| Topic Name: |
boutique to top consulting firms |
| Message Name: |
Answers |
| Date Posted: |
12/23/2005 |
| In Reply To: |
Hello,
I have an offer from a boutique consulting firm that I like a lot. I also enjoy working in small companies. My only conern is about future exit options.
1)
How hard is it to go from a small firm to top firms like mckinsey? Is it common for them to hire from other consulting firms or do I have to go get an mba and then apply for associate positions?
2)
In terms of application to MBA, would the lack of brand name hurt my application much?
Thanks a lot. |
| Message: |
Congratulations on your job offer!
1.) BCG and McKinsey interview undergraduates for entry level positions. They also interview MBAs and other relevant graduate degrees for consultant (or associate) positions. It is very difficult for a boutique entry-level job DIRECTLY to one of these places because you will need to get your graduate degree first and go through a normal recruiting process. (That being said, there are exceptions to this. However, the odds are much more in your favor if you try to go in the front door here.)
2.) It won't hurt at all to have a boutique consulting background. The key is, can you get into a top MBA program? If your current firm has recently placed ACs at Tuck, Wharton, Stanford, etc. then just go to your boutique (and congratulations!) and strive to do well at your new job.
Many years from now, when you are getting your MBA, the big strategy consulting houses will put you through a competitive interview process where you will need to excel on the case studies. The boutique experience should not be a negative at all.
Lastly, some food for thought. You may discover that after having success in a boutique firm for 3-4 years, you have very little interest in McKinsey and BCG. There are many reasons for this... you may want to return to your prior employer, you have already punched the consulting ticket, quality of life, you want to do something else away from consulting, etc. I would be happy to elaborate on this if you like.
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