I want to switch from medicine to consulting.

Question

I have worked in NHS admin for 2 years and also as a junior doctor for 3 years in India. What is the best way to enter in consulting job?

Answer 1

Hi,

Glad you are deciding to break into consulting. It can indeed be a very rewarding and fulfilling career.

If I break it down, you probably want to think about 2 aspects about breaking into consulting:

Getting invited to the interview (getting one foot into the door)
1. Strong application (CV & CL)
  1. Make sure your application is in tip-top shape and worded in the right and relevant way that showcases the skills that are important
2. Networking
  1. This is also extremely important as it gives you a higher chance of getting a referral, plus also can help to strengthen your application story
Acing the interview
1. Understand what exactly you are going to be graded on
2. Understand what good looks like
3. Develop a strategy and plan to get you to a star candidate

There's lots more details and nuances that I go into in my article which talks more about breaking into consulting from a non-traditional background (e.g. liberal arts, etc):

Breaking into consulting from a non-traditional background

All the best!

Answer 2

Breaking into consulting with a healthcare background is not unusual. A colleague of mine started with me and he was a surgeon before. And I worked in biotechnology in a pharma company.

Often, a background in healthcare already gives confidence regarding problem solving skills and work ethic. Additionally, it is also appreciated in healthcare projects and there are even consulting firms that only specialize in the healthcare industry, so most of their employees will have a scientific background and experience. Especially your NHS knowledge will be an asset.

Steps you can follow to ensure a successful transition:

1. Know the Consulting Scene & target the right firms for you

- Types of Consulting: Check out different types—like management, healthcare, strategy, IT consulting. Figure out which one clicks with you.

- Key Players: Get familiar with the big guns—McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, PwC. Each has its flavor and focus areas.

o Apply to the big names too, but emphasize your healthcare expertise aiming to join the healthcare practice area

- Healthcare Consulting Firms: Look at firms like The Advisory Board Company, ZS Associates, GE Healthcare, IQVIA —these guys focus on healthcare.

2. Leverage Your Healthcare Know-How

- Highlight Your Skills: Show off your problem-solving skills, and project management experience from both the NHS and your time as a doctor.

- Healthcare Expertise: Play up your deep understanding of healthcare systems, patient care, and admin processes.

3. Network Like Crazy

- Join Professional Groups: Get involved with the Healthcare Consultants Association or local healthcare networks.

- Industry Events: Hit up conferences, workshops, and seminars to meet people and get the lay of the land.

- LinkedIn: Connect with consultants and recruiters. Join groups, engage in discussions.

4. Nail Your Application

- Tailor Your Resume: Focus on your healthcare expertise, admin experience, and any cool projects or achievements.

- Cover Letter: Explain why you want to switch to consulting and why your background is a perfect fit.

- Case Interviews: Practice case studies—they’re a big part of consulting interviews.

5. Build Your Toolkit & Practice Case Interviews

- Business Smarts: Pick up some business strategy, operations, and finance knowledge. Online courses or an MBA could help, if that’s your thing.

- Analytical Skills: Get comfy with data analysis, Excel, and maybe even some SQL or Python.

- Communication: Work on your presentation and communication skills—they’re gold in consulting.

6. Get More Credentials (if needed)

- Internal Roles: Look for internal consulting or project management roles within the NHS or other healthcare setups.

- Freelance: Take on freelance consulting projects to build a solid portfolio.

- Career Services: maybe you can use career services from universities of professional associations.

- Courses: maybe take a healthcare management or business analysis course.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Hi Swati,

First of all, congratulations on your career trajectory thus far!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your situation:

Applying for a job in consulting is no different to applying for any other job, regardless of your background: you should polish your application files, get a referral at best and prepare thoroughly. PrepLounge is by far the biggest platform for doing just that.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Answer 4

Hi there,

Very common.

I coached a ton of doctors to offers, specifically for McK and BCG, and met several while at McKinsey.

Two observations:

They tend to do very well during the cases and fit due to the skill overlap of problem solving and stakeholder management
They all try to leave the medical profession due to bad working conditions

What can you do:

Network with consultants from your target office to score a referral and figure out the current hiring demand
Polish your resume and cover letter
Practice for recruitment tests
Practice for case and fit interviews

The road is essentially the same as for anyone else, regardless of their background!

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 5

Swati,

I've actually worked with several candidates transitioning from medicine from consulting, so happy to advise.

The process is pretty much the same as for any other candidate, aside from when you specifically target life sciences roles within consulting firms and then you can expect more life sciences related cases.

The most important thing to get right - and where you might want some support - is how you present your story, your motivation to transition into consulting, and show how the skills acquired during your medical studies and career are assets for your future in consulting.

You might also find this guide useful if you're preparing your applications at the moment:

Expert Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

Best,
Cristian

Answer 6

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Answer 7

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Answer 8

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