Yeah, the hours question is always a big one, and it's true, consulting isn't a 9-to-5 gig.
The typical workday is long, but it's also variable. You should expect to work around 50-75 hours a week on average.
Here's the reality:
- Weekdays are intense. Think starting early (often 8 or 9 am) and finishing late (often 7 pm, 8 pm, or later, depending on deadlines, client needs, and team norms).
- Travel adds time. If you're traveling (which used to be common pre-pandemic and is picking up again), travel days are particularly long, adding airport time to your work day.
- It depends on the project. Some projects have more predictable hours than others. A due diligence sprint is likely more intense than a longer-term operational improvement project.
- It depends on the team. Team culture and leadership can influence hours. Good managers try to manage the workload, but client demands often dictate the pace.
On the other hand, there's always beach time where hours worked are probably <5 per week!