Business students and prospective consulting candidates often ask me what life is like as an MBB consultant.
The answer can vary significantly depending on the client, project, and team. However, I wanted to provide a glimpse into a typical day during a longer-term client project to give you a better understanding of what your daily routine might look like as an MBB consultant. It is based on a study that I completed last summer in the automotive industry, which was one of my all-time favourites.
7:00 AM – Wake-Up and Morning Routine
My day starts relatively early, giving me enough time for a morning workout. Exercise helps clear the mind and prepare you for an intense day ahead.
After a quick shower and breakfast, I catch up on overnight emails and review my calendar. If you’ve already arrived in the client city, this routine is seamless. However, there are times when you may need to take an early flight on Monday morning to get to the client office.
Typically, I prefer to arrive in the client city on Sunday evening to be well-prepared for the upcoming week and minimize travel time before reaching the client office.
8:30 AM – Commute to Client Site
By 8:30 AM, I’m out the door and on my way to the client site. Depending on the project, this could involve a drive across town or just a quick walk to the next block.
Travel is a significant part of the job, and so you need to learn to use this time effectively, either catching up on reading or reviewing documents.
9:00 AM – Team Check-In
Upon arriving at the client site, our team gathers for a daily check-in. We discuss the day’s objectives, review progress on key deliverables, and address any urgent issues. This meeting is crucial for aligning efforts and ensuring everyone is on the same page.
9:30 AM – Client Workshops
The bulk of the morning is spent in client meetings and workshops. Typically, we meet with clients to discuss progress made the previous day or night and align on goals and direction for the day.
These sessions are highly interactive, requiring you to think on your feet, synthesize complex information, and provide actionable insights. Client meetings can involve high-stakes presentations that require you to clearly articulate your insights and justify your recommendations. It’s rewarding to see your hard work pay off, especially when the client responds positively and engages in productive discussions.
12:00 PM – Lunch Break
Lunch is usually a quick affair, often spent with the client or my team. It’s a good opportunity to build relationships and gather informal feedback.
On days when time permits, try to explore local eateries, but more often than not lunch will be a hurried meal at the client’s cafeteria or ordering UberEats for delivery.
1:00 PM – Data Analysis and Report Preparation
The afternoon is dedicated to data analysis and slide preparation. Back at our temporary workspace in the client office, I dive into spreadsheets and presentations. This involves creating detailed financial models, building slides with key takeaways, and crafting a compelling narrative for our findings. This work is often in preparation for upcoming meetings and problem-solving sessions with internal leadership teams.
3:00 PM – Internal Team Meetings and Problem-Solving Sessions
We reconvene as a broader internal team to review our progress and align on our findings. The meeting focuses on ensuring that the analysis is robust and recommendations are clear. We also discuss any challenges we’re facing and brainstorm solutions. This alignment with your internal leadership will help you to prepare for the next client touchpoint.
4:30 PM – Client Touchpoint
A few times a week, our team will schedule informal touchpoints. This is where we’ll provide additional updates on our progress and discuss any challenges we faced and our approach to address those challenges.
5:30 PM – Check out
Every day, our team holds a check-out session to debrief and plan for the next day. We discuss client feedback and make necessary adjustments to our approach. This wrap-up session is crucial for maintaining momentum and ensuring continuous improvement. Typically, you won’t have any more scheduled meetings after check-out, allowing you to focus on finalising deliverables for the night.
7:00 PM – Dinner and Networking
Dinner often serves as an opportunity to decompress with colleagues or network with clients. My favorite part is meeting in the hotel bars and working together with team members. Building strong relationships is a key part of the job, and these informal interactions can provide valuable insights and foster collaboration.
9:00 PM – Catching Up on Emails and Admin Work
Back in my hotel room, I spend the evening catching up on emails and administrative tasks. This includes updating project plans, responding to client questions, and preparing for the next day’s meetings. It’s also a time to reflect on the day’s accomplishments and plan for the future.
11:00 PM – Unwind and Sleep
Finally, I go to the gym for a quick workout, or call friends and family. Maintaining work-life balance is challenging but essential. By midnight, I’m usually in bed, ready to recharge for another demanding yet rewarding day.
Final thoughts
A day in the life of an MBB consultant is fast paced, challenging, and immensely rewarding. It’s a role that demands adaptability, resilience, and a passion for solving complex problems.
Oftentimes the days fly by because you are always involved in interesting discussions that help you develop your skills but also help the client you are serving. Despite challenges, the opportunity to make a meaningful impact and grow professionally and personally makes it a highly fulfilling career.
Jeff Zhang currently serves as a Consultant at McKinsey, specializing in private equity, transportation, technology, and sustainability sectors. Before this role, he spearheaded the creation of an innovative final-mile logistics product at a startup, later acquired by Shopify. His background includes significant experience in consulting, logistics and successful applications to global MBA programs.
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