Comment se démarquer sur le marché concurrentiel du conseil en management ?

Start with understanding the industry trends I.e. where the consulting industry is headed, what are the biggest sectors or geographies that the industry is expected to grow in, some challenges that the industry is working through. That would help you tie your case problems to some relevant examples. Next, know more about your target firm - that would not only help you customize your resume but also would make you smarter while having conversation with the interviewer. Lastly, assuming you make it through, you will have a better sense of what segment of the company best aligns with your experience / future career plans.

The best way is to show proxies of excellence or interest. A Proxy of excellence can be you having outshined others in academics, or an impactful internship in college, or the projects led at work, or you having been a part of your office's social impact club (Academics/Work/Extracurriculars). Flesh it out really well in your CV. Proxies of interest would be doing pro-bono consulting projects on the weekends (check out - Impact Consulting, Consult For Humanity) or live projects with a startup to solve their most pressing business problem (which is exactly what consultant do), to showcase your inclination towards consulting.

Results-Driven Resume: Showcase quantifiable achievements and impactful projects. Networking: Build meaningful connections through industry events and online platforms. Continuous Learning: Stay updated on industry trends and tools through certifications and courses. Case Study Portfolio: Develop and present a portfolio showcasing successful case studies. Effective Communication: Hone strong verbal and written communication skills. Adaptability: Highlight experiences where you navigated complex challenges. By strategically combining these elements, you position yourself as a top candidate in the dynamic Management Consulting landscape. #ManagementConsulting #CareerSuccess #ProfessionalDevelopment

1. Develop Strong Analytical Skills: Showcase your ability to analyze complex problems and provide innovative solutions. 2. Acquire Relevant Education and Certifications: Pursue advanced degrees such as MBA, MSc, or other relevant certifications. 3. Gain Diverse Experience: Seek diverse work experiences, including internships, projects, and part-time roles.

In the competitive management consulting job market, I differentiate myself through a potent combination of strategic problem-solving, effective communication, and continuous learning. My proactive approach to staying abreast of industry trends, coupled with a track record of delivering tangible results, showcases my commitment to excellence. I leverage my adaptability and leadership skills to navigate diverse challenges, making me a standout candidate.

80-90% applicants get rejected at CV screening stage. CV for consulting job applications need careful crafting. Here are 3 mindsets one should have while crafting consulting CV: 1. Marketing: CV is your brochure. It has to be impressive. State achievements, impact - do not use 'Job Description' tone 2. Forward looking: Although CV captures your history, it is essentially a forward looking document. Capture only those area from your past that are relevant for your future role 3. Frugality: Consider CV to be the most expensive real estate in the world. Use every word only if justifies its presence. Also, from recruiter's perspective, crisper CVs are better because they are easier to read.

Tailoring your application materials for management consulting roles is key. Craft a precise resume and cover letter, emphasizing relevant achievements and skills that align with each firm's values and job description. Consider using AI-driven tools like Sonara or Talentprise to optimize your application for applicant tracking systems (ATS). Highlight specific achievements, tying them directly to the role's requirements. This tailored approach boosts your chances by resonating with both hiring managers and automated screening systems.

Take tips from folks working in the firm or industry. Keywords are important - attention to detail, big picture approach, first principles etc

Steps to ace case interviews: 1. Learn the fundamentals with study material or coach - The process of case interview, problem structuring (issue tree) methods, communication nuances etc. 2. Practice different type of cases, test yourself, identify improvement areas 3. Engage in competency-wise drills, especially for the competencies that you are weak in e.g. Math drills, chart drills, guesstimation drills etc. 4. Do mock interviews with ex-consultants, interview coaches to take your performance at the required level

To stand out in management consulting you have to be able to illustrate that you know and understand that kinds of problems that the business faces and provide clear examples about actual work you have some in these areas that will benefit the organization. This will give the organization more confidence that you understand their problems and know how to use your skills to assist them.

Share how your achievements and results are tied to your expertise or your unique consulting framework or tools you use to show efficacy and efficiency.

Prepare for case interviews by practising various case types, frameworks, and questions. Understanding the specific firm's approach and style is crucial for success. Showcase your personality, creativity, and curiosity. Regardless of interview duration, condense responses to 10 mins, allowing 20 for questions. This ensures clarity and confidence during the interaction.

This is essential. Most test you with independent cases and hand written. Focus on numbers and listing assumptions Or desired data points to arrive at decision options is key. Use appropriate frameworks

Whilst technical capabilities are important, your ability to tell stories and lead people through situations they are unfamiliar with is critical to success, whether it’s the client or other team members.

Whereas technical skills can be relatively easily be outsourced, soft skills ,i e leading and managing your manager, co-workers and direct reports , are much harder to outsource and once acquired will stay relevant for a long time whereas technology changes fast(er). Even if one prefers to stay in the technical field, soft skills are essential to be able to really understand client’s needs and thus the technical solution offers a real (business) benefit.

History shows that great managers almost always had good foundational technical skills in their sector. Industry should appreciate more - managers who grew up the ranks with great technical skills. Moreover , there seems to be less appreciation for discussing relevant and important technical topics at higher rungs in corporations ironically in technology driven companies too. This dichotomous approach of manager skill set vs technical skill set must stop and hybrid skills are a must for better decision making.

Some ways to get started are 1. Interpersonal Mastery: Highlight strong interpersonal skills in building positive relationships and showcase adaptability in communication styles for diverse audiences 2. Emotional intelligence: showcase empathy to foster positive connections with clients and team members 3. Presentation Prowess: hone presentation skills for compelling & persuasive delivery. Emphasize the ability to navigate conflicts diplomatically and resolve challenges collaboratively

Demonstrate your passion and fit by researching the firm well and finding the nuances that they're proud of. During the interview process, highlight similarities and draw likeness between yourself and the firm's approach, interests and values.

Though the point is right, it goes with any job you take. Domain expertise, years of experience and network connection are key to be a consultant. Attention to detail at the same time big picture alignment is important.

Never ask a question to which you don’t already know the answer. Meaning, research and gain interest and passion in how your client can win more, and steer your firm to showing show them the way.

This is given. Reading is key. Building POVs is important. Read macro economics issues, best sellers and have a POV. This is critical in management consulting. Identifying and having a mentor early in the career is important

Once you start working, it is very important to remain aware on updates in the 'outside' world (thank you Linkedin for making that easier) which may impact your industry and/or company. Also, consider investing time into additional education, in my case mainly for intrinsic value. Opening minds to impact the world as my current business school correctly mentions. PS Consider reading up on the Digital Camera invention in the late 70s by Kodak #itsakodakmoment , Nokia mobile phones in the 90s, and so on.

Hone both your hard AND soft skills: life-long learning both on the job and formal training: read, watch videos, follow courses. Our world is changing at an ever-increasing speed, keeping up is vital

Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices through continuous learning and professional development. Pursue certifications, attend workshops, and participate in industry events to enhance your skills and knowledge.

The field of Management Consulting is competitive and opportunities are largely impacted by external variable factors. In such times, facing rejections or not receiving interview invites can be disheartening, but it is important to view these experiences in a positive light. Each rejection or missed opportunity is a chance to reflect and practice a growth mindset. Focus on areas you are passionate about; do this to enhance your expertise and add depth to your professional persona. Engage in continuous learning, seeking feedback, and stay updated with industry trends. As each person’s journey is unique, resilience and adaptability are key, and persistence coupled with genuine passion for your work will eventually lead to success.

Quantitative & Analytical Proficiency is a skill, I believe, which is high valued in consulting. 1. Develop proficiency in data analysis tools & techniques. Showcase your ability to extract meaningful insights from large datasets. Data visualisation tools like tableau & power BI can enhance this ability 2. If relevant to consulting field you're targeting, emphasizing financial modelling skills & understanding key financial concepts won't hurt 3. Your ability should not only be analyze data but also to frame problems analytically - understanding the root causes of issues and then formulating data driven hypotheses.

Generalist vs specialist? If the work requires deep technical or industry knowledge, then being a specialist allows you to stand out. However, being a specialist limits your experience and perspective within your speciality. If the work is broad in scope then being a generalist allows you to stand out because your experience and perspectives in various domains and industries allows you to be creative in problem solving for the current scope of work. Choose the side you want to be in. Regardless of your preference, nothing beats being in the trenches of building a company from scratch. Only then can you truly stand out as a management consultant and be a truly impactful and effective management consultant.

Network extensively. End of the day, management consulting is a people’s business. If you can network with people already working for a consulting firm and showcase your skills, and if someone can vouch for you, it would be much easier to stand out. Go out there, meet the people already in this business and flaunt your smart, rational and soft skills!

Apart from having a rich consulting experience, it's always beneficial to keep yourself up to date with the latest skills and trends that add more value in this competitive market.