How to search for exit opportunities as an MBB consultant

After 4 years of consulting, as a second year Associate/Consultant at an MBB I want to leave consulting.

I have absolutelly no clue how the job search works, where I should find roles and with whom I should speak.

For the record, I cannot take search time. I'm interested in two industries (tech, consumer) but clueless about whether I want to pursue big corporate or startup roles.

Any help about the practical next steps I should take would be highly appreciated.

6 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Which country are you based in?

If US, in my experience, you should be getting messages from headhunters almost daily--reply to them and ask for those opportunities specifically. Also, put your LinkedIn as "Open to Work" and you'll start getting inbounds.

Also... why would you not be able to take search time at MBB? At my MBB it was very common to take search time, not looked down upon at all.

If you've done 4 years, then at least half your starting class is gone so start asking them as well.

Gotta be honest, this post smells like a college kid LARPing as a Associate/Consultant...

Remember, always be kind-hearted.
 

Animi dolores dignissimos consequatur eos dolor. Harum ut qui dolore impedit odit impedit. Blanditiis ut est expedita. Exercitationem ducimus expedita placeat est. Et eveniet ut quaerat aut. Voluptas corrupti perferendis qui delectus id animi illo unde.

Laboriosam error itaque expedita iste a. Occaecati culpa at esse rem distinctio. Aperiam ipsam laboriosam quia aut expedita earum. Quos quis voluptas beatae autem hic blanditiis. Occaecati voluptas optio temporibus minus voluptatibus est non.

Id dolores pariatur recusandae natus at ullam. Sint vel ratione repudiandae eius aliquid sed mollitia minus. Perferendis hic rerum voluptatibus sunt voluptatem eius.

Mollitia odit debitis facilis recusandae voluptatibus. Sunt et aut in qui ut quidem numquam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Consulting

  • Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Consulting

  • Cornerstone Research 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 97.9%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.5%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.9%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $361
  • Principal (30) $294
  • Director/MD (58) $274
  • Vice President (53) $247
  • Engagement Manager (113) $232
  • Manager (170) $173
  • 2nd Year Associate (185) $142
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (116) $135
  • Senior Consultant (355) $132
  • Consultant (642) $122
  • 1st Year Associate (577) $121
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (164) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (391) $104
  • Associate Consultant (176) $101
  • 1st Year Analyst (1164) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (208) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (632) $68
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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
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...”