Ali Khalil’s Post

I got into research and consulting when I was 29 after working in a specific industry for 7 years. I have always got thrilled by solving challenging problems across industries in an analytic way. Over the years I have enjoyed working more as an Industry Agnostic Consultant vs. a Specialized one. Both comes with its advantages and disadvantage (no right or wrong). I often get asked from young business scholars seeking a career in Management Consulting what should come first – Industry or Management Consulting. Their may be no right or working answers but looking back here may be some pointers:   Management Consulting first: My advice would be to do Management Consulting as early in your career as possible. When you are young you have more freedom to travel, put in long hours which consulting requires and in the process look out for domain/s & sector/s that you may build a liking for to accelerate your career faster. You can then branch out to the industry of your liking by the time you are 28-30 years and build a career in that specific domain and get on to lead a P&L by being a Business Unit Head or CEO eventually. Most Management Consultants that stay on become Partners / Equity Partners in 15-20 years time window tend to enjoy work on the Agency / Consultancy side.   Industry first: There is a greater advantage in working in industry first as well and then turning into a Consultant. Before you start developing recommendations and giving advice, it would make sense to develop some experience in the client industry in which you are consulting. Most Management Consultancies take lateral industry hires to shore up competencies in specific industry domains. Experience of Working as a Management Consultant: 1. Varied Projects and Clients 2. Problem-Solving and Analytical Skills 3. Client Engagement and Relationship Building 4. Collaborative Team Environment 5. Fast-Paced and Dynamic Work Environment Steps to Enter the Management Consulting Profession: 1. Obtain a Relevant Degree 2. Gain Relevant Experience 3. Develop Key Skills and Competencies 4. Network and Build Relationships 5. Prepare for Case Interviews 6. Apply for Consulting Positions 7. Ace the Interview Process 8. Continue Learning and Growing Finally, Industry first or Management Consulting straight out of business school depends on your career goals, personal preferences, and the opportunities that may be available to you. Being a Management Consultant (in the right firm) is great fun - at the right stage of your career.   Opinion above is personal. ✪ Vishal Pandey ✪

RECOMMENDED READING FOR JOB SEEKERS 💡 Choosing a Consulting Firm: 10 Questions to Ask Looking for a rewarding career in consulting? Prime 8 Consulting has got you covered! We believe in work-life balance, professional growth, and aligning with your values. We're sharing what to look for as you consider if a career in consulting is for you! READ MORE: https://bit.ly/435Tdc3 #ConsultingCareers #JoinPrime8 #WorkLifeBalance #ProfessionalGrowth #DreamJob #Prime8Pathways

For any management consultant interested in leaving the consulting industry, consider these tips to find your ideal exit opportunity: 📌Determine the title or level of responsibility you're seeking: You will become a more competitive candidate by knowing how your consulting title translates to an industry title. 📌Determine who you want to work for: If you’re going to lean on the consulting toolkit in future roles, find a team with a deep understanding and appreciation of what that means. Visit our website to learn more about pivoting from consulting to corporate: https://hubs.ly/Q02GDCy80

Welcome to the final blog of our audit series! Are you considering moving away from Audit into your first industry role? In this four-part blog series, we explore the journey of moving away from a career in audit into a first-time role in audit. We cover; ✔ Why you should move away from audit ✔ The challenges and benefits of making the move to Industry ✔ The routes available to you ✔ Advice on making the move and achieving success post-move In the final blog of this series, we provide tips and advice on making the move into industry and achieving success after the move. Covering all things from who to speak to, being open to entry-level positions, focusing on strategic contributions to maximising your skills and experience and much more. Click the link to read more now - https://rebrand.ly/uhzqi57 #AuditToIndustry #AuditFirm #IndustryRole #IN2Consult #AuditSeries

Are you a sceptic of consulting? 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘫𝘰𝘣 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 "𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺?", 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳... 𝘴𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 (𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 1 𝘰𝘧 5) 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘯 2024 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬, 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐬 - 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐳𝐳𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧 I've always wondered why governments and large corporations invest millions of dollars on management consulting services. In fact, during a recent task where I was asked by a client to demonstrate alignment between digital skills and a competency framework for school leaders, it felt like something for which a 'consultant' would charge a hefty sum - whereas for me it was just part of my day-to-day work. The authors of this book take a sharp, thought-provoking look at the global consulting industry - where more often than not, influence and immediate profit overshadow innovation and accountability. In particular, the authors argue that consulting has become unsustainable: firms increasingly embed themselves in their clients' long-term decision-making, rather than being a temporary advisor, with an exit plan upon achieving the desired outcomes. Many firms also still adopt a "one-size-fits-all" approach, overlooking the localised context which is fundamental towards successful transformation. Yet, such firms are rarely affected by any failure arising from the consultation which they have provided - instead, their clients would be the ones taking the fall. The authors' analysis leads them to conclude that an over-reliance on consulting - a "consultocracy" - has led to weakened internal capabilities in those public agencies and private organisations. Have you had experiences that align with this book's critique? Alternatively, have you found tremendous value from working with management consultants?

🛠️ Choosing a Consulting Firm: 10 Questions to Ask 🛠️ Becoming a consultant can be a rewarding career decision. If you are considering this path, you are likely thinking carefully about how to choose a consulting firm with which to work. It takes a little soul-searching to figure out what you really want in your career, both from a lifestyle perspective and your professional desires. With this in mind, let’s explore ten questions that can help you get a more balanced view of a prospective consulting firm before you take the big leap. READ MORE: https://bit.ly/435Tdc3 #Prime8Consulting #Prime8Pathways #Consulting #CareerChange #ConsultingTop10

Consulting can be an elusive, confusing field, but when you break it down, it’s about people with expert knowledge advising others. Consulting careers are typically impactful, lucrative, and even rewarding roles where you can apply knowledge to help solve problems. However, #consulting is also a broad field with various types of careers. So, how do you know which consulting careers are right for you? Here’s your go-to guide for understanding the main types of #consultingcareers, including a free, fun quiz to help determine which is right for you. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/giz3h4Et

🤔Interested in becoming a consultant? Consulting offers numerous benefits, including higher earning potential, greater flexibility, and diverse project opportunities. Whether you're drawn to independence or the chance to leverage your expertise across various industries, consulting could be the perfect career move for you. Key advantages include: ✔Higher earning potential ✔Greater work flexibility ✔Diverse and challenging projects ✔Increased travel opportunities This factsheet provides valuable insights on how to navigate the consulting landscape. ➡ Learn more about starting your consulting journey here: https://lnkd.in/ev6qGSU7 #Consulting #ProfessionalGrowth #IoD #BusinessAdvice

Why Start Your Career at a Consulting Firm Embarking on your career journey can be daunting, but choosing the right starting point can make all the difference. Consulting firms, especially the Big 4 (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) and others like them, offer unique opportunities that can set you up for long-term success. Here’s why starting your career at a consulting firm can be incredibly beneficial: Key Benefits: 1. Diverse Client Exposure • Multiple Clients, One Company: Work with top-tier clients like Barclays, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, and Fidelity without changing your job. Gain insights into how different businesses operate across various sectors. • Industry Variety: From financial services to healthcare, technology, and more, consulting firms offer exposure to a wide range of industries. 2. Accelerated Learning and Development • Comprehensive Training Programs: Benefit from extensive training and development programs that cover both technical skills and soft skills. • On-the-Job Learning: Real-world experience working on challenging projects helps you learn faster and more effectively. 3. Building Client-Facing Skills • Advisory Role: Develop strong client-facing skills by working directly with clients, understanding their needs, and providing strategic solutions. • Communication and Presentation Skills: Regular client interactions help hone your communication and presentation abilities, making you a more effective advisor. 4. Networking Opportunities • Industry Connections: Build a vast network of professional contacts across various industries and sectors. • Mentorship: Access to experienced mentors who can guide your career growth and provide valuable insights. 5. Career Progression • Clear Career Path: Consulting firms typically offer structured career progression paths with regular performance reviews and promotions. • Global Opportunities: Many consulting firms have a global presence, offering opportunities to work in different countries and cultures. Data Points: • Career Advancement: According to LinkedIn data, professionals who start their careers at consulting firms often achieve higher positions and salaries faster compared to peers in other industries. • Skill Development: A study by Harvard Business Review found that consulting experience significantly boosts problem-solving, analytical thinking, and leadership skills. • Networking Impact: Research indicates that professionals with extensive networks are 70% more likely to be promoted and receive raises. Final Thoughts: Starting your career at a consulting firm offers unparalleled opportunities for learning, growth, and networking. The diverse client exposure, accelerated learning, and strong emphasis on client-facing skills set a solid foundation for a successful career. Whether you aim to stay in consulting or move to a different industry later, the skills and experiences you gain will be invaluable.