Moving to Consulting from PE

dubai London MBB SE Asia
New answer on Feb 21, 2021
11 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Jan 06, 2021

Hi Preplounge Community,

I am currently 6 years into my job in a Private Equity fund under one of the top US banks and I am expecting a promotion to VP soon. I picked PE over consulting out of my Masters due to the location (wanted to stay in London) and also because it had aspects of both finance and strategy to it. However, as I moved up the ranks, I expected the human interaction aspect to go up and the finance aspect to decrease. That hasn't happened at my fund yet and seems to be the case across most London based mega funds where I have interviewed earlier. This has prompted me to explore consulting as a career as I increasingly see myself more interested to analyse business fundamentals and maintain relationships instead of do fundraising/analyse financials.

1. Is it possible for me to move to Dubai/SE Asia/India in a consulting role? I do not have an MBA, but have a Masters in Mgmt. degree

2. What position could I be targetting?

3. Is it an easy move? Or should I let go of this move altogether? Do I need to go via recruitment agencies or network a lot?

Thanks!

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Ian
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replied on Jan 06, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Let me first just say you can absolutely move into consulting from PE. You'll likely need to come in as a specialist, likely at the Project Lead role, and you'll need to network to improve your chances.

1) Yes, absolutely.

2) Project lead most likely, but speak to HR about this. This is also a good topic of conversation in your networking calls.

3) It is most certainly not easy. You'll need to network extensively and make sure to highlight the more strategic, project-based, managerial, client-focused aspects of your job on your resume. Once you do join, just be aware that there is a steep learning curve for experienced hires coming in at higher levels of the organization.

Good luck to you!

Some additional Q&As here:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/given-my-background-in-finance-what-type-of-management-consulting-role-would-be-the-most-8546

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/finance-background-which-consulting-firms-to-apply-6195

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-to-position-finance-background-7085

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Christian
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replied on Jan 06, 2021
Ex-BCG|Not-so-ordinary cases| 3/4 of candidates don't crack my cases

Hi!

1. Is it possible for me to move to Dubai/SE Asia/India in a consulting role? I do not have an MBA, but have a Masters in Mgmt. degree

--> Yes its possible! No MBA needed.

2. What position could I be targetting?

--> You would be a lateral hire. Depends on the company and your negotiation skills, but I'd say Senior Consultant or even Manager/Project Leader if you have leadership experience. It's not always bad to enter in a more junior role, to learn and get going to prevent a quick "out".

3. Is it an easy move? Or should I let go of this move altogether? Do I need to go via recruitment agencies or network a lot?
--> Attend 1 or 2 events of your targeted firms, and find out which practice area you want to work in. Networking helps a lot, but you have to do a regualr application with all the interviews in any case.

Best of luck,
Christian

Thanks!

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Ken
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replied on Jan 06, 2021
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

Feel free to DM me as it's hard to say without knowing the specifics. Generally speaking, you would qualify for a post-MBA role at an MBB and geography would be dependent on your background.

1. Geography would be dependent on your nationality and where you have actual geographic connections

2. Post-MBA role (e.g., Associate at McKinsey)

3. This is dependent on the PE you're currently at and your education background. If you were open to staying in London then joining the PE practice at an MBB might be an easier fit than applying for a generalist consultant role

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Antonello
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replied on Jan 06, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi,

Thanks for the detailed background.

I'll reply one-by-one to your questions.

1. It is absolutely possible!

2. It depends on the company you apply for as well as the office. I'd say Project Lead is the most likely.

3. It is not an easy move, but you can do it. You'll probably specialize in PE, so your previous experience would be valuable for the company.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Antonello

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Francesco
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replied on Jan 07, 2021
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Hi there,

  1. Yes. You are following the opposite path (most people do consulting then PE) but it is definitely possible
  2. Given you have 6 years of experience, a post-MBA role (Associate at McK, Consultant at BCG and Bain) would be the most likely. Possibly you could negotiate some seniority but it is unlikely you can target more senior positions
  3. If that's what you want to do, I don't see reasons not to try it. The #1 thing that can help you is a referral. You can find more on that at the following link: https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/hey-everyonehope-all-is-well-3176

Best,

Francesco

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Gaurav
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replied on Jan 06, 2021
Ex-Mckinsey|Certified Career Coach |Placed 500+ candidates at MBB & other consultancies

Hi there,

  1. Yes, totally possible
  2. Depending on your experience and many other factors could be post-graduate or higher
  3. I wouldn't call it easy just for the fact that it's not that common, but it is faisable. Networking will definetely help!

Hope it helps and good luck!

Cheers,

GB

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Vlad
Expert
replied on Jan 07, 2021
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

1. Yes, it's very straightforward if you can legally work in these regions

2. Associate (McK), Consultant (Bain, BCG)

3. You should either get a referral (via networking) or apply directly. No agencies

Overall I do not recommend making this move. PE industry is much harder to get into and it's a dream exit for many consultants. I would rather search for another PE to switch.

Best

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Raj
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replied on Feb 21, 2021
FREE 15MIN CONSULTATION | #1 Strategy& / OW coach | >70 5* reviews |90% offers ⇨ prep-success.super.site | MENA, DE, UK

1. Is it possible for me to move to Dubai/SE Asia/India in a consulting role? I do not have an MBA, but have a Masters in Mgmt. degree

I suspect this will be harder to conflate a geo + industry move in one. It will be easier to network for roles in your current location too

2. What position could I be targetting?

Given you are up for VP, I would expect Engagement Manager/Project Lead to be where you want to aim for

3. Is it an easy move? Or should I let go of this move altogether? Do I need to go via recruitment agencies or network a lot?

You should expect a tonne of networking, and more importantly the on ramp for experienced hires + MBAs without consulting is tough and steep as you are learning the industry for the first time but will also be managing a team and clients so need to demonstrate competence. That said completely achievable with preparation and practice

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Anonymous B replied on Jan 13, 2021

Hi there,

I have been working as director in strategy consulting for many years. Let me share my experience: I suggest you target the Strategy / M&A or Finance Strategy practice groups of the counsulting firms. However, please be prepared that you will have massive client exposure from Day 1. There's no such thing like working in the office on financial models only if you are Consultant/ Manager. For large consulting firms: if you move up to MD, it is all about client relation, selling projects and managing your people. Limited delivery / analytics etc. For smaller boutique firms, you have much more opportunity to stay in delivery, even as MD. Also usually less "show off" culture in the boutique firms.

best Moe

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Anonymous replied on Jan 09, 2021

Hi,

To answer your questions:

  1. It is possible and networking will definitely help. You don't need an MBA, I recently coach someone that move from PE to Bain and he got an offer without MBA.
  2. It really depends on the interview result but I would prepare to get an offer at level below Manager. Firms will do this to ensure you have an easy adjustment before moving up
  3. It won't be an easy move, however, it is not impossible. A proper preparation and networking will definitely increase chance to succeed

Best,
Iman

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Clara
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replied on Jan 07, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

I agree with what have been said before: I think you have a very good chance to moving to consulting, and that indeed consulting will fullfill what PE is not fullfulling atm.

My thoughts:

  1. Yes, totally. As an experienced hire
  2. This is something you should not worry about, since HR will guide you for each firm
  3. The best way to proceed would be by securing referrals. This would shorten and smoothen the process altogether

Hope it helps!

Best,

Clara

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Ian gave the best answer

Ian

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