Hi everyone,
I'm looking to get a better understanding of how MBB hires. Is it possible for someone in their mid 30s to transition into MBB? Past experience includes 3 years in IB and then 9 years as a social impact entrepreneur. I have the option to do an MBA (not a heavy feeder school, though). My question is that will an MBA make any difference to my ability to recruit for consultant roles in MBB? Or is it too late and an MBA won't make a difference?
Appreciate your help. Thanks.
Hi Ronaq
Short answer is yes, its possible for a person in their 30s to transition into MBB. I joined BCG a month after my 30th birthday :)
You have a stellar background and my recommendation would be the following in descending order of preference from a conversion POV:
1. Try for the ‘Expert track’ directly: Given your extensive exp. in social entrepreneurship, you might be a great fit for MBB offices that have a reasonably large Social Impact Practice. Do your research and reach out to Social Impact Partners directly.
2. Apply for the Generalist track directly: In case you aren't very keen on pursuing Social Impact as an area, you could apply for the generalist track. Try the organic referral route here. What I mean by that is to identify 2nd degree MBB connects (on LinkedIn or otherwise) and reach out to them via your first degree connects (with whom you presumably have a stronger bond) for a higher conversion of the referral.
3. Do an MBA and then apply: I would rate this lower than option 2 above in absence of the school being a feeder to MBB. Be prepared for extensive networking off the campus in case you choose this option.
Hope this helps, and reach out in case of questions.
Best of luck! :)
Hi,
I did my MBA at 30, and joined McKinsey as an experienced hire at 32. Prior experience included working as an engineer in Oil and Gas. I had no consulting background what so ever before that.
Based on my experience, there are some points you may want to consider:
1. An MBA might help you land a job in consulting as a generalist, but the MBB usually targets a set number of schools for recruitment. Having said that, MBBs are increasingly hiring graduates from all disciplines, if their prior experience aligns with firms core work areas.
2. Specialized backgrounds in specific fields can help in getting a role at McKinsey as an expert. It depends on your prior experience.
Hi Ronaq,
I think your background sounds good enough to apply straight away without an MBA. Your IB experience and social impact entrepreneurship should have given you most of the skills you'll need. Social aspects are becoming increasingly important in Sustainable Finance - so I could easily see you being staffed on cases within that practice area.
But you may prefer to do the MBA first for other reasons (like networking).
I would say the main downsides to joining in your 30s is (a) your peers will be 10-15 years younger than you, (b) you may be getting tired of long working days :).
Hi Ronaq,
Q1: I'm looking to get a better understanding of how MBB hires. Is it possible for someone in their mid 30s to transition into MBB?
Yes it is. I personally joined McKinsey at 32 years old. I have also personally interviewed an recruited people with McKinsey over their 30s and 40s.
Q2: My question is that will an MBA make any difference to my ability to recruit for consultant roles in MBB? Or is it too late and an MBA won't make a difference?
I don't think an MBA would make a difference in your case. You have an extensive professional experience that you can leverage to access the recruiting process. Recruiters give less importance to MBAs to profiles with +6-7 years of experience.
You can check how the recruiting process works from an internal MBB perspective here:
MBB Hiring Hacks - Behind the Curtain Secrets
Best,
Alberto
—
Check out my latest case based on a real MBB interview: Sierra Springs
Ronaq,
It's not too late.
By no means.
MBA will help because it makes your value prop stronger and because it serves your story better (MBA is seen as an opportunity for a career pivot).
But don't assume you need the MBA. I would apply directly now in parallel with applying for an MBA. In case it doesn't work out on the first go, then do the MBA and apply again.
Also, investigate with the recruiters for each of the firms and from your target office if, with your experience, you'd be more suitable for the expert / specialist track. There, your experience would make you super valuable.
If you're looking into applying, this article might be helpful:
Best,
Cristian
Hi Ronaq,
Q: Will an MBA make any difference to my ability to recruit for consultant roles in MBB? Or is it too late and an MBA won't make a difference.
Given that you are in your mid-30s with 12 years of experience, I would recommend applying now with a referral. You can find more on referrals below:
▶ How to Get an MBB Invitation
If it doesn’t work out, you can do an MBA and apply again afterward.
A top MBA could increase your chances. At the same time, given the time and money required for an MBA and the generally low probability of an MBB offer, I would recommend enrolling in an MBA if it will be useful for other paths as well.
Good luck!
Francesco
Being in your 30s is not a barrier to entry into an MBA. However to have a real shot you need to go to a top MBA program. Anything else will not really help with recruitment into a top consulting program.
Another approach would be to start networking and sharing your profile with senior people at MBB and leverage that to get in without an MBA.
Difficult to give you personalized advice without additional personal information.
On the face of it, the IB experience + entrepreneurship sounds promising for MBB. But finer details will give more clarity.
It is common for early-30s to join MBB. Late 30s can get a bit tricky - usually they aim for expert consultant tracks in MBB.
Either way - with your amount of experience - your key to success is pitching your profile correctly, and having the right Fit/PEI answers to prove sufficient motivation for the move.
Does that make sense? Happy to help more over an intro call.
Short and Direct:
Expert case by
