Hi there,

I actually used to work in IT-services companies and I joined McKinsey after that, so I completely understand your anxiety and concerns!

As to your question: your tasks can vary depending on the practice and on whether it's a pre-deal work or a post-deal work.

In the pre-deal work, somebody with an IT background can be given a task as follows: e.g. asset acquisition, and if this is an IT- company, then your expertise can be used to do some budgeting, evaluations etc.

Second, when these companies acquire and are planning to integrate. Another major integration area is a technology integration. Again, this work involves identifying synergies - two companies are coming together - you need to think of what can be done on the technology side (cost-saving, mutings etc.).

Post-deal work: As the integration as happening on the technology level of the two companies you can manage / overlook this project - none of consultants play a role there.

If it's a Big-4 - you may have a lot of projects on domaine/ Ip/ transactions etc.

As other coaches have suggested, you also want to think about how you will adjust to the management consulting environment, especially because the time pressure and workload are gonna be significally higher than what you're used to. There are many people who can help you start in management consulting, if you need more information, you can pm me. Happy to help you here.

Cheers,

GB

Hello!

Congrats!

If you are hired as a manager, you have already everything they need. I would not obsess and try to get some rest to arrive at the top of your game.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Hi there,

I'm not completely sure whar your role will look like - I'd recommend you try and get clarity on this beforehand from your superiors! That said, I have the following general advice for anyone preparing a new role in Consulting

MOST IMPORTANTLY: Know that no-one can perfectly prepare for the job and that's the point: You will mess up, you will learn, you will be trained and supported. That's OK!

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First: Read the 25 tips in my consulting handbook here: https://www.spencertom.com/2018/01/14/consulting-survival-guide/

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Second: Attend an academy

There are so many great training programs that prepare new graduates for the consulting world! I'm part of a few myself. Feel free to shoot me a message and I can point you in the right direction!

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Third: In terms of things you can learn/do to prepare beforehand:

1) Daily Reading

• The Economist, The Financial Times, BCG/Mskinsey Insights

2) Industry deep-dives

• Learn, in-depth, how the industries/companies your office advises, work. (PM me for an industry overview template)

3) Analytics tools

• Alteryx, Tableau, etc.

4) Excel

• https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/free-online-resources-to-learn-excel-basics-6946
• Pivottables
• Working with data
• Key fuctions (vlookup, Index match, count and sum if/ifs, sumproduct, concat, etc.)
• Hotkeys (i.e. use keyboard more than your mouse)
• Financial modeling

5) Powerpoint

• https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/powerpoint-skills-4072
• Wireframing
• Lead-in titles
• Best practices/standards
• Different layouts
• Quickly editing/updating slides
• Thinking in PowerPoint

6) Presentation skills / sharp communication

• There are some great online/virtual classes for this (including the academies meantioned above

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Fourth: In terms of doing well in your role when you're there:

1) Understand the context/prompt (what role are you in, what company, who's watching, etc.)

2) Understand the objective (what, specifically, is expected from you...both day to day, and in your overall career progression)

3) Quickly process information, and focus on what's important - Take a lot of information and the unknown, find the most logical path, and focus on that.

4) Be comfortable with the unknown, and learn to brainstorm - think/speak like an expert without being one

In summary, there will always be a flood of information, expectations, competition etc. and not enough time. Find out which ones matter when. (i.e. be visibile and focus efforts on the things that people care about)

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Fifth: Here are some great prior Q&As for you!

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/what-makes-a-good-consultant-how-to-get-a-good-review-6790

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-hard-is-it-to-excel-in-top-consulting-firms-6762

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-to-become-an-engagement-manager-and-partner-quickly-6722

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/need-to-learn-skills-in-the-ample-free-time-before-starting-at-an-mbb-what-should-i-do-6774