First Months at MBB

You are experiencing impostor syndrome, as any other consultant

What is happening to you happens to 90% of consultants anytime (if not all the time). Few suggestions on how to adapt to the pace and culture:

• Don't forget you are qualified for the job, you passed the interviews that only 1% of candidates pass
• Focus on your strengths, mainly your previous industry knowledge
• Don't try to measure against people who only worked at the come, specially in the consulting toolkit (presentations, communication, analysis, etc.). They have been training for that for years with no previous biases
• Ask for help to (1) business analyst to improve your consulting toolkit and (2) your manager / partners on getting frequent and actionable feedback. Sometimes others are seeing reality very different from us (in a positive way)

Hi there,

I'm really sorry you're going through this. I’m actually working with a consultant at A&M who’s also navigating her first few months in consulting, and I transitioned to McKinsey from Amazon as an experienced hire, so I completely understand what you're feeling. Here are a few things that might help:

1. Be patient: The expectations and working style at MBBs are quite different from other organizations, and it takes time to adjust. MBBs are aware of this. The first six months are all about learning and absorbing as much as you can. Your first review is generally more of a formality, as they know the learning curve is steep and it takes time to find your footing.
2. Be targeted in your improvement areas: Reflect on the areas where you want to grow and make a list. For me, it was quite long—Excel modeling, PowerPoint creation, and communication were key. Discuss these with your Engagement Managers (EMs) and Professional Development Manager (PDM) to get staffed on studies that can help you work on one skill at a time.
3. Find mentors: These can be Business Analysts, Associates, EMs, or even Partners. Consulting firms are built on an apprenticeship model, so take advantage of that. Set up bi-weekly calls with your mentors and seek their guidance. BAs are the best people to learn excel modeling from
4. Build a PowerPoint compendium: Start collecting slides that effectively communicate different messages. There’s usually a central knowledge repository, but having your own slide library will save you a lot of time when creating presentations from scratch.
5. Pay attention to Partner-client interactions: This is one of the best ways to improve your communication skills. Observe how Partners lead client conversations—how they open discussions, frame issues, respond to questions, and keep things top-down.
6. Use AI: MBBs have their AI versions of ChatGPT. I hope you are using it to assist you with research, communication etc.

I hope this helps! Feel free to DM me if you need more advice or support. You’re not alone in feeling this way—please don’t give up. You’ve got this!

Thanks,
Nilay

Hi there,

Just because all others seem to be doing well does not mean that some of them feel the same way.

Consulting life, esp in MBB, is a continuous stretch/marathon and as soon as you are halfway proficient at one thing, you are already thrown into the cold water with a completely different thing that you need to figure out.

The learning curve is extremely steep and never ends, hence, it feels like you are running and lagging behind all the time (which you are likely not).

I have written a book called Consulting Career Secrets. It's about entering consulting and building a career from scratch and includes all the tips you need to make this transition and the first few years as smooth as possible. Check it out if you like - it's on Amazon.

Cheers,

Florian

Hi,

It's completely normal to feel overwhelmed in your first months at MBB, especially as an industry hire. Even if it seems like everyone else knows what they're doing, trust me - many are figuring it out just like you.

In consulting, you'll always be challenged and rarely in your comfort zone. The key is not to get discouraged or fall into the "I can't do this" mindset, as that will only block your growth.

Having said this, here are some tips to keep your confidence high:

1. Focus on Learning, Not Perfection: Focus on learning and growing through experience rather than trying to be perfect from the start. Accept that you don't know everything and don't expect yourself to do so.
2. Exchange with Peers on your level: Find some peers to regularly discuss challenges, progress, and any roadblocks. This will also help you to see that your colleagues are facing similar struggles and are figuring everything out aswell.
3. Address Weak Spots: If you notice a weak area, take action. For example, if you feel less confident with data analysis, set concrete steps like shadowing a more experienced colleague. You can also bring up these areas with your mentor to get their perspective on how to improve.
4. Create a “Success Drawer”: Create a physical or digital “success drawer” where you store reminders of your achievements - whether it’s a university medal, an award, a great (uni) project result, or positive feedback from a colleague. When you need a confidence boost, look at the drawer and remind yourself of what you’ve already accomplished. This might sound strange, but I guarantee it works!

If you have specific topics you'd like objective feedback or suggestions, feel free to reach out. I’ve mentored and helped consultants at all levels, from junior to senior, to grow, both officially and unofficially. Also, I have seen many juniors who struggled in the beginning and turned out to be our top consultants in the long run.

Most important - Don't stop believing in yourself and your capabilities!

Kairavee

Hi there,

First of all, I am sorry to hear about your negative experience!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your situation:

• First of all, it's common to feel overwhelmed in the initial stages at a consulting firm, especially as an industry hire. The learning curve can be steep, but I would advise you to focus on your development process rather than comparing your situation with others.
• Moreover, seek feedback actively and regularly, whenever you need it. Engage with your peers and superiors to understand your strengths and areas of improvement. This interaction not only helps clarify expectations but also signals your commitment to growth.
• Lastly, leverage your unique industry experience. While it may seem irrelevant initially, offering a different perspective can be highly valuable. I would highly advise you to communicate your insights and how they can apply to different contexts, even outside your direct experience.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen