Getting a Consulting Job from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Small and Effective Teams

Consulting firms (like law, tax, audit, tax firms) are built on a leverage model. This means that projects have senior practitioners (partners, directors) who sell the work and develop the executive relationships. Managers keep the teams productive and the client happy. Junior staff do the work; conduct interviews, gather data, run analyses, put together presentations.

Consulting Competencies and Skills

Management consultants are good at many things. They can quickly scope ambiguous problems, find and analyze messy data, manage small diverse teams, keep the client engaged, and run profitable projects. How can you do them all and which skills should you learn first?

What are Consulting Projects Like?

Consulting projects vary enormously. I've been on 6 month-long implementation with 20+ practitioners coming and going, and 3 person assessments that only lasted 3 weeks. The executive sponsor often varies - CEO, CFO, CMO, COO, or CIO. You'd be surprised how many similarities these diverse projects have.

What are Consulting Firms Looking For?

Consulting is a great career path. Many people want to compete for these rare consulting job offers. So, it's important to "reverse-engineer" what the consulting firms are looking for in new recruits. Consultants help make clients successful. Firms are looking for candidate who are smart, curious, good communicators, and know how to effectively network.

How to Prepare for Interviews

Consulting interviews typically come in two flavors. 1) Behavioral interviews are the ones we are accustomed to; interviews ask about our resume, motivations, and try to understand our "fit" with the organization. 2) Case interviews are a collaborative problem-solving exercise to see how you think + communicate + smile at the same time.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a clear structure for understanding consulting firms and their operations, which can aid in networking with recruiters

Covers essential skills and competencies for consulting professionals at various career stages

Focuses on case interviews, a crucial element in the consulting recruitment process

Instructor John Kim's expertise in management consulting provides valuable insights

Content includes practical guidance on managing consulting projects and client relationships

May require additional self-study to prepare effectively for consulting interviews

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Getting a Consulting Job with these activities:

Volunteer at a non-profit organization

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Gain practical experience in problem-solving and communication by volunteering your skills.

Browse courses on Community Involvement

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Identify non-profit organizations that align with your interests.
Reach out to organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Commit to a specific project or role within the organization.

Attend Industry Events

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Expand your network and learn about the consulting industry by attending industry events.

Browse courses on Networking

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Research industry events in your area.
Attend industry events and network with professionals.
Follow up with the people you meet at industry events.

Compile a list of consulting resources

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Build a valuable repository of information and resources for your consulting journey.

Browse courses on Research

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Search for articles, books, and online resources on consulting.
Organize and categorize the resources based on topic or relevance.
Share your compilation with peers or mentors for feedback.

Nine other activities

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Review essential communication skills

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Reinforce your ability to communicate effectively, a crucial skill for consulting.

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Read articles and books on communication techniques.
Practice active listening and empathy in conversations.

Practice case interviews

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Practice case interviews to improve your problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills, which are essential for success in consulting.

Browse courses on Case Interviews

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Identify case interview questions and practice solving them
Record yourself solving cases and review your performance
Seek feedback from a mentor or career counselor

Review Excel

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Use Excel to analyze data and create presentations, which are frequent tasks in management consulting.

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Review basic Excel functions and formulas.
Practice using Excel to create charts and graphs.
Complete an online Excel tutorial or course.

Practice Case Interview Questions

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Prepare for case interviews by practicing common questions and developing your problem-solving abilities.

Browse courses on Case Interviews

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Review common case interview questions.
Practice answering case interview questions out loud.
Get feedback on your case interview answers from a mock interviewer.

Watch tutorials on consulting frameworks

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Gain insights into industry-standard frameworks to improve your analytical approach.

Browse courses on Problem Solving

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Search for online tutorials or webinars on consulting frameworks.
Watch videos and take notes on key concepts and applications.
Practice applying frameworks to mock case studies.

Practice case interview questions

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Enhance your analytical and problem-solving abilities through dedicated practice.

Browse courses on Case Interviews

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Access online platforms or books for case study questions.
Solve cases independently, focusing on structure and clarity.
Seek feedback from peers or mentors to improve your approach.

Create a Case Study Presentation

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Develop critical thinking and presentation skills by working through a case study and presenting your findings.

Browse courses on Case Studies

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Choose a case study that is relevant to management consulting.
Analyze the case study and identify the key issues.
Develop a solution to the case study.
Create a PowerPoint presentation that outlines your solution.
Practice presenting your solution to a mock audience.

Develop a project plan for a consulting engagement

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Demonstrate your understanding of project planning by creating a comprehensive plan.

Browse courses on Project Management

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Identify the project scope, objectives, and timeline.
Define deliverables, milestones, and responsibilities.
Develop a communication and risk management plan.

Write a blog post on a consulting topic

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Demonstrate your understanding and contribute to the consulting community by sharing your insights.

Browse courses on Thought Leadership

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Choose a relevant topic and conduct research.
Develop an outline and write a draft.
Get feedback from peers or mentors on your writing.

Career center

Learners who complete Getting a Consulting Job will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Management Consultant

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Operations Consultant

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Consultant

Consultants are in high demand among firms of all sizes. This course may be useful to someone aiming to enter the consulting field, as it teaches the essential principles of how consulting firms operate, what a consultant does, and how to ace the consulting interview. This course covers the fundamentals of the consulting profession and provides a strong foundation for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Strategy Consultant

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Technology Consultant

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Business Analyst

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Market Research Analyst

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Data Analyst

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Project Manager

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Financial Analyst

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Private Equity Analyst

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Investment Banker

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Product Manager

Product managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products or features. This course can be useful for aspiring product managers, as it provides a solid understanding of the product management process and the skills needed to succeed in this field.

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Marketing Manager

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