Hi AllWould anyone be able to offer some advice on how to position myself to get into a business consulting role when/if things eventually pick up?Just to give you my background, I have recently graduated from a top-6 (in Europe) business school with an MBA. I managed to get interviews with firms such as PA, ATK, Deloitte and a few others but haven’t been able to convert any into an offer. I feel that the only real opportunity was with ATK as the others were looking for a technical background that doesn’t exactly match my own. A niche firm actually did make me an offer but it was rescinded before my start date as the state of the organisation changed pretty quickly (this has happened to quite a few from my cohort).I have accepted that there are many experienced candidates out there who will be picked up before I am considered but I am terrified that the clock is ticking on my chance to make anything of my MBA. My background (and first degree) is in Engineering, having worked for some of the bigger firms in Europe with experience including systems design, process improvement, business case development etc. However, this is not where I hope my future career will be. So what I am asking is, can anyone offer any advice on any further qualifications or in fact any ways of getting experience that will help me to achieve my aim of getting into consulting? I am really starting to worry now as I will soon be competing with the new batch of MBAs and will have nothing to set me apart from them after a year back with my old employer.Any advice would be much appreciated.Cheers

You can try CorpFin positions in Big 4. For instance, some M&A, corporate restructuring and other groups may still hire people for Associate level. Especially, if you expand the geography of search.You can spend there 2-3 years, get in addition CFA and then move to either IB or CorpFin practice in MBB (as experienced candidate) when the economy will go up.Anyway, use alumni network and all your connections. It's the best way.

Hi Advice2Thanks for getting back to me. I am wondering if I should go for the CFA qualification anyway. Competition for roles at the big 4 is still likely to favour those with a more traditional background. Do you have any idea how this may be viewed in a year or so?

what is the scrotum position on the MBA? When i did mine it was pretty straight forward for companies like Deloitte and ACN, but much harder to show to the likes of MBB.Intersted to know how its changed.

Not too sure what you mean there. If you can explain I'll try to give you an answer.

Basically if you enter via a marginal scrotia (so twice) or if you take their scrotum position straight up. I entered MBB with a 2 - it was decided by the final partner round, where they specifically asked me my thoughts on the programme. I would reccomend you explore this option / training programme with some of the headhunters out there - if you manage to secure a scrotum position 2 or below, oftentimes companies will re-imburse the course via a sign on.Best Alex

[Special prayer]God please do not ever allow me make the mistake of hiring a consultant like Alex to advice my company.I have never seen such a bad explanation that even leads to more confusion.Or is this a MBB specialty?

Thanks Big Consultant, I was begninning to worry that I was the only person confused by that.

I have the scrotum too. Its on wiki if you need further explanation.