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Question around non-compete

MBB
New answer on May 18, 2020
8 Answers
1.3 k Views
Anonymous A asked on May 14, 2020

I work at a large consulting firm and recently received an offer from an MBB firm. In reviewing my employment contract with my current firm, I have restrictions on clients I can work with (i.e. not allowed to work on any of my past clients) for one year post leaving my current firm. How should I handle this? Do i run the risk at having my offer rescinded if I share this information?

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Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on May 15, 2020
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

congratulations on your offer. This is quite typical in the industry. It won’t be a concern, just be sure to align with the responsible for staffing if needed / when asked by them.

Best,

Francesco

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Anonymous replied on May 15, 2020

Hi there,

This is not uncommon, so I think firms would understand.

You don't have to tell the new firm specifically now if they don't ask. You just need to let staffing know if in the event they want to staff you on your past client.

No need to raise the alarm at the moment.

Best

Emily

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Vlad
Expert
replied on May 15, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

First of all - nobody will track this - don't worry at all

Secondly - you are free to choose the projects on the other clients - MBB gives that flexibility.

Enjoy your time and take a good break before starting!

Best

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Sidi
Expert
replied on May 16, 2020
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 350+ candidates secure MBB offers

Hi!

Just sign the contract, start at the MBB, and then see what clients you get staffed upon. If it is a former client of yours, you can still address it with staffing and the leading partner of the project.

Cheers, Sidi

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Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on May 14, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi,

That's perfectly normal, fine, and expected (in fact, 1 year is quite short).

When you join MBB, you just need to flag this if staffing is looking to staff you on a past client. (And you absolutely need to flag this).

In any case, this wouldn't be likely to occur - I can't imagine you've worked with so many clients that you specifically get staffed on a previous one? The odds must be quite low.

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Anonymous replied on May 15, 2020

Dear A ,

Please sign the offer with MBB. My congratulation on that!

Regarding your non-compete: even though you have worked for these clients, it's pretty ok after you started at MBB that you tell about your contract obligations, that you're not allowed to work for these companies within 1 year. But there are other companies, where you could be staffed on. So no worries about this, you will handle it.

Hope, it helps.

Good luck ,
André

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on May 15, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Congrats on the offer!

Don´t worry, it´s business as usual when a consultant changes from one MBB to another.

Furthermore, the more junior you are, the less conflict.

Whenever you start with the new company, flag with staffing which direct competitors you could not work for (from your past clients, I mean), and that should be it.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clar

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Udayan
Expert
Content Creator
replied on May 18, 2020
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /6 years McKinsey recruiting experience

Congratulations!

MBB is great with working with these restrictions. You have nothing to worry about

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