Is a Lateral Hire for a Generalist/ Strategy/ Management Consultant role possible in MBB based on my profile?

Question

Hello PrepLounge Community

Background : I graduated in BBA with a 3.08 GPA in 2022 from a B-school, was the President of the Commerce department during College, and been a part of Toastmasters International . I was a 2022 graduate hire in an MNC as an Operations Analyst , got promoted within 1.5 years, my role is client aligned and involves global stakeholder management , mentored the grad hires of consequent years, trained colleagues for process transfer projects, I have shown great performance in the last 2 years, and have a great standing with the global teams I work with. ('m from India)

Objective : My goal is to land either a Generalist/Strategy/ Management Consulting role in MBB or tier 2 Strategy Consulting firms like Kearney etc. and I want to know my chances of getting into these firms and how best to build my profile so that I stand a chance for these specific roles and firms.

Future - I plan on doing my MBA after another 2 years of work experience, and really hope that my next 2 years of work experience would be in consulting

Potential Solutions & Reviews I seek :

With the info provided what are my chances of getting into MBB or tier 2 Strategy Consulting firms on a scale of 1 to 10?
Based on the recent Consulting hiring trends for a lateral hire should I aim within India or do I have a higher chance in any other location?
How can I maximize my resume's potential (Courses, upskilling programs etc. ) and economical ways for case interview preparation (guidance and feedback) ? (Most of the programs out there are very expensive)
Well aware that Networking is the heart of this industry so are there any specific ways I need to network?

Your Advice and Guidance is highly appreciated. Thanks in Advance.

Answer 1

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on your career progress thus far!

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

First of all, while I think you have a realistic chance of being invited by some consulting firms, nobody knows for sure until you actually apply. Therefore, I would highly advise you to just apply (depending on the region) and see what happens. However, there is still a big difference between being invited to the interviews and getting offers, which is all about your preparation.
Moreover, without any information about your visa situation other than that you're an Indian citizen, it's impossible to give a meaningful answer. But even with this information, you could only get an indicative answer about your chances of being invited to the interviews.
Lastly, in order to maximize your chances, for networking, getting invited to the interviews, and eventually getting an offer, I would highly advise you to work with an experienced coach like me to get the necessary acceleration and quality in your preparation. As the most experienced coach in terms of consulting, interviewing, and coaching, I'd be more than happy to help you.

You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Answer 2

Hey there,

I'd say your chances of getting into these firms depend can be broken up into your chances of passing screening + your chances of passing interviews

It's difficult to say what your chances are, but I do think you have a chance and should go for it. What is also important is making sure you really sell yourself, your abilities, your achievements and experience in your CV and cover letter because it's important that you make it through screening.

Then once you've crossed that bridge, your preparations will be everything to get you across the line in the interviews!

All the best

Answer 3

Hey!

From my experience & based on your profile:

Chances of Getting into MBB or Tier 2:
6/10. MBB generally requires a strong academic record (GPA) and highly competitive experience. However, your leadership roles and the client-focused experience you have could still make you a strong candidate for Tier 2 firms, especially if you demonstrate impactful results in your current role.
Best Location to Apply:
India could be challenging due to high competition and local hiring preferences. Consider applying to offices in regions with higher demand for lateral hires, such as the US, UK, or Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia) where firms tend to recruit more actively and have less saturated talent pools.
Maximizing Your Resume:
- Consider relevant upskilling (e.g., data analysis, strategic finance courses).
- Try certifications like Coursera's Strategic Management or similar.
- If possible, look for experience in strategy, operations consulting, or project management that aligns with consulting case topics.
Case Interview Preparation:
- Use free case prep resources like PrepLounge and CaseCoach.
- Practice with peers or mentors (networking groups, LinkedIn, or forums).
- Seek out mock interviews for feedback; they don't need to be expensive.
Networking:
- Network through LinkedIn, and alumni networks, and attend industry webinars.
- Aim for informational interviews with consultants to learn about their experiences and ask for advice on the hiring process.
- Attend case competitions and consulting events (virtual or physical).

Good luck! Alessa

Answer 4

Hi there,

The key challenge I see is to get your foot into the door and pass the resume screening stage.

Once that is done, everything resets. Case and fit interviews can be prepared for, so for now I am leaving this out of my consideration.

I would definitely start networking to

get a feel for the market and your pull (even if it's just later down the line)
potentially score a referral

Reach out - I have a networking guide if you need.

Cheers,

Florian