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Market Specific Expertise as Entry Level Generalist

FIT MBB
New answer on Jun 23, 2020
6 Answers
1.0 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Jun 21, 2020

Hi All,

I am applying as Entry Level Business Analyst Mckinsey / Associate BCG. I have masters degree and 3 years work of experience in a particular industry. Will it help if my target office /country has many projects regarding this industry. For example, if someone has experience in oil and gas industry and wants to work in MBB generalist entry level in Middle East. Also, how should we leverage that ? thank you

(edited)

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Francesco
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updated an answer on Jun 22, 2020
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

yes, if your target office has projects in your field of expertise for sure it will help.

Before the case interview, you can leverage your experience in three ways:

  • Find alumni of your university who did projects in the same sector to target a referral
  • Underline the experience in your CV
  • Underline the experience in your Cover

The way you underline it in CV and Cover is different but still action – result based.

In the case interview, you can create a fit story based on some of your experiences, as mentioned by David.

Hope it helps,

Francesco

(edited)

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Anonymous replied on Jun 22, 2020

Hi,

When you are recruited as an experienced hire, you must indeed be able to bring something more than a very junior person.

Having an oil & gas expertise is a good example of course.

On the other hand, when you talk about this experience in your cover letter or during the fit, you need to find the right mix between technical expertise and the ability to have demonstrated consulting skills (e.g. problem solving, communication, ... ).

Focusing only on the technical part can be scary for the interviewer and thus be counterproductive

Best

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Anonymous A on Jun 22, 2020

HI David I am applying as Entry Level Business Analyst

Robert
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replied on Jun 22, 2020
McKinsey offers w/o final round interviews - 100% risk-free - 10+ years MBB coaching experience - Multiple book author

Hi Anonymous,

The 3 years of work experience are a good asset in general if your target office(s) have many projects in your area of expertise (how to leverage implicitly included).

  • Application phase/CV screening: In general it's always recommended to network your way into consulting firms, especially in current turbulent times - here your domain expertise might help you to connect to consultants and discuss in-depth about some domain-related issues (as opposed to some general networking bla-bla). With a referral you will basically jump over the CV screening phase, so that's an important point.
  • Interview phase: chances are that some cases during your interviews are related to your domain expertise if there are many projects and thus many consultants working in that field. Still you need to perfeclty master the process of solving case interviews, but it's easier if you are familiar with the subject-matter related topics and don't hear about them first time in your life. So also a small edge here.
  • Post-interview/consulting phase: with 3 years of experience you might already cover many of the basics and you can concentrate more on other (non subject-matter related) challenges when starting off your consulting career, if you are staffed in your area of expertise. So again a small edge here.

Hope this helps - if so, please be so kind and give it a thumbs-up with the green upvote button below!

Robert

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Clara
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replied on Jun 23, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Yes, for sure it helps.

Make sure you share that with staffing once you are in, until you know the people from the industry and the CST -client service teams-.

However, what seems a bit werid to me is that you are applying to entry level BA. WIth 3 years, I would say at least is Senior BA.

Did you discuss this with HR already?

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Luca
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replied on Jun 23, 2020
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Hello,

Your previous work experience can help if you apply in specific office (like your example for ME), but don't focus too much on that. In most of the countries MBB have projects across all the industries and as Associate (BCG)/Business Analyst (McK) you are not required to have previous knowledge of the industry.

It could be more complex if you apply for tier-2 or tier-3 companies where you could leverage your previous work to enter as an experienced hire.
Feel free to write me if you want to discuss this more.

Best,
Luca

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Ian
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replied on Jun 23, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Absolutely!

You should always apply to the most relevant office if possible. This means, where you live, the language you speak, where you have citizenship/work permission, and, of course, where you have relevant industry experience!

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