I've been in media sales for the past 3.5 years (currently Group Head of the classified music portfolio at a top publishing company) and its starting to feel a bit like ground hog day. I would like to get into consultancy but I am unsure of a) how difficult it would be for me to make the transition and b) how to choose the right consultancy I don't have a degree but I do have a diploma in marketing and business management as well as a number of transferable skills such as key account management, sales management and strategy development and implementation in a tough market. I know that I will have to start at the bottom but are all the above enough to get my foot in the door? wtcdi

Short answer is no.

what's the long version?

I think the lack of degree could be a problem. All the top consultancies require not onl a degree but a min. 2.1 to get on the grad programmes (occasionaly 2.2's slip through). There may be other ways in but i think for starting at the bottom degree's are a prerequisite.The right consultancy depends on what you want to do. Firms like mckinsey etc. are great on the strategy side of things, firms like accenture are great for technology but then you have the 'big 4' as well (out of whom Deloitte probably have the best reputation).

The long version is sorry, no.It's a harsh reality: all consulting firms will want a 2:1 degree from a good uni even at grad level, and for more experienced hires (which would be anyone 2 years out of uni) they will want some sort of applicable experience - projects etc. If you are looking at strat houses like MBB or even tier 2 strat hosues - OC&C, LEK Roland Berger etc (who are tier 1 in Germany) you will need a 2:1 from Oxbridge or a 1st from a top 10 uni etc etc etc. A diploma, and 3 years in sales for advertising just won't cut it i'm afraid. Sorry to be blunt but where is the point in encouraging you to pursue something that won't happen for you?

chin up wtcdi,it could be worse. you could be a headhunter..

I would say the long and short of it is, yes it could happen but you will need to get a degree first so if that's a viable option then go for it. Then you can try and get some internships in consulting during the summer months and you'll be in a great position to apply for grad roles coming out.

There are worse things than becoming a headhunter... not sure what they are though!

Just start your own consultancy....simple. Who will know you have no degree then?That aside, I have no degree and am an internal consultant for a blue chip, so there are ways and means

Consulting internally to a company is not the same thing as joining an MC or strat firm. and as for starting own co - clients will want to see the credentials of each consultant on a project, including their expertise, qualifications etc...

OK so the only way I can do this is if I go back to uni and get a 2:1 degree.... There must be another way! Surely if one has sales experience it must count for something. There have to be advantages gained through this experience that cannot be taught in a lecture or text book. The media industry is going through massive changes at the moment and in this ever changing and competitive market I have managed to beat budgets and introduce loads of 'effective' changes dispite the odds. Would this not even get me into an entry level position? If this is the case, I'll try my best to be the exception! wtcdi

Perhaps a recruiter can clear this up a bit better for you; there's often a few around here.Re: SalesI don't really see what value this experience would add to a consulting firm at analyst level. The only actual selling gets done by partners and senior managers etc.

Be realistic because exceptions just don't happen: if applying to Big 4 you will be competing against people with good degrees (2:1 or better) from leading universities at grad level, and against grads from same with directly relevant expertise and experience with big firms at more senior levels; if MBB you will be competing against oxbridge etc and the creme de la creme of the grads of the year, and experienced hires with truly exceptional experience, and many of the experienced hires at whatever firm will have come from other consulting firms. In many cases experienced hires will be MBA qualified. Among all this competition you will have no degree, no relevant experience, no way of demonstrating the analytical rigour required, and no networks. Partners and Senior Managers sell consulting projects - and we are talking multi-Million £££ here. It just won't happen as it is; if you are serious about getting into consultancy go and get a degree and - assumuming your A levels are good - you may be able to get in. If you can't or won't do the work, you won't ever make it.