Work Options Before Re-Applying

I recently got to the final round of two MBBs as an experienced hire and was dinged for both. I was clunky on one case during one interview and basically got beat out in the other (interviewer was candid in his feedback that I just got beat out by a better resume). On the bright side both invited me to re-apply the following year. I'm currently working as a lawyer at a V10 and wondering if I should change jobs in the next year to boost my chances.

Help me decide my future!! Any other suggestions are welcome!

Options:

A) Join a boutique: this would get me consulting experience but worried that experience would somehow DQ me from MBB

B) Army Reserves: I've wanted to do this for a while and there is a job that is very similar to consulting (economic development work) and would provide tangible leadership training. Worried that, while every big firm is military friendly, this would hurt me because of the drill obligations (one weekend a month and two weeks over the summer) would make me a less attractive candidate.

C)** Do nothing** - keep working at my law firm: the money is great but the work sucks and I wouldn't be doing anything new to boost my next application.

2 Comments
 

While everyone might have a different take on this, I'll go with 3.

Your resume was good enough to get you an interview, so you don't need to overcorrect. Just undertake 1 or 2 leadership roles after work/ weekends, to supplement your current resume. Maintain your relationship with the firms you interviewed at and reach out to the third one (probably Bain) to make sure you have three shots next time. I don't necessarily see how working in boutique will make any difference, you may actually lose you "brand" value.

You need to improve your casing skills. Since you have some time now, enhance your business acumen--knowledge of various industries and accounting (income statement), how is value created. The problem was your casing skills, NOT the resume, make sure the solution addresses the problem.

MBB employee and alumnus
 

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