Typical Entry Criteria
Work Experience
A candidate will be a top performer and have a fast track record of within the industry and functional practices in which he or she has operated.
Evidence of this is sought irrespective of the number of years work experience he or she possesses and the seniority and nature of the role that the individual is applying for. Such evidence may include Internal Recognition and Client Satisfaction Awards (for strategy consulting firms) and Company Sponsorships through MBA schools and other academic fields of study. Upon annual review it is common for candidates to be rated in the top 10% of their peer group and we recognise many of our consulting clients operate an Up or Out policy.
Depending on the role on offer, our clients often express a clear preference for where a candidate has gained his or her strategic experience. This may either be a in a pure strategic role within a Strategy House or Boutique or alternatively via a strategic role within Industry. Many clients favour an individual with hybrid consulting and industry exposure as this all round exposure can lead to a more objective, balanced and seasoned individual. This is of great appeal for firms looking for a C-Suite business leader and those firms actively cultivating Thought Leadership programmes.
Our specialist knowledge and long term track record working with our clients will allow Tier One candidates a strong insight into the preferences of any given client prior to an application being lodged. For example, it may be commonplace for a leading Strategy House to seek applicants from a variety of backgrounds including Finance, Law, Engineering, Government, the Military, Medicine or Industry. By contrast a more Boutique or Start-Up Strategy House with lesser resources may harbour a more restrictive business focused view of their channels of intake – but which are likely to evolve over time. Understanding the differences is essential for a prospective applicant wishing to ensure success.
Similarly, it is commonplace for many clients to operate their proprietary global Human Resources (HR) databases in conjunction with a one year re-application rule (which may be much longer in reality) for an individual to be allowed to be reconsidered by any of their offices. As such it is critical that a candidate fully understands the bespoke qualifying criteria for a successful application from the outset – as this forms the basis of when and when not to apply and allows the individual to maximise their impact from the start. This is our field of expertise.
Candidates seeking a placement within the United Kingdom must be fluent in English and hold an EU or Tier 1 work permit.
Tier One is committed to the promotion of equality and diversity in the workforce.
Academic Achievement
Candidates must possess the following qualification:
- Bachelor Degree. This must be from a leading University, preferably First Class and with a minimum of 2:1 Classification. This assumes a United Kingdom example and we will assess each foreign candidate on an individual merit basis based on the educational system that they have studied under.
In addition it is highly likely that a candidate will possess one or more of the following qualifications:
- Master Degree in Business Administration (MBA). This qualification is the most directly relevant and historically the most prolific amongst candidates. It is favoured by both Strategy Consulting and Industry clients alike. It is highly likely that candidates will have attended one of the listed business schools.
- Advanced Professional Degrees (APDs). These include a Doctorate (PhD), Law (JD), Medical (MD) or non-business Master degree. The hire of individuals with APDs has become more widespread in recent years as candidates already possess the core foundation skills such as the ability to solve problems – develop hypotheses, collect and analyse data, draw conclusions and make recommendations. Holders of APDs also possess the intellectual curiosity having answered problems others have not solved and tried solutions others have not thought of trying in their research.
It is likely that a candidate will have received and can demonstrate sponsorship through his or her time within academia. This includes Current Employer, Government (e.g UK Chevening Scholarship), Trusts / Academic Institutions (e.g Rhodes Scholarship) or Industry.
We require candidates to supply us with full details and transcripts of grades attained within academia, including for example: GPAs, GMATs and GRE scores. This will provide our clients with an accurate picture as to candidate suitability for the position on offer and speed up the application process.
Extra-Curricular Activity
Clients will be seeking reassurance that the hire in question will be a strong fit for their organisation.
A clear and demonstrable track record of achievement in areas outside of work and academia provides an insight into the character, personality and nature of the individual. These insights will be measured against the firms own internal benchmarks and profile of the ideal candidate for the role to help ascertain whether the individual is likely to be effective, a good cultural fit and ultimately successful within the organisation.
This varied evidence may include recognition, awards gained or time spent in any of the following:
- Extra-curricular work activity (e.g. lecturing / projects / specialist research)
- Academic qualifications (additional and gained whilst working e.g. CFA)
- Entrepreneurial activities
- Charity work
- Political activities
- Sporting achievements
- Travel
- Languages
Business Schools
Leading Business Schools that our Post MBA level applicants are likely to have attended include:
- Australian School of Business: AGSM
- City University: Cass
- Columbia Business School
- Cornell University: Johnson
- Cranfield School of Management
- Dartmouth College: Tuck
- Duke University: Fuqua
- Ecole Superieure de Commerce de Paris
- Esade Business School
- Georgetown University: McDonough
- Harvard Business School
- HEC: Paris
- Hong Kong UST Business School
- Indian School of Business
- IE Business School
- IESE Business School
- IMD
- Imperial College Business School
- Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
- INSEAD (France and Singapore)
- London Business School
- Melbourne Business School
- MIT Sloan School of Management
- New York University: Stern
- Northwestern University: Kellogg
- Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
- SDA Bocconi
- Stanford Graduate School of Business
- Tuck School of Business
- University of California at Berkeley: Haas
- University of Cambridge: Judge
- University of Chicago: Booth
- University of Oxford: Said
- University of Pennsylvania: Wharton
- University of St Gallen
- University of Virginia: Darden
- Warwick Business School
- Yale School of Management
Interview Preparation
Prepare thoroughly and do not treat the process lightly
We welcome the opportunity to have a confidential chat with you. Please feel free to contact us today. Alternatively, if you wish to submit your CV electronically, feel free to using our contact form.
Tier One
Executive Search for Strategists
Founded in 2003 and privately owned, we are a specialist London based Executive Search firm. Our focus is the placement of top flight Business Strategists into Strategic Consulting and Industry positions.
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