Paths Into Consulting: Target, Non-Target, & Experienced Hire (Post-Grad)

Management consulting is a highly competitive industry, and the way you get in depends heavily on your starting point. A bachelor's degree is typically the minimum educational requirement for entry-level roles in the consulting industry, and most candidates begin their journey with an undergraduate degree before considering advanced education or experienced hire pathways. Whether you’re coming from a top business school, a university without on-campus recruiting, or already working in a full-time role, your path to a consulting job will look different. In this guide, I’ll break down how to get into consulting from three angles: target school students, non-target school students, postgrads, and experienced professionals. No fluff, no filler, just practical advice based on what actually works in the consulting industry.

Read: What is Management Consulting?

The Target School Path

If you’re at a target school, you already have a front-row seat to the consulting recruiting process. Firms like McKinsey, Bain, and Boston Consulting Group (MBB) invest heavily in structured recruiting at certain top-tier institutions. But access doesn’t guarantee success. You still need to execute your plan with precision. In the early stages, it’s beneficial to take a broader approach by exploring different consulting roles and industries before narrowing your focus.

What Is a Target School?

Target schools are colleges and MBA programs where consulting firms conduct formal on-campus recruiting. These programs usually offer:

• Resume drops and application portals for MBB and other top firms
• Regular networking events, info sessions, and case workshops
• Access to alumni in consulting and school-affiliated prep groups

Examples of well-known target schools include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Wharton, Kellogg, Booth, MIT Sloan, and Stanford GSB. If your school hosts firm presentations, has a dedicated consulting club, and offers consulting-focused resume reviews, it’s likely considered a target school.

How to Maximize Your Position

1. Join a Consulting Club Early

These clubs are often the backbone of successful applications. They host resume workshops, mock case groups, alumni panels, and insider prep sessions. Get involved as early as possible, ideally by your first year (undergrad) or first semester (MBA).

2. Attend Info Sessions and Networking Events

Consulting firms begin hosting info sessions as early as the summer before your junior year. These are not just for show; firms track who attends, follows up, and engages thoughtfully. Make a habit of attending these events and connecting with speakers afterward.

3. Build a Relevant Resume Before Recruiting Season

Top consulting firms look for quantifiable results and leadership. Your resume should show: clear examples of problem-solving and analytical thinking, leadership roles in clubs, internships, or volunteer projects, impact-driven bullet points with metrics (e.g., “Cut delivery time by 25%” or “Managed a $10K student budget”)Expert Tip: Ask for feedback from club mentors or alumni; polished formatting and phrasing can make or break your candidacy.

4. Plan for a Consulting-Relevant Internship

Most candidates land full-time offers through their junior summer internship (or first MBA summer). If you can’t get into MBB yet, aim for roles in: business strategy or operations at well-known companies, tier 2 or boutique consulting firms, and startups or government internships with analytical or project work. What matters is showing transferable skills, not the brand name alone.

5. Keep Your GPA Strong

At most target schools, a GPA under 3.5 will severely limit your options. If you’re in an MBA program, staying in the top quartile of your class is generally expected. Choose rigorous, relevant coursework when possible; business analytics, economics, finance, and statistics are safe bets.

6. Start Interview Prep Well Before Applications Open

Give yourself at least 8–12 weeks to prepare for case and behavioral interviews. Use your club’s resources, find a peer group for practice, and refine your stories using the STAR format. Aim to complete 20–30 live mock cases before your interviews begin.

Why the Target School Path Is So Powerful

It’s not just the name of the school, it’s the system that supports you. You get built-in opportunities for networking, mentorship, resume feedback, mock interviews, and direct firm access. Consulting firms use these systems to identify top candidates quickly and efficiently. That said, your school won’t do the work for you. Candidates who succeed typically start early, prep consistently, and follow up on every relationship and opportunity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Waiting Too Long to Start Case Prep

One of the biggest mistakes candidates make is treating interview prep like a last-minute sprint. If you start practicing only after getting an interview invite, you’re already behind. Case interviews require weeks of structured practice. Build them into your schedule early, ideally 8 to 12 weeks before deadlines.

Using Generic Application Materials

A strong resume and cover letter should feel personalized, not copy-pasted. If you’re sending the same version to every firm, you’re missing the chance to highlight how you align with each one’s values, industries, or culture. Tailored applications signal real interest, and firms can tell the difference.

Treating Networking as a Checkbox

Firm events and info sessions aren’t just about showing up. The goal is to make meaningful connections, ask thoughtful questions, and follow up. Candidates who treat networking as a formality rarely build the kind of relationships that lead to referrals or interview tips.

Relying Too Heavily on Your School Name or GPA

Being at a top school or having a strong GPA helps, but it won’t carry you through the interview process. Consulting firms want to see problem-solving skills, leadership, and a strong understanding of the work. If you assume your credentials are enough on their own, you risk being outpaced by candidates who prepared more strategically.

What If You Miss the Internship Window?

If you don’t land a junior summer consulting internship, you still have options. Many students secure full-time roles after gaining experience in strategy, finance, or analytics. Others apply to boutique firms, off-cycle roles, or lateral positions post-graduation. Consulting firms value improvement and persistence. If you sharpen your skills and stay in touch with your network, you can reapply with a stronger story.

The Non-Target School Path

Coming from a non-target school means your campus probably doesn’t have official partnerships with consulting firms. You won’t find resume drops, coffee chats with MBB recruiters, or alumni-led prep workshops built into your academic calendar. But that doesn’t mean consulting is out of reach; it just means the work is on you.

What you lack in access, you can make up for with resourcefulness and consistency. Many consultants at top firms didn’t start with insider connections or big-brand schools. They got in by proving they could solve problems, communicate clearly, and bring value to clients, just like you can. As a non-target candidate, you must find ways to stand out from other applicants, such as acquiring relevant certifications or demonstrating unique insights during interviews. It’s also crucial to tailor your consulting applications, resumes, and cover letters to highlight the skills and experience most relevant to consulting roles. The path to consulting jobs is open to those who demonstrate the right skills and determination.

What Counts as a Non-Target?

If your school doesn’t offer structured consulting recruiting, things like firm presentations, campus interviews, or a dedicated consulting club, it’s considered a non-target. That typically means fewer built-in opportunities to connect with recruiters or alumni. It also often means fewer peers preparing for case interviews, which can make the process feel more isolating.

Note: The biggest challenge isn’t the school name, it’s that you’re starting without a defined path. Your success depends on how quickly and intentionally you can build your own system.

Start by Building Practical Experience

You don’t need a summer at Bain to be a strong candidate. What matters is showing that you’ve already worked through real-world business challenges. Internships at boutique consulting firms, startups, or strategy-facing departments can go a long way. Even volunteer roles where you helped solve operational or financial problems for a nonprofit can be useful, as long as there’s a measurable impact. These opportunities provide valuable hands on experience, allowing you to develop practical skills that are directly relevant to consulting. Industry experience, even in non-consulting roles, can be leveraged to build credibility and demonstrate your understanding of business environments. Additionally, prior experience in relevant fields can help non-target candidates stand out by showcasing transferable expertise.

If your school doesn’t have a consulting club, consider starting one. That initiative alone can signal leadership and problem-solving, two traits firms value highly.

Expert tip: The goal is to demonstrate you’re already doing the kind of work consultants do, just outside the traditional recruiting channels.

Build a Strategic Network - Without a Built-In Funnel

When you’re not at a school with alumni in consulting, networking has to be deliberate. Start with outreach to people who broke in from similar backgrounds. Use LinkedIn to find consultants who didn’t go to target schools and ask for 15-minute informational interviews. Building relationships with other professionals in the consulting field is crucial, as these connections can provide valuable insights and open doors to new opportunities.

You’re not asking for a job. You’re asking how they prepared, what they wish they knew earlier, and what helped them stand out. These conversations can evolve into real relationships and eventually, strong referrals.

Expert Tip: Follow up with anyone who gives you time. Keep them posted on your progress. When someone sees that you’ve put in the work, they’re much more likely to advocate for you later on.

Treat Case Interviews Like a Core Skill - Not a Final Step

Many non-target applicants don’t get rejected for lack of credentials; they get rejected because they’re underprepared. The case interview process is standardized, which means it can be learned. But it takes serious time. Set a schedule. Block off time each week to run live mock interviews with peers or online partners. Use structured resources like Case Interview by Victor Cheng, Preplounge, or even coaching platforms like Leland. Track your performance across frameworks, mental math, synthesis, and communication. During the interview, listen carefully to the information provided by the interviewer, as this is crucial for understanding and analyzing the business problem. Developing strong problem-solving skills is essential for excelling in case interviews and demonstrating your consulting competency.

The candidates who succeed are the ones who treat case prep like training, not guessing. By the time interviews roll around, you want to sound like someone who’s already been thinking like a consultant.

Add Credibility With Certifications (Optional but Helpful)

If you’re coming from a major outside business, a certification can fill gaps in your technical knowledge. You don’t need one to get hired, but if you’re building your credibility from scratch, it helps. Professional certifications can enhance your credibility and demonstrate your competency to consulting firms. Courses in project management, financial modeling, or data analysis show initiative and can sharpen your resume. The Certified Management Consultant (CMC) designation is also an option, though it’s more useful for experienced professionals.

Note: Just make sure certifications complement your story; they shouldn’t replace actual experience or prep.

What Firms Want From Non-Target Applicants

At the end of the day, consulting firms care less about your school and more about what you’ve done. They want candidates who show initiative, think clearly, and understand how to deliver value to clients. Skills like leadership and analytical thinking are highly valued by consulting firms, as they are essential for success in the industry. It’s important to present yourself effectively to potential employers through a well-crafted resume and strong interview performance.

If your resume reflects leadership, analytical thinking, and measurable impact, that’s what they’ll notice. If your communication in interviews is sharp and structured, that’s what they’ll remember. And if your application reflects a genuine interest in their work, backed by relationships inside the firm, that’s what will set you apart.

Expert Tip: You don’t have to apologize for not going to a target school. You just have to show that you’ve done the work anyway.

The Experienced Hire Path

Not everyone enters consulting straight from undergrad or business school. Many people spend years building careers in tech, finance, operations, or healthcare before deciding to make the switch. If that sounds like you, you’re not alone. Graduate school, such as MBA programs, can be a key entry point for experienced professionals, as top consulting firms heavily recruit from these programs.

Firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain actively recruit experienced professionals for specialized roles, strategic positions, and even generalist tracks. Experienced hires can apply for a consulting position directly through firm portals or via referrals. There are significant career progression opportunities available, allowing experienced hires to advance to senior or leadership roles and transition into related business management positions. The challenge isn’t whether you can pivot, it’s how you position your experience.

Who This Path Is For

This route is best suited for professionals with a few years of full-time work in sectors like technology, healthcare, government, or corporate operations. You may have worked in data analysis, internal strategy, policy, or even product management. You might also be completing or considering an MBA, but an advanced degree isn’t always required. When evaluating candidates, firms pay close attention to a consultant's background, including relevant certifications such as PMP or CMC, and proven experience to ensure the right fit for consulting roles. Whether you’re coming from a Fortune 500, a startup, or the public sector, the key is showing that your previous roles align with what consulting firms value.

Two Main Ways In

There are generally two entry points for experienced professionals: Some go through MBA programs, especially those at schools that act as consulting feeders. This is a more structured path, with on-campus recruiting and internship-to-offer pipelines. Others apply directly to open consulting roles, often through lateral entry, based on their experience level. These hires might join as experienced associates, project leaders, or industry specialists, depending on the firm’s structure and the candidate’s background.

What Consulting Firms Want to See

When evaluating postgrads and experienced hires, firms focus less on school names and more on outcomes. They want to see a clear record of progression, increasing responsibility, bigger scope, and real business impact. Experienced hires are also expected to demonstrate a track record of identifying and solving business problems across different roles or industries.

Strong candidates usually have experience leading teams, managing cross-functional projects, and solving operational or strategic problems. Analytical skills, communication under pressure, and a comfort with ambiguity all matter. So does the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, client-facing environment, especially when tackling complex problems. Firms look for candidates who can solve complex problems and deliver value to clients.

Equally important is fit. Consultants often work long hours in high-stakes settings. Firms want people who can collaborate with clients, adapt quickly, and contribute to a high-performing team from day one.

How to Strengthen Your Application

The first step is to define your consulting goal. Are you aiming for a generalist role, or do you bring deep expertise in an industry like healthcare, tech, or energy? Some experienced hires may also bring their own clients or a strong network within a specific industry, which can be a significant asset to consulting firms. Some firms, like McKinsey Implementation or BCG Platinion, look for specialists, while others may place experienced hires in traditional tracks.

Once you’re clear on your direction, tailor your resume to reflect business-facing outcomes. Focus on results that show measurable impact, whether it’s launching a product, reducing costs, or improving processes. Numbers help. A line like “Led a $2M cost reduction initiative across five departments” says a lot more than “Managed internal workflow improvements.”

Be sure to highlight client work, vendor negotiations, cross-functional collaboration, and any roles where you had to influence stakeholders or manage change. Even if your job title doesn’t scream “strategy,” these experiences show you can handle the types of challenges consultants deal with daily.

And yes, you’ll still need to prepare for case interviews. Many firms use the same format for experienced hires, with slight adjustments based on role. Structured thinking, logical problem solving, and confident communication remain essential.

Why Networking Still Matters

At the experienced level, your resume might land you an interview, but relationships are what move things forward. People want to work with people they trust. That’s true in consulting more than anywhere else.

Start reaching out to consultants at your target firms. Focus on those who made similar transitions or work in areas you’re targeting. Ask them about their path, their team, and the work they’re doing now. These conversations often lead to referrals, interview prep advice, and deeper insight into how roles are structured. Building connections with other consultants, both inside and outside your target firms, can provide valuable industry insights and increase your chances of receiving internal recommendations.

Note: Even a short message or a single conversation can open a door. Don’t skip this step.

Path Comparison Chart

Which Path Is Right for You?

There’s no one-size-fits-all entry point into consulting. The best path depends on your background, access, and how much structure you already have in place. Aspiring consultants should carefully evaluate which path aligns best with their experience and career goals. Here’s how to think about each option.

If You’re at a Target School

Use the infrastructure around you. On-campus recruiting, resume reviews, case prep groups, and alumni networks are designed to help you succeed, but they only work if you use them early and intentionally. Don’t rely on access alone; build a resume that shows leadership and impact, and prepare for interviews months before deadlines hit.

If You’re at a Non-Target School

Expect to build your own system. You may not have resume drops or alumni at MBB firms, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of the running. You’ll need to hustle, gain practical experience, network intentionally, and treat case prep like a job. The good news? Candidates who break in from non-target schools are often some of the best-prepared applicants firms see.

If You’re an Experienced Hire

Leverage your track record. You’ve likely led teams, managed budgets, or driven strategy in past roles. Your job is to connect that experience to the work consultants do, and present it clearly in your resume and interviews. You’ll still need to prepare for case interviews, but your performance history and leadership experience can carry real weight.

Expert Tips That Apply to All Paths

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Strong communication is one of the most important consulting skills. You need to break down complex topics, explain your thought process clearly, and guide others through your reasoning. Whether in interviews, case discussions, or written materials, clarity is what sets you apart.

Master the Core Consulting Skill Set

Consulting firms expect candidates to demonstrate key abilities like structured problem solving, business analysis, and client awareness. You don’t need to have worked in consulting before, but you should be able to think like a consultant. Practice framing problems, analyzing data, and presenting recommendations logically.

Know Why You’re Choosing Consulting

You need a strong, specific answer to the question “Why consulting?” That doesn’t mean memorizing buzzwords. It means having a real story, one that connects your interests, your past experiences, and your long-term goals to the nature of the work. Firms want people who are intentional about the career they’re building.

Commit to Continuous Learning

Consulting values growth, and so should you. The best candidates treat prep seriously. They seek out feedback, track their progress, and actively build the skills they’re missing. If you view learning as a process instead of a checklist, you’ll keep improving even after the interviews.

Build a System - and Stick to It

No matter your path, consistency matters. Create a plan for how you’ll approach applications, case prep, networking, and feedback. Give yourself enough time to practice, refine, and improve without rushing. The discipline to follow through is often what separates prepared candidates from the rest.

For more on the top skills you’ll need as a management consultant, read our article about Soft Skills for Consulting: Why They Matter and How to Develop Them.

The Bottom Line

Many candidates ask how to get into consulting, and think they need to follow a traditional path. The truth is, there’s no perfect background. Whether you went to a target school, came from a non-business major, or built experience in another industry, you can still land a job at a top consulting firm.

What matters most is that you take a systematic approach: build experience, write a strong resume and cover letter, prepare thoroughly for consulting interviews, and stay active in your professional network. If you’re ready to start your career in consulting, take the next step now, not later.

Get Your Dream Consulting Job With the Help of an Expert

Breaking into consulting takes focus, preparation, and the right guidance. No matter where you’re starting from, you don’t have to figure it out alone. To increase your chances of receiving a job offer from top firms, prepare thoroughly and make use of job boards to find and apply for consulting opportunities, including roles at the Big 3.

If you want personalized feedback or expert support, connect with a coach who’s helped candidates land roles at MBB and other top firms. The right advice can save you time and help you stand out where it matters most. You can find them all here, or look below for our highest-rated professionals.

For more helpful advice on the world of consulting, read our articles:

• Types of Consulting: A Comprehensive Overview
• Five Tips to Break Into Management Consulting
• A Day in the Life of a McKinsey Management Consultant
• An Overview of Different Jobs in Consulting

FAQs for Starting Your Career in Consulting

What skills are essential for a successful consulting career?

• Consulting firms look for essential skills such as problem-solving, strong communication, data analysis, project management, and the ability to work with clients and teams. Additionally, business acumen, adaptability, and teamwork are crucial. Developing these essential skills through both educational background and practical experience is key to success in the management consulting field.

How do I choose the right consulting firm for my career?

• Start by understanding the differences between MBB firms (commonly referred to as the top three consulting firms globally), large firms, and smaller boutique firms. Think about your background, interests, and the kind of clients you want to serve. Consulting firms serve clients across a wide range of industries and needs, so consider which sectors and types of projects interest you most. Consider firm size, culture, industry focus, and training programs.

How do I set myself up for a consulting career during business school?

• Get involved in consulting clubs, case competitions, and networking events. Use your school’s recruiting timeline to prepare for summer internship applications and consulting interviews. Focus on building key skills and a strong resume early.

What should I include in my consulting resume and cover letter?

• Show clear results from your professional experience. Highlight project management, business impact, and leadership. Use numbers where possible. In your cover letter, explain your genuine interest in consulting and the specific firm.

How do I prepare for consulting interviews?

• Practice case interviews with peers or coaches. Focus on clear structure, logic, and communication. Review your STAR stories for behavioral interviews. Use mock interviews and expert feedback to improve your delivery.