5 ms·

If you're getting their resume, maybe they didn't succeed and they might have ethics :)

short_sells_poo 5y ago
I'd agree with you. Basically the way these companies work is that either you make partner in a specific timeframe, or you are encouraged to go elsewhere. Almost by definition, people who have a big consultancy on their resume did not make it to partner for one reason or another.
- elliekelly 5y ago
  Part of the business model is farming out “alumni” to lucrative management roles at large companies (usually clients) with the expectation they’ll turn around and engage the firm for even more consulting work.
- wil421 5y ago
  Most people I know who worked for the Big 4 left because they were treated like dogs and worked endless hours. It’s not that they couldn’t make partner it’s that they didn’t want to. This applies to both the accounting and IT consulting practices. A few of the accounting people have very successful careers that pay much more than consulting, including being a CFO. A lot of others left for smaller consultancies where they are able to have a say in the company versus being a cog in the wheel. I’ve debated going to McKinsey or the Big 4 but I’m not traveling Sunday-Thursday. Smaller shops pay more. Speaking with other consultants I’ve found that working with medium sized Software Vendors means great benefits including sweet RSUs and they don’t travel as much.
tharne 5y ago
That's a good a point, and something I honestly hadn't thought of. They could be ethical folks who got sick of the BS.
- burkaman 5y ago
  I've worked with a lot of former "big 3" consultants and they universally hated it and got out once they realized how toxic the culture and organization was. Remember that they recruit people right out of college and they're very good at selling themselves, as that's what they do for a living. People won't want to badmouth their former employer in an interview, but this is definitely something you should keep in mind.
- DrBenCarson 5y ago
  If you're interviewing a former McKinsey employee who didn't spend any time at Partner, there is a very good chance you're interviewing someone who 1. has at least as much distate for McKinsey as you do and 2. cannot say so before being hired because badmouthing employers isn't a great interview approach. The reason you hate McKinsey is not the people who leave, it's the people who don't.

I'd agree with you. Basically the way these companies work is that either you make partner in a specific timeframe, or you are encouraged to go elsewhere. Almost by definition, people who have a big consultancy on their resume did not make it to partner for one reason or another.

elliekelly 5y ago
Part of the business model is farming out “alumni” to lucrative management roles at large companies (usually clients) with the expectation they’ll turn around and engage the firm for even more consulting work.
wil421 5y ago
Most people I know who worked for the Big 4 left because they were treated like dogs and worked endless hours. It’s not that they couldn’t make partner it’s that they didn’t want to. This applies to both the accounting and IT consulting practices. A few of the accounting people have very successful careers that pay much more than consulting, including being a CFO. A lot of others left for smaller consultancies where they are able to have a say in the company versus being a cog in the wheel. I’ve debated going to McKinsey or the Big 4 but I’m not traveling Sunday-Thursday. Smaller shops pay more. Speaking with other consultants I’ve found that working with medium sized Software Vendors means great benefits including sweet RSUs and they don’t travel as much.

tharne 5y ago

That's a good a point, and something I honestly hadn't thought of. They could be ethical folks who got sick of the BS.

burkaman 5y ago
I've worked with a lot of former "big 3" consultants and they universally hated it and got out once they realized how toxic the culture and organization was. Remember that they recruit people right out of college and they're very good at selling themselves, as that's what they do for a living. People won't want to badmouth their former employer in an interview, but this is definitely something you should keep in mind.
DrBenCarson 5y ago
If you're interviewing a former McKinsey employee who didn't spend any time at Partner, there is a very good chance you're interviewing someone who 1. has at least as much distate for McKinsey as you do and 2. cannot say so before being hired because badmouthing employers isn't a great interview approach. The reason you hate McKinsey is not the people who leave, it's the people who don't.