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Is it common for Europeans to start their consulting career in Saudi Arabia

Hi, 

I would like to apply to strategic consulting junior roles in Saudi Arabia, I don't speak Arabic and I don't have prior link to the region but it's a hot market, and with interesting projects. I did some research on Linkedin and could not find that many Europeans in junior roles based in the ME and SA especially. Is it possible for Europeans to start there or consulting firms strongly prefer to recruit locally? Has someone insights on that ?

Thank you in advance!

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Top answer
Anonymous A
on Nov 03, 2024

Hey!

Im a consultant with 2 years of experience from western europe (dont speak arabic) and am moving to Riyadh to join a T2 firm in a few months.

 In fact many young europeans are doing this move, especially since consulting firms are pushing hires from Dubai to Riyadh.

7
on Nov 04, 2024
Thank you for your answer !
Florian
Coach
on Nov 04, 2024
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 500+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hi there,

It is definitely possible but on the grand scale it's not very common.

99.9 of Europeans start their consulting career in Europe - which does not mean anything. Most just prefer to stay close to home/family/friends.

If you are asking if it's possible, it definitely is with the right resume and proper networking. The region will be interesting over the next few years, although we are currently seeing a bit of a hiring dip there (+ most firms let people go below the radar).

All the best,

Florian

on Nov 04, 2024
Thank you very much for your answer !
Mohamed
Coach
on Nov 04, 2024
Ex-Kearney Dubai | Interviews with McKinsey, Kearney, Dalberg | 5+ years exp in Middle East & N America | Columbia grad

Hi there!

I started my consulting career in Dubai/Riyadh and I most definitely did see a lot of Europeans coming in to the Middle East. It was and remains the fastest growing and most profitable market — salaries are significantly higher than in Europe, which is what was drawing a lot of young consultants in.

The Middle East sector is somewhat different from other regions. The work is predominantly public sector-focused. There are a lot of extremely interesting, high-value, policy-oriented projects, so you'd typically deal with issues that are of greater public and policy importance than you would in other geographies. I did a range of projects for multiple ministries in Saudi Arabia — the likes of which colleagues in the West had never had the opportunity to pursue. 

Consulting firms in the Mid East generally prefer those who come with degrees from top business and policy schools in the West (INSEAD, LBS, Stanford, any of the Ivy schools etc).

All that said, my experience in the Mid East was also that the sector is still evolving and growing, so the work culture can be somewhat more challenging than in more mature consulting markets. I'm happy to speak more about this angle over DM. Feel free to reach out.

All the best!

Oumar
Coach
on Nov 04, 2024
Ex-McKinsey Interviewer | Case Interview Expertise | Helping Aspiring Consultants Succeed on PrepLounge

Absolutely, it’s possible for Europeans to start in junior consulting roles in Saudi Arabia! The consulting market in Saudi Arabia is booming, and firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain are open to diverse backgrounds, even for those without local ties or Arabic skills. English is widely used, and firms appreciate candidates who bring fresh perspectives.

To boost your chances:

  1. Highlight Relevant Experience in key sectors like finance, energy, or public consulting, which align with Saudi Arabia’s priorities.
  2. Show Cultural Adaptability to demonstrate genuine interest in the region.
  3. Network Actively with consultants in the Middle East—many have started without prior connections to the region.

I worked with McKinsey in Dubai and led projects across KSA, so feel free to reach out if you'd like more specific advice or support!

on Nov 04, 2024
+600 Interviews | Free 30-min alignment call | Ex-Principal & Member of the Recruiting task force | 360° Coaching

Hi Joey,

Yes, quite a few people from Europe do start in junior roles in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, even without prior regional ties or Arabic language skills. Consulting firms in the region often seek diverse perspectives, as Middle Eastern clients often appreciate having European team members who bring different approaches and expertise, especially as they work on transformative projects like Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.

Language is generally not a barrier since English is widely used in business. 

If you need any help with your application or prep, I offer a 30-min free consultation, just write me a message.

Best,
Kairavee

on Nov 04, 2024
Thank you for your answer !
Dennis
Coach
on Nov 04, 2024
Roland Berger|Project Manager and Recruiter|7+ years of consulting experience in USA and Europe

Hi there,

it is possible to start your career in ME. English is the required business language, you don't need to be an Arabic speaker. Since you don't have any ties to the region and presumably also no established domain expertise (since you are looking to start in a junior role), you can expect to be asked as to why you want to work in ME (and not in Europe) - so you need a credible answer for that.

Best of luck

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