I am nearly 28 and am working on a degree in business and management. I currently work for a management consultancy firm but in a operational support role. What do I need to do, or what advice would you give me in order to get a job at one of the big consulting firms out there?

Stand up.Walk over to the manager of the consulting department.Ask him for a chat.Ask him your question.Or....Stay sat down.Move your mouse over the button above and to your left called 'career opportunities'.Press it.Read the opportunities.Apply for the ones you like.Easy!!!!

sorry i suppose i was asking education-wise or qualification-wise what skills could i work on to improve my chances. i have already chatted with someone who can help me (my line manager who is a consultant himself and very senior in the firm)... and he's agreed to help me do this. i just want to know how i can go about getting into the industry and if there are some things i can do to get a leg up :) Thanks.

I'd definitely try to make the move internally. Reading between the lines, it sounds like your background would not be that of a usual experienced hire (ie. a proven consultant with strong consulting credentials). Getting someone within your firm to recommend that you be given a crack at a consulting role sounds far more likely to result in success than approaching employers that do not know you and who will be comparing your application to those they're receiving from experienced consulting hires.Of course once you've built up a couple of years' consulting experience with your existing firm then you'll then have the CV mileage to be able to move on to another consulting employer. But for now, best to make the move internally if that's a genuine option...

One of the most powerful tools in a consultant's career is a network of people who can pull strings. Looks like you've successfully started stage 1. In terms of skills, what do the consultants at your current firm have that you don't? Ask them for some guidance if you have any gaps.As for academics, I wouldn't worry too much. Experienced hires are recruited more on the basis of marketable skills than qualifications that may have been achieved a decade previously.Good luck.