How relevant is experience in equity research?

Hi there, 

You have an awesome profile!

Do you need an MBA? No. You already have lots of transferrable skills that would make you a target candidate for consulting.

What you need to do now is to:

1. Develop a great application strategy. You need to start by identifying a broad set of firms and roles that you want to target, understand any upcoming deadlines and then sequence the applications in a way that enables you to have the most interviewing experience by the time you interview with your top preferred firms. Make sure here that your CV and Cover Letter are not good, but absolutely excellent. Here's a thinking framework of how to set this up:

• Maximising your chances of getting a consulting job during an economic downturn

2. Work with an expert over a session to workshop your story. Specifically with career transitions for experienced hires, it's very important to craft a compelling story as to why you are making this change, what is your long-term vision and what informs your preference for a specific firm. The expert should also help with reflecting this in your CV and Cover Letter.

Best,
Cristian

Hi there,

1) I’m curious if my experience is well transferable to consulting and at what level.

With your profile you should be able to get interviews in consulting. Depending on the country, you might be considered for a role as a senior Analyst/Junior Associate (using McKinsey levels) or directly as an Associate.

2) I am considering an MBA to revamp my image as the issue of transferability is my main concern, but I’m unsure if it’s necessary. 

I would recommend to apply now via referral, if it doesn’t work you can enroll in an MBA and apply again after that. Please note it’s a tough period for recruiting now and many companies are not hiring much.

You can find more on referrals below:

▶ How to Get an MBB Invitation

▶ The Exact Steps to Get a Referral

Good luck!

Francesco

Hello,

It's great that you have thought so deeply about your profile and application rationale! To answer your questions:

I’m curious if my experience is well transferable to consulting and at what level. 

Your profile looks great for a job in management consulting! Given your background in equity research, you would be a great fit for PE/finance practices in top consulting firms (and a good fit for more generalist positions too, if you want to diversify your industry exposure!). You would be coming in as an experienced hire. The specific position would be up for discussion with the recruiting team of the firm, but my estimate would be Junior Associate / Senior Analyst.
 

I am considering an MBA to revamp my image as the issue of transferability is my main concern, but I’m unsure if it’s necessary. 

I think your experience should be very transferable without an MBA, so no need to do one just for that reason. 

Hi there,

Honestly, I don't see anything wrong your profile at all - in fact I think it's quite impressive!

My advice: Try to apply without the MBA. If you don't suceed in getting interviews/offers, THEN you can go for an MBA.

Now, to optimize your chances:

1. Get as strong a resume as possible (tailored to consulting)
2. Get some “easy” consulting-related experience (can be done on the side)
3. Network a ton

Here are some more tips (fulltime tips essentially same as internship): https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/how-to-get-a-consulting-internship-tips-and-tricks

There's a few people I knew that transferred from equity research to consulting. I will say that your industry knowledge is what is most valuable here so that would be one way to really sell yourself by choosing one industry to focus on. With that approach you are likely to land an interview without an MBA - be sure to target offices that specialize in that sector and to network heavily prior to applying.

With your background if you get into a top B school you will have no problems recruiting for MBB.

Best,
Udayan

• Your experience is going to be highly relevant. The only angle that you will need to project well is that your work was creating tangible impact.
• Your skills will need to be augmented with the consulting toolkit, but MBB will also train you for it.
• MBA might make it easier for you to get a higher chance at success, but considering how uncertain times are, you might want to try even without it. With proper preparation, you should definitely be able to make it.

You have analytical profile and know how to do research, how to perform industry analysis, how to read a company's financials. You have an interesting profile. Not limited to, but particularly interesting for PE/CDD roles.

As such, you do have a chance. I suggest applying before doing an MBA. If it doesn't work… then go for the MBA.