Hi all,I have done 2 years at ACN, primarily doing work in test strategy and would like to know how I can leverage this to get into MBBB.Has anyone done this or know anyone that has done this and if so what advice could you give.ThanksWolfgang

ZB are you lubed and ready to go?

If you have a top degree, you might -- just MIGHT -- have a shot at getting in at entry-level analyst. Your current work (test strategy, what the hell is that seriously) is totally irrelevant.If you don't have a top degree, you have ZERO chance.

I think the short answer is no. Given market conditions, I'd add that there's more chance of pigs flying through the sky. Sorry.

Computer says "no."

What! Are you serious? 'Test Strategy' and having serious pretentions about getting into MBBB.I'm not really going to dignify this with my usual visceral outpouring, but neddless to say the chances of this happening border on infitessimally small to non-existent.Just what pn earth are you going to tell a McK partner in a case interview about meaningfull experience...writing turgid test scripts in excel and drawing intelligible process diagrams in visio, with equally boring bullet-point ridden power point slides espusing the virtues of configuration management, data architecture, IT strategyCompletely out of the question palZB

What in God's name is 'test strategy'?

fake

Yes it can be done, I did it last year. It was tough, but then I was just executing test scripts, for someone as high powered as you doing Test Strategy, I think they will be snapping at your heels. I have been told that they have been trying to beef up their testing strategy offerings in at least 2 of the MBBB. Just remember to keep trying to emphasise how you can help grow their reputation in test strategy.

Having worked with McKinsey I must confess testing in not a core competence of the Firm. We could never compete agaisnt IBM, Accenture and the likes.Actually we never even tried :-)

So, on a similar vein of questioning, if I happened to be a 1st yr analyst at ACN (in the so-called "Strategy" divison), plotting away to join one of MBBB when (if?) the market turns...am I best to go generalist but keep at "management consulting" as is possible within ACN (not very), or better to specialise into something in the hope that MBBB will have some sort of deficit in the future?Or should I just give up all hope completely and jump off tower bridge? ;-)

For full affect avoid Tower Bridge, a swan dive off the top level of the central lobby at FCS should be sufficient - it will also give DT something other than CR to focus on!

what is MBBB?

Your best bet is just work there for the next couple of years (don't worry too much about the exact area you're working in you're doing), do an MBA somewhere decent like Insead and then you should be able to get interviews at some very good strat firms, if not MBB.

MBBB - McK, Bain, Boston, Booz (or a variant ordering of the BBB)

Are those firms names or cities?

Whilst it has often been said that I live in a world of Booz..I'm yet to actually find a city that goes by that moniker...I think someone else had better head for Tower Bridge ;-)Meanwhile...I agree...the atrium at FCS is a far more fitting option. Although of course the distraction could cause a serious disruption in the delivering of high performance.MBA it is then. Bought the GMAT book today...Harvard won't know whats hit em'. In all seriousness though, thanks for the advice.

Okay, whats with some of these ridiculous posts (especially from ZB).Let me clarify what test strategy is NOT. Test strategy is NOT:- writing test scripts or test plans- executing test scripts or test plansTest strategy is high level strategic work. As a test strategist I examine the external and future environment, and strategically plan out what are the high level goals, objectives, actions and items that a company must do in order to successfully deploy/create/change their multi-million dollar system. And believe me, its tough work and a lot of strategic analysis is done to ensure that these systems are able to be implemented in ambitious, ambiguous and fast changing environments. More importantly they need to be executable and adaptable as they are performed very early and are the first steps to building out the test plan, test scripts and executing the tests.I basically do the same level (in terms of rigor, planning and techniques) of strategic analysis as do corporate strategy analyst, but apply it to testing... so I find it hard to believe that amount of non sense I am reading on this post about test strategy having nothing relevant or even those stupid degrading comments from ZB.

No point trying to BS a forum full of BSers.

Wolfgang works in testing, haha

So you do IT strategy. We get it.MBBB do corporate strategy. It's different.

Wolfgang,What you should realize is that you have certain skills which are transferable to any job you go to after ACN.You need to identify these skills and then map the skill set you need for the new role (this may mean p/t study or taking on extra responsibility at work).Who cares if you work in test strategy, this is fine just take away the test part and turn it around in your CV.If you can sell yourself, you will be fine.

Wolfgang, Although the work you do maybe very strategic your chances of getting into them (certainly in this market) is almost non-existent.Take this for a typical McK entry level Analyst:- 1st from Oxbridge (Natural Sciences, Engineering, other strong degrees)- Excellent extra curricular activites (Head of debating society, 2nd team rugby, ran the marathon, climbed to Mt Everst base camp while travelling etc)- Evidence of wanting to further your career (internship between 2nd and 3rd year uni, not just that you happened to get into strategy once you started your career)Genuinely, for every 100 or so that think they can get into MBBB, only one will, people really don't appreciate how high the bar is. Even if you are in the top 1%, there are still lots of people like you who might be 0.1% better.Finally, Accenture's strategy practice is not the strongest, maybe if you worked at LEK, or perhaps even a PwC (whose practice is actully quite strong), but Accenture's just isn't the mustard.

I worked for McKinsey for four years in London and can tell you that that profile does not match the majority of consultants. Certainly, all are well educated, and many have internship or prior work experience, but a minority are Oxbridge graduates, and very few have extra-ordinary extracurricular involvements. There are plenty of BA's who had not been outside Europe prior to joining McK.Joining MBB firms is tough, yes, but there is no benefit to misleading people about what we are looking for.

Despite the fact you used the word 'leverage' without any hint of irony you DO seem a reasonable sort of chap Wolfgang.Your biggest hurdle will simply be that you haven't gone there already - if you are good enough why haven't you at least applied?My main concern would however be that you show some humility - coming to this forum and asking for advice is itself a sign of such - and this simply won't do at McKinsey: you have to remember to stare into your mirror every morning and practice looking expectant and smug while you say 'We are McKinsey'.

And one more thing - for the attention of Recruiter: you seem to have this idea that MBB consultants are demi-gods; a fair number of them are utterly useless. End of the day they are just a consultancy firm, not the s0dding SAS.Bored of McKinsey worship.

McKinsey are not demi-gods. We are Gods

Well I'd imagine most people on this thread are athiests, so don't expect anyone to drop to their knees.

Not unless i tell you to...