How to become a consultant

Management consultancy is one of the professions that avoids decline in a downturn.

How is this possible? Because more than ever, organisations need consultants and advisors to assist them multiply turnover and lower costs.

Business consulting is also one of the top remunerated vocations in the United Kingdom. Recent research has found entry-level consultants earn an average of £32,000 yearly while senior partners earn an average of £150,000 (including bonuses and profit sharing). Self-employed consultants may earn anything from £50 to £250 per hour.

Therefore, if you've been mulling over breaking into this profession, procrastinate no longer. The financial rewards are a real bonus. Other benefits of the job include: intellectual challenge, prestige, opportunities to learn, and fantastic levels of job satisfaction.

Lets consider the two paths of consultancy to consider: working for others and going it alone. If you don't have much experience or are a new graduate, working for others is probably the sensible option. If you have already gained sufficient professional experience in a specialised field, starting your own business is a desirable option.

Whichever option you choose, here are some tips to break into and succeed in this field:-

Improve your skillsbase.
Consultants and advisors need to be experienced at problem-solving, communication, and management skills such as planning and delegating. Other skills and attributes that can help you land a job are basic computer skills, leadership, and an ability to cope well under stressfull conditions.

Educate yourself.
Despite what you might think, it is not essential to have a business degree, an MBA or even ANY specialist degree to break into this profession. However, you have to keep up with current management issues through continuing education or reviewing business publications. It can certainly be worthwhile formalising this by obtaining a consultancy qualification such as the Certificate in Consulting Essentials, or the Diploma in Management Consulting.

Understand the role of the consultant
Familiarise yourself with job titles, specialisations (from information technology to HR), and the typical consulting cycle (proposal, brainstorming, data gathering, analysis, and presentation). Much of this can be learned from specialist workshops or consultancy qualifications.

Get experience.
Ways to get consulting experience include volunteering to consult for a non-profit organisation or volunteering for special projects with your existing employer.

Decide what kind of organisation you want to work for.
If your ambition is to work for a consulting firm, decide where you want to focus your job search. Types of employers include multi-national firms such as Accenture and McKinsey, small "boutique" firms, local authorities, non-profit organisations, and government departments. Each one has different advantages and disadvantages.

Understand the consulting job hunting process.
Typically the interview stage for a consulting role includes personality tests and CV questions, communication questions and business case questions. You will almost certainly be asked to make a presentation.

If you have an bent for entrepreneurship, preliminary steps to starting a consulting business include market research, deciding whether to become a limited company, and setting up your offices. You will also need to price your services and attract clients through networking, advertising, or publicity.

Although it is not an essential requirement, you should consider a professional designation as a Certified Management Consultant to take your career to the next level. In the UK The Institute of Business Consulting together with the internationally regarded Chartered Management Institute is responsible for this.

Management consultancy is a very lucrative profession do your homework properly to ensure success and there is no better way to do that than to obtain an internationally respected qualification.

Article Source: http://www.ezx-articles.com

Kim Taylor is a lead consultant for www.managers.com and author of many management texts. She also coaches and mentors budding and experienced consultants who are studying qualifications such as the www.managers.gb.com/”>Certificate in Consulting Essentialsand the www.managers.gb.com/”>Diploma in Management Consulting. Both of which can be studied through distance learning. To find out more visit www.managers.gb.com

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