Dear All,I have recently graduated with an MBA from a top European business school. Having moved back to London, I decided after my MBA that I would like apply to strategic management consultancy firms, only to find out that most of them require previous experience for experienced hires. So instead, I decided that I would leverage my core competencies as an experienced consultant in IT logistics on similar roles for the time being, only to be advised that I was overqualified as I had an advanced degree. I now find myself in an uncomfortable position as I feel as I am "Stuck at a level crossing!" with time ticking away....I have been to several interview lately so I am confident that it is not my cover letter/CV. Ideally, I would like to move into a more strategic consulting role. Would anybody be so kind as to indicate where I am going wrong?Strategically yours,G

How come you hadn't secured a job before you graduated?

Unfortunately, I studied in Belgium where to sercure a job you need to speak three languages: English, Flemish & French. Frankly, an MBA does not give you enough time to search for propoerly in Belgium especially if you don't speak Flemish (I do speak French). Even so, I applied for roles in Belgium and England, but to no avail!! My only hope is to keep trying!!

So what "top European business school" is this in Belgium? Vlerick Leuven Gent is OK I suppose but if you look at the target schools for strategy consultancies you will tend to find that they can be very elitist and may restrict themselves to only a few institutions.

Well, yes it is Vlerick Leuven Gent (currently ranked 12th globally by the Economist). Even so 10% of my class did secure jobs with McK, but I guess other strategy consultancies are too elitist. I wish I knew the way forward...

Without demeaning your school - as I understand it is pretty good - the Econmist rankings throw up some funny results. Could the problem be that the compnaies you are targeting have done their MBA recruitment this year and now have their complement?

I wasn't aware that the Economist threw up some funny results, but last year they ranked us 15th globally I'm pleased to report there is a uplifting tendency, but lets not get carried away!! Lol!! But lets focus on what matters!! Yesterday I was contacted by PRTM for an interview, having posted my application in the "Management Consultancy Careers Fair" I attended in London (Olympia) over three months ago!!! The problem I have is one of feedback when one is turned down, I get the feeling companies are overcautious in avoiding a discrimination law suits that actually harms applicants. I would not be disappointed if a company reported that Vlerick business school was not ideal for their application process, having done their research and gotten their facts correct beforehand!N.B. It's ironic that some companies are quite eager to employ IMD graduates, but not Vlerick graduates. It so happens for e.g. that IMD's MBA program was designed by a Belgian now running our school!! Lol!!

I understand your frustrations. It is no good to allow anxiety attacks, which happens if you are spending all your time looking for a job. My suggestion is that in addition to your efforts to secure a proper position, you may want to get a part-time job (at whatever salary) that is relevant to your career focus. Spread a wider net for now and see how things develop! Also, keep practicing case studies! In fact, I am looking for people who can practice with me. Let me know if you want to spare sometime doing a few cases with me. My email is inashiga@yahoo.com.Emily

Thank you Emile for your honest and straightforward appraisal!! I've thought also that this is really the way to go now, as I think its time for action!! Enough said!! Lol!! I would very much like to work as a team on case studies with you, emailing you soon!!Kind regards,Regie