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Which position I should apply given my experience background?

I have a total of 2+ experience at the big 4 with a good bachelor’s degree. I am ready to make the jump to the big 3 firms but not sure which position I should apply to, (e.g. Business Analyst or Junior Associate at Mckinsey? I would highly appreciate your advice and insight, thanks in advance. 

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Top answer
Clara
Coach
on Oct 28, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

For your case in particular -given that this also changes with the tenure-, at least 1-1.5 years on a relevant role to be considered as a Senior BA. Since you have the 2 years, you would qualify, but not yet as associate -that is the post-MBA role-. 

In my class in McK there were people who joined as BAs -same as me and many others, who just came straight from Uni- who had up to two years professional experience (some even as consultants in boutiques, big 4, etc.) This is your precise case. 

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Deleted user
on Oct 28, 2020

If you sincerely believe in the experience you have picked up at the BIG 4 (that will be high value for MBB) and have solid grades, extra-curriculars etc, I would stronglty recommend to build on this and maximise your starting position at MBB. Too often I have seen candidates lack self belief and settling in for less than what they deserve. But be careful to not be arrogant or be overly optimistic. 

Good luck!

1
Ian
Coach
on Oct 29, 2020
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

You will likely come in entry-level (I.e. Business Analyst at McK, Associate at BCG). However, there is a chance you could swing Senior Business Analyst (McK) or Junior Consultant at BCG.

I highly recommend you leverage this question as a networking "excuse"! Make sure to talk about this with the recruitment team and various people with whom you network.

Mehdi
Coach
on Oct 31, 2020
BCG | Received offers from all MBB & Tier 1Firms | Supporting you secure your top tier consulting offer

Hi there,

This can vary from an office to another one. I know people who were in a similar situation as yours, most of them joined BCG as an Associate (entry level position), a few of them in other offices joined as Senior Associates. In general, I feel that you might fit in a Senior Associate & BCG or Senior BA & McK, but this can vary depending on the office to which you are applying!

In all the cases your seniority would be calibrated after you pass the interviews, and before your receive an offer!

I hope this helps!

Mehdi

Ken
Coach
on Oct 28, 2020
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

One of my best friends was in exactly your position. If you have done consulting at a big 4 and ideally have received a promotion/top performer then Junior Associate would be a suitable position.

Deleted user
on Oct 29, 2020

You can aim for Junior Associate, but there is no guarantee. It probably makes sense to spread your applications and negotiate for the best. This could give you some leverage in the discussion with each of them.

0
Gaurav
Coach
on Oct 29, 2020
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360° coach(Ex-McKinsey+Certified Coach+Active recruiter)

You can try to apply to Junior Assosiate, but it's not for sure and it might be discussed separately.

GB

Deleted
Coach
on Oct 30, 2020
15 years in Strategy & Transformation. Was Practice Lead in Accenture Strategy leading team of 45 consultants.

Hi,

Just to give you more examples on these kind of cases. 

1. For your experience level, you would still be an entry level candidate for MBB. 

2. Typically people moving from other big consulting firms to MBB join a lower level than their current role. E.g. A Senior Manager in Accenture Strategy would find acceptance as an EM only in MBB. I had 2 colleagues of mine in Accenture Strategy who were SMs but ended up joining as EM in Mckinsey, now both are APs. 

3. People with MBA, no consulting experience but lot of industry experience can either join as consultant or Associate in Mckinsey. Have seen many examples. 

4. Have seen Partners in Big 4, join Mckinsey as AP where-as there are Partners in Big 4 who have joined as Partner in Mckinsey. 

So bottomline is depends on the tenure of prior work experience, the quality of the experience and also the need/urgency of the role that has to be filled in the target consulting firm. 

Thanks

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