Q&A: Non Target to MBB Full Time
Hey everyone. Thought I'd contribute back here and help out anyone who is struggling to break into a top consulting gig from a non-target. Came from a VERY non-target state school (UG) and recently accepted an offer from my top firm (an MBB). Happy to answer any questions that people have on making the leap. Another great resource is the case prep booklet by WSO. Especially for targeting specific firms!
What internships did you do prior to MBB?
I had internships with a regional company, a global fortune 100 in a satellite US office, and in a fortune 100 HQ. Roles ranged from fairly macro level strategy to more micro analytics work.
Hi thanks for the AMA. A couple of questions
1) What was your process for getting the f100 internships, im guessing they didnt recruit on campus since you said you went to a very non-target?
2) What was your interview prep process for the MBB interviews?
thanks!
I got one of mine through an external job board, one of the few instances of a fairly blind application working out. The other was actually OCR so that was fairly straightforward.
My case prep was largely based around case interview secrets. I liked how the frameworks were fairly broad and let me think fairly freely about each unique problem. I did purchase the LOMS program to go along with the free materials which substituted for some of the live case practice that I didn't have access to. Probably only practiced 5 or so formal live cases before going into the interview (which is probably plenty given diminishing marginal returns.)
Jeez you must be a natural if you only practiced 5 cases. That is insane. I've heard people generally doing 20+ cases. Thanks for the answers.
hey!
im in a similar situation as you- (or atleast I hope to be in a year)
I have internship interviews lined up for mck/BCG and hopefully atk/lek and some specialized firms like alix
im having trouble with cases though, and im not really sure what to expect when it comes to the actual interview (McKinsey will be my first one)- any chance you can give me your experience/anything I should do outside the victor cheng prep to get ready?
This may be silly advice, but the biggest thing I did was made sure to think. At the end of the day, all that the firms are trying to see is that you can think logically and then communicate your thoughts. Take some extra time to not just go through the motion of structuring, but really think through how the problem that they give you is unique and build a structure that really fits. If you do that, then even if you don't build into your structure the "answer," the interviewer will see that you know how to think. Make sure you are very open about how you are thinking to really hit that point home (I talk out-loud a lot, even when I'm struggling with a point.)
Every case really is unique, use pre-made structures very loosely because you are probably smart enough to build a lot of something more accurate on the spot.
.
Well I'll take your initial question:
"I'm also at a non-target for MBB . I've received an offer from PwC management consulting. Do you think this junior summer internship experience would be helpful to FT MBB recruiting? Alternatively, would it actually harm my resume? (FYI: this would be my first "big brand name" experience, in Victor's words) Is there any particular type of work (assuming that I take PwC) that would be helpful to such my FT re-recruitment? My options are: customer (digital experience, pricing, maybe market-strategies), operations (manufacturing & service ops; inventory/supply chain), people & org (HR transformation), Deals (M&A Integration), and finance transformation"
I would say that this internship will definitely help you come full time. You are not spending enough time at PwC to be "branded" any certain way. On the other hand, you are going to get some of the key analytical and client interaction skills that they like. I think any of those types of work that you have the opportunities to do would look good. I don't know a ton about PwC's specific work in each of those categories but I would definitely try to find the space that they own the most pure strategy in. The MBB firms are going to recognize what PwC has expertise in and will be receptive to that if you present it in an interview or application.
Congratulations on your offer. Currently a junior with similar ambitions and less than an ideal network. I have a Big 4 Accounting internship and am looking for a junior summer internship. Ideally, would want consulting but if that does not work out do you have any perspective of the payoff from F50 FLDP or Big 4 risk advisory internship? If not, any other great stepping stones?
Thanks again and congrats!
I would say that the FLDP is a better bet. These will give you more opportunity to show that you are a top candidate and many of these F50 companies have decent placement into top MBA programs. You would be put in a pool of industry folks vs a pool with consulting folks which is a good thing in this case.
With RAP/Risk assurance, you are likely going to be placed in a category of "professional services" meaning you will be competing with a lot of consulting folks. Coming from risk, you will be at the bottom of the totem pole for this category so you will need to really kill the GMAT to have a chance.
In terms of other stepping stones, I would say think about the skills that consulting firms are looking for: Analytical capabilities Teamwork Client skills (think decks, communicating ideas etc.)
Try to find a role that will give you a chance to develop those key skills so you can leverage those. Additionally, take a look through LinkedIn and see what companies that you have access to have placed people into target MBAs. I'd suggest using a premium free trial or investing in it for this searching - well worth it!
Sent a PM :)
Thanks for doing this.
What was your major/GPA? Please tell us about your networking strategy to land a postition at MBB.
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