I have an offer to join BCG as a consultant, and would be coming in as an experienced hire from a boutique firm. What recommendations do fishers have for negotiating? I’m considering pushing for title/promotion fast track, start date, and signing bonus. What else should I be considering? What tactics have you seen work well? Boston Consulting Group
After 6 months, you still won’t know where the bathroom is let alone be ready for promotion / fast track. It takes time to get your feet under the desk. You’re special and that is why this new company wants to recruit you. But so are the current employees. You were likely top of your class. Now you’re surrounded by people who were all top of their class. Many better than you. This is true for many consulting firms, not just BCG. Just do good work and good things will come.
Come in as a C, no tenure credit. The most successful industries hires I’ve seen come in as a C, do 2 years before being promoted to PL and are top box because they already know the basics. Then when they are PLs, they generally get a faster promote to Principal because they have the consulting toolkit down and only need to focus on mgmt capabilities. Don’t rush C, it’s how you learn the firm. If you’re a standout, then that will be reflected in your matrix placement and will set you up for faster promo later.
Chief
I think our pay scales are all very rigid and inflexible. I can see the comp spreadsheet going up through Partner, and there’s no room for negotiating afaik. Our comp is industry leading anyway, so in 2 years you’ll be making $290k+. Money is one thing BCG offers in abundance, the other is work hours lol
Bcg11 go for it
I was a lateral hire. Came in from manager grade at another firm to consultant (12m tenure) at BCG. I’ll be a principal soon. My recommendation: Do not go for PL directly. It’s just a matter of few months and gives you an opportunity to understand the firm, find a place for yourself before you take charge of delivery.
Hi BCG5, can I DM you please?
Might be some flex on negotiating signing bonus for laterals - worth a try at least
It’s BCG. Be thankful and take it.
If you’re truly exceptional in every single dimension, you’d probably be promoted early anyway...
Difference in expectation of a C to PL is rather large so taking the full 2 years to get oriented is not a bad idea.
Are you still taking outside hires right now? Would love to make the jump.
Will DM BCG 9
Thanks everyone for the insights on level! (You’ve helped me convince my spouse that I’m not silly to accept the level as offered. 🙏) If there are any things that are worth considering or asking for, I’d love to hear them!
Agree that signing bonus is most likely lever. Everything else is fixed for location or level ( vacation time, comp, etc...). Nice part about that is that the benefits are uniform and transparent.
Nope this is standard
Don’t do PL directly. Push for 12 months tenure credit
OP - Mind if I DM you? Have an interview coming up and your background sounds somewhat similar.
Go for it!
You can negotiate start date. ESP now, later start might mean in person training instead of virtual — so depends on what you want. Might also be able to get a small bump in signing bonus (up to the cap — ask any MBA hire / google / DM me). Everything else is standard & transparent.