How much does MBB value status experience if you are a founder?

Bain Bain & Company BCG Big 4 big four Boston Consulting Group MBB McKinsey McKinsey & Company startup
New answer on Oct 31, 2022
8 Answers
405 Views
Anonymous A asked on Oct 25, 2022

Hi,


I am looking to lateral into a MBB from a big 4 firm and wanted to know how much startup experience will help my application, if at all?

For context, I am one of the founders and I still plan on being with the team around the time of my application.

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best answer
Emily
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 25, 2022
Ex McKinsey EM & interviewer (5 yrs) USA & UK| Coached / interviewed 200 +|Free 15 min intro| Stanford MBA|Non-trad

As this is something that you do - put it in your resume! It shows great initiative and entrepreneurialism, so I'd definitely add it. Make sure that you can show some tangible things that you do (i.e., are you just with some friends sitting in the kitchen saying you should start something or have you actually put in the steps to getting it up and running?). 

Good luck! 

Was this answer helpful?
Florian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 26, 2022
#1 rated McKinsey Coach | Top MBB Coach | 5 years @ McKinsey | Author of the 1% | 120+ McK offers in 18 months

Hi there,

You should definitely include it. 

Starting and running a company is something that requires a very similar skill set as working at a consulting firm.

Be prepared to answer questions about why you want to stop your venture and start in consulting though.

Cheers,

Florian

Was this answer helpful?
Pedro
Expert
replied on Oct 25, 2022
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Roland Berger |Former Head Recruiter | Market Sizing

If it shows your a highly driven, results-getter, high potential individual, it helps. If nothing of the above, not really.

Just not sure how do you plan to act on this information, and that really scares me. Do you plan to stay longer in the startup if you believe that makes you more valuable, is that it? 

If that's the case, just don't go that route. The best way to get into consulting is… applying into consulting. I'm seeing too many people who want to be in consulting purposefully avoiding applying and actually becoming less interesting over time, instead of the opposite.

Was this answer helpful?
Udayan
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 25, 2022
Top rated McKinsey Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /6 years McKinsey recruiting experience

Like with anything else, a successful startup ($X million in revenue, backing of top VCs etc) is highly valued and anything that is more reliant on family and friends with limited success to show for it less valued from an experience perspective. Also note that you will not be able to participate in the startup if you end up at MBB.

 

If you are already a strategy consultant at a Big 4 firm then that will count for a lot more in terms of experience that they value and I would not worry about the startup experience too much.

Was this answer helpful?
Dennis
Expert
replied on Oct 31, 2022
Seasoned project leader with 7+ years of consulting and recruiting experience in USA and Europe

It will help to set you apart from others who have never gone ahead and founded something of their own. So you have shown this kind of drive and courage which is something you should leverage.

On the flipside, by applying to a consulting firm, you are effectively seeking employment rather than (continue) being your own boss, pursuing your own creation and vision. Why do you want to trade that for consulting? You need a good answer for that

Was this answer helpful?
Eishan
CoachingPlus Expert
replied on Oct 26, 2022
Helping consulting aspirants crack the case interview and achieve thier dream job. Bain I LBS MBA I Uber I Bloomberg

Hi there - 

Definitely include it. 

1. Think about your impact and how best to position it with the rest of the story 

2. Be prepared to go deep into what you are doing and building 

3. Be prepared to answer questions on why you want to leave

Was this answer helpful?
Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 26, 2022
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Q: Wanted to know how much startup experience will help my application, if at all?

Entrepreneurial activities are definitely fine for a consulting application, so I would keep it in your CV.

You can find more CV tips below:

▶ How to Craft a CV for Consulting Applications

Best,

Francesco

Was this answer helpful?
Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 26, 2022
MBB | 100% personal interview success rate (8/8) and 95% candidate success rate | Personalized interview prep

Yes! This is a fantastic experience that you should absolutely add to your resume.

Was this answer helpful?
Emily gave the best answer

Emily

Content Creator
Ex McKinsey EM & interviewer (5 yrs) USA & UK| Coached / interviewed 200 +|Free 15 min intro| Stanford MBA|Non-trad
60
Meetings
1,776
Q&A Upvotes
11
Awards
5.0
29 Reviews