We recently had a listener question come in about generalist consultant vs specialist consultant roles. We'd like to answer it here today. If you have a question of your own about consulting, shoot us a 30-60 second voice message with your question. Today's question comes from Dylan in New Jersey and answering it is Namaan Mian, our COO.
Learn the Difference: Generalist Consultant vs Specialist Consultant Roles
Dylan: Listener Question
I've been searching for open positions on some of the bigger firm's websites and I can't find just a generalist management consulting job. I was wondering if you could break down some of these subdivisions such as human capital, technology, deals advisory, etc. And snowballing off that, are there some smaller firms that that do offer just a general management consulting job where you're exposed to a lot of different functions working for your clients? Thank you.
MC: Namaan
Dylan, that's a great question. The world of consulting can be a black box, especially if you're relying on firm websites to give you all the information that you need. They are notoriously clunky, confusing and not MECE, surprisingly, considering that's the way that you should approach a consulting project. Let's see if we can bring some clarity to your job search.
Generalist Roles
So number one, there are firms out there that offer generalist roles. This means that you are working on projects across industries for different types of clients, solving different types of business problems. Most of the larger firms that you've been looking for jobs at actually offer generalist roles. So MBB, Big 4, firms like Accenture Strategy, L.E.K., Oliver Wyman. All of these firms and more offer generalist roles. Now, as you've alluded to, there are also consulting firms, some of the same consulting firms I just mentioned, that also offer industry-specific or function-specific roles as well.
Specialist Consultant Roles
Human capital practice areas that deal a lot with compensation and benefits packages, change management, post-merger integration, specifically when it comes to teams and people. Supply chain functions that, of course, deal with supply chain and procurement. Technology practice areas that deal either with technology strategy, AKA, "What type of technology will help us solve this problem?" Or technology implementation, actually being embedded in the client organization helping them roll out a particular solution.
How do you figure out what type of consulting is right for you? Number one, network. Talk to people inside the specific firms and practice areas that you're interested in potentially joining. Ask them personal, specific, and positive questions. What do I mean by that? Don't ask them questions about the firm or life on the job that you can figure out by reading our website or the firm websites.
Ask them specifically about what their day to day on the job looks like. About the projects that they've been staffed on. About the number of industries that they've been able to serve in the last X years that they've been working at the firm. So, make sure to network. Number two, leverage our Consulting Firm Directory and our consulting Firm Profiles to get an insider look at the firms. We break down the differing levels of compensation that each practice area and firm offers. So make sure you take advantage of those free resources.
Dylan, let me leave you with this. The best way to identify open generalist roles at the firms that you're targeting is not through searching online. It's through networking.
Here's what you want to do. You want to target people in the role that you're applying for inside of your target offices, and speak to them. We have incredible resources on identifying the right people to talk to and how to reach out to them. But if you blindly apply online, you can expect to be dazed, confused, and frustrated.
And even when you do apply for an open role, the chances are low that you'll receive a response just through applying online. So in the discovery process and the pre-application process, you want to make sure that you're networking to identify open roles inside of your target practice areas and office and to ensure that when you do apply, your application is flagged for further review. Best of luck, and don't hesitate to follow up with further questions.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it, folks. Remember, you can send in your own questions to our email, podcast@managementconsulted.com. We'll catch you soon for another question.