Government to Consulting (Middle East) – Am I a good fit?

Question

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice on whether my background makes me a good fit for consulting roles, particularly in the Middle East.

I have 5 years of experience working in government in South Asia, primarily focused on public sector implementation and service delivery. I’ve led teams of 10–20 people and worked across infrastructure, land administration, social protection, and public health programs. Since I entered through my country’s equivalent of the UK civil service fast stream, my role has been generalist (public management) but quite hands-on.

Currently, I’m finishing up a Master’s in Public Policy and Data Analysis at a Russell Group university in the UK. My undergraduate degree was also quantitative. So I'm reflecting on moving towards consulting and advisory roles.

A few questions I’m hoping to get insights on:

Based on my profile, do I stand a good chance of breaking into consulting roles in the Middle East? I’m particularly interested in MBB, Tier 2 firms (e.g. Strategy&), and policy advisory firms like the Tony Blair Institute.
With 5 years of experience, should I be aiming for entry-level roles (e.g. Associate) or looking at post-MBA or experienced roles?
Should I target only public sector practices within these firms or apply more broadly to generalist roles?
My corporate/private sector experience is limited (around 18 months before joining government). Are there ways I can highlight transferable skills or improve how I demonstrate commercial awareness?

I’d really appreciate any guidance or reflections based on similar transitions.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Hi there,

You have a really cool profile and a strong chance at joining one of the top firms.

You have relevant professional experience with a focus on public sector.

You have a proven track record of leadership.

You have great academic credentials.

It ticks all the boxes.

The main thing you need to do is massage the process the right way. Specifically, to build an application strategy that ensure you actually pass screening with sufficient firms to then have enough interviews that can convert into an offer.

You can read more about how to do this here:

Expert Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

Regarding your specific questions.

Check in with the interviewers at each firm to confirm what role you should apply for. With McKinsey, it will indeed be Associate because you have 5 years of work experience (that's the typically cutoff, or having done an MBA or PhD).

Check also with the recruiters whether there are any roles open within the public sector practice. I'm working now with a candidate in the US who is applying directly for an Associate role in the practice and who also has a strong public sector background.

Reach out if you have any other questions I could help with.

Best,
Cristian

Answer 2

Hi there,

You should definitely go for it, you have a strong profile, which fits the region very well!

To your questions:

1. Do I stand a good chance of breaking into consulting roles in the Middle East (MBB, Tier 2, policy advisory)?

Firms in the Middle East highly value government experience, especially for public sector-heavy clients. MBB, Strategy&, and TBI all hire for this background.
You'll need a compelling story connecting your public sector expertise to consulting value, especially in transformation, delivery, or policy strategy.

2. Should I aim for entry-level (e.g., Associate) or post-MBA/experienced roles?

With 5 years of experience, you're better positioned for post-MBA or equivalent roles (e.g., Associate at McKinsey). Since you mentioned it, Associate is usually not the entry-level role but post-MBA.

3. Should I focus on public sector practices or apply broadly?

Public sector is your strongest entry point, but showing flexibility for generalist work (esp. transformation, implementation, ESG, etc.) increases optionality and also chances in the current recruiting environment. You don't want to put yourself in a corner (e.g., if public sector project demand is down).

4. How can I highlight transferable skills and commercial awareness with limited private sector experience?

Showcase work that involved delivery, KPIs, budgeting, inter-agency coordination, or external vendors, anything resembling client-facing, impact-driven work and specific outcomes.
Demonstrate understanding of consulting's pace, client orientation, and business-first framing whenever you engage in networking efforts.

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 3

To your questions:

Yes, you have an attractive profile—especially for consulting firms in the Middle East, where much of the work is public sector–focused. Given your non-traditional background, applying through referrals will be key to ensure your resume gets reviewed and doesn’t get lost in the volume.
It depends on the firm. MBB would most likely consider you for a Senior Business Analyst or Junior Associate role, given your lack of direct consulting experience. However, Tier-2 and boutique firms (like Strategy&, Roland Berger, or Dalberg) are more likely to recognize the value of your public sector expertise, and it’s more realistic to aim for an Associate-level position there.
Be strategic. Use your public sector experience to your advantage and apply to public sector practices. These are among the strongest and most active in the region, especially in firms like McKinsey and BCG. Once inside, you may be able to pivot toward more generalist roles, though you should expect to continue working primarily on public sector projects for some time.
Those 18 months of private sector experience still matter. Even if they’re limited, there are likely strong, transferable skills—like stakeholder management, analysis, or operations—you can highlight on your resume. That said, this will be less critical if you’re applying to public sector practices, where your government experience will be your primary differentiator.

Best,

Alberto

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