ZS Associates Just got offer from ZS at AC level with total 6 yoe and 3 yoe after Masters. Need suggestion and few insights to below questions please:
1. How is WLB at ZS?
2. Applied at C level but being offered AC. Is that correct level at ZS for a SC at Big 4?
3. What is the transfer process to move internationally? After how many years in ZS we can ask for a transfer outside US?
4. Compensation wise - No change from the existing? Any suggestion should i join or not?
Chief
ZS LOVES hiring overqualified people for roles they have no business being in. It’s a ZS speciality
No such thing as an accelerated promotion in zs. It takes minimum 2-3 years for AC to become C
Chief
ZS partner here, though not in tech -
If you applied as a C and got an offer as an AC, there are two possibilities:
1) You were being considered for an AC position all along. If so, recruiting would have been upfront about that so that it wouldn’t be a surprise when you got the offer.
2) You were being considered for a C position and during the interviews, the team concluded that they liked you but didn’t think you were quite ready to succeed as a C. At that point, either we offer you an AC position or we decline your candidacy. This sort of thing happens reasonably often. I’ve seen some decline the offer since they’re really gunning for a raise/promotion and we don’t tend to do that. In other cases, people take the offers and knock it out of the park and advance quickly.
I can’t speak to how this compares to the B4 role you have now - other than if the comp is lateral, that would suggest you aren’t getting some sort of downgrade.
Good luck with the decision!
Rising Star
😂😂
No point of joining ZS at an AC level after your experience . I had done this mistake & now i am moving out of ZS to cover up my mistake
Ditto
Chief
Wait, nobody has addressed that there’s no comp bump for the move?
Hard pass.
ZS7 - don’t try to spin it. We are fully informed about the CIG role. It is shameful and we need to correct it
Don't join zs at AC level with so many years of experience. An SC at Deloitte is a C at ZS. For example, after an MBA you join at a C level in ZS and an SC level at Deloitte
2 year min to transfer internationally
Wouldn’t take that if your YOE are consulting. Too junior.
If you are willing to play the long game and have the talent to succeed, ZS can be an extremely rewarding firm (coming from someone who joined as an Associate in India and has been around for 10+ years with multiple competing offers from other firms along the way). While there are other firms that offer a similar growth trajectory in a collegial environment (I would count MBB + some T2 firms + some in Tech, and maybe a few of the big 4), I wouldn’t discard the ZS offer unless you have a solid alternative
Don't join at this experience. You will always feel outsider because the time you will become C, home grown ZSer will be manager with same or less experience. I have gone through this and it doesn't feel good.
In my team an AC is hired with just 3.5 years of experience from Accenture technologies, now you can understand how big the gap is.
No change in comp then why do you want to move?
You are absolutely correct ZS is good only for homegrown, anyways lateral won’t stick here for long term as WLB, value & growth is better outside
To answer your questions more directly :
1. Pretty terrible wlb but no worse than other consulting firms
2.yes you were more likely considered as a senior ac and would get promoted to c quickly. Would be interested to hear how your interviews went to tell you for sure
3. Transfers are pretty easy within US. Internationally I believe it's when you build a good rapport with your team within your practice and how long it takes you but the process again isn't hard
4. Negotiate your comp if they're not budging then don't consider the offer
WLB at ZS is horrendously worse than the other consulting firm I worked at.
OP: run. There are no quicker promotes at ZS. You always need at least a full 2 cycles, which is the earliest possible (1 year). There is no reason for you to consider this offer - get what you deserve somewhere else! Good luck :)
1. Depends on BU, certain are better than others
2. Yes
3. 1y with good business reason
4. ?
BU is business tech. I am trying to gauge if the switch to ZS is good from current company (as there is no difference in compensation that i currently have) but work wise seems to be good.
With potential down leveling and change in comp, don’t join. Apply at other places.