Kunwar Raj’s Post

How NOT getting into #Mckinsey at 21 is the most successful thing that happened to me. For context, McKinsey & Company's Business Analyst role is one of the most coveted roles for getting hired on St. Stephen's College campus. At age 20, all I dearly wanted to work at the firm and I tried with all my might to secure a spot. Only to fail my young 20 year self. I remember being harsh to myself on how I could allow this to happen. As fate would have it, I later went onto to join a boutique #consulting firm. Left it in 9 months to do many more interesting things in life. - Such as a growth role in a leading startup in 2015, when #Zomatoes of the world were just coming up. Learned a great deal on how to run a startup. - Worked with the #PrimeMinister's strategic initiatives in 2016- when policy consulting wasn't even publicly so covetous ! --- I of course later went to work full time for BCG at age 27 and learnt a great deal. But the thing is I went on to take a very non traditional career path before my MBA and post Boston Consulting Group (BCG) too. Not getting into a big firm as Mckinsey 21, allowed me to take bigger risks, travel India solo at the age 24 and take unchartered territories -- literally and metaphorically :) So, why am I penning this today ? Because if your dreams are shattered. Don't lose hope. Stay tight ! Life's uncharted plans are going to make you smile, in more ways than you can ever imagine ❤️.

What will my life look like once I get into Consulting? Will I be hired as an Analyst or an Associate? These are some of the most common questions that I keep hearing from consulting aspirants across different platforms. To help you in understanding how one's career progresses in terms of work, compensation, and job titles after getting into Consulting, I am sharing a detailed guide below. Follow us (Career Edge) for more such content on careers in management consulting and business school preparation, if you found this helpful! And to relaunch your career and build your strategy toolkit through live mentorship & placement assistance by folks working with McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Dalberg, you can become a part of our Consulting Fellowship (Application link is in the comments). #careers #knowledge #strategy

Call me weird, but I get excited and hopeful when I'm a part of our admissions interviews for our full-time MBA program. As a frequent interviewer, I'm often asked what MBA students can do to prepare for their career searches. My answer is simple: "Start your search now." If you're interested in consulting, here are three key opportunities with deadlines you should be aware of: - BCG's Unlock program targets pre-MBA students for those starting a 2-year full-time MBA program. The deadline is April 28. https://lnkd.in/g3bdGMRW - Bain & Company's Building and Supporting Excellence (BASE) targets Black, Hispanic/Latin American, or Indigenous students who have accepted an admissions offer to start a full-time, 2-year MBA program in the fall. The deadline is May 5. https://lnkd.in/gD4V_q5h - McKinsey's Early Access targets students starting a U.S. full-time MBA this year and expected to graduate in 2026. The deadline is May 13. https://lnkd.in/g_Uihmr5 Remember, the key to success is to start your career search early and work closely with your career center often. Good luck!

I had the privilege of working with two prominent MNCs - Deloitte and Aditya Birla Group. As mentioned in my earlier post, it was a conscious choice to transition to startups, but here are some benefits of the corporate world: 1. Structured Approach: Corporates provide a framework where rules and processes drive growth—an invaluable lesson for any startup as it scales. 2. Stability and Security: While the landscape is evolving, corporates traditionally offer a stable work environment with consistent income and job security, easing financial concerns. 3. Training and Development: Access to continuous learning opportunities, workshops, and seminars ensures you’re always at the cutting edge of your field. 4. Career Path: Corporates often provide clear career progression and development programs, helping employees set and achieve long-term goals. 5. Most Important One: You don’t have to explain what your company does - everyone already knows and probably has an opinion about it! Embracing a corporate career can be a strategic move towards personal and professional growth. What has been your experience with corporate roles?

If you have a few years of work experience & you want to target Consulting: Scenario #1: 1) You are applying for a generalist associate role at McKinsey, BCG, and Bain. 2) You are competing for the same associate-level role with folks from top business schools (IIMs / ISB in India & INSEAD / Harvard etc. in the other markets). You might say that - My resume is fantastic. But, please don't ignore that others also will have a good resume:) Remember, these guys got into these good schools and have already proven their worth. So who will McKinsey, BCG, Bain give an interview invite, REALISTICALLY? Scenario #2: 1) You are applying for a Marketing associate role (or Supply chain role or some specific functional/industry) within McKinsey, BCG, or Bain because of your relevant work experience. 2) Your experience also matches with what these guys are looking for (it is obvious if you go through their website). 3) Now, you are not competing with everybody from every Top business school out there. You are competing with fewer folks. 4) And you are competing on your strengths (which is very important). Your chances of getting in obviously increase! After you work for a few years in these firms, you will know a lot of people and you can pick and choose which projects you want to work on:) Including finance/PE/supply chain/HR projects, etc. . . You don't need to fight ONLY the tough battles. You can fight the battles which you are good at:) Be realistic. The results will be in your favor. *** On our learning platform, Inquisitive Minds - the coming weekend, we are hosting a session with a professional who cracked one of the big 3 consulting firms after working for a few years in the corporate world. Join if you are keen. Link to enroll: https://lnkd.in/gXWJCxT4

Wondering which career path to go ahead with? - Consulting roles or a Startup job. That's a tough call and that's something that a lot of early professionals and college students have to take. To help you out, we have collated some key differences and similarities between the two career paths. Hope this helps you in making the right choice! Follow us (Career Edge) for more such content on consulting careers and business school preparation, if you found this helpful! And to get into Consulting through live mentorship & placement assistance by mentors from McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Dalberg, and Accenture, you can become a part of our Consulting Fellowship (Application link is in the comments). #careers #consulting #startups

🌟 Unveiling Career Paths: Consulting Firms Comparison (BCG, McKinsey, Bain) 🌟 Ever wonder how consulting firms like BCG, McKinsey, and Bain structure career progression? Let's uncover the secrets to climbing the corporate ladder with this detailed comparison table! (Disclaimer: This information is based on independent research and analysis conducted by me and is intended for informational purposes only. Any views or opinions presented in this post are solely those of mine and do not necessarily represent those of BCG, McKinsey, Bain, or any other referenced entities.) Key Insights from the Career Paths: Getting Started: The journey, except for McKinsey, usually begins with "Associate" roles, with pre-MBA tracks existing at these firms. Moving Up: Analyst roles (Senior Associate/Consultant) pave the way to Management Consultancy leadership positions (Project Leader, Principal/Director). Reaching the Top: The peak lies in titles like "Senior Partner," reflecting leadership and client management competence. 🌟 Attached is a comparison table for a visual breakdown of the career paths! 🌟 ❓ Based on the table, what level are you currently aiming for? ❓ With the rise of GenAI and evolving consulting trends, do you think these traditional titles will remain the same in the future? 📚 For more information, visit the links in my comment below! 📚 #ConsultingCareer #CareerProgression #BCG #McKinsey #Bain #BusinessInsights

The best career advice I got! When I left Bain & Company, I was on a crossroads between going back to industry, staying in consulting, or maybe exploring tech (which I did eventually). I've asked for advice from the most senior partner I worked with - amazing airline guru Geoffrey Weston. I asked for advice, expecting hints of industry trends, or maybe a recommendation. But the advice was even more brilliant 🥲 So brilliant, I think I quoted it dozens of times in conversations! To build a great career you need to care about 3 things: 1. Partner 2. Location 3. Work for nice people What would you guys add to the mix? 🙃 What great advice have you got? #career #advice #consulting #mentor #motivation

Did you know that breaking into firms like McKinsey, Bain, and BCG is harder than getting into an Ivy League university? The truth is, less than 1% of applicants make the cut. But those who do often set themselves up for success like few others. Why pursue a career at these elite consulting firms? Let me tell you— ✅ The salaries are staggering. Starting salaries for new MBAs can exceed $190,000. Think about it—these positions not only come with financial rewards. They also offer incredible exit opportunities into senior roles in Fortune 500 companies or even launching your own venture. 👉 Plus, the training is unmatched. You’ll gain hands-on experience solving complex business problems. You will work alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry. It won’t be easy. Expect long hours and relentless dedication. But if you have the ambition to aim for greatness, the rewards are absolutely worth it. Are you ready to elevate your career and join the ranks of the world's best consultants? Let’s connect and discuss how you can make it happen. #Consulting #CareerGrowth #Success

Are you appearing for a Consulting interview soon? Before that, you should be well versed with commonly used finance terms and phrases. One such phrase is "Credit Rating". We have collated deeper nuances of what this term means below. Repost this to help others! Follow us (Career Edge) for more such content on Consulting & MBA. And to get into Management Consulting through live mentorship & placement assistance from mentors who are working with McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Dalberg, and Accenture, you can apply for our Consulting Fellowship (Application link is in the comments). #careers #jobinterviews #strategy