Management Consulting in International Offices
Today I will answer some questions about international management consulting.
Some things to remember about the International Recruiting Process:
First: The interview process for the US is quite competitive. Is it the same internationally?
Yes, this is true across the board. The office you are dealing with has a lot to do with the level of competition you experience.
Internationally, macroeconomic conditions have broadened. An example of this is the burgeoning growth in consulting in Middle Eastern regions. Because of this, it is a bit easier to get through the recruiting process and get hired in the Middle East. Of course, there are certain criteria you must meet.
Click here for some crucial management consulting cover letter advice!
2. If an applicant in the US wants to work in Berlin or Johannesburg, what is a good way to successfully compete?
Here are some points to remember:
-Some offices have a language requirement that is not flexible. If you are interested in working for BCG in Seoul, you must be fairly fluent in Korean. There is no way to get around this.
-Contacts are important. By making the right contacts here in the US, you can get your foot in the door abroad. It is important to network effectively every chance you get. It is helpful to make contacts with US consultants who have had experience in the country you are interested in. This will help you learn more about the international consulting environment. These contacts might introduce you to some good office contacts overseas.
Third: Is it possible to work in the US and then move overseas?
Yes! Actually, this is the best strategy unless you have some terrific reason to start or transition your career to the overseas market. People whose interest in the international market is casual should work in the US to start with, then get staffed on one or two projects overseas before making that transition.
Most global consulting firms have relatively flexible inter-office transfer policies. This usually depends on how good your work is – and it should be outstanding, by the way. To be sure of that, here are a few tips to follow:
-Always produce your best work. This cannot be stressed too strongly. The only way you will build your credibility is to always produce good work. If you want to be staffed on international studies, work well, and build local partner and office support that will drive your office transfer.
-Develop strong relationships with international consultants. Once you have a position in a firm, this is fairly easy to accomplish. Start out by befriending consultants at the lower levels and work your way up. This is easy to do by taking a genuine interest in their work as part of your research.
Click here for part 2 on foreign business and strategy consulting!
