Consulting Recruiting in 2025: What’s True – and What To Do

Consulting is still a solid post-MBA career path. However, hiring has chilled out... and, generally, it's back to the levels we saw pre-pandemic. Overall, there fewer batch hires, more office-by-office decisions, and additional questions about how you use AI at work.

If you're considering a post-MBA career in consulting, it's critical to pick your lane, prove you can do the job, and build relationships.

Read on to learn what's happening in the industry and plan your approach...

Here's what’s actually happening

• Consulting firms are retooling around AI. Accenture is cutting roles it can’t re-skill and training the rest – all while selling more AI work. Expect interviewers to ask how you use AI to get work done.
• Capacity has level-set. 2023’s “Project Magnolia” at McKinsey was the reset, and hiring since has been more intentional by office and practice since.
• Usage of AI ≠ value. BCG reports that most workers touch AI, but only teams that redesign workflows see real gains. So, consulting firms will test your judgment and experience... not just your tool list.

Here's what career leaders are telling us

• “I think consulting will remain a viable option. We’re starting to come out of the COVID hiring bubble... So, yes, consulting will be an option, but we likely won’t see a return to the post-COVID hiring boom.”  – David Capaldi, Cornell Johnson.
  • The opportunities exist... but manage your expectations.
• “Don’t pin all your hopes on McKinsey, Goldman, or Amazon. That’s never been wise, and even more so now. ” – Stephen Pidgeon, Tuck.
  • Widen your focus beyond MBB. Keep your options open, and pivot fast.
• “What differentiates candidates in today’s competitive market is the ability to build relationships, communicate effectively, and fit culturally with teams.” – Abigail Kies, Yale SOM.
  • Network intentionally, and don't overlook soft skills and cultural fit.
• “Over the years, recruiting timelines have become earlier and earlier.” – Phil Han, UCLA Anderson.
  • Take advantage of pre-MBA programs (like Anderson's Summer Immersions) to hit the ground running with recruiting.

Considering the trends and what career directors are hearing, here are next steps to help shape your recruiting strategy:

Create a framework to articulate your goal

Pick your lane – and say what you want in plain English by role + practice / industry + office:

“I'm targeting generalist consulting, healthcare focus, Chicago.”

Why it helps: firms value specificity. It's not enough to say “I'm passionate about becoming a consultant.”

Build a target list that isn’t just the usual firms

Create tiers for your target companies:

• Tier 1: MBB / Big 4 strategy units (select a few offices)
• Tier 2: Boutiques + mid-market (L.E.K., Kearney, Oliver Wyman, and industry-specific boutiques)
• Tier 3: Internal strategy / ops roles (strong training, re-recruit later)

List 40-60 organizations across tiers. Then, prioritize firms by office and practice fit.

Why it helps: The majority of candidates won't land at MBB firms. So, consider your options beyond these companies if you're truly interested in breaking in.

Feature these proof points in your resume (and in your conversations)

1. Structured problem solving + business math.
2. Client leadership. For example, pick one story where you drove influence.
3. Real AI use. “Showing AI usage and where you've been able to influence that adoption is going to be a really important screening tool this year.” – Doug Massa, UC Berkeley Haas.

Structure your examples (ie. problem → approach → result) and include at least one AI-enabled win.

Why it helps: You'll align your value-add with what consulting firms are seeking.

Leverage the program's resources

An MBA is a huge investment in time and money, and the professionals steering recruiting are invested in your success.

Leverage all of the resources they provide, including:

• Summer programming: Engage with the career office early – via summer immersions, career planning, and other informational sessions. The sooner you get up to speed, the sooner you'll hit the ground running.
• Career offices: Get to know the people managing your career management center and learn what they’re hearing from recruiters firsts-hand. Book time and show up!
• Career coaches: Take advantage of mock interviews and strategy sessions. Learn what makes candidates successful and stand out in internship and full-time recruiting processes.
• Consulting clubs: Gain access to case frameworks, guides, case prep sessions, career treks, and more. Use them, learn from them, and show up every week.
• Second-years and recent alums: Network with intention. Get fresh interview notes, intel on firms / cultures / offices, and learn from their mistakes.
• Employer events: Attend office-specific presentations, sign up for coffee chats, and don't miss a free meal! Treat each interaction as a micro-interview and opportunity to build relationships.
• Coursework and practical learning opportunities: Build your analytical skillset and look for ways to flex your tech and AI fluency.

Hopefully, this helps you plan your approach. Consulting hasn’t disappeared as a post-MBA career path – it's simply evolving. Now, firms reward clarity in your career goals, real evidence, and soft skills.

If you’re applying for MBA programs, start now. If you can say exactly what you want, show evidence that maps to the job, and build real advocates, you’ll be a competitive candidate.

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