How much does office selection matter in MBB recruiting?

Office selection can play a significant role in MBB recruiting, both in terms of competitiveness and culture. Here's a breakdown based on the most helpful WSO content:

1) Recruiting for a Non-Feeder Office

• If your school has a strong pipeline to the Chicago office, it might be easier to recruit there due to established relationships and alumni presence. Non-feeder offices, especially smaller ones, can be more challenging to break into unless you have a compelling story or strong ties to the location. For example, smaller offices might only hire one or two people, and they may prioritize candidates with local connections or unique qualifications.
• If you're at an M7 MBA program, you generally have more flexibility to target any office, but for smaller offices, you still need a strong narrative to stand out.

2) Cultural Differences Between Offices

• Culture can vary significantly between offices, and it's often subjective. For instance, NYC is sometimes perceived as having a more intense, workaholic culture compared to Boston or Chicago. However, culture is highly dependent on personal perspective and the specific teams or projects you work with.
• To assess culture, it's recommended to network extensively with people from different offices. Gather multiple data points by speaking with consultants and alumni to get a clearer picture of what each office is like.

3) Changing Target Office Mid-Recruiting

• Switching your target office during the recruiting process can be seen as a red flag. MBB firms value conviction and expect candidates to have a clear preference for their chosen office. For example, Bain screeners specifically look for candidates who demonstrate strong conviction about their top-choice office.
• If you’re unsure about your target office, it’s better to decide early and stick with it throughout the process to avoid sending mixed signals.

Recommendations:

• If you're uncertain about Chicago, consider visiting or networking with consultants from that office to gain more clarity.
• Use LinkedIn or other resources to research the career trajectories of consultants from different offices, especially if exit opportunities are a priority for you.
• Ultimately, choose an office where you feel you can thrive both professionally and personally, but be prepared to articulate your choice convincingly during interviews.
  
  Sources: Consulting Recruiting 2023, Admitted to an M7 next fall, how do I best prepare myself for MBB recruiting now?, Some Thoughts on Managing Multiple Offers (Consulting / MBB), Some Thoughts on Managing Multiple Offers (Consulting / MBB), 2019 MBB Comparison (Interview Process, Locations, Responsibilities, Perks...)