McK vs BCG

Question

Hi All,

As it has been for the last 5 months, I turn to this forum for advice as it always helps! Thank you from me!

I have Mck and BCG offers in a developing economy and will be leaving my opportunities in the UK/EU after completing a 4 year undergrad + MiM from a top B school. Feel sad leaving this region but the Mck and bcg appeal is what has pulled me.

Key point: I am not yet clear on my long term plan, I wanted to start my own business but after 4-5 years in Europe was the plan. I also am not sure if I want 2 years in consulting then out or to make it to partner (not so keen but it appeals?). Would love to return to Europe for some time for sure as the career prospects here in other industries are appealing.

Help: Unsure what decision to make here…

Financial:BCG base is massive, rewarding me for my MiM, so have an associate position with a 50% greater base than McK. Mck offerring the standard BA entry level package with a heavy sign on bonus that almost makes the 2 packages look the same for Y1. Y2, BCG wins by a mile being 50% greater in base. Difference is close to £10K across 2 years. Also worried that this high base at entry level means less of a jump when moving to Consultant position. For Mck, pretty standard high jumps anyways.

MBA:Mck has the appeal of a sponsored MBA/other degree after 2 years. I have a MiM, but MBA is a totally different value proposition and although I may not be clear whether i want to do one or not, I would like to have the option to do it (unlikely at BCG, was told).

Other factors:

People: Felt the same at Mck and BCG, maybe a bit more room for error/understanding from BCG but felt the pressure to be at my absolute best in both companies to impress partners. So pretty even here.

Office transfers: Unlikely to move to europe easily in both.

Travel: way more at Mck in this region.

Work: Fairly similar in the sectors and clients

Growth within the company: standard at Mck, bcg a bit less structured with some middle positions like senior associate etc.

Recruiting experience: really good with Mck, much better that mck

Office sizes: Mck much smaller and tight knit whereas BCG more junior associates from local universities and quite massive.

Back to my Key point:

With BCG, if i only do 2 years and out, I leave with more $ and it will be totally up to me to find opportunities in EU. With McK, the MBA/other degree is probably a good option and opens doors long term but even then, 2 years and out, less $ and up to me to find an opportunity elsewhere but the Mck name will be very helpful.

Thanks in advance coaches, I know its not an easy Q to answer but just want to get as many insights as I can! P.s i am not suggesting you make this decision for me, but probably just weigh in on it as you have way more experience

Answer 1

Hi there,

Great place to be in - congrats!

Going back to the core of your question:

With BCG, if i only do 2 years and out, I leave with more $ and it will be totally up to me to find opportunities in EU. With McK, the MBA/other degree is probably a good option and opens doors long term but even then, 2 years and out, less $ and up to me to find an opportunity elsewhere but the Mck name will be very helpful.

You already conducted the analysis and have all the pros and cons on the table. The question that only you can answer now is “What do you want to get out of this and which offer increases the chances of getting exactly that?"

I'd go with the McK offer for long-term value alone (cannot be understated!).

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 2

You have put a lot of thinking into this. I honestly doubt you need more advice on what to take into consideration.

Instead, you need more clarity for yourself on where you want to be (at least based on your current projection) and what your values are. This should help simplify the decision.

One suggestion, though - leave the financials out of it. The difference is not worth it. If you're at the start of your career, the best thing you can do is find the right home for yourself. Compensation will take care of itself as your value prop increases.

And congrats on the offers! That's an amazing achievement.

Sharing with you here two articles with tips for when you join:

Best,
Cristian

Answer 3

Hi there,

Congratulations on the offers! In terms of your question:

Q: I have Mck and BCG offers in a developing economy. Unsure what decision to make her.

From what you shared, it seems BCG wins short-term (money) and McKinsey long-term (MBA sponsorship more likely). For travel, you did not express a preference, so I guess it is not important. If that is the only element to evaluate, unless you consider the MBA route unlikely, I would recommend picking McKinsey for the long-term MBA opportunity.

In general, to make a decision I would suggest considering the following:

Where do you want to be in 5-10 years? Look at the company that can help you to achieve that goal faster. You can check LinkedIn for that (see below). If you are not sure, the McKinsey brand is still stronger in most countries.
If you consider the average consultant/partner you talked to in each company, which one would you rather be? You will spend a lot of time with your colleagues in the next years if you will join full-time after the internship - be sure you choose a company where the people are close to the person you want to become.
If money and prestige were not a consideration, which company would you choose? This could help you to identify additional elements to weigh you have not considered yet.

In terms of exits (for most people they are a very important factor in joining a consulting company), you can check them as follows:

Look for alumni of the two companies on LinkedIn
Check how many moved to your preferred exits in your target region
Normalize for the size of the companies in the region

If you want to do extra due diligence, you can contact Alumni of your school (not current consultants) who worked for the two companies (bonus if they worked for both firms). Most likely, you will learn more in a 30-minute call with them than with any online research you might do.

Best,

Francesco

Answer 4

Hi there,

It looks like you have already made a comprehensive analysis :)

A few reflections:

Make a list of all important things to you to make the decision, order them by priority and review the decision again focus only in the number one item on your list
While it is good to have a long term plan like the one you have, be ready to change it as life unfolds. There are a lot of things that could happen (personal and professional) that will require you to adapt your plans
At the end of the day, both options are outstanding options so it's difficult you go wrong with any of them

Best,

Alberto

—

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

Answer 5

Two tips for you

1) Simplify. Decide which two things are most important to you. Then see which of BCg/McK have that

2) Flip a coin. I'm serious. Flip a coin, with the company clearly and utterly in your mind for heads/tails.

Then? See what your GUT told you. Did it react positively or negatively? There's your answer

Good luck with a decision that you cannot make the wrong choice on (because both options are fantastic!) :)

Answer 6

Hi,

Seems like you've done a fair amount of research. To a certain extent, you wont go ‘wrong’ with either, but there are material differences to how your experience will be working at each of the firms, based on the differences between the firms.

These are things that I only realized after working in consulting for a couple of years, its hard to discuss them in a forum post like this but happy to share more based on my own experience - just drop me a dm!

Answer 7

Hey, congrats on two offers!

It seems that there are a lot of similarities between these two firms in the region with the main differences being the amount of travel and the office size.

I'd also speak with the people on the inside of both companies in order to figure out how are both doing in terms of ongoing projects in the region - it makes more sense to join a company where you can actively learn being on the project instead of doing BD.

Good luck,
Nick

Answer 8

Honestly, if you are in doubt, I would pick the one with the people I felt more “in tune” with. Ultimately people, with whom you feel comfortable and that whole-heartedly want your personal success, are the most critical success factor in any one's career.