Strategy consulting is one of the most sought-after career paths for MBA graduates. With firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain offering high pay, steep learning curves, and exposure to top business challenges, it’s easy to see why. But getting in and thriving once you do requires more than ambition.

What Consulting Firms Look For

Top consulting firms are highly selective as the job requires a person to be more in aware of his venture and many such pointers that will discuss futher so its not just about getting certian grades and passed out from a good B-school that secure a position at consulting firm they look beyond academic achievement and they evaluate candidates on four key areas 

• Analytical and problem-solving skills: Consultants are paid to simplify complex issues. You’ll be expected to structure problems clearly, work with data, and arrive at practical solutions. Case interviews are designed specifically to test this.

• Communication and influence: A consultant’s role is not just about finding the answer but about getting a client to trust and adopt it. Clear, persuasive storytelling with numbers and logic is essential.

• Leadership and teamwork: Consulting is team-driven. Firms want people who can step up, lead discussions, and guide groups even when they don’t have formal authority. Past leadership experiences matter here.

Curiosity and adaptability: Projects shift across industries from healthcare to energy to finance. Consultants must quickly learn new domains and adapt to changing client needs.

How to Prepare for Recruitment

Breaking into consulting from an MBA requires disciplined preparation across several areas its and not just on the huge pile of case study you read and practise because thats the most common point of view of many who wants to break into consulting is more case study = guranteed position which is not 100% true and so there are other areas that need equal preparation 

• Case interview practice: The backbone of consulting recruitment. Candidates must practice structuring problems, asking the right questions, and driving toward actionable insights all under time pressure. Rehearsing with peers helps simulate the real experience.

• Behavioral interviews: Firms want to know how you’ve demonstrated leadership, handled conflict, or delivered results in the past. Using structured frameworks like STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can make responses crisp and compelling.

• Networking with consultants: Coffee chats and alumni conversations help candidates understand firm culture and make their applications stand out. Recruiters often look more closely at candidates with strong internal referrals.

• Leveraging MBA consulting clubs: Most top business schools run consulting prep groups that organize mock interviews, speaker panels, and resume reviews. These resources are often the difference between an average candidate and a well-prepared one.

At UCLA Anderson, ~27% of the MBA Class of 2023 entered consulting. Many credited structured peer-led prep groups as their biggest advantage in securing offers.

Life Inside Consulting

The consulting lifestyle can be rewarding like we see many grads and professional travelling bussiness class, frequent international meeting, luxiours lifestyle and many more but what no one tells you that its equally or more demanding physically mentally emotionally 

• Travel demands: Many consultants spend most of their week at client sites. This means Monday flights, midweek hotel stays, and Friday evenings back home. While remote models have increased post-pandemic, travel is still a major part of the job.

• Long work hours: Workweeks can range from 50 to 80 hours, depending on project timelines. Deadlines and client demands often stretch beyond the standard 9 to 5.

• Fast learning: Consultants are expected to ramp up on new industries and business models within days. This can feel overwhelming but is also one of the reasons consulting is such a rapid learning environment.

• Team dynamics: Teams are often small but intense, with consultants collaborating closely under high pressure. Strong interpersonal skills are as important as technical ability.

Breaking into consulting after an MBA isn’t about being the smartest it’s about preparation, structured problem-solving, and resilience. The path is tough, but the payoff in skills, networks, and future opportunities makes it one of the most rewarding MBA career tracks available.