I'm a recent college graduate. I graduated from a Non-Target (Top 50) with a 3.7 GPA. I worked hard during my four years and was fortunate enough to score a position at a boutique consulting firm. I start in 1-2 months, but in an effort to stay competitive, buffer MBA applications, and improve my quality of life, I'm looking to lateral into a more prestigious firm, probably after 1.5 years.
I have some solid contacts at Deloitte S&O, although they are pre-MBA consultants. I also want to try my luck with similar firms, such as PwC. Do firms like Deloitte take lateral hires if they have consulting experience? Are they looking for specific forms of experience? Just looking for some advice on how to best prepare myself for a potential lateral. How early is too early for networking? Thanks.
Interested
I did exactly this about 20 months ago. In my case, I had completed an MFE, and was working with a small quant firm. I was contacted by Deloitte because they were looking for someone with my skillset, and I managed to negotiate a post MBA position. Within S&O, I'm a bit of a specialist though, and only have FIs as clients, which is perfectly fine with me because it's the only sector I'm interested in. If you're currently a generalist, it will be more challenging to get them interested in you, unless there is something unique or special you bring to the table.
It's never too early for networking. It can be too early to request people in your network to start pulling strings for you though. You should only do that about 4-6 months before you want to make the move.
Solid advice. I'll start expanding my network. I'm not completely sure how to build a specialty, as I'm in a Consulting Role that deals with multiple industries, although my office does Technology/Healthcare. Is it possible to gain a specialized role at a Consulting Firm? I feel that as a first-year Consultant, I'm limited in selecting engagements or making requests. Thanks again for the advice.
Excellent points by Manbearpig (obviously, he's done it before).
The answer, like many things with big 4 firms, is that it is possible, but somewhat difficult. Like was said above, it's much more doable if you have a very specific skill, especially a quant skill, because that is typically in short supply at Deloitte S&O (think about it, most analysts and consultants are hired out of a few target schools, and don't necessarily have business degrees, let alone quant heavy degrees). If you don't have a specialty, it's harder, but again, doable.
First thing to do is network hard. Even if you only have lower level contacts, network with them, and try to get yourself moved up the ladder by talking to people higher and higher up, and asking for more names. The end goal here is to get your resume in the hands of a partner. Once that happens, they like you, and they pass your resume to a recruiter, you have a great shot. Partner referrals are like gold, and there is enough turnover in S&O that they almost always could use an extra body or two. Your interview are often not even case based when you're an experienced hire candidate from a partner referral (this is 2nd hand info, but have heard from multiple people that they didn't have cases).
Feel free to ask any questions or direct message me. I've seen this done a couple times, and know enough about the recruiting process in S&O to pass along some other details.
BGP2587, do you know what Deloitte S&O's policy on visa sponsorship for foreign nationals? Do they support work visa for junior positions?
Yes, they do. When you want a Green Card it gets a bit more interesting.
How about other firms?
Anecdotal evidence tells me they do
I can't really speak to other firms. But with firms like Deloitte, once one firm does something, competitors seem to follow shortly after. My guess is that it's similar elsewhere.
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