As a former advanced degree candidate who applied to consulting while finishing medical school, I would like to share my experience with those of you who are in the middle of making a similar jump out of academia. As I stated in part 1 of this series, many of my M.D. and Ph.D. colleagues had […]
Category: Consulting
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Roadmap Into Consulting
Are you an aspiring management consultant? If you are reading this, then there is a good chance you are. Management consulting is an industry that offers its professionals a range of attractive benefits such as the opportunity to solve challenging business problems, network with senior executives, receive a high salary, and gain access to attractive […]
Introduction With the 2018 application cycle in full swing for a number of top-tier consulting firms, many of my MD and PhD colleagues have been inquiring about how they can leave academia, if only for a few years, and pursue a career change in management consulting. Because many of my piers have very similar questions […]
Student consulting would seem to most students as an obvious first step towards a career in consulting. It offers experience in dealing with clients, solving real-life problems and demonstrates your interest, all of which can add a lot to your CV. However, Sam Smith has recently argued in the post ‘Student consulting – Does it […]
The technology industry is booming: in 2008, Microsoft was the only tech firm ranked in the world’s top 10 public companies by market capitalisation. In 2018, tech firms take seven of the top ten spots (Financial Times Global 500). Top graduates are more interested in joining Google than Goldman Sachs. Start-up ecosystems are exploding as […]
Welcome back to the data driven recruiting series! Please refer to the first article in this series for the first five findings and more details on the data sources and methodology behind the analysis. As I mentioned in my first post, the following findings show correlations only and should not be interpreted causally. Now, time […]
The consulting industry is a very competitive field with an abundance of highly educated professionals with proven track records of success. In order to succeed and stay relevant in such a competitive field, consultants have to keep their knowledge up to date and continuously hone their skills. The question is, what is the best way […]
During one of my internships I worked on a due diligence project, which involved conducting market research to help a PE firm decide whether to acquire a major stake in a joint venture owned by one of the largest telecom companies in Asia. It was a very interesting experience, so in this post I will […]
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The Paths of Consultancy
Daryl Morey slinks away to a secluded weight-room with two muted TVs broadcasting the tipoff of his beloved Houston Rockets, the team he created. As general manager, he had the power to build the team to exactly his desires. But how did he attain this power in a league where two thirds of GMs are […]
We’re flooded with information on a daily basis. As consultants (or those recruiting to be consultants), we’re asked to handle and analyze vast amounts of information. However, while recruiting, how many of us actually pursue a data-driven approach to getting an interview? I know I didn’t. Despite all of the rumors, pieces of advice, and […]
Student consultants certainly mean well: for their CVs if not the organisations they consult to. But whether student consulting organisations deliver for clients or the students who take part is questionable. In this piece, I look at the reasons professional consulting firms are hired, and explain how student consultants are ill-placed to offer the same […]
It’s almost summer, and you have probably accepted an offer from your favorite B-School that you pursued for months. Based on conversations with your B-school seniors, you know how intense the first few months of the program is, with coursework, networking, and internship hunting all happening at the same time. Perhaps the thought of such […]
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Getting the Rest Right for Interviews
After mastering both fit and case interviews, the remaining parts of your consulting interview are the Intro and Q&A. They are not as critical as the fit or case interview parts, but still can make a big difference regarding leaving a good impression on the interviewers or even giving you the little push you need […]
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Cold Emailing 101
This is part 2 of my posts on cold emailing. If you have not read part 1, check out “How I used cold emailing to land an internship in Mongolia”. By the end of this post you should understand three things: How to find professionals to contact How to write a strong cold email How […]
Sometimes interviewees find it hard to differentiate themselves by simply using common frameworks. The problem with common frameworks is that they are too board to allow you to give an insightful synthesis. And as more and more candidates start to use them frequently, it is harder to impress the interviewers. Hence, I would like to […]
Candidates often use the Value Chain Framework without being aware of it. It may form part of your thinking when breaking down a problem using a MECE tree diagram or used when drilling into upstream suppliers and downstream distributors. However, the Value Chain Framework is indeed very useful when it comes to breaking down a […]
Another framework you should know is the Mergers & Acquisitions framework (M&A framework). The reason that this framework is worth introducing is due to the increasing frequency of M&A cases confronting candidates in the case interview. Needless to say, M&A deals are notoriously complicated financial activities, which makes candidates panic when they are prompted with […]
As I have been asked by quite a lot of people to share some frameworks, I will use the next 3 posts to walk you through the most frequently used frameworks in the case interview. While you are reading those frameworks and related examples, keep in mind that no framework is the skeleton key to […]
If you are in your final year at university or you have recently finished your degree, there is a chance you are looking at jobs in management consulting. It is an incredibly interesting and challenging profession, which offers a great starting salary and many job opportunities going forward. Moreover, it is a convenient way to […]
This post will mainly focus on introducing the case interview format, and an overview of several key formats that are typically used. You may wonder, shouldn’t the format always be the same? No, there are different formats for the case interview, in other words different setups. Standard Format The standard format is a one-on-one case […]
In this day and age of hospitals working to provide better care and outcomes for a cheaper price, one of the ways to gauge the impact that the implemented changes are having is through measuring patient satisfaction. Hospitals, health systems, and some private practice groups are working actively and diligently to improve patient satisfaction scores. […]
Leading up to the summer before my senior year of college I was searching through Google for my next travel destination when a pop-up ad directed me to a website about Mongolia, the land of nomadic culture and once the largest contiguous empire founded by Genghis Khan. After some reflecting, I decided maybe I could […]
Well for this part, since there is so much to say, let’s get straight into it. To start with, a short definition of the case interview is “a simulation of the beginning of a consulting project”. Its purpose is to test candidates for three capabilities: Structured Thinking, Analytical Ability, and Communication Skills. Each of these […]
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Recruiting versus reality
Consulting firms are very good at selling themselves to potential recruits. But, like any sales pitch, there’s a degree of exaggeration behind the polished smiles. In this post, I explore the other side of the value propositions presented by consulting firms during the recruiting process: “You will be exposed to a wide range of problems […]
The term ‘knowledge management’ has become increasingly trendy over the past couple of years during B-school. And with that trend a new one has emerged: little information on how to manage it successfully. In any team dynamic, formal or informal, it is essential to derive and translate relevant knowledge to the right people. However, the […]
Case competitions are amazing opportunities to demonstrate your ‘case cracking’ abilities in front of industry judges, quickly expand your network, and win great prizes. I was fortunate enough to be involved with several during my undergraduate days, both as a participant and as a judge. I even started one, which is now one of the […]
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Dealing with rejections
During my senior year, I had a final round interview with one of the MBB. As it is close to nearly impossible to even receive an interview from these companies coming from a non-target school (only two students received an interview that year from my school), I really wanted this offer, and I had been […]
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Navigating the Case Interview
The journey to management consulting has many pitfalls that a candidate needs to navigate. Along the way, every candidate will encounter the case interview. As monstrous as it may look, it is said that the case interview reflects the reality of day-to-day consulting. Preparing in the right way can provide candidates with the armoury needed […]
Have you ever felt guilty about travelling extensively? Have you ever wished that the money spent traveling could somehow pay dividends? Well, I believe it can pay dividends, so you shouldn’t feel guilty about your past and future travel. I think that personal travel and strategy consulting go hand-in-hand, and I would even posit that […]
Before the recruiting process begins candidates work hard to polish their resumes, prepare for case interviews, gain professional experience, and participate in extracurricular activities to distinguish themselves from the rest. However, many miss out on a great opportunity, which is to do pro-bono consulting for non-profit organizations or startups. Seeing as every non-profit organization or […]
Overview This is the most challenging part of the journey. Let’s take it really seriously. First, I would say congratulations if you have made it to this step. It is an extraordinary achievement already. Now, to move forward, you have to understand and prepare extremely well for the interviews. This article will give you a […]
Like most who find their way into medical school I was the prototypical student. I finished at the top of my class in high school, then as a pre-medical student I navigated all the pre-requisites for applying to medical school (i.e. standardized test, personal statement, shadowing, research, etc.). Going through the interview process, I became […]
Let’s admit it. At every single consulting interview the very first question you get is “why consulting?”. It’s also one of the most popular questions at networking events. There could be a variety of reasons you would like to truthfully shout out such as: high salary, prestige, MBA sponsorship, and travel. But hold your seatbelt […]
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How to Quiet the Recruiting Chaos
Whether you’re recruiting for consulting via a graduate program or going it alone, the process is extremely time-consuming and chaotic. Effectively managing the flood of information on companies, contacts, and case-prep is half the battle. In this piece, I will arm you with a few simple tools (templates) that will help to keep your recruiting […]
When it comes to consulting interviews, most people are fixated on the case interview. Which makes sense, given the amount of practice that’s required to ace the case. But, as an aspiring consultant, don’t forget that you will also face the Fit Interview! Fit Interviews can be very tricky because they require you to talk […]
Well, let’s embark on the journey. First things first, your consulting application is the most important part of the recruitment process for two reasons. Firstly, it is your very first touch point with the firm. The HR person will look at your Resume, Cover Letter, and Transcript and decide whether you are qualified to attend […]
Ever since I started my professional program in Energy and Environmental Management, from time to time, I can’t help but ask myself: how on earth can I master so many different topics? Although I am still as confused as ever when trying to understand such a fast changing world and those fabulously complicated consulting problems […]
Before starting your application journey, the very first thing is to understand the recruitment process and selection criteria of those management consulting firms. I assume that you have carefully considered those four critical factors outlined in my first article and really committed to the management consulting position that you are targeting, since the consulting application […]
Are you applying for consulting jobs, or thinking about it? Applications can be time consuming, and really difficult. Your task will be much easier if you have a few useful templates and guidebooks to point you in the right direction. We have taken the time to put together 14 consulting resources that you can download […]
When you first start consulting, it can seem like a sort of corporate utopia: interesting work, a new client every few months, access to leaders of industry, great colleagues, endless career development and training, generous dinner budgets, extensive travel, nice hotels, international travel. But, the consulting world is the Partner’s oyster, not yours. It may […]
Top-tier consulting firms are notorious for two or three-year up or out policies, and poor work-life balance. But by working smarter, doing ‘just enough’ is usually sufficient for promotion and can also improve your quality of life. Before getting into the tips, I remind you that your personal life is more important than being a […]
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Case Interview Basics
What is a Case? Cases are a tool used by interviewers based on a business scenario; they go beyond behavioural and background questions to assess the actual abilities of a candidate by replicating the steps of a consulting project. They are a means of evaluating potential candidates when facing a real-life business challenge to determine whether […]
Congratulations! You’ve passed your interviews and you’re now a consultant. However, while you may have momentarily rejoiced and thought “I’ve made it!”, you probably quickly came to the realization that this is just the beginning. Being a consultant is a constant challenge and struggle. It will never be “easy,” but if it were, you would […]
Whether I was talking to graduates, MBAs or experienced professionals, as a consulting club president at business school, I was frequently asked the same question, “What is the most efficient and quickest way to transform into a consultant?” Honestly, this could be one of the toughest questions one can ever answer. First let me be […]
Having a successful career in consulting requires sustained motivation. When your skills are a good match for the requirements of the industry, your superior performance will be an ongoing source of encouragement. A sensible first step towards a consulting-career would be to understand whether you have what it takes to excel in consulting. Here is […]
Interviews were fast approaching and I knew I wasn’t on track. Nothing was working until I finally had three key insights. These insights led to a 100% hit rate at my consulting and tech interviews, which included MBB, Strategy&, AT Kearney, Amazon, Cognizant, and several boutique consultancies. What I discovered is that the interview outcome, […]
Why do organisations hire consultants? If you are a junior consultant, knowing why your work is valuable is likely to make your job more meaningful. If you are a partner, knowing why your work is valuable is likely to help you sell consulting projects and make money for yourself and for the firm. Below we […]
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Consulting Exit Options
One of the benefits of starting your career in the management consulting industry is that it provides many favorable exit opportunities. Some of the possible exit opportunities that a consultant may consider are outlined below. 1. Another Consulting Firm Just because you leave a consulting firm doesn’t mean that you have to leave the consulting industry. […]
As an aspiring management consultant who has also been working as a music producer for several years, composing, arranging, and producing songs for multiple artists, I get a lot of questions about this seemingly strange combination of interests. “If you love music so much, why don’t you do it as a full-time job?” “If you […]
Life comes packaged with only so many minutes, around 40 million of them. Making the most of each one will help you to become more productive and, ultimately, achieve your goals. There are many different ingredients that combine to determine your productivity including the time of day, physical environment, your level of motivation, as well […]