Get Active in Our Amazing Community of Over 452,000 Peers!

Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Case Partners to connect and practice with!

Relevant Pre-MBA Work Experience from Industrial Sector to Enter MBB

MBB Pre MBA work experience
New answer on Aug 12, 2022
6 Answers
567 Views
Anonymous A asked on Aug 11, 2022

Dear Community,

What professional functions in industrial companies (say manufacturing) would be considered relevant work experience for entering MBB firms after completing the MBA? Is it supply chain, operations, strategy, business development, general management, or something else?

Many thanks in advance!

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Emily
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Aug 11, 2022
Ex McKinsey EM & interviewer (5 yrs) USA & UK| Coached / interviewed 300 +|Free 15 min intro| Stanford MBA|Non-trad

They’re all relevant! 

Generally MBB aren’t too concerned about what you’ve done, but whether you have excelled in what you’ve done. Did you do something innovative in your role? Were you promoted really quickly? Did you smash all your targets? Make sure your resume is full of stats to quantify your successes.  

It‘s always good practice to go make sure your resume reflects the attributes each firm looks for (e.g., analytical / quant skills; leadership) so make sure your resume reflects this.  

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous A on Aug 11, 2022

Emily, many thanks!

Anonymous A on Aug 11, 2022

Good point!

Best answer
Udayan
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Aug 11, 2022
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

Emily's answer is spot on - it is more important that whatever you do you do it really well. I will add one more criteria - you should also do it at a place that is known for that skill. For example supply chain at Apple, Software development at Google, Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs. That will give you a lot of credibility when you apply for roles at MBB post your MBA.

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous A on Aug 11, 2022

Many thanks for this!

Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Aug 12, 2022
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

I completely agree with the others! The most important thing is that you do well in your role and advance. That your responsibilities are relatable to consulting (so there's analytical skills, leadership, client work, etc.).

All the ones you listed work. Strategy will obviously be the best match, but the others also work!

Was this answer helpful?
Florian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Aug 11, 2022
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there,

It does not matter as long as you can demonstrate significant impact throughout your career and extracurriculars.

For instance, many people join McKinsey post-MBA who come from a completely different sector pre-MBA, e.g., medical doctors, military staff, etc.

Cheers,

Florian

 

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous A on Aug 11, 2022

Florian, thank you indead!

Florian on Aug 11, 2022

You are very welcome! :-)

Sophia
Expert
replied on Aug 11, 2022
Top-Ranked Coach on PrepLounge for 3 years| 6+ years of coaching

Hello,

All of these functions are relevant (and indeed, correlate with what consultants work on). You want to demonstrate that you have made an impact, can work on a team, are a good leader, and are good with quantitative skills. As long as your resume and behavioral questions reflect this, the specific professional function doesn't matter.

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous A on Aug 11, 2022

Nice points, thanks!

Cristian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Aug 11, 2022
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Hi there, 

The functions don't matter unless you are applying to a role within a practice e.g., it helps to have worked in Operations if you want to apply for the Ops practice in McK. 

Otherwise, MBB and pretty much all other firms focus on skills. It's about the abilities not the knowledge. There are experts out there who can help you fill in the knowledge gaps whenever you are missing those on a case. 

Best,

Cristian

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous A on Aug 11, 2022

Interesting, thanks!

Udayan gave the best answer

Udayan

Content Creator
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience
187
Meetings
10,038
Q&A Upvotes
63
Awards
5.0
92 Reviews