Product manager at FAANG vs management consultant at MBB?

New
xBeL85

New

xBeL85
Aug 31, 2019 8 Comments

How would you compare the two in terms of:
1. Intellectual stimulation
2. Work/life balance
3. Professional growth/exit opportunities

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TOP 8 Comments
  • Facebook
    peidhxkn

    Go to company page Facebook

    PRE
    Netflix, Adobe
    peidhxkn
    Where are you at in your career?
    I just got an offer from McKinsey at engagement manager level and had to decline bc the pay was the same as my IC5 pay without signon. Didn’t want to work longer to get paid the same. I really wanted it to work bc I want to work with smart people at McK.

    I think it makes more sense earlier in your career.

    Also with the economic downturn coming/already here, companies would cut consulting services hence less work potentially which could impact your bonus and promotions at MBB. Or nature of work would change to more cost cutting vs growth type work - so depends on what you find more interesting.

    Professional growth: what u learn at mbb are senior stakeholder mgmt and thinking through problems (at least at EM levels, and think you can get those things as long as ur clear with ur manager that that’s what you want. At least at google/fb, managers are expected to give you oppties to learn what u want to learn. Netfilx/amazon - not so much, they don’t really care about managers being good managers.

    Exit opportunities - depends on where u want to exit to, but think about the same
    Aug 31, 2019 5
    • Airbnb
      falafeł

      Go to company page Airbnb

      falafeł
      Interesting. Thanks for sharing. Was this for a role focusing on a specific sector or market?
      Aug 31, 2019
    • Facebook
      peidhxkn

      Go to company page Facebook

      PRE
      Netflix, Adobe
      peidhxkn
      I have mba from top 5. non-tech, not PM. Won’t say more as it could reveal my identity :) but i wasn’t interviewing as an “industry expert” with no path to partner
      Aug 31, 2019
  • Oracle
    L7rdtM

    Go to company page Oracle

    L7rdtM
    1. MBB. Variety in projects, constant self-reflection.
    2. PM, as most can pick how hard they need to work. Consultants average long hours and constantly travel.
    3. MBB is easier long term because of growth mindset it builds. If WLB doesn't break you, it becomes very well paying, and partner is reasonably achievable. You can also potentially exit to director level elsewhere. Ironically, many try to exit to FAANG because of the WLB and become PMs.
    Aug 31, 2019 0
  • Google
    nanithefu

    Go to company page Google

    nanithefu
    They are very different career paths. PM is more of a longer term career where you can stay in it for a while. MBB is up or out so if you're not promotable at the ~30 month mark you'll be fired. Generally if you want to do product then do product. If you want to do business stuff (strategy, ops) then do consulting.
    Aug 31, 2019 0