How easy is it to transfer offices within a firm?

I'm thinking longer-term here, say, within 2 years. I might be interested in transferring offices to another city (I'm in Toronto now, might consider Calgary or San Francsico, for instance). What is this process like? How quickly could one do so? How has your experience been at your firm?

 
Best Response

How easy it is depends on the amount of support you have from key stakeholders in your current office and in the office that you want to move to. At the very least, you need some kind of sponsor pulling you into the office that you want to be at. At my firm, this means having a couple of partners and/or one very senior partner committed to helping you.

When you're going to transfer, it impacts the resource (read: people) allocation of the firm. In other words, it's usually unlikely for a firm ito sponsor your transfer if where you're going is lacking a healthy work stream. Having the support of a partner/partners helps ensure that you'll be utilized once you move.

My strategy was to meet people directly below my target partners (i.e. the ones I wanted to work for) in addition to partners senior to them. In this way, smaller networks of leaders could find out who I was. The second step was to do work with some or all of them, so that they knew that my value proposition to them wasn't just bull.

I'd suggest talking to someone high up at your office (that you trust and have a solid relationship with) what they think. Preferably this is someone who actually went through the transfer process.

Hope this helps! Good luck

 

As Voco90 says, it's definitely possible. I worked at McKinsey in London and I'd estimate ~15% of consultants had transferred from somewhere else. I also looked into doing it although I never did and was told that there's 3 things I'd need: 1. Some 'pull' from the office you're planning on transferring to- in practice this means that you'd have to do a project or two with partners from that office so that they know you are good and will fight for you 2. A track record of strong performance- particularly if you want to move to one of the more competitive international offices (e.g., San Francisco will be one of these). In practice this means that you would have had to have been at your firm for at least a year and have had strong performance reviews 3. For the office you're transferring to to have enough and the right kind of work for you to do. If an office is very quiet, they're unlikely to be accepting transfers

It's also a little bit dependent on your role. For example- 3rd year BAs at McKinsey find it very easy to transfer office and most of them do. This is partly because they're generalists, so they can work in any industry and are relatively inexpensive to the host office. APs/ Junior Partners transfer much more rarely because they need a client platform etc.

I previously worked for McKinsey in London and have started a blog about consulting and how to get into it at www.theconsultingcoach.com
 

I've asked the same question to many people at various firms, and have gotten a wide variety of answers.

From what I can conclude, it mainly depends on: 1. The style of staffing within your firm- if your firm has mainly local clients, it may be more difficult to switch offices than if your firm has a more global client base. In addition, you must take into consideration the type of people you interact with on a staffing level. For instance, do you get to work in different offices, and are those offices in a certain region? If so, you may have a better chance to move within that region. 2. The type of staffing for your position- the higher up the ranks you move, the more difficult it might be for you to switch offices. This might be due to gaining a more established client base, or even the difficulty of the politics with your office not wanting to lose out on your talent/other offices or departments wanting to remain cordial by refraining from head-hunting. 3. How well you can leverage yourself- have you made contacts in other offices? Do partners or clients know you, and are they asking for you to work on projects? If so, you've got a good chance of switching.

 

There is no set timeframe for doing these kinds of transfers. Prove yourself first in your current position before signaling your intent. These are usually considered on the firm's needs, whether it's by group or geography.

All the world's indeed a stage, And we are merely players, Performers and portrayers, Each another's audience, Outside the gilded cage - Limelight (1981)
 

Im pretty positive they will change your salary to reflect the DC market, for the most part, the Big 4 try and keep all the new hire class comp the same for each office, this might vary due to people with Master's degrees.

Hugo
 

abroad is unlikely. had a rockstar friend who wanted to go from NYC to London after his SA stint - the firm laughed. like a true baller, he went out and convinced an elite boutique to give him a FT offer to London instead of NYC. that's the only story i know of an international start.

in terms of moving domestically, it happens. i'd say you need two things to pull it off - you have to be a damn good SA (good enough that the firm is willing to move you laterally within the firm to keep you rather than interview other UGs) and you have to have a damn good reason to want to transfer.

 
SaberRider:
International transfers after a summer internship are not very common. Nevertheless after 2 or 3 years FT it is definitely possible with the support of senior people.

This. Especially if they want to keep you on as a 3rd year- doing an international rotation that year isn't uncommon.

If you're looking to transfer offices domestically (regional -> NYC, for example), that's typically an option you'll have in your FT offer letter from wherever you summer. It's even easier if your group is split between two locations (i.e., some tech offices are split between SF and NYC).

 

Unlikely from NYC-> abroad before you've done your two years of service. I imagine it would be impossible from a regional office, who often hire directly and have no recourse to the pool of NYC analysts. I wouldn't even ask, to be honest.

If you wanted to work abroad, you shouldn't have applied for a job in Houston. If there is some pressing reason you need to work in that location, then you'd be better off simply looking for a job there and reneging on the offer you've accepted.

 

Japan is hard to break into if you don't have fluency in the language. Any reason why Tokyo?

If you're interested in overseas work but can't speak the native language, look to countries where business is done largely in English. Singapore is a great option if you're interested in East Asia.

In terms of transferring to another office within the US (assuming you're in the US to begin with), it's not that difficult. Most of my friends who have successfully pulled it off will work their first year at their original office and then request to move to another office that they've worked with. I've had friends transfer from NYC -> SF, DC -> SF, SLC -> LA, and NYC -> Chi.

Currently: future neurologist, current psychotherapist Previously: investor relations (top consulting firm), M&A consulting (Big 4), M&A banking (MM)
 

thanks for the response. Just due to the fact that I've enjoyed my time there (though it was on holiday). This isn't the best comparison but I know that a lot of football players go through accelerated language courses when changing teams.. I would have guessed the language aspect wouldn't be too big a barrier?

 

I think GS is fairly flexible. I know of one S&T SA who was sent to Asia for a few weeks during the internship because he was studying the local language or something at his school, and his manager was supportive. All expenses paid. JPM seems to have a legit global mobility program as well, and several SAs who interned in their HK offices ended up in the NYC offices.

On the other hand, I've often heard that such a move is almost unheard of at MS. One needs to complete the Analyst program, and then opportunities may arise. In any case, I think it's more common among S&T employees to move across the globe.

 
user_:
I think GS is fairly flexible. I know of one S&T SA who was sent to Asia for a few weeks during the internship because he was studying the local language or something at his school, and his manager was supportive. All expenses paid. JPM seems to have a legit global mobility program as well, and several SAs who interned in their HK offices ended up in the NYC offices.

On the other hand, I've often heard that such a move is almost unheard of at MS. One needs to complete the Analyst program, and then opportunities may arise. In any case, I think it's more common among S&T employees to move across the globe.

I've actually heard the opposite about GS. One friend from college in GS IBD in HK wanted to come back to the US after her SA, and wound up going through recruiting again because they were not open to switching her FT offer from HK to NYC.
 

Every BB and MM bank will tell you that they are lifestyle-friendly and open to your changing preferences but I doubt many banks will be supportive of someone changing offices (especially at the junior level).

First of all, regional offices require a specialized skillset (SF = Tech and a small bit of healthcare, Houston = Oil & Gas, Asia = localized language, etc...). It is hard to convince the SF branch to hire a junior NYC banker because that person's expertise / training is in a different specification (i.e. FIG or real estate).

Second of all, culture is extremely important in banking. That is why banking recruiting is so tough and complex with multiple rounds, informational interviews and the internship process. People don't just want anyone - but rather someone likeable, whom can handle the work and be liked throughout 100 hours a week. Regional and NYC offices all run their own separate interview processes to see whom they like and do not like. MDs in SF and Houston are not going to be happy taking on someone random and unkown analyst or associate from a different office.

Lastly, there is still a stigma attached to moving. Simply put, everything thinks bankers from other locations are either inferior or underqualified. I have never ever seen or heard of a junior banker transferring from Asia simply because American offices still (perhaps falsely so) that junior bankers there are not of the same calibre. Furthermore, MDs in other offices are wary of someone switching offices as this transferee may not be liked where he/she currently is or has too many personal issues. After all, why would I take on someone new (and who is always moving around) as opposed to simply hiring someone stable here who can commit to the group from the get-go?

 

Small data point here but I know a guy at school who did a JPM sophomore IB program last summer in NYC. He did well but didn't like NYC that much so he is out at JPM SF this summer.

MM IB -> Corporate Development -> Strategic Finance
 

Nesciunt quaerat eius quos. In est ex veniam. Necessitatibus qui laborum explicabo. Omnis consequatur saepe omnis veniam et aut esse non.

Mollitia assumenda quidem voluptatem vitae atque quas. Laudantium reprehenderit sint vitae quae non quos hic. Voluptas qui expedita nihil temporibus. Quam ea assumenda at fugiat. Accusantium autem molestias reiciendis eveniet id. Laborum officiis qui molestiae corporis in beatae autem.

 

Odit atque perferendis qui. Animi ratione laboriosam consectetur et culpa earum ut. Ad dolores et modi.

Cumque quidem necessitatibus sit quo vero qui. Optio nobis et placeat sunt voluptatem quis optio. Nisi eum facere debitis saepe. Magni quas et qui blanditiis.

Fugit quos repellat tenetur est nisi ut et iure. Autem et natus ut sit. Modi ex quisquam nostrum pariatur numquam in officiis. Maiores rerum laborum non vero. Eius est velit sunt recusandae.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.7%
  • LEK Consulting 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • Cornerstone Research 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • McKinsey and Co 97.7%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.7%
  • LEK Consulting 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $368
  • Principal (25) $277
  • Director/MD (55) $270
  • Vice President (47) $246
  • Engagement Manager (99) $225
  • Manager (152) $170
  • 2nd Year Associate (158) $140
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (108) $130
  • Senior Consultant (329) $130
  • Consultant (586) $119
  • 1st Year Associate (538) $119
  • NA (15) $119
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (145) $115
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (342) $102
  • Associate Consultant (166) $98
  • 1st Year Analyst (1046) $87
  • Intern/Summer Associate (188) $84
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (547) $67
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”