Consulting Career Analysis: Everything you need to know about hatching your career in Consulting Presented by:
What is TalentEgg? TalentEgg.ca is Canada’s leading job board and online career resource for students and recent graduates looking for career hatching opportunities.
We work with hundreds of Canada’s top employers, and we’re dedicated to helping students navigate the sometimes messy school-to-work transition. That’s why we created the Consulting Career Analysis – a guide to help land your dream job in consulting.
So what are you waiting for? Get cracking!
Be sure to take advantage of the Relevant Reads section on each page. These additional resources provide a ton of important info to help you in your job search!
And keep your eyes peeled for tips and tricks on the bottom of each page!
What is a Consultant? Consultants are third-party analysts who examine information in order to provide management, operations and technology recommendations to help an organization improve its performance. You might be surprised to learn that you don’t have to be an “expert” to become a consultant! Business, science, technology and arts grads are frequently hired as entry level consultants. It’s all about finding the right information, analyzing it carefully and coming up with creative and effective solutions. Plus, you’ll receive a lot of training to bring you up to speed! Entry level consultants typically receive mentorship and coaching from more experienced colleagues and have very early exposure to senior- and executive-level people – including presidents and CEOs!
Ready to become a consultant? Flip the page to learn how to impress employers...
Relevant Reads: Introduction to management consulting Checklist: 10 qualities of a great consultant
TalentEgg Tip: Bookmark TalentEgg’s Consulting Career Guide for free consulting career resources
How to stand out to employers If you don’t have a commerce background, find other ways to demonstrate your business savvy on your resume. While consulting employers are committed to training you to become a great consultant, there are a few things they look for in potential candidates: • High overall GPA and excellent grades in relevant courses. • Work experience. Working any part-time job while studying is impressive, but experience in a related field is even better. • Extra-curricular involvement (bonus points if it demonstrates a business interest). • Involvement in activities outside of school, such as volunteering and sports teams. Keep a lookout for opportunities to meet employers on campus at information sessions and career fairs. Make an impression by coming prepared with a short personal pitch that focuses on the skills you have to offer and why you’re interested in their company. Relevant Reads: Consulting career tips from Accenture 3 must haves for students and grads considering consulting
TalentEgg Tip: Search for Consulting jobs on TalentEgg!
Consulting resumes Want to write a resume that will grab the attention of consulting employers? Here are a few things to keep in mind: • Showcase the excellent communication skills you’ve developed through school and work experiences • Assign a numerical value to your accomplishments whenever possible • Highlight leadership roles in and outside the classroom • Demonstrate your problem solving abilities • Make sure every sentence you write adds value to the overall application • Proofread and proofread again! • Tailor your resume to each position you apply to
Click here for more consulting resume tips and a sample resume
Relevant Reads: How to write a strong resume How to leverage your coursework to gain transferable skills
TalentEgg Tip: Ensure hiring software can read your resume by including keywords
Case study interviews Now that you have a consulting resume that will get your foot in the door, it’s time to prepare for consulting case study interviews.
You’re likely to be given a common business problem and asked to discuss how you would solve it. Case study interviews can be anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or longer, and account for about 50% of your total score. So, how do you ace the case? • Practice, practice, practice! Develop your skills with both hands-on experiences and sample case study questions • Take a moment to collect your thoughts before answering the question • Don’t be afraid to ask your interviewer questions • Explain which alternatives you rejected and how you arrived at your conclusion • Expect the unexpected. Stay calm, use logic and communicate your thoughts Relevant Reads: How to prepare for a consulting case study interview Even more consulting case study interview tips 10 tips to prepare for job interviews
TalentEgg Tip: Be prepared to answer some tough interview questions
Consulting salaries You’ve polished your resume and brushed up on your case study skills; now it’s time to talk salary. We’ve compiled average starting salaries for entry level Management Consultants and Technology Consultants in major cities across Canada: Toronto
Montreal
Vancouver
Calgary
Winnipeg
Regina
Management
$61,537
$58,793
$58,000
$58,278
$47,270
$48,270
Technology
$57,925
$51,718
$50,906
$64,758
$43,971
$44,813
Many Consultants are also eligible to receive yearly bonuses, ranging from $2,000 at the entry level to $10,000+ with 20 years of experience or more!
Click here fore more information on average consulting salaries, bonuses and salary growth
Relevant Read: How to negotiate salary: 8 tips to help you earn more
TalentEgg Tip: Bilingual? You might be able to earn more.
Who to follow on Twitter Looking for a new way to stand out from the crowd? Show off your ability to communicate concisely and effectively by engaging with employers and recruiters on Twitter!
To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of top consulting tweeps to follow on Twitter. Connect with them to learn more about the consulting industry, receive tips for a successful career and ask questions about current and future job opportunities. Keep up to date on the latest consulting opportunities and career resources by following TalentEgg on Twitter, too!
Check out the Relevant Reads below for more tips on using social media to hatch your career.
Relevant Reads: Attract employers using social media How to makeover your LinkedIn profile How to use Pinterest to find a job Why every student and new grad should be using Twitter
TalentEgg Tip: Learn how to protect your online reputation
Congratulations! You’re on your way to hatching your career in consulting! Here are a few more Relevant Reads to help you land your dream job: All about the Certified Management Consultant designation A community for independent consultants How a career in consulting can lead to entrepreneurship How to answer some of your most difficult job interview questions Make networking a habit
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