Changing careers from Pharmaceutical Medical Representative to Consulting.

Question

Hi. I am a 37 years of age and currently working as a Medical Representative in Dubai. I have been in this profession for almost 15 years within the UAE and have profound knowledge of the Healthcare industry here. Off late I am considering to switch my career and get into consulting. I am seeking any advice on this option and what certifications I can get to accomplish it. I hold a bachelor's degree in biotechnology from 2008 and an MBA in Healthcare services from 2011. Any guide on this would be appreciated. Thank you

Answer 1

Hi there,

Switching to consulting can be an excellent career move, especially with your deep healthcare expertise. Consulting opens many doors and offers great learning opportunities while exposing you to high-level strategic problems. It’s also pretty common for professionals with specialized industry knowledge, like yours, to transition into consulting - firms really value the perspective you bring.

That said, it’s important to know what you’re getting into. Consulting is intense, with long hours and a demanding workload, so it’s worth assessing if this aligns with your goals and lifestyle. Given your experience, you’d likely start as an Associate at McKinsey or Consultant at BCG (or equivalent role), which can be a big shift from leading roles in your field, so think about whether you’re okay with that.

Getting into consulting is also extremely competitive and requires focused preparation, especially for interviews. You’ll need to master case studies, develop structured thinking, and be able to explain how your healthcare background translates into consulting value. If you’d like, I’d be happy to help you with a tailored preparation plan and guidance to get started.

To position yourself well, I’d recommend focusing on:
1. Leveraging Your Expertise: highlight your 15 years of UAE healthcare experience - this is a huge asset. Focus on firms with strong healthcare practices or projects.
2. Networking: reach out to consultants in the Middle East, especially those in healthcare practices. Networking can often be the key to getting noticed.
3. Structured Interview Prep: start early and invest time in learning case interview techniques, practicing problem-solving, and sharpening your communication.

The transition won’t be easy, but it’s absolutely possible with your background. If you’d like more guidance or help preparing, feel free to reach out - I’d be happy to support you!

Best,
Oumar

Answer 2

Hi there,

Q: I am considering to switch my career and get into consulting. I am seeking any advice on this option and what certifications I can get to accomplish it.

Given what you shared, I would consider either (i) an expert healthcare role and/or (ii) companies with a specific focus on healthcare. You can find a list of companies specializing in healthcare below:

ZS Associates
LEK
IQVIA
ClearView Healthcare
Putnam

I don’t think you need any certifications; instead, I would look for a referral internally. You can find more on that at the link below:

▶ How to Get a Consulting Invitation

Good luck!

Francesco

Answer 3

I would recommend doing the following:

1. Speak to a few connections in the consulting industry to understand the job profile of an experienced consultant.
2. Work with a coach/ close connect from consulting industry to adapt your resume to consulting requirements.

3. Reach out to Partners in healthcare industry across targeted firms to express your interest and fit.

Answer 4

Great advice above. The only thing I'll add is to consider an expert track instead of a generalist role if you're targeting MBB. With that much industry experience, your competitive advantage is to double down on healthcare.

Answer 5

Hi there,

I second Francesco's reply.

Your profile is very specific. It's important to play to your strengths here, so an expert role in a large firm (MBB, tier-2, etc) or a specialized boutique consulting firm would be the way to go.

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 6

With your career trajectory and MBA, additional certifications aren’t necessary. Focus on applying to boutique firms or specific practices within MBB or tier-2 firms where your industry expertise can truly set you apart.

Best,

Alberto

Answer 7

Hi,

Thanks for your question.

Given your current position is very different from consulting, these are a few suggestions:

1. You may want to target some of the boutique consulting firms that may be looking for expertise in your area. For example, firms with big presence in health care and maybe even sales force consulting.

2. Most consulting firms are looking for strong analytical back ground. Look for ways on how you can showcase that on your cover letter, resume and in the interview.

3. Network with consultants for firms you are interested to learn more about what they do, how your back ground may be of interest to them and share how you can add value to their practice.

4. Ask what the interview format would be and prep accordingly. If the format is the same as tier 1 and tier 2 firms, then start practicing cases but invest in the prep after you have a better idea of where you stand in the career change process.

My personal advice is to invest in the networking process first to have a better picture of what you need to do to make the transition.

Thanks,

Soh