Help a non-target brother out

Hello everyone,

Looking through these forums, I figured, this would be a good place to get a dose of brutal honesty, so I'm volunteering for the gauntlet. Basically my thought process was...'Business runs through my veins, I'm very interested in Consultancy, I know what the job is about and I'm quite certain I'd do well'. That is until, through research I figured that it would be almost impossible to get in if your not from Oxbridge, Harvard or so on, you don't stand a chance. The whole non-target thing.

I go to a good university, in the UK, ranked in the top 10 for business when I joined and 25 overall. Doing a Management and Strategy degree with 420 A-Level UCAS points. So far, I've started a restaurant business before joining university, and worked in a Telecoms' company's finance division in corporate strategy for 8 months, where I took part in some important projects as well as other bits and pieces of part time work here and there and 2 volunteering roles. Overall, plenty of work experience with decent relevant knowledge. But will that matter or will my poor resume be helplessly suffocated at the bottom of the Oxbridge heavyweights, sentenced to the abyss of consultancy insignificance. Any insight from you guys would be invaluable, so let me know what you think.

 
Best Response

The hardest part of "nontarget" recruiting is getting the first interview. The two keys to doing so are exemplary application materials (resume and cover letter) as well as obtaining an advocate within the firm. Try to find any connection you have to strategy consultancies and cast your net wide. LinkedIN, family & friends, and alumni networks are all good places to start. Have as many informational interviews with people at the firms, ask engaging questions, and then maintain the relationships to eventually make the ask for a resume push during the recruiting cycle.

Furthermore, I'd eschew the "is this impossible because I'm a nontarget" line of inquiry and shift your mentality towards how can I maximize my chances of breaking in. Oxbridge and the Ivy League do not have a monopoly on intellectual capability and consulting talent, and the firms know that. Furthermore, I'm sure they will see the value in your extensive work experience. Get yourself in the process, highlight your strength, and ace the case interview.

 
pfitzy:
The hardest part of "nontarget" recruiting is getting the first interview. The two keys to doing so are exemplary application materials (resume and cover letter) as well as obtaining an advocate within the firm. Try to find any connection you have to strategy consultancies and cast your net wide. LinkedIN, family & friends, and alumni networks are all good places to start. Have as many informational interviews with people at the firms, ask engaging questions, and then maintain the relationships to eventually make the ask for a resume push during the recruiting cycle.

Furthermore, I'd eschew the "is this impossible because I'm a nontarget" line of inquiry and shift your mentality towards how can I maximize my chances of breaking in. Oxbridge and the Ivy League do not have a monopoly on intellectual capability and consulting talent, and the firms know that. Furthermore, I'm sure they will see the value in your extensive work experience. Get yourself in the process, highlight your strength, and ace the case interview.

Well done. Wholeheartedly agree. As a non-targeter myself, I can vouch for the most difficult hurdle being the first (getting your foot in the door). Network, mate. The above channels are spot on. Once you're in, remember to smile and they'll forget that you ever attended Uni in the first place. Show that Ivy-League educated Director what non-targets have to offer.

 

Hey,

Apologies to the guys who replied earlier, but thanks for all the input you guys are giving me. Well yea the picture seems clear, and I agree pfitzy, those top end universities really do not have a monopoly on intellect, and as a business person, who had experience on how the business world works, I really found it surprising at the beginning that a chemist from oxbridge can provide great business insight. But looks like I need to get into the networking process and do as much of that as possible in order to get my foot through the door. And I agree with you guys, been looking at case interviews and they're quite straightforward tbh...If i get a chance with an interviewer I can use my endless charms in my favor lol but we'll see how it goes.

Youngone2012: well tbh, I'm not bothered about mbb in particular...as long as the firm I end up in works on some interesting projects, I'll be happy...plus I think you can have a bigger impact in a smaller firm, and really find out whether u got it or not, cannot exactly hide in a team of 3!!

Ash_nash: thanks bro, will do that now and see if I can find any of my people on there, lol that in itself will be a huge boost.

 

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