Essentially there are a couple of routes you might be looking at. The first route is independent consultancy whereby you set yourself up as a company and take on consultancy work through separate contracts, either directly with the client or with firms and agencies who subcontract work to you on an "associate basis". The second route is to join a pre-existing consultancy firm where you will be an employee or have some limited equity in the firm.As an independent consultant, you are self-employed so there are all the pros and cons that go with that. For advice on setting up as a contractor, there are many comprehensive sources of advice available (or you could ask on the forum).For the advice below I'm assuming that you want to move to an established consultancy. From there you can build your experience, skills and contacts in a more structured environment before striking out with your own ideas about how you want to work. I am also assuming that you are not 100% sure in your own mind about the direction you want to take within consulting, and that (like most people undertaking a career shift) your first choice might not be optimal so you have to move a few times before you're happy you've got it right.--------------------------------------------Pre-work A) If you haven't already, read consultancies' thought leadership and the latest industry news so that you know what the hot topics are.Pre-work B) Assess your own working style preferences (there are various books and websites to help you with this). This will help you understand what type of firm you would fit into best. This understanding will help you select good jobs for you, but remember that within a firm there can be quite different team cultures and that the advert will rarely convey that culture accurately.--------------------------------------------1) Search job posting boards (like top-consultant.com) for advertised roles that seem interesting and relevant. Also read articles on consulting jobs (e.g. on this site's newsletter) and.2) If you have turned up lots of jobs (over 25 for example) try to sift them down to something more manageable. For example, you could categorise them by "Wow, that sounds cool", "This sounds really similar to what I already do", and "This sounds like something I could do but I'm not sure I understand the full job specification".3) Benchmark yourself against the role requirements for each of these advertised jobs (or the core jobs if you have categorised them).4) Refine your selection of jobs if necessary so that you have a spread of jobs you're well qualified for, those you'd consider a stretch and those that you'd like to aim for perhaps as a second consulting job. Choose your initial jobs to target.6) Prepare short mock sales spiels ("elevator talks") on your suitability for the target jobs. Update your CV and, if you have time, try creating tailored versions to suit the requirements of each of your targets.7) Odds are, several of the jobs you've selected will be advertised by recruitment agencies. Call them up and register your interest in the job, but ask for a more general discussion about suitable roles for you. Use your preparation for the elevator speeches to help you concisely explain your suitability for your target job(s).8) Be prepared to send over your updated/tailored CV and have some answers prepared for the standard background questions like "why are you interested in consulting", "why are you interested in this role", etc.9) Don't worry about being honed on a very specific job opportunity to start with as, by the time you are up to speed, it may have gone. Instead focus on honing the area of consulting and type of firm you'd like to work in (e.g. BPO work within an international firm), and defining your USP (i.e. the value you'd bring to a client).10) Especially if it's been a while since you've interviewed, attend interviews readily and ask lots of questions even if the answers mean you realise that this isn't the right firm or area of consulting for you. For example, don't be too rigid about being a telecoms (industry-oriented) consultant if your interview experience leads you towards having more success as a business process (function-oriented) consultant.11) Keep on looking at job postings and speaking to agencies throughout. As with any career change, if necessary, adjust your targets towards finding a "stepping-stone" job that will take into a position where you can apply for the jobs you really want.11) Keep an eye on the press and job postings, spot jobs you like, seize the day and apply for them, interview with enthusiasm and confidence built on the experience and understand you have gathered from the steps above.12) Secure a job.13) Move jobs if it doesn't work out or once your "stepping-stone" brings you into position to apply for the job you really want. When moving, go through the process above again and incorporate what you have learned about your preferences, new skills you have developed, updates to your CV etc. The iterated process will obviously be quicker.
