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Requesting for office changes at MBB

officetransfer transfer
New answer on Dec 07, 2021
5 Answers
1.1 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Dec 05, 2021

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!

(edited)

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Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 06, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

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

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Anonymous A on Dec 06, 2021

Thanks Francesco, really appreciate your detailed thoughts! - OP

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

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)

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Anonymous A on Dec 06, 2021

Thanks Ian, great to see it from your perspective as someone who have done it before! - OP

Pedro
Expert
replied on Dec 06, 2021
30% off in April 2024 | Bain | EY-Parthenon | Roland Berger | Market Sizing | DARDEN MBA

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.

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Anonymous A on Dec 06, 2021

Thanks Pedro, will definitely look for temp ops. - OP

Hagen
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 06, 2021
#1 Bain coach | >95% success rate | interviewer for 8+ years | mentor and coach for 7+ years

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

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Anonymous A on Dec 06, 2021

Thanks Hagen! - OP

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

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

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Francesco gave the best answer

Francesco

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