Why do so many ex-MBB consultants become interview coaches?

Hi there,

interesting question ;)

While you work for the main consulting companies you cannot do coaching on outside platforms – the coaches you see on the platform such as PrepLounge are therefore mainly former consultants.

Considering that there are 50k+ alumni just for MBB and not all the coaches on PrepLounge - which is the main platform for this - are MBB alumni, I agree with the other comments that this type of coaching is not particular common.

I guess the reasons are different for different people. For me the main ones are the following:

• It gives the opportunity to help other people to achieve a major goal. To me, this is a source of great satisfaction.
• It puts you in touch with very smart people and even develop friendships. I still remember one person from San Francisco I helped to join BCG while I was still in Milan. It happened that I spent few weeks in SF after some months and he was kind enough to meet me and introduce me to his network of friends there in my very first days. When he then came to Italy for his honeymoon we spent a great weekend together in Florence
• It helps you to learn and develop. As Seneca said “While we teach, we learn” - I believe this is very true

Best,

Francesco

Hello,

There are surely X different reasons for the few ex-MBB who decide to become coaches (we are not so many :).

For my part, the first reason is that I love doing this, I have always loved teaching and I find myself well in coaching.

The second reason is more material, it is side business which allows to bring in a little bit of cash in parallel with the launch of my main business.

Best

Hi!

First of all, I would argue that it's not very common for ex-MBB consultants to be coaching given the total population of ex-MBB consultants that there is out there.

I think the motivation for coaching varies but for many coaches, we actually enjoy working with mentees and helping them get into the industry. At least for me, it's very rewarding to help people get offers and be part of them reaching their career ambitions.

-A

Hi, in addition to the previous answers consider that almost every coach has at least another major job/entrepreneurial activity.

Best,
Antonello

Hi,

First, I believe that this is not very common (try to compare the population of MBBs and the number of coaches on platforms such as PrepLounge). Then, I think that most of the coaches want to "pay it forward" and share their knowledge and experiences with the others. As consultants, there is nothing more gratifying that helping the others reach their goals (that's the essence of consulting), so as long as people are willing to help, make the most out of it :)

Hi!

The share of ex-MBB consultants who do systematic coaching of prospective candidates is not high at all. It is signicantly below 5% for sure.

Cheers, Sidi

Hello,

Most of the coaches that you see on preplounge are not consultants anymore, since coaching activity is forbidden by many consulting companies policies. I wouldn't say that it's so common, try to calculate the global consultants population and to calculate the ratio :)

Best,
Luca

Hi there,

1) No current MBB consultants coach (or they shouldn't be) - I agree, the time constraint makes this difficult

2) Not that many ex-MBB consultants end up becoming interview coaches - I'm the only one I know out of everyone I've met through consulting / recruiting!

3) It's a great way to help others

4) It's a less stressful way to earn some side income

Dear A,

Thank you very much for your question. This is the really great one:D

My individual reasons for coaching is because I really feel that it's a very fulfilling activity to help other people and their dream job offers, so I have rather intrinsic motivation and btw in the meantime coaching became my full-time activity and I'm doing not only case coaching, but in a broader prospective career coaching, preparation for the long-term success in career and first 100 days in consulting. As well, I'm also doing life coaching and mentorship. There is nothing better for me than a WhatsApp message from one of my mentees "Hey, André, I've just got an offer from McKinsey, BCG or whatsoever", and I'm extremely thankful for all your efforts. This is what really drives me to help other people.

Good luck,

André

Hello!

Indeed is not common, but quite unique!

Agree with the time contraint thing, and add on top the fact that, if you are still working for MBB, would be not compliant to coach.

However, most coaches left consulting already!

Cheers,

Clara