Talking about consulting experience for a non-consulting but related role

Hi,

A couple of pointers:

1. Be very clear on the specific skill / experience needed
   1. If this is “technical” (e.g. knowledge on how to implement ERP, able to use Blue Prism), then you can't really ‘sell’ it if you dont have it
   2. If it is less “technical”/transferrable (e.g. project management, scrum etc), then read on below
2. Identify relevant projects / cases where you have used relevant skills
3. Anchor the project experience based on that particular relevant skill
   1. E.g. you need to start the context/role with a specific skill
      E.g. if its about Project Management, then start the bullet point with “Led several PMO for…”
4. Use the specific terms/terminology when describing the actions
   1. If you did the same or very similar experience or employed the similar skills needed, then it is just a matter of terminology that is used

In my experience, the bigger challenge is often only when there is an actual “technical” expectation that you don't have. Otherwise for roles that often hire consultants e.g. corp strat, even the general consulting experience should already naturally be described in relevant terms

All the best!

Hi there,

This is a common problem. 

Not sure what firm you worked for, but if its a good brand (MBB or tier-2), this already does a lot of talking for you in the interviews.

Other than that, you should focus on the following: 

• Highlight transferable skills: Emphasize how the skills you developed in consulting, such as strategic thinking, project management, and technology implementation, are applicable and valuable to the specific role you're applying for. Draw clear parallels between the responsibilities you've had and those of the new position. This only works if you also…
• …use relevant examples: Share specific examples and success stories from your consulting projects that align with the job requirements. Prepare stories that demonstrate how your experience directly translates to the needs of the non-consulting role (e.g., leadership, responsibilities, analytics, impact, persuasion).
• Focus on outcomes: Showcase the results and impact of your work in consulting. Quantify your achievements when possible, such as improved efficiency, increased revenue, or successful project completions.
• Adjust your language: Research the industry and company you're interviewing with to understand their specific jargon and priorities. One issue I see with career changers quite often is that they use their consulting language outside of consulting which could lead to confusion. Not everyone is used to the hyper-structured, top-down communication, especially in HR. Make sure to adapt your terminology and explanations a bit to cater to the new audience. :-)

Cheers,

Florian

Hi there,

First of all, I am sorry to hear about your difficulty in selling your consulting experience for non-consulting roles!

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

• First of all, I would advise you to clearly identify and articulate the transferable skills from your consulting experience that are most relevant to the non-consulting role you are pursuing.
• Moreover, prepare concrete examples that demonstrate your skills in action. Instead of general statements about your capabilities, offer specific anecdotes from your consulting work.

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