I want to be a consultant

Author
Discussion

AlanS20

Original Poster:

63 posts

26 months

Sunday 22nd January 2023
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Hello guys,

Bit of background about me, I am in my 30s and work for a well known insurance company. I’ve been there over 4 years and new management have taken over who have made clear that there is no progress in my role. They have been making loads of changes and the whole place is just going down the tubes.

This is the point I turn to you guys….

I have been considering my career options for a while now and have taken a liken to a consultancy role. I know that there are loads of them about but feel this is something I’d excel at. I probably wouldn’t go into recruitment if I’m honest but I wouldn’t completely discount it.

What is it like working in consultancy ?


rallye101

2,218 posts

204 months

Sunday 22nd January 2023
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Prove yourself.......

Doofus

28,470 posts

180 months

Sunday 22nd January 2023
quotequote all
What sort of consultancy?

What do you think 'being a consultant' means?

vaud

52,395 posts

162 months

Sunday 22nd January 2023
quotequote all
Why?
What do you think the role entails?
What aspect of consulting are you considering? Strategy? IT? Supply chain?
What do you think you would bring to the party?

It's like saying "I want to be in motorsport" - it's a very broad church.

Happy to answer any questions on IT or management consulting (20+years experience, work for one of the bigger firms)

craigjm

18,481 posts

207 months

Sunday 22nd January 2023
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What type of consultancy? Management consultancy like
Accenture / KPMG?

Super Sonic

7,308 posts

61 months

Sunday 22nd January 2023
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Wandering round a hospital in a white coat asking people how they feel?

Jiebo

969 posts

103 months

Sunday 22nd January 2023
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What sort of role do you have in insurance?

As someone who has worked in top management consultancies mainly around risk, op model development, strategy, life is much easier and lucrative in industry. If you want to pivot into a change / transformation environment (which is all what consulting is), then there might be better ways than being a junior grunt worker for a big 4 firm, which wont be fun at 30.

vaud

52,395 posts

162 months

Sunday 22nd January 2023
quotequote all
Jiebo said:
What sort of role do you have in insurance?

As someone who has worked in top consultancies, life is much easier and lucrative in industry. If you want to pivot into a change / transformation environment (which is all what consulting is), then there might be better ways than being a junior grunt worker for a big 4 firm, which wont be fun at 30.
But if you have significant industry experience then you won't go in as a junior, you can enter as an experienced hire.

Doofus

28,470 posts

180 months

Sunday 22nd January 2023
quotequote all
You also need to use words like 'pivot' in the wrong syntax.

wink

vaud

52,395 posts

162 months

Sunday 22nd January 2023
quotequote all
Doofus said:
You also need to use words like 'pivot' in the wrong syntax.

wink
Don't forget "synergy"

jm8403

2,515 posts

32 months

Sunday 22nd January 2023
quotequote all
why do you want to be a consultant? do you want to be hated by every client? do you want to work endless hours editing slide decks? do you like your own bed?

vaud

52,395 posts

162 months

Sunday 22nd January 2023
quotequote all
jm8403 said:
why do you want to be a consultant? do you want to be hated by every client? do you want to work endless hours editing slide decks? do you like your own bed?
It's not like that anymore. Well the last bit. Covid meant lots of clients realised that they didn't want to pay for lots of consultants travelling 4 days per week. Lots of consultants realised they didn't want to travel 4 days a week. It's a bit more balanced these days for travel.

jm8403

2,515 posts

32 months

Sunday 22nd January 2023
quotequote all
vaud said:
It's not like that anymore. Well the last bit. Covid meant lots of clients realised that they didn't want to pay for lots of consultants travelling 4 days per week. Lots of consultants realised they didn't want to travel 4 days a week. It's a bit more balanced these days for travel.
I have worked with some at McKinsey and Boston. One group was they were working for us and the other is a friend who is now 'partner'. He is now 34 and looks 45 despite him having plenty of cash, he's lost his years from 20-34 since graduating. Hopefully with the balance changing as you say, this 14 years lost was worth it and he can reap rewards.

Jasandjules

70,505 posts

236 months

Sunday 22nd January 2023
quotequote all
AlanS20 said:
What is it like working in consultancy ?
Not really sure how to answer this, but some things to consider:

1. You get no holiday or sick pay
2. You have no guarantee of any income


jm8403

2,515 posts

32 months

Sunday 22nd January 2023
quotequote all
Jasandjules said:
AlanS20 said:
What is it like working in consultancy ?
Not really sure how to answer this, but some things to consider:

1. You get no holiday or sick pay
2. You have no guarantee of any income
Assuming he means 'generic day rater'....lets see what he actually means.

Doofus

28,470 posts

180 months

Sunday 22nd January 2023
quotequote all
I'm (occasionally) a 'consultant'. I work with owner-managed and small/meduim businesses because that's where my skills lie. I have a broad range of experience, covering finance, sales, logistics and so on, which means I can use my proven experience to add value to, and fills gaps in the client's operation.

My proven experience comes from starting, buying, building, growing and selling businesses for 25+ years, and that's what my clients need.

I never rock up saying "I'm a consultant, and it's £1,000 per day". People call me because they know what I can do. I have no (printable) opinion of the big 'consulting' firms because I don't move in those circles. I do know that lots of people who work there don't have any 'real' experience but it may be that isn't required for what they do.

I don't mean to offend anyone on this thread; just to explain to the OP that 'consultant' means different things to different people, and even 'consultants' are suspicious of 'consultants'.

craigjm

18,481 posts

207 months

Sunday 22nd January 2023
quotequote all
Jasandjules said:
AlanS20 said:
What is it like working in consultancy ?
Not really sure how to answer this, but some things to consider:

1. You get no holiday or sick pay
2. You have no guarantee of any income
Erm… if he is talking about being an Accenture type business consultant then of course you do because you are just a PAYE employee

GiantCardboardPlato

5,390 posts

28 months

Sunday 22nd January 2023
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Patient: Dr, dr, I want to be a consultant.
Dr: …

mikef

5,247 posts

258 months

Sunday 22nd January 2023
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Having just started some consulting work, I would say there are a couple of pre-requisites
  1. You have some specialized knowledge that clients are prepared to pay for
  2. Either you, an agent or a consultancy can sell that specialized knowledge to those clients

Countdown

42,056 posts

203 months

Monday 23rd January 2023
quotequote all
AlanS20 said:
Hello guys,

Bit of background about me, I am in my 30s and work for a well known insurance company. I’ve been there over 4 years and new management have taken over who have made clear that there is no progress in my role. They have been making loads of changes and the whole place is just going down the tubes.

This is the point I turn to you guys….

I have been considering my career options for a while now and have taken a liken to a consultancy role. I know that there are loads of them about but feel this is something I’d excel at. I probably wouldn’t go into recruitment if I’m honest but I wouldn’t completely discount it.

What is it like working in consultancy ?
I think that’s the same as asking “What’s it like being self employed?”

It depends.