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.

Get to know top consultancies, and stay up to date on current career events and job offers.

Back to overview

Whiteshield Advisory

Strategy Consultancy

< 100 employees worldwide

Whiteshield is a global advisory firm known for its ability to respond to global challenges rapidly and incisively. We use the most advanced tools and technology and combine them with our team of leading international experts to engage decision-makers in tackling society’s most significant challenges. We are recognized for our rapid decision support, innovation, data science algorithms and deep policy expertise. We are specialists in “connecting the dots” between policy, business and enhancing the lives of citizens.

Career Case Insights Jobs Career Page

Application & Career

Application at Whiteshield Advisory Career at Whiteshield Advisory

What to Expect in the Application Process at Whiteshield Advisory

Pre-Interview<br>Digital Assessment

Case + Personal Experience Interview (x3)

Interview Assessment (x2)

We strive to attract exceptional talent from all around the world with the capabilities to deliver excellence for our clients, pushing the boundaries through innovative insights and effective public policy solutions. Our recruitment process is supported by a variety of assessments which are adapted as appropriate to cater for the breadth of profiles needed to optimise performance. At Whiteshield we are proud to embrace a culture of growth mindset, so as part of the recruitment journey, candidates can expect to receive feedback celebrating success as well as sharing areas of development and opportunity.

Our assessment process is broken down into three stages:

Stage 1: Pre-Interview Digital Assessment

Our recruitment process begins with online assessments. You will be asked to respond to various types of questions across three stages:

Aptitude test: You will automatically receive an invitation to complete our first online analytical assessment. It includes numerical and verbal comprehension, as well as abstract reasoning.

Workplace personality test: After the analytical tasks, you will complete a workplace personality test. There are no right or wrong answers; we simply want to get to know you and your work style.

Video Interview: Once you complete the first two assessments, you will receive an invitation to a one-way video interview. During this interview, we will evaluate your fit for the role, communication skills, and ability to interpret data.

You should plan to spend approximately 40 minutes on the tests and 20 minutes on the video interview. Please make sure to find a quiet spot with good internet access. Once you start the assessment, you will not be able to retake it.

Stage 2: Case + Personal Experience Interview with Policy Advisors (x3)

Up to three 60 minute interviewer led interviews. You will meet a new Policy Advisor on each call. This is an opportunity for us to understand more about your experience in the space of Leadership, Drive & Independence and Resilient Growth and assess your ability to respond in the moment to a public policy or strategy related case. We will be focusing on your analytical capabilities, creativity, and quantitative reasoning as you respond to the case questions. It is important throughout this interview to:

Clearly structure your ideas, define the problem, the approach, and your assumptions
Ask any questions you may have to clarify specific points
Demonstrate clear reasoning
Engage in the dialogue

Stage 3: Interview Assessment with a Partner (x2)

Up to two 45-minute interviews where you will be assessed by our Partners. This is an opportunity for us to delve deeper into understanding your experience and capabilities, specifically assessing problem solving, strategic thinking and quantitative skills. This interview will involve a case and conversational piece with the Partner interviewing.

Discover Your Career Opportunities at Whiteshield Advisory

We offer a number of opportunities, from internships via our Young Policy Leader Program, through to full-time opportunities that are designed to support and empower you in the next stage of your career. We are dedicated to growing our network of global consultants and strive to attract exceptional talent from all around the world with the capabilities to deliver excellence for our clients.

General course of a career

Depending on the experience and capabilities assessed through our recruitment process, the following roles are available:

Foundation

Young Policy Leader Programme

To further develop Public Policy knowledge and capabilities we offer 3 – 12 month professional training programmes for students who are yet to complete their studies.

Associate

As an Associate you are tasked to solve complex economic problems and work end-to-end from the diagnostic phase to implementation. You are exposed to policy makers and policy reforms, receive training on public policy topics and work alongside our economists and policy advisors.

Senior Associate

As a Senior Associate you work on a range of strategy and public policy issues in direct contact with our clients, lead project modules and work both autonomously and within teams. You are expected to support, train, and guide our Associate / Economist population. You will strengthen your project management skills and be prepared to take on further client and team management tasks.

Leadership

Policy Advisor

Manager

Principal

Partnership

Partner

Solve a Real Case from Whiteshield Advisory

Company case by

Whiteshield Advisory

Whiteshield Advisory Case: Regulating Artificial Intelligence in the GCC

4.4

7.0k times solved

Difficulty: Intermediate

Interviewer-led

Market analysis

Non-conventional

Public Sector

This case is representative of the type of problems that a client might engage Whiteshield to help them with. Before ask(...)

This case is representative of the type of problems that a client might engage Whiteshield to help them with. Before asking you any questions about th(...)

Open case