company.

If during the interview they then ask why that’s not present in your current company, say that the company was great for YYY reason, but unfortunately didn’t offer opportunities for XXX (without negative judgment). This should create a baseline for a good reply.

2) I also assume that they will ask “Why did you not join MBB in the first place?" Should I also here be very open and honest? Or find a different story?

You should reply with something true, but I would recommend top frame it differently compared to what you shared.

I would say you had the option to join your current company before having a chance to interview with MBB (which from what I understood from your story is true) and that you found that opportunity was great at that time to start your career.

Good luck!

Francesco

Hello,

Answering your first question of Why MBB, Yes, the 4 reasons you've mentioned are great. Perhaps try framing your reasons in a more positive way instead of negative. E.g.: “I would love to do more of pure strategy work over operational work” instead of “My work is very operational instead of strategic which I do not really like”.

For your second question of why not joining MBB in the first place: I think they will not ask this question. Maybe you did not succeed before at getting an interview at an MBB etc. However, if they do ask something along the lines of “Is this your first time applying to us?", then you could say something along the lines of “I wanted to get some experience in this industry before being confident enough to apply to an MBB”. 

All the best! Let me know if you need any help.

Rushabh

You're in a great spot to apply! You've got experience and that's what matters. Lots of people aren't in a position to apply straight out of their undergrad and need some time in the workplace first, so I say go ahead and do it!

That being said, your reasons are all things that you currently don't like, rather than things that get you excited. I highly recommend re-framing to things that you want, rather than things that you don't want - otherwise you will come across as negative. 

Good luck!

Your reasons are valid for you to be proactive about a career transition. However, as previously mentioned, they are your personal motivation but don't make for good “official” reasons.

Given what you are describing, it doesn't sound like you have been able to gain much experience on your current role which would be considered valuable for MBB - but neither have candidates applying out of college.

Frame your “official” reasoning for wanting to join MBB as a positive focusing on all the things that make working for MBB great rather than trying to eliminate everything that sucks about your current role/employer.

Good luck

Hi there,

Please avoid speaking in the negative in both the cover letter and during your interviews!

The reasons are all valid, but frame them in the positive! As in, state all the reasons why you are drawn to MBB (not away from your current job)