"Transition job" to get into consulting after market warms up?

I'm sorry to hear about your recent layoff. It's understandable that you're considering different options for your future career in consulting. Here are some thoughts on each of the routes you mentioned:

1. Switch to another consulting firm:

• While this may be the ideal option, it's important to be aware of the current hiring landscape in your region. If major firms are not actively hiring at the moment, it might be necessary to explore alternative paths in the short term.
• Taking on a transition job can be a practical approach to keep yourself engaged professionally while waiting for opportunities to open up in the consulting field. It shows resilience and adaptability.

1. Find a corporate strategy role:

• Transitioning to a corporate strategy role can be a viable option to gain industry-specific experience and broaden your skill set. However, be mindful of the potential perception that exiting consulting after just one year may raise questions about your motivation and commitment.
• To address this concern, clearly articulate in your resume and interviews how the corporate strategy role aligns with your long-term goals and how it complements your consulting experience. Emphasize the value you can bring to the role based on your consulting background.

1. Find a short-term contractor/freelance role:

• Engaging in short-term contractor or freelance roles can provide you with the opportunity to continue honing your consulting skills while maintaining flexibility for future recruitment.
• To mitigate potential concerns about job stability or frequent job switches, focus on highlighting the specific projects and achievements within each role to demonstrate your valuable contributions and the diversity of your experience.
• Additionally, emphasize your ability to adapt to different environments, work effectively in different teams, and deliver results within limited timeframes.

Ultimately, the best route depends on your specific circumstances and the availability of opportunities in your region. Consider the short-term and long-term implications of each option, and align your decision with your career goals and aspirations. Stay proactive, network extensively, and remain open to various possibilities. With a strategic approach and determination, you can navigate this challenging period and find the right path for your consulting career.

Best of luck in your future endeavors!

1. Consulting switch: Keeping the connections is the best path and will be of value in the long-run
2. Corp Strat: Indeed switching back in less than 2 years will be questionable. But if you pick your Corp Strat role well (and not simply as a transition job) - you could spend a few years easily - or even consider permanence.
3. Freelance/Contract: Worth trying - and might even lead to a better financial freedom if it works out well. Worst case that you get to go back to a regular job. Won't feature negatively on your profile if the quality of your work is good.

Final decision is fully yours and yours alone though

Hello,

I like Ian's advice of trying all three and seeing what sticks! All options have pros and cons as you outline (which I generally agree with). I would apply for jobs widely, and keep an eye out for contractor/freelance positions too, though these may be harder to find if you only have 1 year of consulting experience. If you get a “transition job”, there are still ways of maintaining your network in consulting if the goal is to get back into it eventually.

Hi there, 

Sorry to hear about the situation. 

If your objective is to be mid to long-term in consulting, then I'd focus on strategies 1 and 3. 

Regarding point 1, applying to other firms, it's fair that there are not that many opportunities out there, but there are still some. What you need is a strong application strategy to navigate this. Sharing with you a guide that shows you how to do this:

• Maximising your chances of getting a consulting job during an economic downturn

Regarding point 3, freelance work, you need to look into what sort of freelance work you could do and how you could explain to potential employers why you chose to do this sort of work. Ideally, finding freelance work as a consultant would work best. Consider setting up your own practice for more credibility when you apply once again for consulting roles. 

Best,
Cristian

Hi there,

Sorry to hear about the situation, that should be tough. 

In terms of your question:

Q: I'm planning a future career and would like to seek your opinion.

As Ian said, I would do all three. If you get #1, which you consider the best option, that’s great, otherwise I would move to a backup option in the meantime.

I would also add one more option. Possibly you already know what you might want to do after consulting (eg PE, VC). You can target that as well. In this way, you might actually be able to speed up your career growth rather than put it on hold for a bit.

You will need to do a lot of networking for this last option, but that could still be possible. You can find some tips on networking below (the article is about networking in consulting but applies to any industry):

▶ How to Network to Land a Referral

Good luck!

Francesco

Hi there,

I'm so sorry to hear.

#1 thing to remember: It will all be just fine.

I know so many people who have been fired/let go in life (including from consulting). It all worked out for them. You will be just fine, and this is not a reflection on you as an individual.

Here's my advice:

Go for all 3 options.

Tap into your network. Apply to a ton of places. Pick up the phone (and the coffee) and talk to people. Speak to people across options 1, 2, and ,3. 

Two goals when talking to them:

1. Find out if you'll like that specific job/role and be good at it
2. Get a foot in the door

There are likely to be some specific roles/firms within 1, 2, and 3 that you like. Find them and decide which exact route to take as you go through the interview process!