Bain & Company I was chatting with a friend at McK and he said they don’t hire people from the outside at Manager level and above which I found to be odd. I’m at EYP in Strategy practice but wanted to see if there is a path to MBB transfer. How does one go about doing that? Is it normally through networking or cold applying? Or both? Thanks! McKinsey & Company Bain & Company Boston Consulting Group
Not true. Maybe it was true 5-10 years ago.
Plenty of people who joined as managers over the past 24 months, it's tough though.
This was definitely the case for a long time. Recently, we’ve done a lot more direct hiring, like many other firms. Still not super common as a % of total EMs.
It honestly looks like such a tough way to transition to the firm - I would die lol. I don’t know how people do it!
My first project was fairly outside my area of expertise (even though promised differently), so I was struggling with the delivery. I had a toxic partner as lead, so didn’t feel comfortable to discuss my progression openly with them. I was asked to leave within a few months. The name on the CV still helped me to score good interviews, currently in the interview process with some firms (including MBB ironically, but not sure I want that).
Key take-aways for me:
- Be selective when making the move, don’t just follow the money blindly
- As experienced hire, you gotta be way more proactive compared to entry positions, in regard to onboarding, career development, networking, personal branding etc. (I didn’t do that enough being more of an introvert)
- There’s always a risk that the new job isn’t a fit. I‘m glad I didn’t make huge life decisions in my first months of the job (e.g. moving to a new city).
Rising Star
I’m onboarding as an EM in about 3 weeks at McKinsey, so… nope
Rising Star
Sure
Same as what McK 1 said
Lol. That’s just wrong. I interviewed for EM with a fast track to AP a little less then a year ago
We’ve hired hundreds of external folks at the Partner and Senior Partner level this year alone. Your friend is absolutely not correct.
Your friend is incorrect. 2 of my former MDs have joined McK at Partners in the last 3 months.
Digital ventures?
Rising Star
It used to be rarer for all firms to do this, but talent shortage has changed it. Granted you will be interviewed with much more scrutiny and be expected to unlearn some of your past firm methodologies.
Joined this year as AP. There was a whole class of APs just in my local office.
Yeah, I confirm it’s not true! I have a couple of colleagues who have joined them (very aggressive on salary and sign-in bonuses, btw)
Your friend is showing off lol
No offense. But you can easily answer this with a LinkedIn search. Previous employer current employer.
Not true. I came in as an Expert (same band as EM) and then switched to integrative/practice affiliated and then made AP. I know a bunch of folks who have come in as Expert APs or direct elect Partners.