Got into a target MBA but only have 2 years work experience. What would be my chances in consulting recruiting?

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on getting admitted into the MBA program!

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

• First of all, while the amount of prior experience you bring into the MBA does play a role in shaping how recruiters might view you, your performance during the MBA program, the MBA internships you do, the kind of group projects you work on, and the network you build will be at least as important.
• Moreover, consulting firms look for candidates who can bring diverse experiences to the table. Your engineering background will provide a unique perspective, so even with just 2 years, you're not necessarily at a disadvantage.
• Lastly, besides your academic and professional background, your personal story, leadership skills, problem-solving capabilities, and cultural fit with the firm will be significant deciding factors in the recruiting process.

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

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

I know someone who has 2 years work experience going into MBA…they ended up working at Bain.

You can absolutely make it into a consulting firm joining a top MBA with 2 years work experience.

Now, you haven't asked whether an MBA is a good/reasonable thing to do 2 years into a career, but hey, we're just here to answer the question asked!

Hi,

Congrats on the offer! Here are my thoughts on your key questions

• I think based on statistics you will be at a slight disadvantage with just 2 years of work experience
  •  if we just take the broad average of work experience which is typically 4-5 years at top MBA programs
  • However this doesn't mean its impossible to get into MBB or T2 with just 2 years prior to MBA
• If you are at a top MBA program, I will say that it is unlikely you will be jobless
  • You will be able to find a job, the question instead is how picky you are (e.g. you may land up with a job that you don't find as interesting/cool)
• If you are deciding whether you should do an MBA, I would check 2 things:
  • Likelihood of people with your similar background getting to MBB without MBA
  • Placement rate of your MBA into MBB/T2 firms
• If the MBA is a top one and places well into consulting, then I think it does make sense to go for it, especially if you have a ‘weaker’ background currently

All the best!

You won't be at a disadvantage. 

Once you did the MBA, you'll be seen as an MBA gradute and any sort of prior experience to the program will be a bonus but not a requirement for getting a job in consulting. 

You might find the following article useful - it breaks down how you should decide whether to go for an MBA program or not:

• Expert Guide: Are MBAs worth it?

Best of luck and congrats on getting accepted!
Cristian

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Practicing for interviews? Check out my latest case based on a first-round MBB interview >>> SoyTechnologies  

Hi,

Even a Top MBA does not guarantee you will be invited to a management consulting interview in 2023. Not sure what’s the outlook for 2024/2025, though. 

So think long and hard if you want to make such a huge time / money commitment going forward with the MBA. 

If I were in your shoes, I would first look into less costly ways to transition to management consulting such as working at a less prestigious firms first, then making a jump to T2/T1 firms.

Good luck, 

Nick

Hi there,

1) Will I be at a huge disadvantage in recruiting for summer internships and post-MBA roles? 

Difficult to comment without knowing your full profile. In general, the stronger the brand name of the MBA, the more likely this could compensate for any possible deficiencies in your CV.

Your profile could still be strong with 2 years of experience, depending on what exactly you did. Additionally, you could find a referral to strengthen your application. You can find more on that here.

2) I am concerned about dedicating money and 2 years of time into the MBA program only to come out of it jobless - is this justified? 

If the MBA brand is strong, it is unlikely you will be jobless. It might be that you might have to accept a less-than-ideal job though.

Whether the investment is justified depends on your opportunity cost (ie what’s the alternative) and your long-term goals. So we would need more information to comment.

3) What is some general advice you could give me for deciding the next step in my life?

I think we would need more information to help with that. If you want please feel free to PM me.

Best,

Francesco

While it's true that some consulting firms, including MBB, tend to prefer candidates with more work experience, having a target MBA on your resume can still open doors for you. The MBA program will provide you with valuable skills, knowledge, and networks that can enhance your candidacy.

To maximize your chances in consulting recruiting, I recommend the following:

Leverage Your Pre-MBA Experience: Highlight the transferable skills and experiences you gained in your engineering and product specialist/manager roles. Emphasize your problem-solving abilities, analytical skills, leadership potential, and any client-facing or project management experiences.

Build a Strong Network: Take advantage of the networking opportunities provided by your MBA program. Connect with alumni and professionals in the consulting industry to learn more about their experiences and seek advice on how to position yourself effectively during the recruiting process.

Gain Consulting Experience: Look for opportunities to gain consulting experience during your MBA program. This could include internships, consulting projects, or case competitions. These experiences will demonstrate your interest in and commitment to the consulting field.

Prepare for Case Interviews: Consulting firms place a strong emphasis on case interviews during the recruiting process. Dedicate time to practice case interviews and develop your problem-solving and structured thinking skills. Utilize resources such as case interview books, online platforms, and mock interviews to sharpen your abilities.

Leverage Career Services: Take advantage of the career services offered by your MBA program. They can provide guidance, resources, and connections to consulting firms. Attend workshops, networking events, and recruiting fairs to maximize your exposure to potential employers.

While there are no guarantees in the recruiting process, by leveraging your MBA program, building a strong network, gaining relevant experience, and preparing diligently, you can enhance your chances of securing a consulting role post-MBA.

It's natural to have concerns about investing time and money into an MBA program. However, an MBA from a target school can significantly increase your marketability and open doors to a wide range of career opportunities beyond consulting. Consider your long-term career goals, the value of the MBA experience, and the potential return on investment when making your decision.

Hi there,

Technically, it doesn't really make a difference how old you are. Once you have your MBA, you'll be considered as an MBA-grad. That being said, you will compete against people that simply have more impactful work experience in addition to the MBA (so it's not age that matters, but experience, which is obviously closely related).

In practice, this difference could mean that your more experienced peers are considered for Associate roles, while you are being considered for Jr. Associate roles (using McKinsey terminology). However, it's otherwise a level playing field.

Best you can do is to commit to your mission, network, network, network, and get referrals to get invited to the interviews.

Best of luck!

Moritz

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If it is a good program, they don't care that much between 2 or 3 years. I would say that 3 years is ideal for you to make the most out of the program and for you to maximize corporate oppotunities. But for consulting… it's just fine.

Hi there,

In a nutshell, yes, you can get a consulting job with an MBA and two years of experience.

On the other hand, I strongly suggest you to think that doing an MBA is the right move with your limited experience (I have some doubts about it if you ask me based on your final goal). Talk with more consultants and MBAs to get a solid opinion on this.

Good luck!

Alberto

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Check out my latest case based on a real MBB interview: Sierra Springs

You will have a slight disadvantage but if it is a top 8 school in the US it won't matter much.