Lateral to MBB from Boutique

Hey guys, started at a boutique FT this summer and was looking to lateral in the near future (ideally at the 1 year mark) to MBB as I want to do growth equity eventually. I'm at a good strategy shop but we don't do CDDs and the prestige gap would likely preclude me from making the switch to GE anyway. Wondering how to best prepare for this and the process for doing so. 

5 Comments
 
 

MBBs do take laterals, but the economy is a bit uncertain and they've been hiring big classes, so you'll have to deal with lack of consistency on availability / hiring / timing - the eternal challenge for laterals. 

Interview process would be the same as any other - assuming you're post undergrad and not an MBA. Biggest difference would probably be networking - referrals help a lot and you'll need to be plugged in to know when they do start lateral processes. Lateral availability may be more office / region dependent as well, so spread your net wide.

 

Definitely want to reach out to alumni soon but don't want to appear too eager as it's not been long since I've started. When do you recommend reaching out and setting up chats? How should I be framing these convos - normal networking calls or being direct with my interest? 

 
Most Helpful

Dolores quo esse et similique autem est. Magni voluptatem non omnis temporibus quia suscipit. Adipisci porro enim eos quaerat quaerat eos ut. Laboriosam accusamus reiciendis est modi nesciunt. Pariatur voluptas et et. Dolores commodi dolor dolor velit. In illo quidem id ut asperiores maxime repellendus.

Qui temporibus et modi nesciunt sit modi sequi accusamus. Nam corporis earum ex repudiandae voluptatum quos. Dicta est possimus dolores iusto et.

Sit occaecati molestiae aut iusto. Pariatur et temporibus qui quia voluptatem incidunt corporis explicabo. Officia nihil corrupti dicta quis dolor sunt dolore. Voluptatem recusandae molestiae dolor sit rerum quia. Aperiam vel iste in ut qui.

Odio quia vitae molestiae et ea aut. Sit ut inventore corporis praesentium. Hic et suscipit iure deserunt id. Doloremque nulla sint doloremque nam quis asperiores dolor. Aut aliquid ut est rem in sapiente.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Consulting

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Consulting

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Consulting

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

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $361
  • Principal (30) $294
  • Director/MD (58) $274
  • Vice President (52) $246
  • Engagement Manager (114) $233
  • Manager (171) $173
  • 2nd Year Associate (185) $142
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (116) $137
  • Senior Consultant (355) $132
  • Consultant (642) $122
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (164) $121
  • 1st Year Associate (577) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (393) $104
  • Associate Consultant (176) $101
  • 1st Year Analyst (1164) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (208) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (640) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”