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Jordan Clarke performed skilled basketball for 3 years abroad earlier than breaking into BCG by way of an MBA (College of Virginia, Darden College of Enterprise).
Hear his inspiring story firsthand on this episode of Technique Simplified. All the small print are right here, together with:
- How Jordan optimized his enterprise faculty selection for breaking into consulting
- His open method to networking
- The significance of placing folks first within the recruiting course of
- Why being decisive about your workplace decisions is essential
- The rationale he left BCG to pursue a task at Nike
In case you loved Jordan’s story and his method to case interview teaching, discover a hyperlink beneath to see his calendar and schedule a 1:1 session.
Relavent Hyperlinks:
Transcription:
Noah Schmeisser 00:05
Welcome to Technique Simplified. My identify is Noah and immediately on the podcast I’m excited to carry you this dialog with Jordan. Jordan is ex BCG and a case coach for Administration Consulted. Hear as we talk about Jordan’s journey, his nontraditional background, his time at BCG and ideas for the consulting recruiting course of. Jordan, welcome to Technique Simplified.
Thanks for being right here immediately. Are you able to begin by simply telling us a little bit bit about your self giving us a little bit introduction, your background pre-MBB, simply inform our listeners a little bit bit about your self.
Jordan Clarke 00:37
Thanks a lot for having me. I’m excited to speak to you immediately. So I’m from Washington, DC, born and raised. I went to Drake College in Des Moines, Iowa for undergrad, majored in finance. I performed basketball whereas I used to be there. After that, I went and I performed basketball abroad professionally for 3 years. I performed in Copenhagen, Denmark, performed in Plymouth, England. After which my third yr I break up between Santiago, Chile, in Korea, and Argentina. I actually loved my time doing that. However for varied causes, that point was coming to an finish. After which I transitioned into enterprise faculty. And I assume even earlier than that enterprise faculty was on my thoughts, as a result of I began the CFA curriculum.
I used to be making an attempt to see what transition might appear to be, and with the finance undergraduate, it made sense. When to go to transition in enterprise faculty, I utilized to a handful, ended up on the College of Virginia Darden, for a lot of causes that we are able to get into. However liked my time in Charlottesville, ended up summering at BCG, after which spent three years at BCG after that.
Noah Schmeisser 01:48
Yeah, that sounds seems like a number of enjoyable. And may you inform us a little bit bit extra about your time taking part in basketball abroad, our listeners would love to listen to a little bit extra about that. I’m very right here.
Jordan Clarke 02:00
It was an unbelievable time. I’ll inform anyone that I realized essentially the most about life, about enterprise by means of taking part in basketball. Each rising up, however, particularly abroad, completely different cultures, various kinds of folks, completely different ages. You simply study contract negotiations, how companies are run, you study so a lot, which I’m very grateful for and it pays dividends immediately. However there’s additionally a chunk round getting paid to do the factor that you just like to do.
I’m extraordinarily lucky to have had that chance. I will even say although, it made it a little bit bit difficult, as a result of then you consider, what are you going to do subsequent? And do you discover something that’s as fulfilling as that? Sadly, in my function now at Nike, that I get to do one thing that I actually loved, but in addition realizing that transitioning from that it’s powerful, however that have was unbelievable. Particularly if I take into consideration Argentina, attending to play actually excessive degree basketball in a ravishing nation, steak, wine, wonderful tradition. It was an superior time.
Noah Schmeisser 03:23
Effectively, it sounds prefer it. So you probably did basketball and then you definitely went to Virginia. I’m a UVA alum myself. I had a tremendous time in Charlottesville. Inform us a little bit bit extra about that. Inform us a little bit bit about Charlottesville, enterprise faculty. How was that?
Jordan Clarke 03:43
To begin with, how I acquired there may be that rising up in Washington, DC. I used to be all the time accustomed to the college of Virginia. I checked out it for undergrad, by no means acquired a scholarship supply to play at UVA in order that’s in all probability a part of motive why I by no means ended up there, however actually, actually loved it at the moment. And it’s clearly near residence so it’s good to be again residence. Then my brother went there for legislation faculty so I used to be visiting rather a lot and I simply fell in love with Charlottesville. It’s simply a fully stunning place. After which after I was occupied with what I needed to do, UVA is a good enterprise faculty, it performs actually, rather well in consulting.
The alumni community within the mid atlantic the place I ended up after UVA is tremendous robust. I actually loved my time there. I believed it was an unbelievable expertise, each from a studying and growth perspective, but in addition from the those that I’ve met. A number of the those that I met there are a few of my finest associates to at the present time. Maintain in shut contact with, go on journeys with, so it was actually unbelievable expertise and fairly frankly, I wouldn’t be the place I’m immediately with out having that have each from a educational perspective however extra importantly from simply an opportunistic perspective and what that afforded me by way of completely different corporations approaching campus, to interview, and get getting us ready for these alternatives as effectively.
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Noah Schmeisser 05:02
Yeah, it’s an unbelievable place. And I used to be within the undergraduate enterprise faculty, McIntyre. I had an identical expertise, a number of alternatives, a number of corporations, a number of alternatives that aren’t obtainable exterior of that sphere.
So speaking a little bit bit extra about about these alternatives, you mentioned a part of the rationale that you just needed to go to enterprise faculty, and so they’re type of in your radar was you fiscal undergrad, after which have been engaged on the CFA. However popping out of enterprise faculty, you went extra alongside the consulting route. Was finance one thing that you just thought of? Had been you just about set on consulting as soon as you bought to enterprise faculty? Stroll us by means of that.
Jordan Clarke 05:45
Like I mentioned, I majored in finance. And I began the CFA curriculum. I omitted this half, however after I acquired achieved taking part in in Argentina, I wasn’t positive if I used to be going to play one other yr or not. And so I began to, however I additionally knew that enterprise faculty was on the horizon for me, and I believed I solely had yet one more yr left. And so I began making use of to completely different applications, jobs, along with speaking to my agent and looking for a contract, and I made a pact with my spouse, that no matter comes first is what we’ll do after which determine the following yr later.
I truly labored as a purchase facet fastened revenue analyst for a yr at a Monetary Group in Iowa. So I had the good thing about placing into actual observe what I’ve realized academically. However to wrap again to your to your query, I did, I took benefit of that yr. And that’s one of many issues I’m tremendous grateful for. I did a number of analysis earlier than I acquired to enterprise faculty. I used to be a type of those that was chilly emailing folks, like, Hey, I’m going to enterprise faculty, coming from basketball, simply need to study a little bit bit about what you do. And I used to be speaking to folks in funding banking, Non-public Fairness, model tech, consulting. You identify and I used to be speaking to them, search funds, I used to be speaking to folks about it.
I used to be offered on consulting earlier than I even acquired to begin. Actually, a number of the rationale why I selected Darden was as a result of it performs so effectively in consulting. Purposes that I submitted have been for faculties that I believed would match me finest for consulting. I had three causes for that. One was having not had a enterprise background, I needed publicity to as many alternative industries and capabilities as shortly as I might, as a result of I simply wasn’t positive what I needed to do. Going again to the purpose about with the ability to do one thing that you just love, I simply wasn’t positive what I might discover. In order that was level one.
Level two is coming from a basketball background, I knew that I grew considerably by means of teaching and Consulting has an important fame for its suggestions tradition. Its apprenticeship mannequin and serving to folks develop was one thing that I knew that I might profit from.
The third motive was, I’m an enormous believer in iron sharpens iron. And the those that I met in these conversations that I believed have been the sharpest, each a mix of IQ and EQ both had been consultants previously, or have been at the moment consultants. And so the way in which I thought of it was both I’ll go there, and I’ll get sharper however I gained’t be sharp sufficient, and I gained’t make it and that’s wonderful, however I’ll be higher for it. Or I’ll get sharper and it’ll work out and I’ll progress.
Luckily, the latter occurred. So I knew that going into the method consulting is what I needed to do. After which I used to be lucky sufficient, I did a bunch of the pre MBA consulting applications, I used to be lucky to get the McKinsey Rising Students scholarship. All of these issues helped me streamline and focus my course of as I matriculated into enterprise faculty.
Noah Schmeisser 10:36
Attention-grabbing to listen to there. So that you have been very targeted on consulting stepping into. As soon as you bought to Darden, what would you say your recruiting course of was? You interned the summer time between your first and second yr and went to BCG thereafter? What did that recruiting course of appear to be whenever you have been truly at college?
Jordan Clarke 11:00
Yeah, for positive. I’m an enormous fan of doing all of your work early. So one, I’ve to be sincere, I give a number of credit score to McKinsey, as a result of with out that stamp of approval, I don’t know precisely the way it goes. However getting that going into faculty helped me tremendously. As a result of as soon as it was in your resume, then you definitely had been vetted by a prime agency. It paid dividends for me as I had conversations with people.
However what I additionally did was discuss to a bunch of individuals at these companies earlier than I even acquired the campus and a few folks can be like, No, Jordan don’t try this. Or it appears thirsty, if you’ll, I didn’t actually care. As a result of I used to be like, look, if I’m going to exit, I’m going out swinging, and I’m placing my finest foot ahead. And if which means annoying a few folks, I’ll belief that I’ve a excessive sufficient EQ to know after I must step again. So I did a number of that early, which then allowed me to focus on casing a little bit bit earlier than I believe other people did. As a result of I might depend it proper, as a result of there are distinct components of the method.
First is the networking piece, then you definitely get into the appliance submission and resume and canopy letter, then you definitely get into interview prep, after which you’ve got the precise interviews. I used to be capable of transfer that course of ahead in order that I wasn’t actually within the networking as a lot as a result of I type of knew the place I might have interviews. So I might then deal with my resume. After which as soon as I targeted on my resume, I might then go into casing a little bit bit early, which once more, I believed was tremendous useful.
For me coming from a non conventional background, I knew that math can be one thing that I felt comfy with, having had a finance background. However I knew that it was one thing that anyone taking a look at my resume would query or surprise if I had the analytical horsepower to maintain up. And in order that was one thing that I needed to place an emphasis on in order that when the day got here I left little doubt that I used to be simply as if no more succesful than a few of the other people that have been interviewing.
Noah Schmeisser 13:16
It makes a number of sense. You broke down the recruiting course of into these completely different steps. You might have the networking piece, you’ve got the resume utility, then you’ve got the casing and inside the casing, you’ve got specifics, you’ve got math. For listeners on the market, do you’ve got any particular ideas at any level in that course of that you just actually felt helped you set your self aside. Something that individuals listening right here immediately who’re doubtlessly recruiting undergrad or going by means of the MBA recruiting pipeline, within the subsequent few months might actually take away from that?
Jordan Clarke 13:51
I believe primary is, and this sounds easy, however I believe oftentimes the human centric side of this course of will get misplaced in the truth that you might be speaking to human beings, and you must deal with them as such. Take into consideration what they’re going by means of, such as you really feel awkward at an occasion, however they really feel awkward with 15 folks standing round them. So the extra you’ll be able to give it some thought from completely different views and perceive that it actually comes down to only having a dialog with people, lively listening, asking good questions.
Individuals ask, the way you stand out. Your resume is your resume, proper? Now it’s simply, one, being a human being and with the ability to join with people, however to doing the introspection to know if issues went rather well throughout your profession, perceive why. If issues didn’t go so effectively, perceive. What I believe folks perceive that almost all most people which might be getting their MBA are there for some form of transition, for no matter motive which may be and so so long as you’ve got that achieved that introspection and lots of people, you’d be shocked to see haven’t achieved it in that means. I believe folks actually, actually recognize that.
Whenever you ask stroll me by means of your resume, it’s not concerning the resume, as a result of they may learn the resume. It’s concerning the ‘why’ behind the transitions and the issues that you just do that actually unlocks and let folks in and get again to that human centric course of. The very last thing I might say is, that is type of like a bonus, and I get that I could also be a little bit bit completely different, is that it helps to be decisive through the course of. I believe what’s not talked about rather a lot.
A variety of these choices are made on the workplace degree. And so when individuals are waffling on, like, oh, I could go to Chicago, or I could go to DC, or possibly just like the Swiss workplace sounds good. Corporations don’t know what to do with that. And in order that you find yourself in no man’s land, so to talk. The extra that you could voice over that you’re very focused and what you’re after and also you vocalize that constantly all through the method to folks, they’re taking notes. And so like when like when issues don’t tie individuals are like, what’s happening right here. However after they stream by means of in a logical means, it builds a compelling story. So the sooner you may get to some consolation round the place you need to be like what companies are fascinating, all these issues like I believe, the extra success you’ll have the ability to have. And clearly simpler mentioned than achieved. As a result of the NBA is a tremendous course of, as a result of you’ve got so many choices, and so many issues taking place without delay. And so that you need to discover completely different avenues.
With that mentioned, I believe it’s a type of, going again to the sooner level of doing all of your work early. I encourage folks to try this analysis earlier than they get there. As a result of as soon as they get there, it’s taking place quick. So these can be the three items of recommendation I might give. That makes a number of sense. On the undergraduate degree as effectively, the significance of simply doing the whole lot as early as you’ll be able to, as a result of yearly these deadlines transfer again and get early earlier. Positively, it may be an intimidating course of, particularly should you go away extra towards the final minute than you must.
Noah Schmeisser
So you bought into consulting after the NBA and also you since left and are at the moment in technique at Nike. Are you able to inform us a little bit bit about how you bought concerned with that? What that transition out of consulting appears to be like like? Why you made that call and a little bit bit extra about your present function?
Jordan Clarke
Yeah, for positive. I used to be at BCG for about three years as a marketing consultant, after which the mission chief. And I did the random stroll for concerning the first six months the place I used to be doing completely different industries and capabilities. After which I actually locked in on two issues. One was the style luxurious and attire crew, after which the Non-public Fairness crew. In order that’s the place I used to be spending my time.
I used to be a type of folks, fairly frankly, I’d all the time set a aim of get the mission chief after which significantly reevaluate as a result of I knew that the roles have been tangibly completely different, and I needed every set of abilities.
With that mentioned, I additionally took calls all through. So like all of the LinkedIn messages that you just get all of the emails that you just get, I used to be all the time on the telephone making an attempt to know the lay of the land, as a result of once more, coming from like a non conventional background, I simply didn’t know the way issues equate it. I didn’t know what to anticipate from a title perspective, from a compensation perspective, like from a trajectory perspective, I didn’t actually have like a transparent understanding, fairly frankly, I discussed the non conventional background piece.
However from speaking to people, most individuals don’t have a transparent understanding of what that appears like. And in order I took these calls, I used to be capable of higher degree set on what made sense for me at completely different spots and the place I believed I might get essentially the most financial institution for my buck from a transition perspective if certainly I discovered that I didn’t need to be at BCG for the lengthy haul. And so, I truly the lady who I talked to first is a BCG alum. So then going again to would I’ve this job if not for BCG, in all probability not. She led the Enterprise Technique Group. She had truly labored within the DC workplace we had met in passing however by no means labored collectively. She left earlier than I got here again full time however she was there throughout my summer time. We have been having conversations about Nike and simply how there was a gap on her crew and enterprise technique and simply with my background, it made a ton of sense. You already know, sports activities but in addition shopper retail attire.
I’ve achieved about seven months of labor with one in all their fundamental rivals in digital markets. So I understood the enterprise from a number of completely different angles. However simply as importantly, I used to be capable of perceive the place that chance stacked up in relation to different alternatives. So after I was reached out to and I noticed the title, I noticed the compensation and all these issues I knew that this was a possibility that for me was going to be actually laborious to go up. In full transparency, I truly I used to be taking place the Non-public Fairness route, that’s the place I used to be headed. When it comes to issues that I needed to do, as a result of I used to be again to the purpose about can you discover one thing else that you just love, I hadn’t actually at the moment. And so I believed let me simply attempt to maximize {dollars} if I can. And so when this when this got here throughout, and we began this dialog, I virtually didn’t have it as a result of like I used to be able to go do one thing in Non-public Fairness. After which my spouse was like, look Jordan, you must have extra of those conversations.
I truly had an interview scheduled for the day that my son was born, which I don’t advocate. Interview truly ended up getting canceled. So, all good there. However in any occasion, I’m doing it throughout like a bunch of transitions in my life. However the those that I met have been unbelievable. You begin to notice that you’ve got related ethos with these people. It turned a no brainer resolution. And it has exceeded my expectations. I believe you requested like, what do I do as effectively. And there’s a, I sit in our Enterprise Technique Group, which is extremely cross practical, engaged on strategic tasks. And a number of our work has to do with progress. It’s matters which might be on our CEOs thoughts and Chief Technique Officer’s thoughts. And searching deeper into these two, it’s rather a lot about how can we generate income past promoting shirts and footwear over the following 5 to 10 years in order that we’re not 90 to 93% concentrated in these areas.
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Noah Schmeisser 22:39
I’ve by no means been tremendous accustomed to what technique appears to be like like at an attire agency like that. In order that’s cool. And that very a lot highlights the concept and for all our listeners on the market that some of the enticing issues about consulting other than the coaching, other than the ability set that you just get, other than the tasks that you just get to work on are the exit alternatives the place you have been taking a look at Non-public Fairness, and now you’re at Nike. So, you recognize, positively one of many one of many massive pluses of entering into the trade. So that you labored at Nike, and then you definitely coach with us right here and administration consulted serving to your shoppers put together for interviews at locations like BCG, McKinsey, Bain. So are you able to inform us a little bit bit concerning the course of that you just run your shoppers by means of whenever you’re trying to get the prepared for these sorts of interviews?
Jordan Clarke 23:37
Certain. I believe for me, going again to human centric, it’s a very particular person course of. And I believe the very first thing that I love to do is simply assess what the targets are of the individual, what their strengths are, what their weaknesses are. And we are able to normally try this by means of an preliminary case diagnostic, but in addition the place they’re on this course of, proper.
Some folks have by no means seen a case earlier than, different individuals are 20 circumstances in after I meet with them. So the very first thing is doing that diagnostic put up itself, after which additionally what their casing capability is, and from there, we are able to type of decide aside what are the areas that we have to work on. Possibly it’s the upfront framing, possibly it’s the map, possibly it’s the brainstorming, possibly it’s speaking higher, and there’s drills that you are able to do for every in order that’s on the casing facet.
Then I’m additionally an enormous believer that this can be a holistic course of folks don’t speak about it sufficient however casing issues rather a lot, however your behavioral interview and your match questions matter a ton too. Ensuring that individuals perceive that and have a plan for a way they carry their tales collectively. Some some shoppers need to observe their tales and a few don’t and that’s completely wonderful. However simply having the understanding that that’s one thing that’s tremendous essential, along with the case interview, I believe is large.
Case interviews is the factor that’s most overseas to people. From there, you truly could also be beginning at Floor Zero. Whereas, telling your story, you’re in all probability much more superior and have achieved it much more occasions. However it’s a holistic course of. For me, it’s actually individualistic, it begins with a diagnostic. From there, we take the case aside into completely different items, and construct it again and put it again collectively. After which we’ll run by means of extra full circumstances, see the place you’re at. Rinse, repeat and work again to your timeline. And as soon as we try this we work in behavioral and match as effectively.
Noah Schmeisser 25:34
Good to know. Thanks for explaining that, I do know most will discover that useful. From a purely logistical standpoint, how can folks work with you?
Jordan Clarke 25:46
Yeah, for positive. So should you should you is likely to be , clearly going to the Administration Consulted web site, discover me as a coach and we are able to ebook a session, we are able to discuss. You can too discover me on LinkedInif you need to message me to higher perceive my method earlier than we earlier than we get into it, that works as effectively. After which clearly, my e mail handle [email protected]. Attain out and we are able to speak about no matter is in your thoughts.
Noah Schmeisser 26:17
Good to know. And folk, this can be a plug for Jordan, however positively one thing tremendous useful. So transitioning away we’d prefer to wrap these items up with some extra enjoyable, some extra private questions away from consulting. One factor that you just’re listening to studying, watching, that’s inspiring nowadays. What are you consuming that you just’re serious about?
Jordan Clarke 26:49
Man, I do know we didn’t get into this. I’ve a spouse and three youngsters and a two month outdated so there’s not a number of spare time that’s taking place within the Clarke family proper now. With that mentioned I extremely rec the Johnny Manziel untold documentary on Netflix, I believed was unbelievable. And should you’re a sports activities fan, it’s unbelievable. In case you are serious about introspection, the curler coaster that’s life. I believed it was similar to an important watch. I believe it’s like a little bit over an hour. You’re locked in when you’re watching it.
Noah Schmeisser 27:26
Yeah, I’ve been that means to look at the large sports activities for myself and haven’t gotten round to it but. However good to know, we’ll positively put that on the on the watch listing. So final query right here. One individual from historical past that you just’d like to get dinner with, if in case you have the possibility, anyone?
Jordan Clarke 27:43
Man, you recognize, it’s humorous, I noticed this query on the prep sheet. And I ought to have a solution for this query nevertheless it’s such a troublesome query. I might like to my grandfather, on my mother’s facet, I by no means had an opportunity to fulfill. And he was a pioneer in a number of methods within the issues that he did. I might love to speak to him and decide his mind. In black communities, lineage and making an attempt to tie issues collectively is usually actually troublesome. I might like to have like a clearer image of the familial tree and the place he got here from, and all these issues. I believe that might be like a brilliant, tremendous fascinating dialog.
Noah Schmeisser 28:35
I believe that’s an important reply, makes a number of sense. Effectively, so Jordan, thanks. Thanks a lot for for becoming a member of us immediately. And that’s all. We recognize you approaching. I believe it’s actually my hope that your story will probably be will probably be inspirational to people. And guys, if you wish to work with Jordan, we mentioned that briefly however our web site, LinkedIn, and please, please attain out. Superior.
Jordan Clarke 29:12
Thanks a lot for having me. Actually recognize it.
Noah Schmeisser 29:15
Thanks for listening to this episode of Technique Simplified. In case you have been impressed by Jordan story and need to study extra about administration, consulting, and even ebook a one on one session with Jordan, head on over to managementconsulted.com to get began. And should you loved this episode, go away us a overview or e mail us at [email protected] with any questions or suggestions.
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