Hi all,

Here is the situation: I had been preparing to get a job in MBB, but bombed my final round interviews and didn't get an offer. However, I got two very different offers at other places and need help deciding what move makes the most sense to position myself to re-apply to MBB in 1-2 years.

One is with the UN in a technology advisory role --high staff category, good pay and benefits, but attaching the "nonprofit" label to my CV and skills used/improved are different from classic consulting. The position is interesting but can often be overshadowed by perceptions of inefficiency, bureaucracy and lack of innovation or results-driven culture. Any MBB consultants who can confirm this?

The other is with a boutique strategy consulting firm -- half the pay and not-well-known brand on CV, but learning opportunities are much more aligned to the skills a MBB would be looking for.

What should I do: a) good pay, "UN brand" and unrelated skills gained; or b) bad pay, not recognizable brand but appropriate skills gained.

Again, the end goal would be to reapply to MBB in 1-2 years. Is the UN brand perceived as worse than a not-well-known consulting firm?

Many thanks for your insights