I just started my job in consulting, and all I'm doing is taking notes. How long did it take you to start leading these engagements?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

Ask to own something --- exceed expectations on that and they will give you more. You have to prove you can be trusted and then they will give you the important stuff. Just don't ever under-deliver because trust can be hard to gain back.

like

Assigning someone to take notes is not consulting BS. It is highly important especially if in the beginning of an engagement your information is coming from multi-hour meetings. By being note take you also can become quite important on the engagement by being the keeper of all client facts. Use that and grow.

like
Recent IconRecent

You just started and haven't made partner yet?!

like

I hope to God you're not my staff who I just had a related conversation with.

like

As someone else said - make your meeting minutes spotless and organized. Then in your "spare time" study the notes. Begin learning and remembering what was discussed. From there you can start contributing even if it is purely to relay "facts" rather than deep content.

like

You'll get to do more interesting stuff. Just kill it on the notes and make them look really pretty. And then they'll give you more.

like

OP, note taking is useful beyond having notes at the end of it - you get to observe and learn. My advice: sit up straight, pay attention, and take in what's going on around you. And also do a killer job on the notes themselves, to show you're committed. You'll get more responsibility in due time.

like

Carry on 😂

like

What level btw? If you're a staff, then I say buckle up because you still have a few more years of note taking. In fact just prepare for always being expected to take notes if you're the most junior in the room (even if PPED).

like

You're not plankton. You're a sponge. Be the sponge

like

Thanks everyone, I feel a lot better after seeing all your responses. I just have to be patient. Will not disappoint you all. These notes will be perfected!!

like

Tasking a person exclusively to take notes is pure and utter consulting BS. Not only it's costing the client a lot of money but is also demotivating.

like

Anybody on here who says notes are useless does not get the essence of consulting. If your notes are great, they should really feed the content for the slides. Creating great slides requires the same skills as creating good notes - attention to detail, understanding who the audience is, tailoring the messaging to them etc.

like

Also it's the best way to learn what's going on

like

Much to learn you have, young Padowan

like

To be straight up I sucked as a staff and taking notes. My way of overcoming was to study the hell out of topics relevant to my practice. Eventually I was able to demonstrate my value by knowing the subject matter and there was less expectation on me to be a note taker in meetings. That doesn't always work out perfectly though.

like

Fake it til you make it, guarantee those guys on your team that you think have a ton of expertise, don't, they learned how to play the game

like

Two whole years of experience??? Be patient, I just don't see a lot of advisory value from someone with only two years experience. Don't complain, kill it on the notes, volunteer to provide status in the meetings based on your notes. Be assertive when giving those status and maybe you'll start adding some value in 3-4 years

like

Nope I work in the northeast region

like

Notetaking is critical and an amazing way to learn. You actually get better and better at it. My associates and seniors sometime suck at taking notes because they don't get it, and I end up just sending them mine.

one. You will learn because it's a more active way of listening.

Two. Ask for feedback on your notes. This is a really good way to realize what where your gaps are. Like I said, my reports often miss things, and that's where I'll give them more information on what it is missing or what it is that they got wrong.

Three. We often go back to notes, especially when we win phase 2, or need to remember a decision from the client.

like

Related Posts

Who is bipolar and/or has major depression and/or has anxiety and/or is/has anything else? Who has been in a mental hospital? Who has been to rehab? Who sees a therapist? Who sees a psychiatrist? ...

like

Starting to feel like spring!

Post Photo
likefunny

Anyone know if starting bonuses are offered for PE value creation roles in the UK?

Looking for recommendation - Anyone here uses air purifier for allergies and which one?

like

Trump: China’s paying you!
Joe: China’s paying you!
China:

Post Photo
likefunny

Pharma, is it the career kiss of death?

like

I have an interview with Deloitte coming up in the next couple of weeks... any insight, suggestions, case interview tips, or general comments to share?

Thanks!

like

Looking for a men's watching ~$350, any suggestions?

like

Can anyone tell me what the salary range is for Monitor Deloitte senior consultants in the UAE? Also I have a SC offer from PwC healthcare (not strategy &) and currently also interviewing with Monitor so according to you all which of the two is better across WLB, growth, culture, quality? Thanks!

like

PhDs of Fishbowl, what's the worst thesis premise you've ever encountered?

like

BCG midtown Atlanta office has two Sr AA roles open (or EA DOE) DM me if you want more info! This is not the Nexus office! This is the client facing office in midtown.

like

Hello, I am new to canada and looking for a data scientists job, referrals would be much appreciated. Any advice for new comers? Thanks!

like

What % raises did you get when getting promoted from Mgr to SM for those in public accounting? Trying to gauge what I should expect when I’m up for a promotion.

like

How are you chillin fish?

like

Has your firm put any new benefits or programs in place over the past several months that make you feel like they genuinely care for your well-being?

like

Wow I thought Oliver Wyman did only FS, turns out they cover pretty much all industries / functions. Is it true?

like

Thoughts on Lo and son’s Brookline bag? I got the OMG but had to return it due to its huge size. I am petite Asian women so a small bag is preferred.
TIA!

like

I’m in a relationship for about a year - we generally have a good time together but don’t really have the butterflies and I haven’t really had a crush on him apart from maybe before we started talking. Mum is convinced this is because we see each other almost every day, and because we were set up, so didn’t have to ‘pursue’ each other. Any thoughts / suggestions on how to address this? I want to get and give the butterflies 😭

like

Did a final round a week ago and haven’t heard anything. Is it a good idea to let a company know I’ve moved into the final stage or finished the final round with a few companies when following up for an update?

like

After 3 years of dealing with the worst firm I've ever had the displeasure of working for, I finally landed my dream gig at a small specialty firm. The people at the new firm are all SMEs featured in and contributors to the most notable business publications in the world, less than 100 employees, better benefits, unlimimted PTO, doubled my pay and landed a senior role.

Keep looking for what you want and deserve. I'm happy to be forging a better path away from what I've had to endure.

likeuplifting

Additional Posts in Consulting

Has any of you had any luck joining another firm as a partner while not being one at your current firm?

like

I seriously feel at my best if I get at least 8.5-9hrs of uninterrupted sleep. Can anyone else relate?

I just feel tired and depressed all the time on ~7hrs of sleep on a daily. Is consulting not for me?

like

Applied for the role of an Associate at BCG Dubai, but after over a month I was informed by HR that I am better suited for the Doha office. A little puzzled by this, not sure if I should even consider it.

Is there anything fundamentally different between these two offices or anything else I need to know?

like

Which is best in Los Cabos? Hyatt Ziva (all inclusive), Westin, or Sheraton

like

Best games to play on a Mac?

like

What is maximum amount you can submit for cell phone bill reimbursement ?

like

Does anyone at Deloitte GPS like their job? Please share some positives before I hit accept...

like

Happy 21st second of the 21st minute of the 21st hour of the 21st day of the 21st year of the 21st century

likefunnysmartupliftinghelpful

Deloitte UK 🐠, how many of you are now "ineffective consultants" 😂😂😂

likefunny

Anyone daytrading? If you can determine a good low and good high, you seem to be able to make decent gains. Halliburton’s been doing well for me this week, but would love other recommendations!

like

How is work life balance in UK compared to US?

like

Seen a couple discussion with respect to “call center” recently - what is this gig?

like

Have any of you transitioned from a software consulting role to a product owner role? What was that transition like?

like

Went on a few dates with this lady. I got a new job and it’s where this lady works. I thought we wouldn’t overlap since different department. Now having a meeting with her tomorrow 😱

funnylikesmart

KPMG employees steal everything at the end

like

Joining BCG as a Project Leader soon and am curious what onboarding is like. Is it just at your home office or somewhere else?

like

So...my friend is paying $6k for a matchmaker to set her up on dates for three months (no not the Indian matchmaker it's someone from philly). I tried telling her that she's probably just better off trying to find love on her own but there's no talking her out of this one. Any matchmaker success stories out there?

likefunny

Are utilization targets (%) always based on 40 hrs/wk, I.e 90% utilization = avg 36 billable hrs/wk?

like

Hey fishies! Super curious...What do you redeem for your recognition awards?

like

So the consulting firm I’m in only has BA/PMO roles available on different clients - is this a universal thing?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal