Requesting for office changes at MBB

Question

Hi all,

I am currently working for an MBB firm in Asia and due to personal reasons, I would now like to transfer to an office in Europe. I am still doing my junior stint (BA/Associate/Junior Associate) and still rather green so don't want to ask internally.

I was wondering whether MBB firms would allow office transfers 1 year in? If so, when does these situations arise? Not sure if it helps my cause but 1) my reason is well founded - long-term significant other got a job offer in the other country 2) I speak fluently in the target country's working language and secondary language so language barrier is not an issue.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Hi there,

It won’t probably be easy given you just have 1 year of tenure but it is not impossible and you can definitely align on that with HR.

To maximize your chances you should ideally:

Have one or more partners in your target office favoring the transfer
Have one or more partners in your home office favoring the transfer
Have a strong performance
Have or be able to get working rights in your target office

It may be easier to try to target a project in the new office being based in your current one, create relationships and then do the full transfer. However, that also depends on the company and office.

Best,

Francesco

Answer 2

Hi there,

It's pretty rare to do transfers that early in, but your request seems perfectly reasonable.

I would go and talk to HR as well as the “allies” you've built at the firm (i.e. Partners and Principals you've done good work for). Get them to fight for you and look for any and all opportunities there (full transfer, rotation program, specific project, etc.)

If you would quit the firm if they don't transfer you, then you need to tell them that (if they deny your initial request). They would rather know that's the case and fight to keep you than let you leave.

That is, after all, how I managed to move to (and stay in) Australia for 3 years after only having worked for the company for 1 year! (In a consulting role prior to BCG)

Answer 3

You have a strong valid reason. So in your case I would go and talk with them. Maybe even if they are not very eager to transfer you, they may be happy to send you to a long term project there (and get the revenue from “selling” you), which would work as well (it's temporary, but then they would have to let you go on the following year).

In any case, consulting firms want to retain their talent and go great lengths if there is a valid reason to do so. Be upfront with them and ask for what you want.

You are not betraying the company, quite the opposite, you are saying you want to stay - even if you need to move.

Good luck for your conversation.

Answer 4

Hi there,

This is indeed an interesting question which is probably relevant for quite a lot of users, so I am happy to provide my perspective on it:

Generally speaking, this should be a rather easy task to switch offices given the clear rationale supported by your language skills, no matter your tenure.
While I can only speak for Bain that it is more of a question how quickly you can pack your bags, I would advise you to ask your responsible HR person about the details.

In case you want a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare your permanent transfer with your future (European) colleagues, please feel free to contact me directly.

I hope this helps,

Hagen

Answer 5

Hello!

Feel free to PM me!

I went through the same with McKinsey, also for personal reasons and after 1.5 years.

It was a surprisingly easy door to open, once you have the key.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara