I currently have 18 months experience with a major consulting firm at entry level, but with 12 months experience beforehand in a smaller consulting firm. Promotion to the next level is scheduled for summer 2006. My question is three-fold, should I not make promotion would I be better advised seeking employment elsewhere before this time, or would 6 months extra experience more than make up for any problems arising in interviews along the lines of questions like "so why didn't you get promted?". How widespread is the knowledge between major consultancy firms about the promotion structure between the competitors? Finally, how much kudos does 18 months at a major consulting firm + 12 months pre-joining experience have when applying for Consultant posts in other firms? (experience has been with ERP, WMS and PMO)

promotion for 2006? do you mean 2007? consulting firms know everything. its a tight circle.

2007 - correct...

C,it all depends on why you want to change (type of work / salary/ boss), and of what you expect.With 2.5 years of experience you might have difficulties to be able to reach the second level of the bigger firms directly. They will be looking in more detail at your experience, esp. that of the smaller firm, to see if that matches, and that you are able to work efficiently first day on. If however, you want to shift from the type of work you are doing right now, then this will be quite hard...Most probably, they will make you 'last year' first level, so that they will reduce their risk and you will have the extra carrot hanging in front of your head to get you motivated to be promoted next year.