HiI'm part of the strategy practice in a 'Big4' consultancy, having joined after graduation three years ago.I'm doing well & enjoy the work in the main but have come to the realisation that I want to be at a smaller firm, without the distractions of 100+ consultant implementation projects and associated reputation this carries for the brand at some clients, (i.e. do implementation and PMO work very well, but want to get others to do the upfront analysis.)I understand that a move to MBB at this juncture is unlikely, so am interested to understand how realistic a move to a 'tier 2' strategy house would be (i.e. OC&C, LEK, Marakon, Roland Burger, ATK etc.)

The 'Tier 2' are no less competitive or demanding of applicants than MBB so if you doubt your chances at MBB then applying to ATK, OC&C et al won't make it any easier (and in fact I've heard some of OWs entry tests are harder than MBB).What is it that makes you think a move to MBB is unlikely at this juncture? If you lack the academic grades for MBB you'll lack them for RB, OW, OC&C etc too, but if it is something else...?

I wrote a reply but it seems to have disappeared...It was just based on my perception that MBB recruit at milkround, post MBA and senior level, whereas others have more entry points. Happy to be corrected!I've got an undergrad 2.1 from a big London uni and pretty strong school grades.

MBB do have less entry points usually, but ad hoc hires are not unknown so apply to all of them. Let us know how you get on of course!