As my junior SA stint at a top U.S. bank draws to a close, I'm reflecting on where I was in January. At that point, I had a beautiful conditionally-formatted Excel of about 50 applications I had submitted, with preference indexes and all sorts of nerdy input into what I'd choose between the bazillion offers I (thought I) was sure to get.
At the top of my list were McKinsey, Bain, and BCG. I networked pretty hard at those places, wrote my cover letters for each one covering the skillsets they claimed they wanted. I had talked extensively with MDs (or whatever they're called) at McKinsey and Bain (Capital, unfortunately), and the General Counsel at BCG. In addition, of course, to ACs at all three firms.
I had three summers of boutique management consulting and one summer of Asset Management under my belt. I had an SAT of ~2250, a 3.8 at an Ivy, and ran several student organizations as well as a nonprofit corporation operating on a for-profit model.
Then February rolled around, and I didn't get a single interview from a top-tier consulting firm. Looking back, it was probably because my resume was an atrocious mess, over-wordy and poorly organized. I did well with several smaller consultancies (and the CEB, but that seemed like more of a thinktank anyway so I declined my final-round interview there) but knew I had to get myself a brand-name internship, something I'd been lacking.
My resume said "consultant" all over it, but the banks didn't care. Despite not even getting a thought from MBB, I got to final rounds (at least) from every Bulge Bracket bank on campus as well as a top boutique. This is someone that every time the dreaded,, "So why do you want to be an investment banker?" came up, I desperately wanted to say "I really, really don't."
Fast forward through many days spent sweating in New York for Super Days and a summer of long hours and Seamless Web, and I find myself on the verge of receiving a full-time offer (literally perfect performance reviews, my team really likes me, they are definitely hiring despite the economy, etc.) from one of the biggest names in investment banking. I like this better than I thought I would, and could actually see myself making a career out of it.
But I still really, really want to work for Bain, McKinsey, BCG, or Deloitte. I haven't had the time to network or access to personal e-mail for most the summer. I know that I need to go through accelerated recruiting or I won't have a shot at getting an offer before my banking one explodes.
How do I get noticed by MBB this time around? I know I shouldn't be complaining, I know I have an incredible opportunity and I should just take it... but it's not something I'm passionate about, it's not the field that I've wanted to be in for most of my adult life.
I need advice.
^ LOL.
Idk, sounds like you're at MS. Just maintain that GPA, rework your resume as you see fit, and apply again. I'm no expert but, honestly, you have an amazing chance at MBB for FT. Good luck.
Post up your resume for a critique? I'm always confused when resumes are tailor made for positions and come from high credentials yet don't land interviews.
I said Deloitte 'cause it's the biggest name I could think of besides MBB that does pure management strategy (in some capacity)... but then again I didn't do much research after the top 3 because after that no one recruits at my school besides industry boutiques.
Nice guess with MS, but I won't say which bank for obvious reasons, never know who goes on here. I'm also not pure M&A or coverage, I work in a product group that focuses mostly on the debt side (think LevFin, DCM, StrucFin, Corporate Finance Advisory). I think that could hurt me because we're a little less "big picture" and more focused.
I've completely redone my resume. The problem with my original one was that it was overlong and poorly-formatted; I was somehow arrogant and self-conscious at the same time and didn't want anyone to review it. I've reworked it entirely and it's been edited by about a dozen people from hiring managers to Career Services to friends. I'm not really concerned about it at this stage, but I think it was a major factor in why I didn't get interviews.
Anyone have any color on accelerated recruiting? Whether MBB takes mostly their interns or if FT recruits have a real shot?
Also, the question of networking. Oddly enough, everyone says the key to getting banking interviews is networking networking networking, but I didn't network anywhere and got plenty of interviews. Consulting I networked my ass off with people that theoretically should have been able to at least get my resume to the right folks, but didn't get an interview at any firm I tried for. Who should I be focusing on? Who makes interview decisions?
your post makes it sound like you are 110% determined to go into MC, but you didn't apply to ANY FIRM other than MBB? you don't even KNOW any firm other than MBB? so wtf was in your excel list? oh wait, and all of this after "three summers of boutique Management Consulting"?!
if you want to break into management consulting, how about you get some industry knowledge that goes beyond of what my 17 year old nephew knows about consulting firms?
slide #10 http://www.slideshare.net/BLT/careers-in-management-consultancy-present…
http://firmsconsulting.com/ranking-mckinsey-bain-bcg-deloitte-roland-be…
imgo, you would've been much better off spending your summer at Roland Berger, Booz, Monitor et al.
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Honestly I think you have a good shot at FT. Summer intern recruiting at MBB is notoriously hard due to the sheer numbers. Given your credentials, getting a first round interview should be a formality. If you know anyone the year above you or any interns who can pass your resume on and bypass the "massive pile of crap" screening stage (and you meet the GPA/SAT cutoffs, which you do), you will get a 1st round.
Networking your way into a first round interview when you're an obvious candidate should be a joke. After that, the cases will pretty much determine everything. Good luck!
Nailed it.
GL to OP. I like that you are honest with yourself and not a pure prestige whore. Study the hell out of cases and be ready to do numbers on the fly with M.
Dude, just beef up your resume with a little more experience and apply later. Congrats on the other job offers.
Yes, many firms do offer accelerated interview processes that happen during mid July towards the beginning of August, they're often associated with informal receptions that go on during the summer for rising graduates. Off the top of my head I know BCG and OW did in New York last year. I think your best bet is to email your network and tell them you would like a shot at it before your exploding (assuming you land it) IB offer. Worst case they direct you to HR.
Getting an internship at a top consulting shop is definitely not a piece of cake, there are plenty of folks who don't get a summer offer but land multiple offers when full time comes around simply because there are so many more spots. And not many of them seem to have the same desire to have the gig as you. Don't be discouraged, just start reaching out immediately.
Let's say theoretically I work in the same building as M. Would it be unwise to ask my contact at M if they know anyone in that office that I could meet with while I'm here? Unfortunately I was assigned to a regional office of my bank because the group I wanted is split between here and NY.
Do it. Tell them you have the FT offer from MS basically lined up. They'll get the hint.
Check over your resume and cover letter. Something probably failed.
Dude, it's nothing to do with your stats/ specs. Check your resume. Look online for specific attributes MBB looks for and tailor your shit to these attributes. FYI, they're COMPLETELY different from what BBs look for.
Learn to be more concise in your writing. If your resume is like your post, it is too wordy.
troll as soon as Deloitte was used in the same paragraph as MBB.
hehe
That's funny, I was the opposite: I really wanted to break into investment banking but I only got an offer from an MBB:) Now I think I was lucky not to get a job at an investment bank because now I know it's not for me but at the time I was very disappointed so I can perfectly relate to your situation.
If you didn't change your mind about consulting vs. IB after the summer (and obviously you didn't) I don't really see how you can succeed long term in a BB. Junior investment bankers are usually not very happy about their jobs, adding to that your strong wish to be in a different industry (the "grass is so much greener on the other side" factor) you will burn out very quickly.
On the bright side, there are more spots open for full time recruiting so you'll have better chances. Plus now you have a good brand on your cv. There are also ex-investment bankers in MBB so even if you take the offer from your bank the doors to consulting are not closed.
Do a few years at the bank. Excel. Then either go for an MBA at a top 5, graduate cum laude, reapply or try to apply after 2 years and start networking with people inside the consultancies. If you're at a good IB, say Goldman Sachs / Morgan Stanley, you should have an easier time networking with consultants and, if you went to a good Ivy, should have a few in your network anyway. Do a few good years, and get a referral from one of your friends, then apply. Good grades + good work experience + referral = guaranteed 1st round generally. If you can't set that up in the 2 years time do an MBA, then apply, and see if there are any people from the consultancies you like already in your MBA class.
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