Hi Everyone,
I've been getting a bunch of emails asking me to share some strategies for how to be a successful consultant once you get your job offer.
I'm debating whether or not to put the time into teaching this topic and wanted to get your vote and your feedback.
If this topic IS of interest, just post a comment at the bottom of the article indicating your interest and what question(s) you have about how to become a rising star in your firm.
No need to leave any contact information or anything, at this point I just want to see if there's any general interest.
Yes
@nick: yes please i will start with Booz in 8 months and i still don’t have a lot of professional experience and I don;t know how to prepare,
Thank you,
@nick: YES again !
A brief about the do’s an’d don’ts would be certainly usefull! Thanks.
got an offer from a/the major financial services consultancy yesterday, and wonder what’s next… so please do create the seminar!
@nick:
I would greatly appreciate the seminar you propose – would be incredibly helpful!!
yes please! it would be very helpful to all of us! 🙂
Yes please
Heck yes
Absolutely.
Yes
1) I would be interested.
2) Particularly interested in thoughts regarding choosing first year engagements and how to develop senior mentors.
Yes, please!
Absolutely interested!
Yes
YEs!!
yes!
I’m interested although I’m still an undergrad. Any and all information will be appreciated 🙂
I vote yes, it would be very informative. My questions/topics of interest would include:
– Project selection & judging potential opportunities
– Effective networking
– Creating your own “brand”
– Leveraging opportunities outside project work (proposal, training, faculty, etc)
– Consulting exit strategies and timing (PE, VC, Bus School, etc)
Thanks!
Evan
Yes
Absolutely!
Absolutely interested. While the case interview is the most notable milestone for which consultants must prepare, the evaluation process never does stop, right? At each stage in the promotion ladder, you are being judged anew, so advice and insights w/r/t how to best position oneself for that process would be much apreciated.
Putting my business hat on, think of it as a way to extend your brand into an adjacent space!
@Mike B:
LOL, Yes, the case interview is the first evaluation. The next one is you first day of work. It never ends. Par for the course. Thanks for your input.
Absolutely!
I am interested in
– Which habits should I have from day one?
– Which skills are most valuable for first year consultants?
– How do I fit into each engagement?
Thanks!
Fan
Yes!
Particularly interested in project selection and specific business knowledge that would be expected of/be useful for someone without a business background.
Yes.
Yes please!
Im interning this summer as a consultant and would very much like your advice!
Yes.
Yes Please!
Yes
absolutely…this would help tremendously
I agree, it would be extremely helpful.
Yes, i am interested! How do you deal with office politics within a consultancy team?
Absolutely!
I’m interested in knowing the following:
What have you done differently after you begin working for McKinsey, if any.
What you did differently from your peer colleagues that might have contributed to your success.
Thank you!
Yes!
Yes. I’m interested in understanding what kept you at the top 5% at McK.
This would be VERY useful! I am definitely interested!
yes please
Yes please!
My 3 top questions for you would be:
1. Would you suggest any preparation during the summer to better transition from university to workplace.
2. Which skill sets to really focus on developing during the first year (thinking the 80/20 here).
3. The differences in the dynamics of interaction with partners/managers compared to that with other BA’s and associates.
Thanks so much again for all your help!
@DH: Yes, you definitely can do some work in the summer to transition from university to work. I can definitely cover this topic.
Yes!
YES! yeah how on earth did you manage to do that without having someone like you to guide you through the process?
Thank you Victor. First you help us get our collective feet in the door, then you give us a boost up the ladder! Much appreciated!
Topics:
(a) Time management: how you managed your time on a day-to-day or week-to-week basis to prevent the urgent from crowding out the important; with all the competing, client-specific demands on your time, how did you manage to stay abreast of developments in the economy/industry/market/etc to maintain and demonstrate thought leadership?
(b) Client management & the role as “trusted advisor”: How did you plan for and approach formal and informal interactions with clients? I’ve noticed the “pop-in” to be a key tool used by EMs/Partners. Did you do this with particular topics in mind? How did you get the client to open-up and share his or her pain points? How did you follow up on these to add value without doing an in-depth study on a particular issue?
Yes. I would like to know:
1. How to prepare so that I can hit the ground running once I start.
2. How to do well on projects (make a good impression on the higher-ups)
3. How to get onto the projects I am interested in.
4. How to network effectively within a firm
YES!
Yes!!!
This would absolutely be valuable to not only those of us with signed offers but also those people looking for insight into the industry.
Questions:
What are some common exit timelines and strategies in consulting, do those differ if you are planning on grad school or an industry switch?
With how much time you spend collaborating in teams, how personal should you allow relationships to become?
Definitely.
Question: Are there ways in which I can use the experience I have as a former intern at my future employer to get a head start?
most definitely!
Hi Victor!
I agree with the teleseminar, if you could help us, new consultants, will be great!
yes
Yes.
My questions on Project selection, Quick References, etc.
and yeah by the way also about the Fastest way to make your first million 🙂
Yes, that would be great. Question#1: How to build a great relationship with a client? Question #2: How to stay on top of the game outside of consulting (i.e. what materials/publications do you read/how much time do you spend on them)?
Yes!
Yes!
Yes. The tele-seminar would be fantastic.
ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY YES!
Yes!
A few of the things I’m personally interested in before I start:
1. How can I prepare and build my business sense to get me acclimated to the consulting world much faster? What kinds of reads/books/articles/magazines should I subscribe to?
2. What are the common mistakes people commit starting off as a new consultant?
Your telecast would be appreciated!
yes!
Anything you do I will watch.
Yes
It might be a case of a very vocal minority interest group but I belong to it so: YES!
Yes, I am most definitely interested! As a member of the newly minted 2010 cohort, I have a few questions on how to be successful now that the hour-long interviews have turned into daily pull-ups with my managers. Off the top of my head:
1. The workweek is a series of tight deadlines and often I get lost in the analysis/research. What tips do you have for balancing big picture thinking with the demands of detailed work?
2. As strange as it sounds, how do I ask for informal overall feedback? Tactical feedback I receive almost every day but once again I seem to have lost my ability to see the larger whole.
a definite yes please!
Yes. My question is, since most of the consultants are equally smart and diligent. How can you differentiate yourself from others?
Yes- doesn’t have to be a teleseminar. It could just be an email or blog post
Yes
Absolutely, this sounds great. I’d be interested to hear what you did that other people didn’t, of course, but I’m also interested in how much of your success at McKinsey was a matter of talent and how much was preparation/work/doing specific things.
Yes, this would be terrific Victor. I agree with other posts about the useful content.
I’d be interested in seeing an example of “real life” client engagement, especially the typical preparation( or lack there of) for consultants before the actual assignment begins.
One million yes!
Specifically, I would be interested to know:
1. how to network within a consulting firm?
2. how to perform well?
Yes. A webinar on the topic would be interesting and informative. Looking forward to it Victor.
This would be wonderful! Am very interested in how to do well once the job is at hand!
Do it! Have you advised on many LBO’s?
Absolutely interested.
Please do it, YES!!!
Your case prep workshops were fantastic to get me into Bain, and I already started working there. I’d love to hear your suggestions on how to succeed inside.
As always, thank you for sharing your knowledge!
PM
Yes, I would be very interested. Thank you!
Yes, should be interesting. Thanks for all your useful posts.
Yes!!
Yes, this would be very helpful.
Yes! Please
The session will be very informative to new consultants!
Very interested!!
Absolutely! I would be interested in many of the questions already proposed. In addition, how did you maintain your energy living the consulting lifestyle? I’ve always believed that energy can make or break a goal.
Yes, that will be awesome!
Yes, definitely interested.
Definitely yes. Although I am still preparing for future interviews, I can learn from this and train myself towards a successful candidate. Brilliant plan and totally support it!
Yes!
Yes!
A big yes Victor!!
What type of projects should you get involved with to be a rising star? And what would be the most important client skills that you developed?
Thanks!
Certainly yes. Its one area that has not been discussed in detail. Will be very helpful to know more about it.
Yes please!
I just received an offer for internship this summer as a consultant and would benefit from any insight you provide.
Yes please, it would be extremely useful to know what TO DO and what NOT TO DO.
Dear Mr. Cheng,
I am very interested in this topic..
Will be very helpful..
Yes, please. Looking forward to hearing you speak on the topic!
Yes, please. Thank you!
Hey Victor,
Definitely a yes from me. There are a large number of things I would like to know.
Principally,
1) Conduct with colleagues and clients
2) How much to memorize vs. understand and apply?
3) How to frame an initiative or suggestion to my team when I am new with no credentials?
P.S.: Thanks a ton for all that you have already done and are doing.
yes
Yes , I am interested
Hi Victor,
This is great initiative and it must be started. As far the challenge that it may interest a few and covers a broad topic, here are my 2 cents as to how I may draw inspiration from this teleseminar ( as I have from your other posts earlier) :
1. What material do I read so as to improve myself as a consultant?
2. How do I stay ahead of the curve professionally?
3. What habits do I cultivate to be more successful?
While the 3 questions that you may answer above do have answers in many self-help books, your perspective from a consultant’s point of view would be of great value and as I mentioned earlier, would provide us with in-depth insight as to what goes on in a successful consultant’s mind
Yes.
Yes, thank you very much!
Yes!!
Absolutely. Yes!!
Yes.
All your work has been very insightful and I am sure this one will be no different. I vote a yes.
Yes, please.
Please could you describe what would be the best way to switch from ordinary position in a bank to consulting? I mean how to set my career plan in order to become business consultant.
Yes, Victor totally.
I’ll be joining Mckinsey India from July, would really like to have some inputs regarding how should a transition from college to ‘The Firm” should take place.
Secondly, what all should I be doing to the run-up till July, what sort of know-how do I need to equip myself with?
Thanks
Aditya
Yes !
How did you balance work & life ? Ambition and sustainability
Yes Victor,
It would be an incredibly useful topic and a logical continuation of LOMS.
Yes
yes, absolutely!
Yes please.
I have not taken up my offer yet, but when I do I have the following questions:
1.) I need to switch offices at some point for personal reasons. Should I try to do so before I take up my offer or after, say, a year of trying to prove myself?
2.) If I am unfamiliar with something the client is asking about, should I simply say so? My instinct is obviously “yes,” but it must be a bit tricky to be hired as the consultant but have to admit lack of knowledge on a regular basis. How do you handle this?
3.) As an-MBA level hire, what is my core role during an engagement? At McKinsey, will I be leading business analysts or working in parallel with them, for example?
Yes. I am definitely interested.
Yes, please
it would be interesting for me
Yes please:) thank you!
Yes!!
YES, please!
Yes, very interested in this. Questions:
1 – How to spend my seven months before my I start my new job?
2 – Time management, how to work efficiently?
3 – How to balance being humble and “aggressive” at the same time?
yes, please! It’s very useful!
Absolutely! I’m truly interested!
I’ve just been hired by a top 3 firm and believe me, your materials were my only surce! The one page summary is just brilliant! thanks a lot Victor!
Yes!
Thanks!
Definitely interested!
Yes Victor. Please do the teleseminar. Question that I would like to ask are
“How should one model one’s career if they are unable to get into the top 3 management consultancy firm?
Is there any way someone could move from a technology consulting into management consulting ?
In case one does get into a good consulting firm, but in a not so good vertical or practice, how to maneuver your way out of it ?
Thanks
Chetan
Yes, please!
Important questions:
– (how) do you perceive rising stars to be different from US to Europe, and maybe even Scandinavian countries?
– have you got an example of a “Falling Star”? (or two examples)
– and last question: how important is it to a persons future consultant carrer to become a rising star?
Thanks,
Mads,
Denmark
not that you need my “YES” after receiving so much support from the guys above me 🙂 however, please do so. Thanks!
Yes!
Yes! Particularly, I am interested in:
– time management, how to work smart, how to know that my contribution is sufficient and move on to the next thing in the to do list (as you can always go the extra mile)?
– when to say yes and when to say no when asked to help colleagues?
– what level of independence of judgement and opinions is appropriate when you’re junior? (or is your project manager always right?)
– what should I do to get promoted fast?
Thanks!
Yes, I am particularly interested in the progression within consulting firms:
– how firm is the 2-year program? Is it possible to progress quicker than the typical two year track?
– what’s the best way to prepare for the job?
– what is a promotion mainly based on? (results, types of projects worked on, hard-work, network?)
Thank you!
Yes
Yes. I mainly want to get some tips on how to be assigned to “the most interesting” projects.
Yes! I am in graduate school and thinking about getting experience in the medical device industry for 3-4 years and jumping into consulting! I am interested in anything you believe is important regarding this topic!
Yes!
That would be a great initiative!
My question:
– when is the right time to ask your team leader, who is normally Evan busier than you are, for help? Judging from some information in one of the preparation quizes on McKinsey’s website, it is not always appropriate to ask for help of your teamleader when problems arrise. Your individual judgement must be exercised an often you need to deal with problems on your own. WHEN is the problem significant enough to ask for assistance?
Yes
Yes, Please!
Absolutely!
Yes!
Yes!! Very interested in this. Particularly, engagement selection, cultivating relationships with clients/colleagues/mentors, and how to stand out among a group of incredibly bright and capable peers.
Yeah!
Yes please.
Definitely interested 😀
I have questions about selecting engagements, choosing mentors and how to become a reference in your office..
I’m absolutely interested! I’m interested in the following topics:
– what makes me stand out as a first-year consultant?
– what are best practices for personal organization (e.g. filing), what other skills should I pick up or habits develop
– effective networking
– when and how to specialize so as to a become a true asset for the firm, beyond just a smart brain
– how to be valuable to my clients, tipps for efficient and pleasant collaboration
Thanks a ton!
yes please!
I think it is a wonderful idea and have the following questions.
1. What would it take to succeed as an analyst/ associate in a top firm without a business background?
2. What would new hires be evaluated on starting from day 1?
3. what skills should I develop/ brush up before the job?
4. How to select projects at a generalist level?
5. Best ways to network and form your own “brand” within the firm.
Thanks for all the help thus far. I am really looking forward to this!
A big yes !
It would be very nice if you could include tips for non- business background folks also.
yes. I will enter mckinsey on monday….
Yes, absolutely.
I believe that the guidance the LOMS program provides is not limited simply to case interviews. It helps refine proper consultancy thought processes in general. These frameworks are an excellent mental starting point for tackling real business problems. Getting the opportunity to discover new insights through a Victor Cheng teleseminar will undoubtedly increase the value that I can provide to our clients.
OF COURSE it would be great, please do it 🙂 I am from France working at Roland Berger but I am sure it would be very helpful for me too!
My questions would be :
– what differentiate good or great interns/juniors from average (we have pretty much the same abilities at the begining and work the same number of hours)
– managing your time and workload (how to leave the office as early as possible 🙂 )
– dealing with old and more experienced collegues and how to benefit from their knowledge to the upmost
Tanks
@TAZ: Definitely Yes! From my first few interactions with the firm, its clear that while they are supportive of the consultants/associates, the bar to reach the next level is very high. What I would be especially interested in are the soft skills and strategic steps one can take to be in a strong position to go up.
– What are the most important considerations for being promoted?
– How do you handle clients?
– How do you handle Project Leaders and other senior team members?
– What kind of presentation styles and teamwork styles do you recommend for successful outcomes?
– How does one choose cases to work on, especially in the beginning where one may not be committed to a particular industry/functional area?
…..and many more questions will pop up during the teleseminar!
Yes, please do.
Yes!
Absolutely!
Yes! I would want you to describe your thought processes while confirming your offer and choosing assignments while at work.
Yes, I would be interested, definitely.
Specifics subjects:
– How to develop an excellent relationship with the client
– How to manage your relationship with the project leader
– How to combine efficiently work at McK and preparation for MBA. What additional activites will increase my possibilities to enter in a top MBA program?
– How to leverage your network to deliver a high-quality work
– Involvement in internal groups (Recruiting,…)
Yes please
Yes!