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Applying to MBB firms

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?

2 Answers
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Top answer
Udayan
Coach
on Jul 13, 2024
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

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. 

Florian
Coach
on Jul 15, 2024
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 500+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

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

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