Moving from Big 4 Advisory into MBB?

Question

Hi everyone,

I am currently working at one of the Big 4s within their data advisory / consulting practice and am looking to get into management consulting. I've been here since I finished my undergrad and have been fortunate enough to be promoted to senior associate / consultant in just under the 2 years that I started FT work. Although I work in data, I am very much a generalist (I can code but only to a basic level) and a lot of my work to date has focused on data strategy.

I've been thinking of making the switch to an MBB (as an associate consultant). Unfortunately I applied to 2/3 Big 3s without really doing any prep in Q3 of last year and was rejected by both at CV screening / online assessment.

I'm planning to apply to the MBB I've yet to soon, but am aware they have a ban period and am hoping to maximise my chances by seeing if there are any pieces of advice I can take away from this forum. What are my chances as a <25 yo with 2 years of experience at a Big 4?

If I were to be rejected again, what would my options look like? I am considering a move to a Tier 2 consulting firm or doing an MBA as of now.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Answer 1

Irrespective of your previous rejections, we don't have enough to go on to give a reasonable estimation as to whether you tick the right boxes. Your age and background seem appropriate but there's more to it, of course. Before trying again, you really need to do some work to understand as to why you were rejected.

Regarding the ban, this depends on the firm and the rejection stage. At a high level, this is how it works:

Rejection after CV screen: No ban from what I know, you could apply again shortly or immediately after. The question is whether (A) your application was flawed or whether (B) you need to get more experience somewhere, for example. In case (A), sort out your application and try again after some time (few months). Get professional help with this, including a professional CV review. In case (B), you'll never really know what aspect of your application let you down because no feedback is given. Again, would check with an expert in this forum to get to the bottom of this and to get yourself in a better position going forward.
Rejection after initial test: There may be a ban but it will be short-lived and I would expect it to be no more than 12 month. However, I can't be sure.
Rejection after interview: This is problematic as it will ban you for a considerably long period of 2-3 years. However, there is a big exception, which is applying to different offices. If office x really wants you and you failed the interview at office y the year before, office x may still go ahead with your application. This is in case you failed at location y because of a minor thing and not a complete PEI mismatch, for example.

Hope this helps a bit to strategize your approach. Let me know if you'd like to know more, happy to help!

Best of luck!

Answer 2

Hi Anon,

my first piece of advise really is: network. MBB regularly hosts events and workshops for experienced hires, so do apply and attend one of those. Try and find Alumni from your firm and your office who successfully switched to your target MBB firm and ask them for advice.

And give it some time, I would say Q2 is early enough. Do your homework, and hopefully this time, you will be ready. Remember also that that is probably your last shot within the next 2-3 years given you’ve already tried once…

Best

Stephan

Answer 3

You have decent chances, not because you work in a Big4, but because you show a good track record (fast promotion) and data strategy is something that MBB/Tier 2 may value.
Of course, this will be taken into consideration in combination with your academic record and extra-curriculars.

I would say that the criteria to get an interview is not hugely different between MBB and a Tier 2.

If none of this works out, then MBA is clearly your best option. Be sure to target a top15 school (i.e. one of the 15 that show up in the top 10 in a few rankings).

Answer 4

Hey there,

Follow these 3 steps to increase your chances for a new invite:

1. Resume tweaks

Whenever you are rejected at whatever stage, you need to demonstrate development in 1-2 of the following areas:

1. Work experience (new job, promotion, etc.)

2. Education (new program, new title, etc.)

3. Extracurricular (volunteer work, leadership experience)

4. Experience abroad

2. Networking

On top of that, you should network with higher-level consultants of the firm and office of your choice. This will secure a couple of referrals.

3. Passage of time

In general, ban periods are 12 to 24 months in MBB. If you failed at the last interview round, close to the offer, ban periods are often reduced to 4-6 months. Networking and a strong resume can decrease the time as well.

All the best!

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 5

Hi there,

Honestly, your odds are low. You were rejected recently and nothing has changed about your situation (unless that promotion happened).

My strong advice is to 1) Wait for that ban period to pass (around 12 months) 2) Network extensively and try to get a referral and 3) Get a professional look at your resume to optimize it.

Good luck!

Answer 6

What are your genuine reasons to move to MBB? What's lacking in your role at Big4 now that you want to move?

Think about what will you gain and what will you offer to MBB. How your story and career progression will make sense. Without this clarity you will shoot in the dark or want to do what everyone else is doing.

Have a look at this article for plenty of guidance & tips: preplounge.com/en/articles/how-do-i-know-which-career-is-right-for-me