Applying to MBB firms

Question

Hi, I am a CA student from India. I am about to complete my 3 years CA internship from one of the Big 4s but did not sadly qualify my CA exams yet. I am reappearing in November 2024 exams.

I have alongside my 3 year internship experience, a 3 year freelance experience in Strategy Consulting in a Spain based small firm where I had even handled clients on my own. The work involved creating pitch decks for raising funds and strategy advisory.

I want to enter the MBB consulting domain in India. What is the way ahead?

Given they hire only the top rankers from campus placements, my chances are meagre. But I have other internship experiences in research and business development roles.

My questions are:

1. How should I try cracking MBB consulting in India with my profile? Whether further studies are required?

2. Which position should I apply to?

3. Whether freelancing dedicatedly for 3 years gives me an edge?

Answer 1

Hi,

McKinsey india does look at CA candidates but as you said usually only the top ones.

So what is the best path for you?

1. If you know a partner or someone senior in the firm personally or someone you know does then ask them for a referral for interviews. That is the best way to get at least an interview with McKinsey india without any further studying on your part

2. Your best bet now outside of the referral is to get an MBA from a top 8 school in the US, or IIM or ISB. That will open up a lot options for you in the long run anyway.

Answer 2

Hi there,

Good answer from Udayan already so I just want to add one thing: You could also consider other geographies like the Middle East for your applications. Might broaden your chances.

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 3

Hi there, First of all, congratulations on that offer! I would be happy to share my thoughts on your questions: First... (read entire answer)

Hi there, First of all, congratulations on that offer! I would be happy to share my thoughts on your questions: First of all, have you ever applied to consulting firms to see if... (read entire answer)

Answer 4

Well - whilst that's largely the case, I have seen a few colleagues laterally get to other consulting companies (e.g.... (read entire answer)

Well - whilst that's largely the case, I have seen a few colleagues laterally get to other consulting companies (e.g. Kearney) and then move to Mckinsey on the generalist/integr... (read entire answer)

Answer 5

Hi, For HK mandarin is highly preferred, although at least for BCG there are quite a fewnon-mandarin speakers who are... (read entire answer)

Hi, For HK mandarin is highly preferred, although at least for BCG there are quite a fewnon-mandarin speakers who are in the HK office though that means you are limited to the c... (read entire answer)