Need advice - Target MBB, Tier 2/3, or Boutique?

All,

One of my offers recently fell through which means I need to start looking again. I need some guidance on how best to proceed and would appreciate your insights / thoughts.

I attended a non-target to do my MBA part-time and graduated last year in top of my class. I have been in consulting for the past decade focusing on IT and operations but now want to get into business strategy. I have done some extensive case practice over the past few months so am familiar with that process.

I realize that major roadblocks for me now are recruiting off-season for most firms and having attended a non-target. So far, I have been applying to positions posted on LinkedIn and have also been reaching out to folks for informational interviews which is a slow process as everyone is busy at work.

I am at a point where I really need some other opportunity as the learning has stopped in my current role and is not aligned with where I want to go. How best should I proceed?

(a) Given the time of the year, should I focus my networking attempts to boutique firms or try my luck at MBB or 2nd/3rd tier firms? Where would I have the most chance?

(b) If I apply to MBB now and don't get a response, can I still reapply during Fall recruiting season or need to wait for couple more years?

(c) Reaching out for informational interviews and hoping that someone can refer me takes its own time. What are your thoughts if I were to reach out to director or similar level folks and ask about any open opportunity - kind of like cold email?

(d) Is there anything that specifically worked for you while you were going through the similar process? If so, I would appreciate if you could share it.

Sorry for the long post. Looking forward to your thoughts.

Thank you.

2 Comments
 

siyaram, I'm in a somewhat similar situation (though I have less work experience and am a bit farther along). Here are my thoughts:

(a) I'd aim for companies that do recruiting year round, generally these are either very large (big 4 or McKinsey) or very small consulting firms. I think you can still apply to Bain/BCG/other mid sized firms, but what I keep hearing is "wait until August / September and we'll consider you for a position for next year." Not sure if that's an option for you. (b) From what I understand you can reapply if you didn't get an interview, but they may or may not process your application until it's convenient for them. (c) That's what I do (but I don't ask about open opportunities, more indirect than that). I've gotten multiple interviews this way. (d) PM me if you want to talk further, I'm happy to help.

 
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