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Out of Goldman, into McKinsey

19 August 2008

Sarah Butcher

Fed up with life in investment banking? There is an alternative: consultants are hiring. McKinsey & Co., the strategy consulting incarnation of Goldman Sachs, was recently seen soliciting financial services consultants in The Economist, and recruiters in the field assure us there are opportunities aplenty – providing you have the requisite top class degree and big name bank on your CV.

A quick perusal of McKinsey’s own website shows it’s looking for corporate finance associates (minimum two years’ strategy, corporate finance, M&A or valuation experience in a consulting firm, investment bank, accounting firm or major corporation), and corporate finance analysts (AKA graduate trainees).

A spokesman for the firm declined to comment on whether the recruitment drive is down to a) a rush of business, or b) an effort to capitalise on investment banker dissatisfaction, leaving us to assume that it has something to do with both.

Miles Kennedy, a partner in the risk management consultancy arm at PricewaterhouseCoopers, says financial services consulting is “volatile and patchy”, although risk management is still a hot area.

In view of the latter, Kennedy says PwC is accelerating the growth of its risk consulting team.

“Quality of candidates has been the issue in the past,” says Kennedy. "But that's changing as people, including risk management specialists from investment banks, increasingly appreciate the challenge and variety that consulting offers.”

Rakesh Pabbi, of recruiters Consulting Point, says smaller consulting firms are willing to pick up people with investment banking experience. The pay isn’t great, though: “If you’ve got a top degree and have spent four years working in M&A in an investment bank, you’ll come in on £50k-£70k, plus a 10-15% bonus.”

Comments (19)

  • wow  so if you're lucky you'll get paid the same as a second year analyst!

    These firms will just get all the people who were made redundant

    steve 19 Aug 2008

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  • 10-15% bonus ???? Must be a joke, no wonder most consultancies are only given "bit" roles, hardly numbers that attract talent. Having said that, the comp package could be worse - you could be employed by the FSA.

    Wizard of EC1 19 Aug 2008

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  • 50-70K is pathetic pay. better to be on the dole

    Ibanker 19 Aug 2008

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  • only the people who have lost their job will join....

    your cousin 19 Aug 2008

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  • Yes, i confirm: they give that bonus, 15% if you are in the top percentile (top 10% or someting).

    I just went to the recruitment process because they called me, but in the end i decided to remain in the financial sector and get the usual fat salary.

    as 1st y associate you make exactly half with this job...go go to consulting

    human pirhana 19 Aug 2008

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  • To go in consulting after banking you have to be either mad or sick.

    Anyways, i deal with strat consultants sometimes, they deserve that salary, is the result of their lack of specialization...they sell hot air

    sovereign man 19 Aug 2008

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  • better than a kick in the teeth...

    Texas Tiger 19 Aug 2008

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  • Well..dont just sit behind your computers making fun and having a laugh at your own silly jokes.

    When the christmas season, January sales kicks in  and the January bills arrive on your door step....then you know you are really unemployed for sure.

    You lazy sods poking fun online here.. 

    Well get off your bums and start dancing to the McKinsey & Co consulting tune..(Its called job hunting).Nothing wrong with that.

    Tthere will be no jobs left for you all come Janaury 2009..

    So I suggest you  swallow your stupid pride and - go job  hunting- actively seeking work..

    So be smart and  make hay whilst the sun shine...

    Otherwise you dont even qualify for the dole, if you cant prove you are actively looking for a job...

    I give you a few months from now...

    wise man 19 Aug 2008

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  • ...barely...

    ksal7089 19 Aug 2008

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  • worse than a kick in the teeth, actually. More stress, less creative challenge, _and_ less money than banking - a lose-lose proposition.

    A.Banker 20 Aug 2008

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