Switching from Tier2/Industry to MBB as experienced hire

Hi ,

yes of course - it's more than possible! When I was at McKinsey, I met several colleagues who went the same way. So don't hesitate - try it out for yourself!

The MBB companies have special tracks for FIG that you can apply for!

To maximize your chances with MBB you need to:

1. Check what kind of special FIG tracks the MBB firms have
2. Check what kind of job profile they are looking for
3. Adjust your CV and your story accordingly (your role + impact + drive + leadership skills + analytical skills + progression + FIG expertise)

In case you need any help for your CV/motivation letter or you need any FIG contacts of MBB firms, please let me know.

All the best
Giulia

Hi there,

Yes I would say it's definitely possible. The key things you should keep in mind if you're looking to make the switch from industry back into consulting would be:

1. Find a referral: this will be the EASIEST pathway to get your foot into the interview; once you're in the interview process, you're pretty much treated equally as other candidates and will be judged by merits. This referral could come from someone you know who works at your desired MBB firm.

2. Prepare for interview: due to the competition to get into MBB, you should be well prepared for the case and fit interviews. You should refresh your skills to make sure they are razor sharp.

3. You might rejoin at the same level: assuming you moved from your current role to industry, then back to consulting, you may likely be offered manager-level role at MBB. Unless your industry stint is significant, or you have a significant promotion.

Hope this helps!

(edited)

Dear A,

It depends on what kind of Tier 2 companies have you been working before. What was your career progression, success and awards until now. Whether you also have and MBA and what was your industry experience. But in general, yes, everything is possible. I've already helped couple of experience hire to get offers from top consulting companies including MBB. Most probably you will be downgraded for at least one position, you also will have great monitory benefits as well as career development.

If you're interested, just drop me a line.

Happy to help you

Good luck,

Andé

Hi there,

it may be possible. But if your goal is MBB, why don’t you apply there now? It would be easier than moving after some industry experience.

Best,

Francesco

Hello!

Yes, for sure, passing from a strategy role in consulting to MBB is indeed one of the most frequent paths for experienced hires!

Another question, do you have an MBA? This would help, but not deal-breaker either.

I have coached 3 people who indeed made this move -from Tier2 and boutique to MBB-, ping me if you would like me to connect you.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Hi there,

I did 2 years in industry, 5 years in tier-2 -- and I will be joining MBB in a couple of weeks as an experienced hire.

So if I can do it, you can too :)

Feel free to reach out for any specific questions you have in mind.

Best

Khaled

Hi,

First, it's possible to move directly from a T2 consulting firm to MBB (see my background).

Second, yes people coming from financial institutions can move to MBB. I saw many many experienced hire coming from Banks, asset managers, ECB, ...

I am specialized in Financial Institutions, you can PM me if you want.

Best

Hi Anonymous,

You can definitely do that. If you are able to build an expertise you will have even more chances of joining an MBB, the only thing is that your tenure might be recalibrated (you might have to start one level lower than EM or spend 3 years EM instead of 2 for instance) but all this vary from an office to another one.

Best,

Mehdi

Hello,

I agree that your profile can be interesting for an MBB. Anyway, you can not be sure that you will have this chance, since it is strictly correlated with your industry focus and the needs of the MBB in that moment.
MBB choose to hire experienced hire when they are growing a lot in a specific industry and they want to acquire more knowledge in order to scale the number of projects.

Best,
Luca

Hi there,

I think the chances are very high that this profile would be of interest :) You've shown a solid career trajectory at the tier 2 (so you know how to run projects, consult, etc) AND you'll have industry experience that would allow you to specialize. I think it's highly valuable!

However, do remember that a lot of people go into MBB so that they can then go into the industry they want. Think about your order of operations here :)

Hi there,

It is possible to move to MBB later with a dive in industry. Experience in industry could actually be quite helpful, as the practioner experience would be valued by some of the clients. Also if you can position yourself later as an industry expert, it could increase your chance.

The only thing you need to be aware and comfortable with is that the tenure in industry is not counted equal as tenure in consulting. I.e. if you spend 2-3 years in industry, you might only get 1 year advance in consulting. So in a way you career is slowed down a bit.

Hope it helps,

Emily

Hi,

Yep, I don't see any problem. However, why don't you join MBB directly? Why do you need to overcomplicate your career path?

Best

Hi There,

It is indeed possible, and a lot of samples are out there already. In fact, that is kind of a trend recently in SEA - people made a move from Tier 2/Big 4 to MBB.

As from FI to MBB, it is also a lot. I spent 4 years in Banking prior to McKinsey and I have seen a lot of similar profiles in the firm.