Here are a few suggestions, hope they set you off on the right track.Firstly, in terms of intellectual preparation, don't go overboard. Most consultancies worth their salt are going to put you through some intensive training when you join. This will teach you all the matrices, business terminology, etc. that you'll need in your first years in consulting.Having said this, for peace of mind you could have a read of <a href=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ten-Day-MBA-Mastering-Americas-Business/dp/0060799072/sr=1-2/qid=1161764395/ref=pd_bowtega_2/026-1776033-9166832?ie=UTF8&s=books target=_blank>The Ten Day MBA</a>. This will build your confidence that you're not joining the firm totally ignorant about business concepts - and will give you a good foundation for what you'll learn at the firm.Apart from that, I'd try to read the business pages of a Sunday paper every week or two, so you're generally up to speed with what's been happening in the business world. Apart from that, I'd focus on doing things that ensure you're mentally and organisationally prepared for what's going to be a hard slog ahead!...Suggestions would include:o As per your post, take a really good holiday. You're unlikely to get a 2+ week holiday for at least 12 months, so make the most of it nowo Try to see old school friends, family, pals that have moved away from London, etc. as much as you can. Spending your weekends on the road is the last thing you'll want to do if this is what you've been doing in your working week, so good to do as much of this before you start work.o Invest time in finding nice accommodation. You want something that's convenient to transport links and the airport; walking distance to the office is ideal. And you want a place that's as "uplifting" as possible, both in terms of the place itself and also the housemates you've ended up sharing with. There's nothing worse than coming home late from work to an apartment that's grotty and has a tube train rattling the door handles every 2 minutes!o Try to find some good sales going on so that you can buy as many high-quality shirts & ties / blouses as possible. Being well dressed will give you confidence at work -- and not having to worry all the time whether you've got clean clothes to wear the next days is a big weight off your mind once you start work.o Get everything else you can "ticked off your list" - direct debits set up to pay bills; internet connection arranged and up and running; anything that needs to be delivered to your flat delivered. Basically ensure that you have as few demands on your time once you've started work as possible.o On that same note, get set up a basket of food / provisions you'll regularly need with Tesco Direct, Sainsburys, Ocado, etc. Then when you find yourself in Madrid on a project on a Thursday night, with nothing in the fridge at home, you can just login to your account and press the button to have things delivered on Saturday morning. A huge relief to a weary consultant.OK - thing that's enough food for thought. Should just conclude by saying you're going to have a great time when you start out in consulting. Reading the above you could be excused for thinking it's going to be a nightmare -- that's not what I intended!! But I guess time is the thing you are going to have the least of once you start work as a consultant (or a banker or an accountant or a lawyer for that matter) - so anything you can do now to prepare for this is worth doing.Good luck with starting off your career on a high note, Tony Restell (Top-Consultant.com)
