Life as a strategy consultant is not for everyone. It takes a strong will and a determined mind to withstand 16 hour days, weekly flights across the country, and long nights away from home. UMass Class of 2010 alumnus Charbel Kobrianos, now part of Accenture’s Global Strategy Group, clearly illustrated throughout his presentation last Thursday that the glamorous life of a professional consultant is not always all glimmer and gold. On the other hand, no day is the same as the last. Each new project provides a unique opportunity to work with corporate leaders, solving problems with impacts at a global level. As Charbel said, “Management consulting takes a great talent and an objective view to problems.” This is not an easy job, but it is extremely rewarding.

The global travel and fast paced work didn’t dissuade you from pursuing a career in consulting, so, how do you actually get the job? Charbel spoke to the challenges faced by students when attempting to break into a competitive industry like that of consulting. After graduating UMass in 2010 with a BS in Electrical Engineering, Charbel joined Accenture as an IT Consultant. Utilizing his networking skills, Charbel successfully maneuvered himself into the Accenture Strategy division within two years of employment. Breaking into the consulting industry can seem impossible to some, but Charbel offered IUCG some tips and tricks to getting on the right path.

The first hurdle of every career is getting the interview. Charbel suggested we follow his lead: network, network, network. Taking initiative and reaching out to partners and project managers within the firm allowed Charbel to move his career down the path he desired. As an undergraduate, focus your efforts on researching the firm and the position you’re applying for. Reach out to alumni and leverage your LinkedIn to get connected with individuals who could expedite the application process and help get your resume to the top of the stack.

Step 2: You’ve been invited to the interview, how do you prepare? Evaluate your competencies. The company does not exist to serve you; your role is to provide value to the company and its clients. Prove that you can increase their net worth. The food chain is as follows: “client, company, you.” Most importantly, do your homework. Prepare questions, study case questions, and read the recruiting material. Understanding the details of the company’s background and current events in the industry can give you a competitive edge.

You’re in the waiting room, suited up and ready for the interview; how do you land the job? Once you’re in the interview, make eye contact and stay calm. During the case, take your time to structure the problem and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Charbel mentioned that some of the best interviews feel like a conversation, rather than a question and answer session. At the end of the day, it’s all about fit. Every company has a culture, and they are looking for the candidate who has not only the mindset, but also the personality to succeed with their firm. You’ll be spending at minimum 40 hours a week with the person hiring you- you should be able to get comfortable in a one hour interview.

Charbel provided IUCG a fresh first-person perspective on life as a strategy consultant. This is a career path that offers a breadth of experiences in different industries and consistently provides opportunities to learn. If you’re interested in learning more about a career in consulting, some key resources Charbel, our speaker, mentioned were managementconsulted.com and consultantsmind.com.

View the gallery below (photo credit to Jessica Eklund):

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