Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!
Back to overview

Experienced Hire for MBB

Hi, I'd like to ask what kind of qualifications does an experienced hire have to possess in order to enter MBB? I'd like to know as this might help with what kind of previous company does MBB prefer also job function/ experience that matters.

Cheers.

8
4.1k
10
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
Ian
Coach
on May 07, 2020
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi Christian,

To more directly answer your question, please feel free to send through your resume! I'll take a look and let you know 1) If you have good odds 2) What position you might be placed in and 3) Some key things (short and medium term) you can do to dramatically boost your odds

Luca
Coach
on Apr 30, 2020
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Hello Christian,

It depends on the role and on the company you would like to apply. The requirement is usually measured in "years of work" and to give you a benchmark, a BCG consultant is an equivalent of 6/7 years of work.

Best,
Luca

Deleted user
on May 06, 2020

Dear Christian,

It could be any relevant experience in any of the targeted industries where the companies have their competence: financial services, farmer, automotive, mechanical engineering, telecommunication, public sector etc. Because you will probably apply to for senior consultant/ senior associate with MBB, firms with clear industry specialization. And also it depends on position available.

Best,

André

6
Clara
Coach
on Jan 21, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

It totally depends on the tenure you want to start in MBB with: 

  • BA: not needed in principle, but some come from BIG4 or IB
  • Associate: 3-5 years of relevant experience, MBA is a plus
  • EM: +5 years and management experience

From AP upwards it´s not based on # of years, but relevant knowledge in a particular field. 

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

Deleted user
on Jan 20, 2020

Hi,

Experience hire span from Associate to Associate Partner Level, and of course competences vary among these roles.

There is no favourite company / function, since they like both experts in fields they are already working in as well as sectors / functions they are interested in enter into.

I would roughly consider these as previous working experience (very roughly):

- Associate: 4-5 years

- Engagement Manager: 5-7 years + leadership position in previous company

- Associate Partner: 7-15 years + leadership position in previous company

2
edited on Jan 20, 2020
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi Christian,
it depends on the seniority. For working experiences up to 5 years, any impactful position in a good startup or a Fortune500 can be good. You have to show during the application process your personal impact, entrepreneurship and leadership skills.
For more senior candidates instead, the practice of expertise is crucial and depends on position available. Nowadays advanced analytical, digital transformation and industry process managers are the most appreciated figures.

Here a useful link for McKinsey applications: https://www.mckinsey.com/careers/experienced-professionals

Hope it helps,
Antonello

Vlad
Coach
on Jan 20, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

MBB is buying expertise. So anything that can make you stand out as an expert can help:

  • Industry expertise (e.g oil&gas)
  • Functional expertise (e.g. Digital). Make sure it's really relevant (e.g. Digital is a hot topic while logistics is quite rare)
  • Consulting / Client service experience (e.g. IB)

Best

Deleted
Coach
on Jan 20, 2020
McKinsey / ex-Interviewer at McKinsey / I will coach you to rock those interviews

Hi!

Consulting experience really helps. Other things which matter: deep knowledge of a certain function (e.g. procurement, sales) or a deep knowledge of a certain industry (e.g.automotives). Upon joining as experienced hire you will be obviously placed within the area of your expertise – so that's why it's important you have a focused knowledge range.

Similar Questions
Consulting
Steve Jobs Critics about Consulting
on Jul 09, 2024
Global
3
2.4k
Top answer by
Florian
Coach
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 600+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU
56
3 Answers
2.4k Views
+1
Consulting
Which Bain App Deadline?
on Jul 06, 2024
Global
4
2.1k
Top answer by
Dennis
Coach
Roland Berger|Project Manager and Recruiter|7+ years of consulting experience in USA and Europe
39
4 Answers
2.1k Views
+1
Consulting
Best job-readiness course for consulting? (Think MBB new joiner training)
17 hrs ago
Global
5
< 100
Top answer by
#1 Rated McKinsey Coach | Top MBB Coach | Verifiable success rates
0
5 Answers
< 100 Views
+2