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Philip Morris vs Small company

BCG McKinsey and Bain
New answer on Apr 30, 2020
8 Answers
1.2 k Views
Jimmy asked on Apr 03, 2020

Got 2 offers one from Philip Morris for position Supply chain analyst with 10% pay rise and from small marketing/media company with pay rise in 50% for position data science project manager

Goal: to get into MBB or FAANG

Which is better for long term? Can no-name small company with good job title as Data Science Project Manager get me through the screening?

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Luca
Expert
Content Creator
updated an answer on Apr 03, 2020
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Hello,

if the small company will give you big responsibilities like being a real project manager I would choose that, otherwise go for Philip Morris.
Generally speaking, if the goal is to get an offer from an MBB, I would follow this order of priority:

  1. Tier-2 or Tier-3 consulting companies
  2. In-house consulting company
  3. Start-up that can give you big responsibilities developing you entrepreneurial drive
  4. Big company with a strong brand name
  5. Small company

Hope it helps,
Luca

(edited)

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 03, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

It depends, if your target is going for MBB, you need to choose whatever enhances most your value proposition.

Try to value both offers in terms of:

  • Responsabilities given: not only in terms of scope, but also in quantifiable impact, people management, etc.
  • Role description: look for deepening your insights in product/project management, etc.
  • International brand
  • etc

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 04, 2020
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

unless you are targeting a data science position later on and the smaller companies offers you great opportunity to provide some kind of visible impact, I would favour the Philp Morris offer.

MBB tends to put strong emphasis on the brand. Experience in small firms could be good if it helps to shows entrepreneurial drive, but usually requires that you are a co-founder or anyway have a position to generate a strong impact.

An experience in consulting, even a 3rd Tier, would be even better than any of the two.

Best,

Francesco

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Anonymous updated the answer on Apr 04, 2020

From perspective of getting new experience, learning business practices for the future career Philip Morris is the better choice. This company has a grounded and solid approach regarding consumer sales and marketing strategies and tools, market research, forecasting, digital channel expertise and business intelligence. On top of that, You will get a valuable interaction experience with peers, cross-functional working that You can leverage on the future assignments within this company (PM provides excellent career choice opportunities with global exposure and international assignments)

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Best answer
Anonymous updated the answer on Apr 05, 2020

Hi there,

As someone who was with the BCG recruiting team and did CV screening for more than 3 years (screened a couple thousands of CVs easily), I think if you goal is for the generic consulting route in MBB, Philip Morris would give you much better credibility and thus higher chance of getting through the screening stage. Nicer title with a no-name company is hard to attract screener's attention. The screeners read >100 CVs in one batch, they look for key words of credentials. That might not be ideal but it is just the reality.

Best,

Emily

(edited)

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Daniel
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 03, 2020
McKinsey / ex-Interviewer at McKinsey / I will coach you to rock those interviews

Hi Alex,

The question you need to ask is this: in which job will you get more responsibilities, more opportunities to prove yourself and more exposure to the senior management? I would go for a position in a small team where as a junior team member you can make a real difference. This kind of experience you can then really sell to MBB as your value proposition. On the contrary, if you work in a big team with hierarchical structures and little exposure beyond your immediate boss – this will be a hardly unique growth experience. So, in a nut shell: think of which one of those will be more exciting for you and which one will boost your professional development more and go for it.

Best,
Daniel

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Vlad
Expert
replied on Apr 03, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

If your plan is to apply for a data science role at MBB - it makes sense to have a similar role even at the small company.

If you are going for a generalist - you should go for a better brand

Best

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Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 30, 2020
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi,
if your main target is MBB I would go for PMI. The brand is very important to strengthen your CV and you future application

Best,
Antonello

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