What Is the Best Consulting Firm for Me?

Every consulting firm is unique. If you are interested in working in consulting, the available options include working for the typical strategy consultancies , more specialized boutique consulting firms, or for the so-called inhouse consultancies which are basically internal consulting firms of big companies. The big players in strategy consulting know how to set the tone by means of branding, demanding projects, internationality, and last but not least through attractive salaries. Boutique consultancies have the advantage that consultants may work in their favorite field in order to evolve into specialists. Inhouse consultancies are becoming more and more important for the job market, since employees are looking for more promising work-life-balance properties in their employers. Moreover, you'll be able to do your own networking in a big firm, and therefore lay a solid foundation for the transition into the later stages of your career.

What Are Necessary Skills for Me as a Consultant?

You'll have to bring certain abilities to the table, but it's about more than what's on your resume. Despite an excellent academic education, your future employer will also look for working experience, especially if acquired abroad. Particularly if you studied business/economics, you'll be expected to have at least two internships on your record when being interviewed.

Do I Need an MBA to Apply for a Job in Consulting?

While an MBA can be beneficial, it's not a strict requirement to apply for a consulting job. Consulting firms often seek candidates with diverse educational backgrounds, including natural sciences, medicine, and pharmacy. They highly value organized and analytical working behavior. Beyond educational qualifications, firms also emphasize soft skills such as communication abilities, self-confidence, and analytical skills. Even without significant practical experience, if you demonstrate these qualities, you could potentially be considered for consulting roles. Some firms may also offer workshops and mini-MBA programs to further develop your skills once hired.

What Are the Benefits While Working as a Consultant?

Working as a consultant offers several benefits. While the role often requires long working hours, especially for those starting their careers, it compensates with high salaries. Additionally, the experience you gain as a consultant can lead to promising career advancements and opportunities for personal development, extending beyond the realm of consulting. Many consultants leverage their experience to transition into roles in large industrial companies, smaller boutique consultancies, or startups, which can offer diverse career paths.

Back to overview

Oliver Wyman

Strategy Consultancy

>5,000 employees worldwide

Cases Insights Career Page

Solve Real Cases from Oliver Wyman

Company case by

Oliver Wyman

Oliver Wyman Case: Setting up a Wine Cellar

118.0k times solved

Difficulty: Beginner

Candidate-led

Profitability analysis

I’m thinking about setting up a wine cellar in my basement. The way I see it, shelf space would be divided into two sect(...)

I’m thinking about setting up a wine cellar in my basement. The way I see it, shelf space would be divided into two sections: (1) a “drinking” section(...)

Open case

Company case by

Oliver Wyman

Oliver Wyman Case: Full Electrons Ahead

137.3k times solved

Difficulty: Intermediate

Candidate-led

Growth strategy

Market analysis

Market sizing

Operations strategy

Your client, large automotive OEM WyCar, has developed its first fully electric vehicle (EV) and introduced it as a pilo(...)

Your client, large automotive OEM WyCar, has developed its first fully electric vehicle (EV) and introduced it as a pilot on the Austrian market last(...)

Open case

Company case by

Oliver Wyman

Oliver Wyman Case: On the Right Track

86.7k times solved

Difficulty: Beginner

Candidate-led

Operations strategy

Profitability analysis

TrainCo is a manufacturer of rolling stock, or trains, with production sites in three European countries. The company ha(...)

TrainCo is a manufacturer of rolling stock, or trains, with production sites in three European countries. The company has seen declining profitability(...)

Open case

Oliver Wyman Answers in Our Consulting Q&A

Mar 28, 2020

8.2k

8

Answer by

Mario

Thanks for the question Christine. I would structure the problem in three dimensions: Effect of crisis on Humans health and society, Effect of crisis on Science and Ph (...)

Thanks for the question Christine. I would structure the problem in three dimensions: Effect of crisis on Humans (...)

View Q&A

Your question has not yet been answered?

Take a look at our Consulting Q&A for more questions about Oliver Wyman

View Consulting Q&A