Joining consulting from the IFC

Hi there!

You have a very cool profile.

Let me take your questions one by one.

1. The transfer-ability of my experience and skills: my experience is mostly a) banking and finance related, and b) exclusively focused on emerging markets within 2 industries. I am therefore extremely skilled at financial modelling, deals, coding and analytics, etc, but is all of this transferable to consulting?

Yes, it's definitely transferable. Consulting recruitment emphasises soft skills more so than hard skills. The fact that you also have hard skills is a great plus. 

2. My grade: I have a good degree from a “top” university that has a solid MBB network. However, my grade for the Bachelor was 2nd class and for the master was Merit (68.3%, second best). I know MBB specifically have strict grade criteria, so this is also concerning me.

They don't have strict grade criteria. You're not even obliged to put your grades in your CV. What you need to do is make sure that you have a great CV and know how to write it. 

Also, you need a great application strategy that distributes your risk in the recruitment process. Here's how to develop one:

• Free Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

3. Starting from scratch: I understand this is tethered to building solid consulting skills, but if I were to join consulting, would it be from the entry-level?

No. It's hard to tell exactly without seeing your profile in detail, but based on your description, I would expect that you at least start as Junior Associate / Associate equivalent in McKinsey. 

Best of luck!
Cristian

Hi,

Sharing my perspective:

1. The transfer-ability of my experience and skills: my experience is mostly a) banking and finance related, and b) exclusively focused on emerging markets within 2 industries. I am therefore extremely skilled at financial modelling, deals, coding and analytics, etc, but is all of this transferable to consulting?
   • Yes - these will be transferable to consulting
   • In terms of relevancy to project types: Several project types will require modelling, including some degree of financial modelling (though most likely not 3 statement) → this includes strategy projects, due diligences 
   • In terms of industry - you would have relevant knowledge/experience for Financial Institutions or Private Equity practice areas
   • Last but not least - your language abilities are a HUGE advantage. This gives you and edge and allows you to be staffed to regions/on projects that require that specific language
2. My grade: I have a good degree from a “top” university that has a solid MBB network. However, my grade for the Bachelor was 2nd class and for the master was Merit (68.3%, second best). I know MBB specifically have strict grade criteria, so this is also concerning me.
   • The longer your work experience, the less important your grade becomes. This is because MBB will be looking to hire you based on either your 1) ability to demonstrate the relevant capabilities in the interview or 2) specific expertise you have built up
   • The reason that MBB looks at grades is because it is a proxy for whether a candidate has the intellectual horsepower to do the job. However if you can demonstrate intellectual excellence/problem solving skills through other means, your grades dont matter as much
3. Starting from scratch: I understand this is tethered to building solid consulting skills, but if I were to join consulting, would it be from the entry-level?
   • With 3 years of work experience it is unlikely you will start as a pure entry-level. Most likely you will be offered a Senior Associate position (BCG terminology)

All the best!

Hi there,

What a phenomenal background! You have a fascianting profile that I think would actually likely stand out quite nicely (paired with networking of course).

The transfer-ability of my experience and skills: my experience is mostly a) banking and finance related, and b) exclusively focused on emerging markets within 2 industries. I am therefore extremely skilled at financial modelling, deals, coding and analytics, etc, but is all of this transferable to consulting?

It's transferable! Your job is to make that pop on your resume. To make sure the right things are shown and the wrong things are hidden/de-emphasized. But, ultimately, from what I can see, you could have a great resume for consulting…if done right.

My grade: I have a good degree from a “top” university that has a solid MBB network. However, my grade for the Bachelor was 2nd class and for the master was Merit (68.3%, second best). I know MBB specifically have strict grade criteria, so this is also concerning me.

The further away you are from your graduation date, the less it matters. Networking is key as well to help support resume weakness.

Starting from scratch: I understand this is tethered to building solid consulting skills, but if I were to join consulting, would it be from the entry-level?

Maybe. You're borderline. Might be entry-level but halfway (like a JC), or you might be able to get in at consultant level. This will depend on solid networking, a well done resume, and, sometimes, your performance in the interview itself.

Hi there,

1) I am therefore extremely skilled at financial modelling, deals, coding and analytics, etc, but is all of this transferable to consulting?

Yes, some of these could be useful in consulting, in particular for projects in the industries you have experience with.

2) I know MBB specifically have strict grade criteria, so this is also concerning me.

I would not worry about this as you can compensate low grades with a strong referral. You can find more on referrals here.

3) I understand this is tethered to building solid consulting skills, but if I were to join consulting, would it be from the entry-level?

Most likely with 3 years of experience they will recognize some seniority and have you join as a senior analyst (McKinsey)/ senior associate (BCG/Bain).

Good luck!

Francesco