Would writing my Economics and Data Analytics MSc thesis about the Middle East increase my odds of landing an interview there?

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your questions:

• First of all, in general, except for strict requirements such as work visas, it is very unlikely that showing any form of affiliation with a country will increase your chances of being invited to interviews, as this would be considered bias.
• Moreover, however, if you intend to interview and/or co-author with consultants from your target consulting firms, it might help you in securing referrals from these consultants more easily (although this isn't a difficult task either way).
• Lastly, I would highly advise you to choose a research topic for your master's thesis that you are truly passionate about, whether or not it is potentially useful for future applications.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hey there, 

I'm not sure that it would by that much. It might add some more interest to your profile, but I'm not sure it would tip things significantly. 

To be able to get an interview from recruiters during the screening process, they want to see that your profile is a fit for a consultant, and a thesis on its own doesn't answer that question. What you'll need is also be able to show evidence of high performance, relevant work experience (depending on which role you are applying for), demonstrable achievements and problem solving ability and a few more items.

So i would focus on making sure you have those elements in your profile first, and then the thesis would be a great added bonus

However! If you were to do the thesis and had a partner as a collaborator there as you've asked about, then that partner could (and really should) be a strong referral for you for your application, and this could be very significant then in landing an interview. So just to make it clear, it would not be the thesis - but rather the relationship with the partner that would have significant weight. 

All the best

Hi there,

Q: Would writing my Economics and Data Analytics MSc thesis about the Middle East increase my odds of landing an interview there?

On its own, I don’t think it will make any significant difference. However, as mentioned by Thabang, if this allows you to develop relationships with some current consultants who could refer you, that could increase your chances (thanks to the referral, not the thesis).

Good luck!

Francesco

This will be a great experience to talk about in your interviews, but it won't significantly change the odds of getting selected for an interview. Factors that really make a difference include top grades, prestigious universities, work experience in name-brand companies, etc. -- all presented in a well-crafted CV. If you want to talk in more detail, send me a copy of your CV and look for time for an intro call (free). We can develop a strategy for you to break into top-tier firms.

Hi there,

Yes, IF you leverage it well during your applications (networking efforts, cover letter, fit interview). However, the overall impact will likely be small.

All the best,

Florian