Dear Community,
I have been with MBB SEA for little more than a year (in the BA/Associate level). Also have US degree.
I am thinking to work in the middle east (UEA/Saudi/Qatar) in th consulting as well. I dont mind switching to tier 2 (At kearner, olyver wyman, roland berger, etc).
What are my chances? Are these tier 2 currently hiring? What is the sallary range for equivalent BA/Associate position?
Before you ask why not MBB again, I think the MBB pressure is too high for me.
Thank you
Hi there,
First of all, I am sorry to hear about the pressure you are experiencing!
I think this is an interesting question that may be relevant for many people. I would be happy to share my thoughts on it:
If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.
Best,
Hagen
Hi there,
1) What are my chances?
With an MBB background, you are definitely well-positioned for the transition. I would check if it is possible to do an internal transfer with your firm as that could be the simplest option.
2) Are tier 2 currently hiring?
Most firms are still hiring in the Middle East, I would recommend to network to find a referral and check in advance. You can find more on referrals below:
▶ How to Get an MBB Invitation
▶ The Exact Steps to Get a Referral
3) What is the salary range for equivalent BA/Associate position?
I wrote an article on that, you can find it below:
▶ Top Consulting Salaries in the Middle East
In terms of pressure: a Tier 2 won’t necessarily have less pressure, but that also depends on the firm (you can find more once you start networking).
Good luck!
Francesco
Hi there,
Sorry to hear you're feeling a bit squeezed in MBB. I totally understand it.
If you're still considering working on the current situation, I'd recommend two materials that you might find useful because they have practical advice for managing your lifestyle:
If you have had enough and just want to move, a transfer is definitely possible. You can do this in two ways:
1. Transfer with your current firm
Tends to be easiest when you have at least two years of tenure and a clear value proposition. You should also aim to have a strong pull from the office that you want to transfer to - basically 1-2 Partners that are requesting that you come and work there because they specifically need your skill set. If you don't have this already, I'd suggest you get working on it ASAP.
2. Start the interviewing process with other firms
I wrote a guide that explains how to do this precisely in the current tough economic times. You can read it here:
Regarding compensation, funnily enough, most firms tend to pay more than the likes of McKinsey. One explanation is that McKinsey is relying on their strong brand and not feeling pressured to increase compensation to match that of their peers.
I've helped multiple candidates make this sort of transition, so feel free to reach out and I'm happy to chat about it.
Best,
Cristian
Hi there,
generally Mid East is doing good economically at the moment. Industry experience that is sought after is quite broad, incl. financial services, infrastructure, oil&gas, more and more consumer.
Cheers
Andreas
Hello A,
Your chances of getting a job with tier 2 consulting firms in the Middle East are good, especially with your experience at MBB and US degree. Not many people try to move to tier 2 from tier 1, so it will make you stand out. But please don’t mention that the reason behind it is that you cannot handle the pressure. These firms are often hiring for BA/Associate level positions, and you can research their current job openings on their websites or job portals. Also, especially in the Middle East, networking is very important. Try to connect with people and get a referral.
The salary range for equivalent positions can vary depending on the specific firm and location, so it's best to research and compare salaries for the specific firms you are interested in. I would suggest you go on Glassdoor.com, it’s very accurate.
It's understandable that the pressure at MBB is too high for you, and it's always important to prioritize your well-being and career goals.
Good luck with your job search!
(editiert)
Hi there,
First, if you can last just 1 more year (or even 6 more months) with MBB please try to do so! Even if it means taking some time off.
The brand doesn't mean as much if you only have 1 year at the entry level.
In terms of transitioning, it should definitely be “easy” in the sense that they will be eager to hire ex-MBB. In general, they are also still hiring. Salary will be slightly lower than MBB, in general, but not too far off.
That said, the following needs to be considered:
Good luck!
P.S. Here's some reading for you to help you in the MBB role itself (should help you do better there): https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/tips-for-consultans
It's much easier to move from T1 to T2, and so your chances of getting a role are good. The ME is doing well at the moment and are hiring. The question which you'll probably get asked though is why the switch - you could, in all likelihood, move with MBB. You might want to think through if there's an industry specialism or type of work which will make sense to a recruiter and enable you to tell a good story about the switch. As others have said, I wouldn't focus on the pressure as all organisations expect you to work hard.
Good luck!
Pressure is not different from MBB to Tier 2. If pressure from MBB is too high to you, you either have to find a boutique where things are less intensive, or try an internal consulting role.
