Currently an accountant at a Big 4 firm, but I really dislike the focus on the past...I want to influence the future. I hate that no one values our work. Is the best way to transition to consulting at a top firm to go the MBA route or would I be able to network my way into an entry level job?
| +29 | Nervous about MBB - incoming BA | 18 | 1d | |
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| +10 | Chances at MBB - Reality Check | 1 | 1d | |
| +9 | Lateral to MBB from Investing Seat | 1 | 16h | |
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get an MBA, some leadership experience and shoot high. it's all about smarts/fit in getting a consulting job. McKinsey is one of those that really look closely at online apps - as long as you go to a good school (top 20) you should have a shot.
a 750 on the GMAT. Can anyone here discount that? I don't now anybody that works there though. My boss got a 720 on the GMAT and and graduated in the top 10% of his class (top 10 MBA) and they wouldn't even interview him.
not true. they are looking for other stuff too though...lots of other stuff..
McKinsey has a Senior BA role for folks with 2 years of quality F500 experience.
This is very interesting to me. Can you please further comment on this?
I happen to have 2 years of what I would describe as internal consulting experience at a F50.
It is not true about consulting firms Because Consulting firms give the chance for all persons like freshers and experienced. If you keep the best knowledge about any fields so consulting firms can hire you Because knowledge is very important in life. Consulting firms are the best for career it provides the Best services and advices from the experts in many fields.
When consulting firms talk about experienced hires, they mean EXPERIENCED hires. They aren't interested in people with 2-3 years of experience; their analysts have that already. Go online and look at experienced hire positions for Deloitte/Accenture for example, and you'll see that most positions start at 5+ years in the requirements. Some of the boutiques (West Monroe, North Highland) may be receptive.
Your best bet is an MBA, but even still you'll probably still want to work for a few years. You don't want to take on the debt of an MBA and get passed over for jobs by your older, more experienced classmates for all the good jobs.
It's possible to network your way to a post-undergrad/entry role at a top firm, but realize that you'll be essentially starting your career over.
I myself have experience interviewing with MBB with 2-3 years experience.
They will naturally heavily discount that experience and you will start more or less from scratch in terms of level (but hopefully with a lot of the toolbox in place already, so you will advance quickly).
Probably goes without saying, but you of course also need to be able to show that you are a top performer in your current career.
While it isn't common, I know of a handful of people who went to tier 2 shops after a stint in MM IB or TFA-like programs.
Doesnt Big 4 have this "one level above entry" rank thats for 2-3 years experienced hires? I think its called associates or senior associates?
EDIT: Shit, I got baited. Didnt notice this thread was a necro from 10 years ago.
Experienced Hires for Consulting (Originally Posted: 02/10/2008)
I'm currently in a middle office rotational training program for a Big Foreign Bank, including one international rotation. Given the quality of my industry experience and a 3.7 GPA from a non-target public school, how probable would it be for me to attain a consulting job, say at a firm such as Oliver Wyman (FS practice)?
How easy is it to switch into consulting as an "experienced hire" in general?
If you're interested in consulting you should get an MBA and try to get in that way. At my firm (a tier below MBB) we almost never take experienced hires below an MBA level. Generally experienced hires are people who are going to bring significant experience in industry or consulting that we are looking for.
You might be able to break in as a first-year, but even that would be difficult. You would probably need contacts within firms in order to get them to look.
Consulting with 1-yr of Experience? (Originally Posted: 02/15/2013)
I was wondering if anyone has had experience or knows of anyone that has graduated, worked for OCR and some don't even consider outside of OCR. I've been working at a BB in an analytical analyst role (think portfolio analytics) and want to make the switch. I've always been interested in consulting and believe now is the best time to make the move without an MBA.
Anyone?
Thanks a ton in advance.
I lateralled in with 2 years of experience in a completely unrelated field so it definitely happens. For myself (and the colleagues who've done it) it's almost always a result of getting to know a Partner, having them set up a case interview for you and take it from there.
I'd focus on networking as much as possible, and make sure you have a decent story as to why you want to change.....consultants are suspicious of IB'ers lateralling. Make sure it's not just about not wanting to work as hard and thinking consulting is a good backup.
i know a few in my firm that have one maybe two years of experience and then joined as an Analyst
I worked for a mid-size software firm as a business analyst for a year after graduation. I then lateraled into an entry-level spot in strategy for a federal consulting firm.
I've tried to get into consulting for the past year with numerous years of industry exp and no consulting exp. finally got in with a small consulting company, waiting word back from brand names (not MBB).
Think it's much easier to get into consulting straight out of school as opposed to after years of exp. I presume firms like to mold new recruits their own way instead of having them see what's out there in the industry.
Experienced Hires for Consulting Firms (Originally Posted: 05/27/2009)
Does anyone have experience hopping consulting firms after an entry-level analyst stint? I'm at a recognized boutique (not top tier, but known) and am coming up on 2 years at the firm. I was given a promotion to 'senior'-level analyst after a year and a half, and am from a target with ~3.6 gpa.
My current firm is more niche (not IT/ops) and I'd love to move into a more generalist strategy role at one of the top strat consulting firms before heading off for an MBA. After 2-3 years, do people use head hunters, or is using connections from undergrad friends/acquaintances a more viable strategy for getting interviews? Is it common to switch firms at the pre-MBA level?
Curious to see what anyone out there has to say, or if anyone has done something similar.
EDIT: this is assuming the market turns by 2010
It's pretty tough to do even in a good market; the only real situation it happens is when there is a sudden shortage of people and the candidate has a very strong resume (top tier undergrad, top boutique, very strong project work). A year or two, there was a severe shortage in MENA and if you were willing to relocate, it was a little easier. However, now that isn't available.
I'd suggest you focus on MBA apps and do it post-MBA.
I'd go for an MBA, so you don't risk having to start your career from scratch again.
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