Do MBBs/management consulting firms have 'Busy/Low' seasons?

2nd tier Advice application process interview process MBB recruiting recruiting season
New answer on May 27, 2020
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Anonymous A asked on Jan 03, 2019

Hi, I am curious, do management consulting fimrs have a 'busy' and 'low' season'? I know for the Big4 firms their busy season is now beginning ahead of tax season in certain countries, but I was curious about management consultancies. In my country we can apply for positions year-round so I'm not so much asking about hiring policies as just general workload and number of projects starting up and being staffed.

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Mathias
Expert
replied on Jan 03, 2019
Ex-McKinsey Engagement Manager / Ex-Diplomat - Perfect choice for non-traditional candidates. Let's get you an offer!

Absolutely! Demand is often in line with the vacation/holiday preferences in the country (e.g. summer/Christmas = slow in Western Europe). There are even some offices in Scandinavia that close for a whole month during the summer vacations.

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Anonymous replied on May 27, 2020

Dear A,

Consulting as other business has it's own seasonality. So the low season are - January and August. While the high seasons are February-May, September-December.

Hope, it helps,

Best,

André

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Guennael
Expert
replied on Jan 03, 2019
Ex-MBB, Experienced Hire; I will teach you not only the how, but also the why of case interviews

You may be able to apply year round, doesn't mean the interviews & start times won't be clustered around a couple of periods around the year.

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Mathias gave the best answer

Mathias

Ex-McKinsey Engagement Manager / Ex-Diplomat - Perfect choice for non-traditional candidates. Let's get you an offer!
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