Breaking: Full Time MBA On Campus Recruiting To Be Pared Back This Year

Management consulting is a popular career path for many business school students, particularly those pursuing an MBA. However, the recruiting landscape has been changing recently in the wake of macroeconomic factors.

As a result, Management Consulted is hearing that many firms – including McKinsey, Bain, BCG, and Kearney – will be paring back on-campus recruiting for 2nd year MBA candidates this year. But fear not, there are still ways to land a consulting job as a 2nd year MBA candidate!

In the past, management consulting firms heavily relied on on-campus recruiting to fill post-MBA positions. This process involved visiting top business schools in the early fall and conducting extensive interviews with students for full-time roles that would start the following summer.

However, with the recent plateauing in demand for consulting services, broader economic uncertainty, and delayed start dates for graduating MBAs, firms no longer have as large of a staffing gap that needs to be filled by full-time MBA recruiting.

What does this mean for you? If you’re a 1st year MBA candidate, it means that you need to take internship recruiting really seriously this year – you may not get a chance to re-recruit next year.

If you’re a 2nd year MBA candidate wanting to recruit for full-time roles, you will need to approach the process like an experienced hire – which means you’ll have to be proactive about networking to get your foot in the door. Bonus points if you can highlight a specific skill set (e.g., data analytics) or industry expertise to brand yourself as a subject matter expert. In addition, you may have to get more creative with your office selection – for example, there are more opportunities available in Middle Eastern offices (e.g., Dubai) than in many other regions. Overall, with firms no longer coming to campus, 2nd-year MBA candidates will need to work harder and smarter to stand out.

So, what can you do as a 2nd-year MBA candidate to increase your chances of landing a consulting job? The answer is simple – network your butt off. Networking has always been an essential part of the job search process, and it’s even more critical now that on-campus recruiting is being pared back.

Networking Tips

Here are some tips to help you navigate the networking process:

1. Start Early

Don’t wait until the last minute to start networking. Start reaching out to alumni and industry contacts as soon as possible to build relationships and identify which offices/practice areas have staffing needs.

2. Use Your School’s Alumni Network

Many business schools have extensive alumni networks that can be a valuable resource for job seekers. Reach out to alumni who work in the consulting industry and ask for a referral.

3. Attend Virtual Events

While in-person events may be limited, many consulting firms are still hosting virtual events that you can attend. Use these events as an opportunity to learn more about the firm and make connections with recruiters.

4. Leverage LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a powerful networking tool that can help you connect with recruiters and industry professionals. Make sure your profile is up-to-date and use it to reach out to people in the industry.

5. Be Prepared

When you do get the opportunity to speak with a recruiter or industry professional, be prepared. Here are our top tips to nailing an informational interview.

Conclusion

In conclusion, some firms are paring back on-campus recruiting for 2nd-year MBA candidates this year. However, this doesn’t mean that opportunities are not available. By networking your butt off and treating the job search process like an experienced hire does, you can increase your chances of landing a consulting job. Remember to start early, leverage your school’s alumni network, attend virtual events, use LinkedIn, and be prepared.

For additional support, work with the expert team at Management Consulted through Black Belt, our premier recruiting prep program. We’ll edit your resume & cover letter, build you a personalized networking strategy, and prepare you for the case interview.

 

Additional Resources:

• 5 Consulting Recruiting Trends to Know for 2023
• Will Tech Consulting Experience Help me in Recruiting for Strategy Consulting?
• How do I prepare for the consulting recruiting process?