Community Forum
Ask anything about cases, applications and recruiting. Members and coaches answer.
How do you choose between two MBB offers without overthinking the logos?
- Offers
I somehow ended up with offers from two MBB firms and now I am more stressed than when I was recruiting. Compensation is close enough that it does not really decide anything. One office felt warmer and had people I clicked with more. The other firm has slightly stronger work in the industry I think I want long term, but I only met a few people there so I am not sure how much weight to put on…
Once you have two strong offers, the decision should become more personal and less prestige-driven. The difference between the logos is usually smaller than the difference in office, people, staffing model, and the work you are likely to do.
How weird is it to switch from one MBB firm to another?
- Offers
How unusual is it to move from one MBB firm to another after already working there? I know people switch from Big 4/Tier 2 into MBB, but McKinsey to BCG or Bain to McKinsey seems much less common. If someone is unhappy with office culture, staffing, geography, or promotion trajectory, does applying to another MBB firm look strange? Or do recruiters just treat it like any other experienced-hire…
It is less common than moving from industry or another consulting tier, but it is not inherently strange. The key question is why the move makes sense beyond changing logos.
Can you ask MBB to extend an offer deadline?
- Offers
I have an MBB offer but the deadline is before another process I care about will finish. Is it normal to ask for an extension, or does that make it look like the firm is clearly not my first choice? If asking is reasonable, how much extra time do people usually request?
You can ask. Firms know candidates may be managing overlapping processes, although they are not obligated to extend the deadline.
Can an exploding IB offer justify asking MBB to speed up?
- Offers
I have an investment banking offer with a pretty aggressive deadline, but I am still in process with MBB and would strongly prefer consulting if I got it. I do not want to look like I am trying to game the process, but the timing is genuinely forcing a decision. Is an exploding offer a valid reason to ask the MBB recruiter whether they can accelerate interviews or decision timing? I assume they…
Yes, a real competing-offer deadline is a reasonable reason to contact recruiting. Keep the message factual: you remain very interested, you have another decision deadline, and you are asking whether any acceleration is possible.
Can you negotiate an MBB offer, or are the terms basically fixed?
- Offers
For a standard MBB offer, is there actually anything worth negotiating? Salary seems pretty standardized by office/level, so I am wondering if asking is pointless or if signing bonus / start date / relocation can sometimes move.
Core compensation at large consulting firms is often standardized for a given role and office, so there may be less room than in some experienced-hire or industry offers.
How bad is it to turn down an MBB offer after accepting verbally?
- Offers
I may end up with another opportunity after already telling an MBB recruiter verbally that I plan to accept. Nothing is signed yet, but I feel terrible potentially reversing course. How damaging is it to back out at this stage?
Changing your mind after verbally accepting is not ideal because the firm may already be planning around your decision, but it is still better to be clear now than to sign and reverse later.