Get the most out of consulting (before it gets the best out of you!)

I look back very fondly on my McKinsey days. I worked with great people, travelled the world and learnt a lot – all in two very short years! However, given the opportunities on offer, if I had my time again, I’d make sure I got even more out of it. So, I thought I’d make a list of advice I wish I’d had during my consulting days, on how to get the most from consulting.

WORK WITH PEOPLE YOU LOVE

The most important bit of advice: work with people you love. There are a lot of great people in consulting, but you’ve got to find the special few who you really get along with, and who also help you develop. Don’t let fate run its course: actively create a network of people you like and want to work with. Never miss the chance for an after-work beer, work social or away days / off sites.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Don’t shy away from being outside of your comfort zone. We all have areas we are less confident in – consulting is very good at both finding these, and helping you develop them. As I mentioned in my last blog – getting the most from the development process – be clear on areas you want to improve and ask for advice.

STAFFING

Whilst a large amount of which project you work on won’t necessarily go through the official staffing channels, there will inevitably be projects that do. Never underestimate the impact staffers have on your career (and life). It’s absolutely essential to have a good relationship with them, and for that always put yourself in their shoes. Sometimes you will have to work on the project you don’t want. My advice is:

• be very clear with what you want (industry, development areas, location);
• if you do a project that doesn’t suit what you want, and they really want you to do it, do it with a smile. But make clear that next time you want to have your first pick;
• never forget to say thank you. They’ve got a really tough job, and are very rarely thanked given how much they put into it!

TRAVEL WHILE YOU CAN

Some of my most enjoyable projects were around the world – Hong Kong, New York, Middlesborough!

It gets a lot harder to travel with work after consulting. So if travelling is something you like, and you’re in a position where you can travel without it affecting your life/ loved ones, do it! Make it very clear to staffing, and investigate the options (6-month placement; global rotation schemes etc.). If you don’t make it a priority, it won’t happen.

THE PERKS

Gym on site; amazing breakfast, lunch, dinner; team dinners and events; off sites. These are not normal perks – so for all of us outside of consulting, please, please, please make sure you make the most of them!

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