New Job in Big 4 Consultancy Vs Industry Role

kanad on 26/07/2017 - 17:34
Last edited 26/07/2017 - 17:41 by 1 other user

I have worked in the same company for last 9 years as an architect and now leaving due to redundancy.

This job was pretty cushy 9-5, no stress, friendly colleagues, flexible work life balance, decent pay etc. Obviously I am coming out of comfort zone. I have interviews coming up in one of the big 4 firm in their technical advisory stream and another in a big industry role both as solution architect in digital space which is interesting and hot. I haven't got these perm roles yet but wondering what should I do if I get them. Having never worked in a consultancy I don't know how working in big 4 feel, would I be able to cope, I am coming 2 level below a partner. The industry role should be familiar territory given my experience.

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  [Deactivated] on 26/07/2017 - 18:17

  +1

  Consultancies are "ok". I would never call a job at a consultancy "hot" or "interesting" no matter if they described it as programming robotic dinosaurs which destroyed each other with lazers.

  They are not for everyone. Though some people tolerate/enjoy them. The consultancy can probably pay you more than what is first offered. Always negotiate hard when getting a job at a consultancy.

  I really don't think it is a too massive of decision. That is why there is a probation period. If you don't like the new role, respectfully leave.

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  rgr on 26/07/2017 - 21:36

  consultancies charge you out at 3x your salary price so remember to negotiate your pay otherwise you'll get cheated.

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  TheBilly on 27/07/2017 - 06:59

  So redundancy at the 9 year mark. How does this affect long service leave? Do you get paid out?

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    kanad on 27/07/2017 - 16:56

    +1

    Yes LSL paid out after 7 years in Vic, taxed at 32%. AL paid out, taxed at 32%.

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      TheBilly on 27/07/2017 - 17:44

      Nice to hear !!

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  MrHyde on 27/07/2017 - 14:25

  It depends on what you like to do. I have working as a consultant (for others previously and now for myself) and love it. I love not doing the same thing again and again. Each project is with new people, new technologies and new challenges. I don't take projects that more than a couple of months long as I get bored very quickly.

  You do need to be able to handle stress and be able to pick up new skills quickly as in a consultancy, you will get allocated to whatever work is available - not necessarily where your key strengths are and you need to come up to speed very quickly.

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    Changskies on 30/07/2017 - 02:13

    Hi there,

    just a quick question from an idiot who wasted his early-mid twenties on playing; how would an individual be considered as a suitable candidate for a consultant position? I have my foot in the door, working as an account manager in IT industry and currently trying to plan my next move in 3-4 years time.

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      MrHyde on 30/07/2017 - 07:36

      For a client facing consulting role, what I look for are soft skills - things like personality and how the person communicates and builds relations with the customer, ability to handle stress without showing it visibly, exude confidence in the areas that he is the expert in. In order to do this, my interview questions are designed to slowly get more and more uncomfortable for the candidate. There is no right or wrong answer, but I am looking for how they handle the situation.

      Technical ability is also very important, but that can be learnt. Soft skills can only be learnt through experience; not through classroom teaching… so I look for that first.

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        Changskies on 05/08/2017 - 07:57

        Thank you so much! As an AM, Im trying my best to pick up skillsets from my peers - definitely have to look out for soft skills. Really appreciate your input!

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  kanad on 27/07/2017 - 17:26

  I had my interview and now I know the role better. It is an internal stakeholder facing role building digital IP within the firm. It is like a startup team within the larger org, and I quite like it. I will not be billed to a client.