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Anonymous A
on Feb 23, 2024
Global
I want to receive updates regarding this question via email.

UK MBBs don't Hire non-quant Indian expats who come to the UK for a non-MBA masters

I was unable to final any of them in their fresh lists. Any South Asians tend to be those who did their undergrad or schooling in he UK or got an MBA. But I would like to find any caveats to justify friends preparing for a role.

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Ian
Coach
on Feb 24, 2024
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hmmmm I try to stay away from blanket statements as there are always exceptions.

What does MBB (and any firm) look for though?

  1. Working rights (your description does not match)
  2. Geographic ties/work history (your description does not match)
  3. Relevant skills to perform the job (your description does not match)
  4. Direct recruiting channels/target skils (your description does not match)

So, does the above description work against being hired? Absolutely….as it should.

But, you can work around it. 

  • Get other UK-related experience
  • Get more consulting experience (pro bono, experiential learning, internship, etc.)
  • Get working rights
  • Go to a target school
  • Apply to non-MBB (if you want to win the Olympics, first you have to compete in the minor leagues)
  • Get your resume professionally reviewed
  • Network a ton
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Anonymous
on Feb 24, 2024
As per the question, it seems:

The person is already in a master's programme in the UK. So he/she will have the working rights.

He/she is probably a consecutive master's student from overseas/Europe so at best he/she would have internships which may or may not relate to theconsulting/business.

As for job description, I guess he/she is after the core consulting/analyst roles not the tech support roles. Still, one can argue for any specialisation in ESG, Govt. related skills at this level.

But the question also hits at something larger: Are there freshers from his specified demographics and educational background? A prima facie search online does not yield a positive answer. If there are exceptions, they would have been obvious. A lot of Indians come to study here in non-mba/non-quant masters. Of them, a few of would have had the calibre to make it into the MBB. But strangely there are none at hand. In fact, this may be true even for people coming from other continents.

In this context, the second part of the answer is is more insightful. If he/she is

Indian+non-mba/non-quant+only on 1 year master's and no UK experience, then he/she will be ruled out. But if he/she
Works at lower tier firms for a couple of years + makes the 'right' choices and network, then he can have a fair shot.


The bottomline being, he cannot get an immediate entry after graduation. He /she will have to 'prove' himself/herself in the lower leagues first. If my understanding serves right.
Ian
Coach
on Feb 24, 2024
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success
You’re essentially right! Everything is a numbers/odds game, but yes, this is the right thinking in general.
Benjamin
Coach
on Feb 24, 2024
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer

Hi,

I am not entirely clear on what your specific question is as the language is a little unclear to me. 

The reality is that firms will have a preference on a type of target profile. Often times this is based on your school/pedigree and/or background, but it does not mean firms do not hire outside of that profile. 

There are numerous factors that will affect hiring decisions and trends, but for sure MBB level firms do not care about your specific background as long as you can justify that you have the right abilities and traits.

The same thing could be said about consulting in SEA/Singapore who tend to hire from a specific profile in the past, but it is possible to break in with a ‘non-traditional’ background (I speak from experience, having studied History in college).

So, the important question to ask is “How do I break into MBB given my non-traditional background" :)

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Pedro
Coach
on Feb 27, 2024
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Former Principal | 1.5h session | 30% discount 1st session

I guess that if you are not from a target school or degree it becomes harder to get the interview. You may get there through preparation + networking, or by trying your luck with a Tier 2 (which will also require preparation and networking)

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Anonymous A
on Feb 29, 2024
For certain demographics prep+networking doesn’t make the cut. Its tier 2 route maybe.

Unless there is counter evidence for the UK.
Cristian
Coach
on Feb 29, 2024
#1 rated McKinsey Coach

Hi there!

As long as you're eligible to work in the UK, then it shouldn't be a problem. 

Then, you need to have a strong application so you pass screening and to be able to tell a compelling story in your cover letter that explains why you want to be in the UK and not back home. 

Best,
Cristian

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