Consulting Career
How should I raise an office transfer request in my first year?
I am still fairly new at an MBB office in Asia, but my partner has a job offer in Europe. I speak the languages of the destination office. I am nervous about asking internally so early. Who should I speak to, and how should I raise the possibility of a transfer?
Ian’s Answer
It's pretty rare to do transfers that early in, but your request seems perfectly reasonable.
I would go and talk to HR as well as the “allies” you've built at the firm (i.e. Partners and Principals you've done good work for). Get them to fight for you and look for any and all opportunities there (full transfer, rotation program, specific project, etc.)
If you would quit the firm if they don't transfer you, then you need to tell them that (if they deny your initial request). They would rather know that's the case and fight to keep you than let you leave.
That is, after all, how I managed to move to (and stay in) Australia for 3 years after only having worked for the company for 1 year! (In a consulting role prior to BCG)