University to Experienced Hire

Hello,

Is it possible to enter MBB as an experienced hire straight from undergrad? Simply put, I think I will be overqualified to do 1st year analyst level tasks when I graduate (research, formatting slides). I will be 28 at graduation.

If so, how would I frame my experience during undergrad recruiting?

Should I focus on something in my resume to increase my chances?

Here is a snapshot of my background:

  • Target School on East Coast
    (Go to school part time)

  • 3.5 years of military service
    (Nothing special like Navy Seal, just a regular Joe)

  • 4 years (at graduation) experience as a Supply Chain Demand Planner - Sr Analyst in Med Devices (F500 company)

  • 1 year as a Supply Chain Projects Analyst (launching new products and making life cycle changes) at the same company

  • 6 month co-op at the same company

 
Most Helpful

That's an interesting profile for sure. Why exactly do you wanna go into consulting?

With all that experience, I'd shoot for a supply chain manager position at a major F500. Many consultants want to exit into managerial jobs in industry & you're already well positioned to do that.

That being said Deloitte (T2) hires S&O consultants out of undergrad & you might find it more up to your speed.

Regarding analysts "just" doing slide reformatting - Part of the first two years as an analyst is getting exposure to dealing with all types of clients across different industries. Your presentation skills may be top-notch, but you'd be surprised by how much you can learn from that exposure & how much more polished of a consultant you'd be.

 

Thank you for your feedback! I think its about finding the right balance, I want to develop some of the soft skills consultants learn in the first 2 years of the job, but I also do not want to fall behind my age group peers.

With that being said, as a demand planner I interact a lot with cross functional partners (Commercial, Finance, FSO) - which is helping me master my client interaction/communication skills. Each one of my partners has their own priorities, which influences my forecasts. There is a game of chicken that goes along with the job.

Also, great question! To be honest, I want to go into consulting and get on a partner track for the following reason:

  1. I don't want to get pigeon holed into Supply Chain/ Operations. I would rather do Strategy work to increase my business acumen and general leadership. Supply Chan is just one door I can open.

  2. Better development and compensation. To be a high performer at my current firm, you have to put in a lot of hours. Our company is so old, and "old fashioned", that everyone get complacent in their roles and stays forever. I'd rather work twice as hard - just like I am now, and get rewarded fairly.

 

Yes entirely possible given you have several years of FT exp. Your situation is uncommon, so what I recommend you do is reach out to your campus recruiters and ask; since you’re at a target that should be straightforward. Responses may differ depending on firm.

Just one note - analysts at MBB do more than just PowerPoint and research. At McK/BCG (unsure about Bain given their structure), they generally have the same responsibilities as MBA level consultants. MBA level consultants still have those responsibilities anyway.

 

Thank you for the feedback. I will reach out to the recruiters as I get close to graduating.

Do you have any talking points or tips on how I can approach the discussion? This seems like common sense, but I want to confirm, as I don't want to come across as entitled and make a bad first impression

Also, I need to make a correction. Perhaps it was my ego talking when I said summarized the responsibility of 1st analysts - but I am making an assumption that I can perform at a higher level than someone fresh out of undergrad. Also, I want to come in an as experienced hire so I don't fall behind peers in my age group.

I heard some stories where 1st year analyst are not even billed to the client because they don't know enough to provide real value.

 

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just google it...you're welcome

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