ARE you a natural problem solver? Then consider a job as a consultant.
Consultants are management and organisational experts brought in to help firms improve everything from profitability and productivity to how employee teams are structured.
After stellar growth post-pandemic, the job growth rate has slowed this year, but the consulting industry still brings in over £15bn to the UK economy each year.
What’s more, many big-name consulting firms are seeking to diversify their staff and are actively recruiting more working-class and ethnic minority employees.
So if you’re curious about consulting, here’s all you need to know, from Sun Jobs.
What exactly does a consultant do?
Put very simply, management consultants help organisations to solve issues, maximise growth and improve their business performance.
There are specialist consultants across every field from IT to energy to public services and financial services but their core tole is the same.
Consultants are employed as outside advisors who use their business skills to provide objective advice and expertise, so a company or organisation to develop any specialist skills that it may be lacking.
What is the salary for a management consultant?
As it is a specialised job, the pay is generous.
Junior consultants usually start on around £30,000 while senior staff can make over £125,000 plus a profit share and bonus.
What qualifications do you need to be a consultant?
The vast majority of consultants have a minimum 2:2 degree.
While you can get into the industry with a degree in any field, numerical or analytical degrees such as business, economics or maths are preferred.
Many senior staff also go on to take MBAs.
However, some big firms have begun to offer consulting apprenticeships.
Find out more at www.kpmgcareers.co.uk/apprentice/kpmg360-consulting-apprenticeship.
What personal qualities do consultants need?
Consulting is a complicated job and requires several high-level skills.
As well as business management and analytical thinking, you’ll need to be able to use your initiative, solve complex problems and be flexible and open to change.
You’ll have to write reports and make presentations and be able to influence senior people in decision-making roles.
On top of this, it helps to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications.
You can see more at nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/management-consultant.
READY to be the business? Here are the top consultancy jobs on Sun Jobs this week.
UK BISO Senior Manager, Pwc UK, Manchester
Click with this top cyber consulting job.
The Job: The UK BISO Senior Manager is a key contact, working closely with both senior leadership and providing security guidance and support across the rest of the business.
What You’ll Do: The role involves lots of relationship building and problem solving as you proactively develop and maintain regular relationship engagement with business senior leadership and gain a deep understanding of business teams’ strategy, maturity, operations, priorities and pressures.
You’ll Need: An action-oriented mentality is required as are great communication skills to assist, inform, and build relationships to enable effective information security activities and processes aligned to the firm’s security strategy.
Apply Now: See all the requirements, or see what other jobs are available at PwC.
Customer Service Advisor – Hybrid Working, Accenture, Newcastle upon Tyne
Get your foot in the door with consulting giant Accenture in this entry-level job.
The Job: This role is for a Customer Service Advisor for Virgin Media, where you’ll be supporting people to stay connected.
What You’ll Do: In this role you will help people, problem-solve, and provide excellent service. Prepare for a shift pattern of Monday to Friday from 8am––8pm (including bank holidays) with occasional weekends.
You’ll Need: Nine months’ or more experience in a contact centre or a customer-facing role within the telecoms industry. You should also love talking with people, and believe in providing a first-class customer experience.
Apply Now: Find out more now, or discover other open roles at Accenture.
UK Public Sector Account Manager, Version 1, London
Build your career as a tech specialist with this dynamic new role.
The Job: Version 1 is a technology services company, and it seeks a UK Public Sector Account Manager to join a growing team focused on selling digital, data and managed services.
What You’ll Do: You’ll prepare, present, and deliver Version 1 propositions to customers, being confident in your ability to do this virtually and in person, as well as contribute to bid strategies to maximise winning opportunities.
You’ll Need: Experience in working in IT services, IT consultancy, technology solutions or a similar industry, along with awareness of public sector tender processes.
Apply Now: Apply for this job, or discover other open roles at Version 1.
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