Upcoming call with MBB (SEA) HR

Question

Hi everyone,

I hope everyone is in good health.

I am currently a strategy consultant (~1.5 years as an associate) at a boutique firm on top of 2 years of experience in industry prior. Recently MBB (SEA) HR reached out to me to discuss about an opportunity at their firm

Some questions:

Is there anything that I should be aware of/ expect from this call besides opportunity context/ introduction? I rarely heard MBB HR to reach out to someone as junior as me
What are key questions should I ask to the HR during this call?
Would it be appropriate to request for overseas placement (once I got the offer) & how feasible is it? reason for that is I am currently in the process of internal transfer to other country's SEA office & if MBB could not provide it from the beginning, I will not bother proceed with the process

Look forward to your advice & opinions. Thank you very much in advance.

Answer 1

Hi there,

Usually a firm's recruiter / HR finds your profile interesting and wants to know more about you, while advertising an opportunity at the firm to you.

My thoughts:

1. It's not that rare. Junior consultants are quite mobile in the job market and sometimes a firm may run short of staffs (e.g., when associates fail to be designated to the next level and find good exit opportunities). For you this is a good chance to know about the firm, the role and leave a good impression to the HR. Some offices and some firms also screen the candidate's communication style and way of thinking through such calls (definitely less rigorous than formal interview).

2. Not sure what information you've already got from your own research and email introduction by the HR, but at least you may need to know the position they want to match you (watch out for “discount”) and the practice (if any).

3. Usually the HR just hires for the office. There's internal mobility program within many firms as well. But if you're determined to work in a different country at the beginning, then apply for jobs in that country at the beginning. You may ask the HR to refer her / his counterpart there, but it all depends on head counts.

Cheers

Answer 2

Hi there,

Sounds like a typical coffee chat. These are usually exploratory calls to discuss your motivation and fit. Prepare for simple fit questions and a few questions to ask HR.
Everything you get value from and that interests you.
Not feasible. If they hire you in one region, they want to keep you there. It's usually possible after 1-2 years. However, HR could forward your application to the target office. No harm in asking!

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 3

1. This is not that unusual. It's not an interview, but make sure you understand what the role is, that you can explain your motivation and how your strengths align with consulting

2 and 3. It's very unlikely they'll transfer you to other office - but they may be ok with staffing regionally. Since this is a deal breaker you should discuss this with them (regardless of whatever people suggest here, it's always better to discuss that directly with them).