Demystifying the consulting industry and helping people land jobs
Welcome to Management Consulted – a leading resource on all things consulting, with a focus on recruiting, networking, and launching a successful consulting career.
Through this site, I’ve written many articles on topics ranging from travel to salaries, from resume mistakes to summer internships.
My hope is that every time you visit this site:
- You’ll leave just a bit smarter about the consulting industry
- You’ll learn how to network into, recruit for, and secure consulting jobs
- You’ll get involved, comment on posts, and spread the word!
I am a reader of your blog and I love all the tips you wrote. It especially helped me a lot on my McKinsey interviews which eventually led to an offer. – Frank
My background
I graduated Stanford; had stints in Sales & Trading (Credit Suisse in NY), technology (Google), and most recently McKinsey & Co (based in New York but with projects across the US, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Brazil), currently working on several startup projects (if you’re a fellow entrepreneur, let’s talk)
Speaking engagements
I’ve given talks about recruiting and consulting at campuses including Stanford, Harvard, UPenn, and Yale. I’m always open to similar opportunities, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Interesting resources
I’ve launched an interview guide, The Consulting Bible, which is now in its 2nd edition. It’s 92 pages of consulting interview preparation, with over 60 extensive fit questions, 4 case studies, and 5 sizing questions.
I’m also working on a Recruiting Toolkit to help people without access to the top consulting firms to network and land consulting jobs.
Other interesting areas to explore include the database of consulting lingo (ever wonder what acronyms like MBB and GMC stand for?) and a comprehensive list of reader questions that I’ve answered.
Finally, new readers should go here for a full listing of articles by category.
This is one of the most useful websites I have found so far. Though I wonder why I couldn’t get here earlier, I’m still in time as I’m about to head to a graduate school soon and visiting your website is going to be a daily exercise (and a healthy one I’m sure!) until I’m done reading with all your posts. Thanks! This is just the kind of site I had been searching for all along. – Vineet
I enjoy meeting readers, so don’t hesitate with questions and comments via the contact form.
Finally, stay connected:
{ 2 trackbacks }
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, it’s my great luck to find this blog.
I am a student in China, now working as part time in ATKearney’s Shanghai office, you tips are super useful !
Steward.du@gmail.com
[Reply]
great site and great tips, congrats! Just curious, why did you leave McKinsey?
[Reply]
Jonas – thanks for your comment. I’ll be answering that question in a post today, actually, so stay tuned.
[Reply]
Hey Kgao, thanks for your comments on my post about
MBA’s in the Internet industry
You have very interesting content here, I’ll be sure to keep an eye here.
[Reply]
Kevin-
I’m surprised that the Mckinsey Mind and and the McKinsey Way are books on your recommended reading list. Their signal:noise ratio is very low, unless you meant them as a meta-lesson from consulting:
Come up with a few bland ideas (”be able to say ‘I don’t know’”), wrap them in am impressive-looking cover and a few hundred pages, and then reap several hundred thousand in fees (aka book sales).
[Reply]
I agree on the signal:noise ratio. These definitely are not books to memorize front and back.
However, I think the insights on McKinsey culture and the thinking process – data-driven, hypothesis first, 80/20, boiling the ocean, etc – are concepts that may seem obvious to us now but certainly were new in my pre-consulting days and will be for most applicants.
Having that knowledge will at least familiarize yourself with the industry and may come up in the course of recruiting and interviews.
PS. I wouldn’t mind those several hundred K in royalty fees :)
[Reply]
Always notice the Stanford connection and wondered if we overlapped, but your site has the flavor of someone not over, let’s see, 45.
Interested in making the alumnus connection if/when you’ve a moment.
Nice site, crisp writing and design. . .and I agree re the McKinsey books, but did enjoy Collins’s.
[Reply]
@Harry – thanks for reaching out and for your readership of MC. Feel free to email me. I’m always happy to get in touch with folks of shared background and interests.
[Reply]
I have purchased the kit from Merger&Inq. site, how should I email you my receipt? Thanks.
[Reply]
Hi kgao, I want to say thanks for all the work you’ve put into the articles and into this site. Not only is it very clean and organized (which I like), the articles are really insightful and have been a central part of my understanding and trying to find consulting jobs.
I just purchased your Bible last night – thanks for your quick response, BTW! I’ll probably be booking a few “interview sessions” with you to discuss the job process and prep for interviews after I read your book.
Thanks again!
[Reply]
Clare – thanks for your comments. No problem about the Bible, sorry there was a minor technical issue. I look forward to working with you, don’t hesitate to email me!
[Reply]
Hi: I’m interested in a career change to work in strategy mgmt consulting. I have applied to McKinsey, BAH, ATK and other leading firms for opportunities in the arabian gulf and unfortunately was turned down. I wonder could you take a look at my resume and tell me if I stand a chance at trying again with these companies; especially with McKinsey (they rejected me three times over a one year period)? Let me know please. Regards
[Reply]
Kevin Reply:
May 7th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Nedal, thanks for your readership of the site. I’m happy to take a (brief) look at your resume and provide you some thoughts. Simply provide your email through the contact form and I’ll reach out to you.
[Reply]
Wow. What a great site!!! I will spread the word!
[Reply]
Kevin Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Jonathan – thanks! Any help is appreciated.
[Reply]
Starting from this blog, I now understand the power of blogging and online social networking around the globe. It is a great tool, and this wonderful and helpful blog just raises the bar.
Great job Kevin… keep it up since I assure many people are enjoying it and benefiting from it, and many will.
I will spread the word to any person with the slightest interest in Management Consulting.
[Reply]
Hi Kevin,
Brain said he is not offering resume editing service currently and referred you to me. I heard you also have finance people to do a finance resume editing right? Just want to confirm.
Let me know. Thanks
[Reply]
Hi Leo – absolutely. Thanks for reaching out. I’ll put you in touch with our resume team and you can go from there!
[Reply]
Kevin: I am certainly impressed with your site. I have over two decades of global industry experience. I am interested in consulting career. I was wondering if you would take a look at my resume (not consulting focused) and advice. I am interested in understanding how your firm could help me achieve my objective.
Thank you in advance for the help.
Best,
Abhay
[Reply]
MC Reply:
September 20th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Hi Abhay,
Sure, we have also served many clients with a background like yours. Many people who have worked in a different industry for a long time are not sure how to present themselves to consulting recruiters; this is where we can help. If you have more specific questions, please feel free to contact products@managementconsulted.com.
[Reply]
Do you know if McK hires experienced peope from the industry?
[Reply]
MC Reply:
September 26th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Hi AJA,
Yes, McKinsey hires experienced people from a variety of industries. Please see McKinsey’s Experienced Hires page for more details.
[Reply]
Hi Kevin,
I am utterly confused about what employers want to see on my resume these days, with HR, my friends, alumni telling me different stories. I have written 20 iterations of my resume, and I am a one of those 2009 lost-generation graduates from a state school, who is overqualified and under-qualified at the same time.
I was wondering could you just take a quick look and tell me what is blatantly wrong. I’ve been job searching for 1.5 years, and I know something is wrong with my resume. The recruiting window is closing, and I have a stack of business cards from all the career fairs I crashed and the cold-calls I’ve made. I don’t want to waste a single opportunity if the problem is something that could be in control.
All I can offer right now is a thank you card as an unemployed student.
Thanks,
James
[Reply]
MC Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Hi James,
Sure, we can take a look at your resume. Please send it as an attachment to products@managementconsulted.com, and we’ll describe what we could change if you decide to sign up for our resume service. Please also include details on your past and current jobhunting efforts so we can better address your concerns.
[Reply]
Hi Kevin,
I am a sophomore at a top school (HYP/stanford/MIT) strongly considering consulting. I have a few questions I was hoping you could answer.
1. How hard is it to move up the ranks of MBB?
i.e.:
What percent of these hires make their way up the firm?
What percent of hires (of the ones that want to stay in in consulting) make it through to a top B-school, Engagement Manager/Principal/Director?
Also:
2. What are typical GPAs (Mostly 3.9/4.0 or are 3.5-3.7 applicants successful?) and extracurriculars for MBB undergrad hires?
Thanks a lot! Your website is super-informative. Keep up the good work!
Thanks!
[Reply]
How can I get into an Top MBA program with 3.01 GPA and Low GMAT score. I have experience as a military officer with the marines. Is it reaslitic to shot for a top school and if not what should I do?
[Reply]
MC Reply:
October 13th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
Hi Ron,
First, I would recommend you re-take the GMAT since there is nothing you can do about your GPA. I can’t tell if you have a realistic shot since I haven’t seen your resume, but it is possible that you have a chance if you can demonstrate impressive leadership experience in the military.
[Reply]
Hi there,
This is a fantastic website, full of useful information. I have particularly found the “exit” options interesting to read. My plan is to work for a good strategy consulting firm (post-MBA – applications in progress) and work as an entrepreneur after a stint in consulting. I believe it is a really good way to get to know the challenges of running startups before you start your own. Therefore, I wanted more information from you about how one should go about doing this? Are there any industry specialisations that I should consider? It would be interesting to hear your thoughts. Can I contact you directly by e-mail?
Thanks,
Abhi
[Reply]
Hi!! Kevin,
My brief background:
B.tech from top 10 Engineering Colleges of India.
1 year of experience in a prestigious automobile firm in India.
Masters from University of Florida in Industrial Engg.
After my Master’s I came back to India & started my own consultancy which guides students in preparing for GRE & TOEFL exam & also help them in getting their visas.
I have a problem & will be very grateful to you,If you can help me in solving it.I have got a call from a recruiter through email .He asked me the following questions:
1) What’s my current CTC?? As i am the owner ,what should I specify??
2) What’s my position in hierarchy of the company?? what should I specify??
3) What’s my reason for change ??
Thanks
rakesh
[Reply]
Hello All,
I’m currently in my first year of an MBA program at a top 25 school. For the past few months I’ve been on the internship hunt and of course the major consulting firms (BCG, Bain, Deloitte, etc) have gotten plenty of my attention. I’d also be very willing to consider smaller, boutique firms in a few cities (namely Charlotte, Atlanta, Columbus, etc) but have had difficulty identifying them. Does anyone know of any sources that break down consulting firms by city???
Thanks,
Eugene
[Reply]