1. Yes, they will usually downgrade you. I've been in your shoes, even having previous strategy consulting experience. But usually, they will move them to a level close to promotion.

2. If you have a high level of experience in your current rank, then they may keep you at your current level. I've seen that happen as well - someone with a few years of manager at a Big4 strategy arm moving into 1st year manager role - but not to a senior consultant role.

This also depends on how you convey your experience during the interview. Let me know if you need some help as I've been through both sides of the equation...

Hey there,

Can only answer this for McKinsey:

Usually, you are downgraded one level if you join from tier-2 and B4, in your example, you would move from Manager/ EM to Senior Associate, however, usually with a faster promotion window if you prove yourself well.

I once worked with a partner who joined from a boutique firm and had to go through all roles once before taking his partner role, i.e. he did one project as Sr. Asc, one as EM, and I believe then moved into the AP role and then Partner role. 

I think it makes a lot of sense to get to know the culture and is beneficial for you too. If you work on a couple of projects as a Sr.Asc, you have the chance to learn from your EMs on how they run the show. Long-term this will help you with your own trajectory.

Cheers,

Florian

Hi there,

Be careful in life with the term always :)

Yes, this happens and it happens frequently. That said, by no means does it always happen. It completely depends on how long you're in your current role, the other experiences you've had, and even your interview performance (in some instances).

To be honest, I think the game you're playing is a bit odd. If you're interested in MBB, why not just apply and see what happens? If you don't like the role now (or think your odds are low), then wait 2 years! If you try and don't get invited/given an offer, you 1-2 year cooldown is within your future plans anyway.

The best way to figure out what will happen with you is to talk to HR about you and your situation. Nothing beats hearing directly from the horse's mouth!

Hi,

I faced a similar situation and had a tenure/downgrade when I joined from Kearney to BCG.

In general yes you can expect a seniority downgrade when you join from a T2 firm to MBB.

What specific role they decide to give you really depends on your specific profile and also needs of the firm at that time. It is not a guarantee that you come in as PL if you are already Senior Manager at Big 4. 

Based on my experienced, what commonly happens is that they give you a Consultant position (or at best Consultant Year2) if you wanted to join from Big 4.

Hope this clarifies!

Hello!

It is dangerous here to generalize, since the nuances (which is what really matters) need to be seen almost case by case here). 

What I can tell you for sure is that all people who came from other consultings (in particular, Big 4) were indeed downgraded when coming to MBB, in 100% of the times. 

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

Hi!

You should indeed expect a downgrade when joining MBB. It's hard to tell to which level though.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Anto

MBB “usually” downgrade, not “always”.

There are 2 things MBB are very careful about - and they are the reason for this downgrade:

• EM level position in MBB is considered to be a very crucial focal point for all project functioning. MBB want to make sure that their EMs perform exactly as they expect them to be. Being a “manager” in a non-consulting role for 10-years would still mean that the person will need to go through the pre-EM phase at MBB in order to acquaint themselves with the rigour of the EM position. Tier2/B4 managers might still be considered for EM position if there is a significant experience (so your promotion to Senior EM at B4)
• MBB want that the EM level person should have the right culture as they travel up the hierarchy and become more senior. Culture is crucial to MBB.