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Layoffs at Walmart corporate 😬😬
Rising Star
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A decade as a consultant and they want you to come in as a senior consultant? Depends on the level of firm. Also, why haven’t you been promoted within that decade, assuming your title is current? If you’re a senior consultant now then as a hiring firm why would I prompt you? Unless you’re going from MBB to boutique, but even then it’s a different world.
Idk - that’s a good question. I work in a big consulting shop so it really varies by practice. Most everyone in my group ended up unsuccessful, most lateraled to other firms at the same or lower level. I’m focused on the future now, not the chaos at my current firm. If my skills translate to Manager, I’d like to pursue it, but I also want to be realistic about whether I’d have better success by lateraling instead.
Not unusual tbh if you’re coming from industry into consulting for the first time
I’ve been in industry 3 of those years and consulting for ~7 years. I’m pretty comfortable leading engagements; however every firm has its own guidelines and methodology.
A couple of factors come into play here - 1) Where you are moving from and where to? 2) Whats the salary difference?
Typically if you are moving within /across the Big 4, you should look for a lateral move. Also the pay bands are in the same range so any pay bump you get will be a short term boost.
But if you are moving from a boutique to a Big 4 or from a Big 4 to a T1 or T2, they might push you down one level because their delivery model is a bit different. So it does give you a bit of a runway to learn a different style, pace and approach to consulting. Plus the salary and incentive pay bands will be 20-25% higher so you should come out ahead even if you come in at a lower level.
Interestingly, when I interviewed at the Big 4 while finishing my MBA I was offered Sr. Consultant / Sr. Associate roles. But I choose to go take an industry role. 7 years later, when I looked to get into consulting I was still offered roles at the same level. I took it because I was offered a 25% bump and then got promoted in 18 months to Manager. What I did see was people who came into consulting from industry struggled to adjust to the style, pace and expectations. A very high percentage quit within 12-18 months because they simply couldn’t adjust.
In the end, only you can make the decision. How eager are you to make the change? Does the change of brand, type of experience/exposure and potential career trajectory make a difference to take the leap? And lastly don’t plan for the here and now - you possibly have atleast another 15-20 year career ahead of now. You might stumble a bit and make a couple of detours but I am sure you will come out ahead eventually.
From my experience you take a 50% YOE discount when going from industry to consulting. So if you have 10 years, you should come in at a senior consultant / associate manager level
F
What company? I have a feeling this is my current company I work for rn
When I was there, SC was a new hire right out of grad school. A is closer to SC in big 4 and is where I came in with about 4 years of relevant experience and a relevant Masters degree. That said if an experienced hire joined at SC they’d have a pretty easy promotion to A in a couple of years. A is a huge band going up to very experienced individual contributors.
No. Don’t do it.
Tell them to fcuk off. Jeez.
It’s just an excuse to pay less to gain more from you.
The might have a different teaming structure that your previous org. Id say no doubt push for the higher role or the highest rank of senior. This is just my take - it’s good to not take the first offer and ask for more, one day you will be the one advocating for the firm and I feel it’s good to demonstrate that.
I had 6 years of industry experience at a top 100 fortune firm and entered as a Sr Consultant post MBA. There are Sr consultants with 2-3 yoe at my firm and I feel old as dirt lol
Rising Star
F that ask for more
Do you have 10 years as a consultant? Or 10 years in industry? If the latter, makes sense to come in as an IC. You will not be able to lead consulting engagements.
Good question and perspective. 3 in industry and 7 in consulting.
I might ask for it (initially to see what they say), but I also might take the lateral in this economy and try to get promoted quickly. Lower expectations and if my trajectory is good, it might be worth it. Not sure I want to risk underperforming as a Manager on a new firm since every firm is different too.