Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Case Partners to connect and practice with!
Back to overview

Move from T2 to MBB

I am a consultant who has been working at a T2 firm in Europe for around 5 months now. The 2 projects so far were not very interesting (mainly in an area that does not interest me, also a lot of  PMO and clients who did not appreciate the work by the team). Therefore, I would like to switch over to MBB and focus on an area where I can work quantitatively (e.g. restructuring, finance, etc.).

The topics I work right now feel like a waste of time to me. Would you wait for a promotion in around 10 months before applying for MBB or could I do it right now too? Have you had coachees who transitioned from T2 to MBB with less than 1 year of experience in the T2.

5 Answers
400+ Views
24
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
Peter
Coach
on Jul 18, 2024
Ex-McKinsey Engagement Manager; 18/20 personal case record; ask me for my free cheat-sheet

There are countless examples of early moves from T2 to MBB - agree with others you will likely get stuck on a few boring studies in MBB also (but at least it's an investment in brand etc). Few options to consider:

  1. Move now and leave the T2 firm off your CV altogether
  2. Move after you get 1 promo in T2 (ie after 1-2yrs) - will add credibility and give MBB a bit more confidence you could do well in consulting, but you burn a bit more time in T2
  3. Move after 1yr in T2 without a promo - yes it's nice to show stability, but I don't think 1 yr is that impressive at the end of the day)

Regardless of any option, MBB is going to knock you down at least 1 level, if not down to a grad level - so any effort to get a promo is just going to be undone anyway - if you have the opportunity to interview and go for MBB now, then choose option 1. JMO.

Ariadna
Coach
on Jul 17, 2024
BCG | Project Leader and Experienced Interviewer | MBA at London Business School

Hi there, 

Just to bust a myth from the context you shared: it is far from a guarantee that you will not do PMO projects or work in industries that are not interesting for you in MBB. 

As a junior at an MBB, there is generally little control on the projects and industries you work on. You can express an interest and there is an effort to be taken in consideration, but it is far from a guarantee. 

All of this is of course not to say that the move from a T2 > MBB is not a good one. It very much is, and Florian answered specifically to your question. 

But just to manage expectations + prepare you with what to say / what not to say in your hopefully future interview :) 

Good luck, 

Ariadna 

Florian
Coach
on Jul 17, 2024
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 500+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hi there,

I would definitely wait for at least a year to make the move, otherwise it could raise some eyebrows.

Other than that, it's a relatively straightforward process. Happy to help! :-)

Cheers,

Florian

Anonymous A
on Jul 17, 2024
Understood, however I want to avoid working and gaining expertise in a field I am really not interested in. That is why I would want to make the switch as soon as possible. However, this only makes sense if I can get on the projects that I am interested (Corporate Finance & Strategy) in at MBB
Pedro
Coach
on Jul 17, 2024
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Private Equity | Market Estimates | Fit Interview

I would apply if I had a referral, otherwise it's better to wait 1 year and be promoted (unless… you are not expecting to be promoted).

Regarding type of projects… and what you are looking for alternatives…  MBB consulting firms will have that type of implementation / PMO projects. 

And restructuring and finance… restructuring involves a lot of PMO type of work (although you may do some models; finance is not at the heart of strategy consulting, but of specific corporate finance services, such as those of Big 4 or Investment Banks/M&A advisory). In other words, consider whether strategy consulting is really what you are looking for.

on Jul 17, 2024
Push - Interesting question
Udayan
Coach
on Jul 17, 2024
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

Agree with Ariadna that PMO work definitely exists across all consulting firms along with unfriendly clients. The big difference however is that you can also choose projects more aligned with your interests once you establish yourself to be a strong worker with an ideal skill set.

In terms of when to move - in my experience you will be taken more seriously with 2 years under your belt. However, if you have the ability to get an interview at MBB leveraging any relationships you have, there is no harm in trying.

Similar Questions
Consulting
Medic: should I accept a junior role in a MBB?
on Oct 30, 2024
Europe
7 Answers
200+ Views
Top answer by
Hagen
Coach
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | most experience in consulting, interviewing, and coaching
56
7 Answers
200+ Views
+4
Consulting
Looking for a case partner planning to apply to MBB.
on Oct 30, 2024
Europe
5 Answers
100+ Views
Top answer by
Hagen
Coach
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | most experience in consulting, interviewing, and coaching
33
5 Answers
100+ Views
+2
Consulting
McKinsey Spain referral
on May 31, 2024
Europe
7 Answers
700+ Views
Top answer by
Yousef
Coach
I make it easy for you to master case interviews! (ex-McKinsey |Stanford University | Imperial College London | ex-P&G)
31
7 Answers
700+ Views
+4
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely
You are a true consultant! Thank you for consulting us on how to make PrepLounge even better!