Ways to Standout before Interview with MBB

Hello, 

thanks a lot for the question. :) 

First of all I would suggest you to focus not only on potentially work related initiatives but to take an higher view. 

In particular, I can give you the following 3 main advices in order to increase the chance to join an MBB: 

1) Make your profile really appealing → This can be done in 3 ways:

• Improve your current profile: A) Get promoted at your current job B) Being part of consulting like projects C) Take part to voluntary initiatives (inside your current company or outside e.g., community & society activities) in order to show proactivity
• Build your own story: leverage all the experiences you did in the past in order to underline and give strength to your interesting profile. Be able to explain why you did what and what bring you to strategic consulting (and in particular to the specific MBB you are applying for)
• Good communication: create a compelling CV able to make your strength stand out

2) Networking → Reach out consultants working in MBB and ask for more information or curiosity you might have. Leverage the power of LinkedIn even if it would be better to used personal email 

3) Preparation → A) Really understand why you would like to move to strategic consulting, specifically to the MBB you are applying for B) Practice case interviews 

To conclude, I would say to keep a balanced view of potential improvements based on the 3 previous pillars. While I think that there is some space in order to improve your profile, much more work should be done on the last 2 points. 

Do not hesitate to reach out me in case of further questions! I am currently offering a free coaching session.  

Good luck!

Matteo

Hi there, 

The options of what you could do ‘after’ work are quite limited. Try changing your perspective and check whether you could change the ‘work’ itself. This could mean transitioning into a more advisory role with your current employer (large tech companies have these sort of roles) or aim for moving to a smaller consulting company, staying there for a up to a year then transitioning to MBB. 

Dear candidate,

Your background sounds great.

a) the best thing you can do is to pitch yourself to Partners who already work at the MBB firms and stand out this way. It is way more effective to apply if you receive a referral from a partner. 

b) Besides this any strategic work would be great, some firms offer inhouse consulting, in others you might also lead an entrepreneurial projects. Consulting firms often look for impact, leadership, entrepreneurship, consulting or strategy experience. However I would not advice you to shift careers just to achieve that. Instead consider networking as your way in. Best regards, Charlotte

Hi there,

Here are some options for you:

1) Get promoted

2) Network extensively with MBB

3) Get staffed on a particularly challenging/impressive/consulting-relevant project

4) Figure out a need in the company and launch an initiative (for example, I built and ran my company's onboarding program for new hires)

5) Build up some additional skills (Tableau, Alteryx, etc)

Good luck!

The first thing is that you should avoid making a dozen of mistakes in your written messages, as you made in your message. 

Then, try to prove you did something that is remarkable for consulting firms, such as projects in ESG, internal audit, portfolio management, asset management, etc.

It is very unlikely that someone is really standing out for some specific reason. 
If I think about the CVs I selected I can think of three cases that were really different from the others: one was a Taekwondo World Champion, another one had sold a startup for 3 M€, and one had 4 degrees at the age of 28.

Hi there, 

I like what is said here, you need to shift your mindset from “what I dont have” to what you DO have is appealing for MBB. 

You can find a lot of answers here https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/how-to-get-into-consulting-as-an-experienced-hire

but I can confirm that it is absolutely feasible to get in as an experienced hire, no consulting background and not excellent education. 

Feel free to reach out directly if you have questions.

Good luck,

Lucie

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Showing signs of exceptional achievement in your current company (e.g., promotions) and networking with consultants/partners in your target office.  Past consulting experience is not a consideration where MBBs like to see a track record of high impact achievement.

Hi There, 

As highlighted by some other coaches, the key here is to demonstrate a strong performance/promotion in your current profession to land an interview with some of the reputable consulting firms. It is not about starting any new initiative just to showcase your interest in consulting. Network with current people from the consulting companies in the office where you want to join. If you showcase strong reasons for why you want to transition to consulting after working in the industry, and as long as you have shown strong professional achievements, you should be good to land an interview.

Connect with me offline to discuss your profile if you are interested in joining consulting in the middle east.

Good luck!

Hello!

Honestly, I wouldn´t follow that approach once you are an experience hire, since it will be a huge time investment for little return. 

I would focus on polishing greatly the CV and networking to ensure an interview, and then focus 100% of my energy in interview prep. There is no other way, and this will be the best ROI for your time, for sure.

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

Hi There!

I would suggest 2 things:

1) Try to get on a project that could be highly relevant to the MBB industry you are applying for - where you could better display quantitative skills on your resume and / or work with seniors to make an impact on the firm / client

2) Sign up to events organized by MBB in your region i.e. some MBB organize hackathons, workshops, networking sessions … pr even attend virtual ones to get to know the company better 

3) Organize coffee chats with MBB associates by cold messaging them on linked in - they are usually v helpful and can direct you towards a recruiter or even refer you if you have a great chat  

Hope this helps!