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Experienced hire

Experienced Hire
New answer on Mar 20, 2021
7 Answers
865 Views
Anonymous A asked on Mar 19, 2021

Hello,

what are the best positions and the best companies to work in to get into MBB as an experienced hire (2-3 years of experience) ? I was thinking about Business Analyst/ Strategy Analyst/ Project Manager within large companies. Am I right? In other terms, what are the criteria to hire experienced professionals in MBB please?

Thank you in advance

(edited)

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Allen
Expert
replied on Mar 19, 2021
Ex-McK Experienced Hire and EM - I show you how to perform at your best

MBB is MBB because they don't hire based on employer brand name.

However, they do take advantage of the high-bar recruiting that other organizations do to prequalify candidates. Example, US Navy submariners, Big tech like Google / Facebook / Amazon, or leadership rotation programs at companies like GE, leading investment banks or PE firms.

It's more about your ability to create an impact and successfully communicate that (often through a referral) than the name on your resume.

Bottom line, choose a company where you will be successful and make a difference. Sounds like lower probability of success to choose a company just because MBB might value the name.

Hope this helps,

Allen

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Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Mar 19, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

I couldn't agree more with Allen.

I mean, for reference, I worked at a no-name tech consulting company called Appian (less "no-name" now). I also got my MBA in a non top 10 program.

Nothing I did was pre-planned/pre-ordained to maximize my MBB odds. I simply worked hard and excelled at what I did...I was promoted 2 times in 3 years at Appian, ended up managing/leading some major projects, and I had a number of other strong experiences to support my resume (multiple languages, data analytics, a few startups, and other part-time roles/projects).

Focus more on where you can do great/big things, and less on just brand name :)

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Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Mar 20, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

If you don’t want to apply now, the best alternatives to land invitations without an MBA in the future are:

  • 2nd-tier consulting companies
  • Strategy roles in top brands

You should be able to easily identify good top brands in your country via LinkedIn, filtering by current MBB consultants and looking at where they worked before.

Even without such experiences, a top MBA like INSEAD + a referral should help you to get invitations. You can find more on referrals at the link below:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/hey-everyonehope-all-is-well-3176

Best,

Francesco

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Mar 19, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Tendentially, you are right with the options that you mention in the post (though you forgot to mention also other smaller or boutique consulting firms).

However, this is not the only way, and MBB hire from very different backgrounds, as long as you can convince them of your unique value proposition.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Ken
Expert
replied on Mar 19, 2021
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

Quite the opposite. MBBs care about the achievement and impact you have had, which could be in the context of a large corporate but definitely not exclusively. Indication of transferable skills are important but otherwise each firm will have the approach to apprentice you from scratch where there won't be any prior role that is a best fit.

Good luck!

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Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Mar 19, 2021
Ex-Mckinsey|Certified Career Coach |Placed 500+ candidates at MBB & other consultancies

Allen gave a very explicit answer, and I totally agree with it. Your own skill matter most of all!

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Adi
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Mar 19, 2021
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

100% agree with Allen

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