Hi!

It all depends on the prioritization of your objectives.

Just a few examples:

• If you want to build a career around addressing board-level strategic and operational problems? → Kearney  > Accenture
• If you want to install yourself in Europe and build your network accordingly? → Accenture > Kearney
• If you want to build a solid base for future income trajectory? Kearney > Accenture
• If you want to later maybe transition towards MBB? → Kearney > Accenture

These are just a few selected aspects. So it all boils down to what YOU want from your life and career.

Cheers, Sidi

_______________________

Dr. Sidi Koné 

(🚀 Ex BCG & McKinsey Sr. Project Manager, now helping high potential individuals join the world's top Strategy Consulting firms (McKinsey | BCG | Bain))

Hi there!

Wow, you have a very fortunate situation. Congrats!!

First, to dispel some myths. No, it's not hard to move back to Europe if your work in ME. If you're a European national, this won't be a problem. If anything, it's harder the other way around - to get an offer in ME as an European. 

The firms are indeed quite similar. If I were you, I'd think through the following things in order to decide (leaving compensation aside):

1. Where do you actually want to live. Living in ME is very different than Europe. This will be your base and where you'll seek to recharge on the weekends. Think where you'd want to grow ‘roots’ over the coming years. 
2. Brand. Kearney is better known for strategy. Accenture is better known for technology / IT projects. What's closer to your long-term goals?
3. What's your overall plan with consulting? Do you just want to get a couple of years of experience and money and then move on or what? Then you might want to go for the offer that pays best and offers the fastest career progression.

Regardless of what you decide, sharing with you two articles that will give you a glimpse into what you should focus on in your first year in consulting to be a distinctive consultant:

• Expert Guide: How to Become A Distinctive Consultant
• Expert Guide: How to Manage for Lifestyle in Consulting

Best,
Cristian

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Practicing for interviews? Check out my latest case based on a first-round MBB interview >>> SoyTechnologies  

congratulations on receiving two offers from Accenture Benelux and Kearney Middle East. It's great to hear that both teams seem like a good fit culturally. I understand that deciding between the two can be challenging, especially considering the salary gap and potential concerns about moving back to Europe from the Middle East.

To make an informed decision, I would recommend considering the following factors:

Career Growth: Evaluate the long-term growth opportunities offered by each firm. Consider the potential for advancement, exposure to different industries and clients, and the development of new skills. Additionally, assess the reputation and brand value of each firm, as it can have an impact on future career prospects.

Location and Lifestyle: Think about your personal preferences and lifestyle goals. Consider the differences between living in Europe and the Middle East, including factors such as work-life balance, cultural experiences, and potential opportunities for personal growth and exploration.

Compensation: While the salary gap is significant, it's important to consider the overall compensation package, including benefits, bonuses, and potential future earning potential. Additionally, take into account the cost of living in each location to assess the financial impact of your decision.

Regarding the concern about moving back to Europe from the Middle East, it's important to note that individual experiences may vary. As an EU national, you may have more flexibility in terms of work permits and visa requirements. However, it's advisable to research and understand the specific regulations and potential challenges associated with relocating back to Europe from the Middle East. Consulting firms often have global networks, and internal mobility opportunities may exist to facilitate a transition if desired.

Ultimately, the decision should align with your long-term career goals, personal preferences, and priorities. I would recommend conducting thorough research, seeking advice from mentors or trusted professionals, and potentially reaching out to individuals who have experience working in both regions to gain further insights. Good luck with your decision-making process!

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the offers!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your situation:

• I would highly advise you to opt for the offer that better aligns with your professional (and maybe even personal) mid- to long-term goals.
• In order to make an informed decision about it, I would advise you to do the following:
  • Weigh the different criteria that are meaningful to you, independently of the current options (e.g. prestige, culture, international exposure, compensation, location). After that, score the two options depending on your criteria and their weighting, resulting in two scores (this way you have covered the left-brain perspective).
  • Critically assess your initial reaction to the outcome of the scores. For instance, if you feel the urge to tweak the numbers, this is a solid indicator that you do not want this decision to become reality (this way you have covered the right-brain perspective).
  • By doing so, you will be able to integrate both your feelings and facts (and thus both parts of the brain) into the decision-making, guaranteeing a higher chance you will still be happy with it years later.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to address your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there, congrats! Good to be in such a situation to have the choice ;-). May sounds old school, but do a simple XLS with rows as evaluation criteria and columns for your two options to think through the decision in a more structured manner. I am advising in the middle east and find it quite enjoyable, booming region with plenty of growth opportunities. Happy to connect bilateral. Warm regards, Frederic 

You have to think about what you really want in the long run. Kearney in general is a better option. And being one level below… let me just say that the ranks are not really comparable between Strategy Firms and Big5 firms.
 

Hi,

I would take the Kearney offer, personally. I do think that they do have stronger branding especially in Middle East and also some countries in Europe. 

All the best!

Hi there,

Congrats on the offers!

To add on top of other fantastic answers, don't forget to add the personal side to the decision (e.g., distance with family / friends, where do you see yourself living in the future, etc.). Sometimes we tend to pay less attention to this part when taking professional decisions and it is important as well!

Best,

Alberto

Hi there,

Congrats on two offers!

You need to decide what is important:

1. Pay
2. Geography/Location
3. Career
4. Culture
5. Type of work

Once you have figured out priority 1 and 2, you can better decide.

Personally, I would pick Kearney, because while I prefer Europe, I would “suck it up” for 2 years for better pay and career ops. But, that's just me. Alas, we all have to chart our own course :)

Consider hiring a case/career coach….1 session…with such an important decision why not make sure you make the right one? And, while you're at it, maybe get help in negotiating your offers for more $? (Like doubling your signing bonus from $20k to $40k like I did!)

Hello!

The decision ultimately depends on your life / career aspirations.
Although, If I were in your position, I would choose Kearney ME for several reasons:

1. Management consulting wise, Kearney has a stronger brand and is considered a solid Tier2 company. Accenture, on the other hand, has a strong brand in the IT consulting, but management consulting wise it is more of a Tier3 company (on par with Big4 S&O) with generally weaker teams and less interesting projects (This may, of course, vary heavily based on the office, and I personally know many people from Accenture, including my students, who made a successful transition to the MBBs).

2. You'll make loads of money in the ME (though the living costs can also rise accordingly);

3. You have almost nothing to lose here as you are a EU national. You can consider it as an interesting experience in your career. And if you don't like it, you can still get back to Europe with a strong Kearney brand in your CV.  (Although be aware of those non-compete agreements where you are prohibited to work for another consulting company for a couple of years).

Good luck,
Nick

(edited)