Answering the question “Why consulting?” in a recruitment interview.

Diversity of sectors (more valid for general consultants). Diversity of functions within the company (Purchasing, IT, transport, sales and marketing, after-sales service, etc.). Diversity of teams since you change teams for each project (even if you will develop affinities and complicity with certain partners and managers over time)

Apprenticeship

The job of MBB consultant can be very intense but is very rewarding professionally. 99% of consultants or ex-consultants confide that their consulting experience has drastically changed the way they approach a problem, of breaking it down, of prioritizing their work or the levers to be activated. Such a progression is a valuable asset for the future of your professional career, whether it is to continue in consulting, to join a large company or a startup in a management position or to launch your own business. In addition, the feedback culture that prevails there and the high level of your colleagues ensure that you identify exactly your points of improvement and that you can work on them much faster than in most other professional environments.

The challenge and the emulation

In a strategy consulting firm, you work for the largest companies, governments and the largest institutions and NGOs in the world. You will be directly exposed to very high level interlocutors and it is a unique opportunity to learn from them. No other career offers this genre more. In addition, the subjects on which you will work are often cutting-edge subjects, whose complexity justifies the price of your firm's services. You will also often be inspired by the talent of your own colleagues. Beware of impostor syndrome! If you join the firm, it's because you have your place!

The outlook at the exit

The exit prospects after a career as a strategy consultant are among the best in the world. Business management, entrepreneurship, public service, entertainment world. The possibilities are numerous! In addition, your alumni network is often very powerful, united and organized to ensure your transition to “the outside world”. As they say at BCG, “once a BCGer, always a BCGer”.

The international aspect

The biggest firms (which you want if you are here) are international brands and have offices all over the world. All offer the possibility (often after having proven yourself for some time in the office where you are recruited) to have more or less long experiences abroad. If you dream of an international career, you should also know that a stint in a consulting firm is a great advantage for your resume. Indeed, all recruiters in the world know the big strategy consulting firms very well and appreciate the candidates who come from them.

The “work-life balance”

The workload in a strategy consulting firm can be intense on certain projects (for example Due Diligences) but remains incomparable with other sectors (in particular, M&A). In addition, major strategy consulting firms invest time and resources to pay attention to the work-life balance of their consultants. BCG, for example, has been implementing the PTO program for some years now (Predictability, Teaming & Open Communication), on which 2 project managers monitor the workload and intensity of the various projects in progress on a full-time basis. We'll talk to you about it in more detail hither. An additional argument in favor of this great career choice.

Convinced? All you have to do is pass your interviews:)