Should I work at a startup while waiting to re-apply?

Question

I applied for MBB and some T2 firms this year but have not received any offers, so I plan on applying again next year. I’ve currently been working as a lawyer for 1.5yrs but wonder if my next year would be better spent working in a startup to have more impact and gain better business understanding. Which one would look better on my CV? Will it look like I job-hop too much if I join a startup for less than a year.

Thanks so much for your help! I’ve put some more context below:

Age: 25

Location: London

Applying for: entry level or positions like Mckinsey’s “junior associate“ level (one level above entry level)

Work experience: 1.5 yrs working in a top global law firm, M&A and tech.

Answer 1

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

I would highly advise you to opt for the option that better aligns with your professional (and maybe even personal) mid- to long-term goals, irrespectable of how that might or might not be perceived by individual interviewers. In order to make an informed decision, I would advise you to do the following:

Weigh the different criteria that are meaningful to you independently of the current options (e.g., experience, prestige, culture, compensation, location). After that, score the two options based on your criteria and their weighting, resulting in two scores. This way, you have covered the left-brain perspective.
Critically assess your initial reaction to the outcome of the scores. For instance, if you feel the urge to tweak the numbers, this is a solid indicator that you do not want this decision to become reality. This way, you have covered the right-brain perspective.
By doing so, you will be able to integrate both parts of the brain into the decision-making, guaranteeing a higher chance that you will still be happy with it years later.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to address your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Answer 2

Hi,

If your ultimate goal is to work at management consulting or something similar and you don't see yourself as a lawyer, then it's better to switch as early on in your career as possible (now).

Just don't do it for the sole purpose of making your CV look better for your next MBB attempt. Also, if you decide to switch, I suggest you only reapply after at least 1 year of working at a new place.

But if you like your current job / company and potentially see yourself as a lawyer, then I think there's no reason to switch at this point. If you choose to stay with your current firm and reapply next year, make sure you add new relevant work experience to your CV (e.g. getting promoted, tackling a challenging project in a new area).

Good luck!
Nick

Answer 3

Hi there,

Don't take decisions that you wouldn't also take if it didn't work out with MBB, which is a very real scenario.

The truth is that the odds are stacked against any candidate as entering those firms is a highly competitive enterprise.

Instead, think about what seems like a more worthwhile pursuit in the long term, taking into account all possible routes you can take, not just MBB.

By the way, I helped a number of lawyers get into McKinsey, both recent grads and practitioners from small/big law firms. So no issues with that!

Hope this helps a bit. Best of luck!

Moritz
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Answer 4

They are looking for indicators of excellence, not specific experiences. You have one such indicator: working for a top law firm. I doubt that joining a startup just for the sake of improving your CV will actually achieve the intended result.

I would also add that it is not a wise life decision to change jobs just because you want to change your CV. You should be taking jobs you want to do - that's what leads to great performance, good networks and good working habits.

Answer 5

Given your background as a lawyer, both options of continuing in your current role or joining a startup can have their advantages. If you choose to continue working as a lawyer, it showcases your expertise in a specific field and demonstrates your ability to handle complex legal matters. This can be valuable in consulting, especially when dealing with clients in industries such as M&A and technology.

On the other hand, joining a startup can provide you with a different perspective and allow you to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. It can help you develop a better understanding of business operations, strategy, and entrepreneurship, which are highly valued in consulting.

In terms of your CV, it's important to consider the overall narrative and how each experience contributes to your professional growth. While joining a startup for less than a year may raise questions about job-hopping, you can mitigate this by highlighting the specific skills and knowledge you gained during your time there. Emphasize the impact you made and the valuable insights you gained from working in a startup environment.

Ultimately, the decision depends on your career goals and what you believe will best position you for success in the consulting industry. Consider the skills, experiences, and knowledge you want to acquire, and choose the path that aligns with your long-term aspirations. Best of luck with your decision and future applications!

Answer 6

Hi!

You have an interesting profile.

Honestly, it doesn't make sense to make to do job hopping just for this reason. Being a lawyer already means you are exercising daily a set of skills that is very valuable for consulting firms.

Try instead to join a consulting club or to do some pro bono work as a consultant on the side. This way, you can show that you have some consulting-like experience and that you have a long-standing interest in this area.

Good luck!

Cristian

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Answer 7

Hi there,

Q: Should I work at a startup while waiting to re-apply? Which one would look better on my CV? Will it look like I job-hop too much if I join a startup for less than a year?

In terms of what could increase your chances, it really depends on what you would do in the startup versus your current job. However, I don’t think it makes much sense to change jobs with the idea of spending less than 12 months in the next one (unless the current job is really a no-fit).

To get an idea of the common career path of current consultants for your target office, you can do the following:

Look for current consultants in MBB at your target office on LinkedIn
Check the most common firms they worked for
Normalize for the size of the firm

At the same time, I would not choose a job solely based on what maximizes your chances for consulting, but also based on what you like more.

Good luck!

Francesco

Answer 8

Hi there,

Did you fail at the interviews or at the application screening? If your case is the second, ask recruiters for feedback on your resume and application. This might be different by firm and will give you a hint on what should be your next move.

Best,

Alberto

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Answer 9

Hi there,

Definitely recommend speaking with a career coach to come up with a proper plan.

Personally, I would not leave a law firm after just 1.5 years to then go work at a startup for 6-12 months.

Answer 10

Hi there, fully depends on your current profile. Ping me a DM with your CV and then happy to give you my answer. Warm regards, Freddy