MBA Graduate Recruitment at A.T. Kearney: Interview

TopMBA.com talks to A.T. Kearney Partner Charles Hughes, about recruiting MBA graduates and how the firm is developing its next generation of business leaders. 

What do you believe really motivates the best candidates to join your organization?

I think it comes down to the breadth of the work that we do. A.T. Kearney engages with clients across a breadth of industry sectors and services with the single focus of leaving lasting results for clients. Our services cover strategy to implementation to the transfer of skills to the client's staff. In their early days, MBAs experience a variety of engagements across multiple sectors, both in the UK and overseas. As well as enjoying this breadth at first, an MBA has the ability to grow within A.T. Kearney over the long-term. We are looking for self-starters who can develop themselves, the business, and become leaders of the firm.

Do you think these factors have changed at all in recent years?

Yes, definitely. We recently completed our management buyout from EDS, which had acquired us in 1995. The vibrancy in A.T. Kearney since the buyout is now filtering into the MBA marketplace - we see this when we attend business schools in the UK and in Europe. MBAs are keen to join a branded consultancy organization such as A. T. Kearney.

Is money still a decisive factor?

To be honest, no. People are now taking a more balanced view, looking at what the options are in terms of working life and promotion, with compensation ranking as a third criterion.

What part do formal training and development programs play in attracting and retaining good people?

Formal training is very much part of the bundle of things that MBAs look for in the companies they join. At A.T. Kearney, this support starts from day one. There's a pan European orientation week and each consultant has an individual development program, which is fairly rigorous in the first year - probably 15 training days - so they can become conversant with all consulting skills. Subject experts are available across the company to train staff, many of whom are authors of business books or have published industry insights in our quarterly journal, Executive Agenda. Each member of staff has a formal mentor to monitor career progression and we also run an annual Academy, which is a two day-long series of training classes with mandatory attendance for everyone in the firm. Our emphasis on training certainly helps retain the best talent. We receive glowing feedback from our training courses, but we're still looking to add new elements to them for the future.

How would you describe the atmosphere within A.T. Kearney to a prospective recruit?

Vibrant - absolutely vibrant. We recently changed the layout of our London office so that it's fully open-plan. It encourages open working and has lead to transparency, closer collaboration and much more of a buzz. This atmosphere is demonstrated by FITO - Friday In The Office - that takes place on the last Friday of every month. This event is always  extremely well-attended and is a chance for people, across all grades, to update each other about business and company news. We also ensure talented individuals join our Affinity Groups, which take place on the same day. These groups are sector specific and everybody is welcome to attend to share ideas.

What is it about your own company's culture that gives you an advantage in the "war for talent"?

The one thing that stands out - and this is from client feedback - is that when we meet a new client, we look like a team, we sound like a team and work as a team respecting the contributions of others. This collective aspect is incredibly important to us. If people want to become part of a strong team, then A.T. Kearney is an excellent place to work.