STEM PhD to MBB

Hello!

Ive trained both MBAs and PhDS and indeed the process is similar. 

The best is to start asap and deep dive directly into cases and prep, tbh. 

You have 2 main workstreams ahead:

1. FIT INTERVIEW

The "Integrated FIT guide for MBB" has been recently published in PrepLounge´s shop (https://www.preplounge.com/en/shop/tests-2/integrated-fit-guide-for-mbb-34)

It provides an end-to-end preparation for all three MBB interviews, tackling each firms particularities and combining key concepts review and a hands-on methodology. Following the book, the candidate will prepare his/her stories by practicing with over 50 real questions and leveraging special frameworks and worksheets that guide step-by-step, developed by the author and her experience as a Master in Management professor and coach. Finally, as further guidance, the guide encompasses over 20 examples from real candidates.

You can see plenty of reviews from candidates who purchased it already.

It provides an end-to-end preparation for all three MBB interviews, tackling each firms particularities and combining key concepts review and a hands-on methodology. Following the book, the candidate will prepare his/her stories by practicing with over 50 real questions and leveraging special frameworks and worksheets that guide step-by-step, developed by the author and her experience as a Master in Management professor and coach. Finally, as further guidance, the guide encompasses over 20 examples from real candidates.

It provides an end-to-end preparation for all three MBB interviews, tackling each firms particularities and combining key concepts review and a hands-on methodology. Following the book, the candidate will prepare his/her stories by practicing with over 50 real questions and leveraging special frameworks and worksheets that guide step-by-step, developed by the author and her experience as a Master in Management professor and coach. Finally, as further guidance, the guide encompasses over 20 examples from real candidates.

Furthermore, you can find 3 FREE Expert Articles on PreLounge, in a sreies dedicated to preparing for the different parts of FIT:

1. https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/cv-interview-questions

2. https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/motivational-fit-interview-questions

3. https://www.preplounge.com/en/behavioral-interview-questions

Feel free to PM me for disccount codes for the Integrated FIT Guide, since we still have some left from the launch

2. BUSINESS CASE

You need to get hands on asap:

1. Practice cases with partners asap, as many as you can do.Find experienced partners who can provide a good feedback

2. Practice your math skills, both in your cases and with ad hoc exercisess, such as:

1. ​Multiplying double digit numbers (you can find videos about this in Youtube, unfortunately we cannot post the link here but they are easy to find)

2. Leveraging math tools (Mimir math for iOS), Math tool on Viktor Cheng website to practice

Furthermore, you should practice as much as you can, and ensure that you cover:

1. Profitability cases- basic profitability framework.

2. Idea generation cases: for any specif issue

3. Growth cases: market penetration, new product launch, product mix change, etc.

4. Pricing cases

5. M&A cases

6. Valuation cases

7. Value chain cases

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Hi there,

Here's my take on your various questions (from a fellow STEM professional who entered McKinsey as a former O&G geologist):

1. How long should I prepare to bridge the gap in business knowledge from my training?

Hard to tell not knowing anything about you. However, if you're serious and want to be on the safe side, I recommend no less than 2 months full time preparation.

2. How are recruitment decisions post-interviews made? 

After every round, feedback from individual interviewers is gathered and a decision is taken based on the overall performance during the entire round (as opposed to individual interviews). Scoring is evidence based regarding specific criteria that are important to the different consultancies.

3. The interview seems short. I had a 7 hr interview day with10 back-back interviews for a research position post my master's degree, and I had to do well in all of them to get the offer. What and how should I prepare to stand out?

MBB interviews are arguably the toughest interviews in the world - not because they're particularly long but because of the low success rate even among capable candidates. The expectations are just that high and any coach could write a book about how to stand out - doesn't fit into a post.

If you're not coming from an MBA where you're provided with all kinds of resources, your best bet is indeed expert coaching - starting with the application (PhDs often struggle with academic vs. business CV) and ending with offer negotiation.

Let me know if you'd like to discuss anything in particular! Best of luck!

Hi there, congrats on taking the first step to an MBB offer :)! 

Here are some reflections from a fellow STEM graduate from two top-10 universities globally, who went straight from theoretical physics to MBB. 

The recruitment process for PhDs and MBAs seems to be the same.

Indeed, the process and the position you will be offered will be the same as the MBA students! There might be slight differences after you join – for example, McKinsey used to do the ‘mini-MBA’ courses for those who didn't have a full MBA.

How long should I prepare to bridge the gap in business knowledge from my training? 

In terms of bridging the business knowledge gap, really depends on your starting point and how much time you can dedicate to it daily. If you are starting completely from scratch, I'd say ca. 3 months of solid discipline in terms of reading your FT / WSJ, getting up to speed on various industries and most importantly - solving cases. 

Note that if you are starting completely from scratch, you should consider adding business-like lines to your resume: student consulting projects ? Short internships ? Immersion days? It will help you with both showing that you are serious about switching to business and also help you develop some of that business sense.

How are recruitment decisions post-interviews made? 

There are two rounds, typically of three interviews each. At the end of each round, the interviewers give you a grade on each of several aspects on the “fit” dimension (Do you have the entrepreneurial spirit, leadership and personal impact that it takes to be a successful consultant?) and “case” dimension (are you a strong problem solver in terms of structuring, conceptual thinking and quantitative skills?). There is a certain bar that you need to reach per dimension, as judged by the interviewers in the round, to pass the round.

Please do not disregard the preceding stages: CV and cover letter and the Problem-Solving game. For example, if you have never been in business, you will need to well explain why you switch to MBB in your cover documents! 

The interview seems short. I had a 7 hr interview day with10 back-back interviews for a research position post my master's degree, and I had to do well in all of them to get the offer. What and how should I prepare to stand out?

There is a concrete set of dimensions that the evaluators will judge you on using well-defined evaluation criteria, please see my answer above. I recommend that you find an experienced coach who has been an MBB interviewer to explain to you what these dimensions are exactly, how to ace them and practice your fit stories and case with them. I had someone like that when I was preparing, similarly a STEM graduate turned MBB consultant, and I his inputs were pivotal for my eventual offer.

Don't hestitate to reach out and good luck to you!

Honestly, you should start now!

You should start with daily reading (The FT, Economist, BCG insights, Robinhood Snacks, etc.)

You should start industry deep-dives.

And you should start casing (slow but steady).

The big problem you will face as STEM and PhD is your mindset shift. STEMs and PhDs tend to get overwhelmed by details and trying to analyze everything. Work with a coach to get out of these habits!

As you prepare for the interview, you can read this article here: https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/how-to-shift-your-mindset-to-ace-the-case

And this article for the behavioral portion: https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/tell-me-about-yourself-interview-question

The answer to your question is start now. Building this knowledge is all about regularly following relevant news articles and reading up on the fundamentals of how different businesses and industries work. All of this changes with time and the more in tune you are with this the better prepped you will be.

I highly recommend building a reading and listening habit around top quality journals like the economist and Wall Street Journal to get started.