Very unhappy at MBB - how long do I need to stay?
I will be hitting the 1 year mark in a few weeks (at the BA/Associate-level) and I'm very unhappy at MBB. This is due to a combination of factors, mainly industry focus of my office but also the fact that I had one very bad case and didn't perform well (almost got counseled out), which led to me now getting stuck on a terrible (and long) case no one else wanted - 70+ hours/week, awful manager etc.
Basically I have to fight to survive at this point but guess that I could probably make it to the 18-month mark.
Is it really worth staying at MBB for 18 vs. 12 months and being miserable the whole time? I tend to think that extra 6 months on my CV might actually make a substantial difference, but would like to sense check with others here.
Views are appreciated.
Depends, are you looking to jump to industry or Tier 2 consulting? If industry, make the jump now (assume you'll have good exit ops). Moving to another consulting firm may be tough since it'll be seen as a step backwards.
Was in a very similar position at my old firm... I would strongly recommend starting to look now. These sorts of processes take much longer than you'd think especially since I'm sure your schedule is tough and you can't be running around interviewing all the time around the clock.
I tend to think that a short stint somewhere is not as bad as a long gap on your resume, which could easily happen if you just quit cold turkey in 18 months rather than lining something up.
I also think being unemployed has a huge negative stigma.
If you start looking at 18 months, you could easily not actually leave MBB until 24 months in, net net.
I would say normally I'd be biased towards advising you to suck it up and stay, but it sounds like the issues at your current seat are long term in nature and won't be easy to shake off. I think getting out ASAP is the right way to go.
Thanks for the comments -
I'd like to stick it out but I would need to perform above expectations on my current project, which seems unlikely given the setup (which means realistically i'll be out in 6 months even if i want to stay).
ch1guy - Are you saying if I plan to go to industry eventually, it's better to try now than if I were to move to Deloitte/EY and then try for industry? I haven't been impressed with my current exit opps, but that's a good point.
GutShot - if I were to quit now or in 6 months, I would still get transition time (it varies by MBB but is usually 3-5 months of partially-paid do nothing time where you're still employed). However, I take your point which is I think that if I saw a good fit role now, it would be silly not go to for it - since the alternative (of not having a job for a while) could be quite bad.
More trying to say it might be an easier transition to industry. Most consultants end up moving to industry at one time or another, so it'll look like a logical move. If you're currently at MBB at move to Tier 2 (Deloitte/EY), you'll get questions as to why you're moving to another, less prestigious consulting firm (unless you'd be jumping in title).
If I saw 1 year at MBB on a resume it would raise questions (because I know the space and would know this means someone either absolutely hated the job or was forced to leave).18 months on the other hand is much more typical and a lot of high performers leave then if they know what they want to do.
Does your MBB have a "transition" period if you are counseled out (e.g. a few months of pay where you don't have to work and can look for a job)? If so, I would recommend trying to stick it out until then and go from there.
Thanks all,
Oldhead, I'm eligible for transition as soon as I hit a year. So if I stay 1.5 years I could easily stretch that to almost 2 years with no one knowing. I think I'll probably try to wait until at least 18 months but will look and apply for things as I go.
I would start looking now to make the jump to industry. It'll take longer than you expect to find a good role and you don't want to end up in the same position at your next job. In terms of 1 year on the resume you can always site some work life balance issue. Too much time away from the GF etc. Rarely do you talk to folks in industry and they think traveling 4 days a week is awesome.
I personally think traveling 4 days a week is awesome..... And that is one of the three main reasons I wanna work for consulting..... Well, I am still at school though. Who knows if my thoughts might change when that day really comes
A couple delays, a cancelled flight or two, and some shitty airports should do the trick.
On my current project my return flight has now been canceled about 30% of the time, which means a very long train ride instead. I can confirm that travel sucks.
AnonyConsult, at your MBB, can you tell me what the below-expectation performance / review is based on? How is your performance measured? (which in turn can lead to counseling out)
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