The downside: 27-year old with an avowedly non-blue chip background.The upside: I've made my own way since leaving Oxford and Exeter (being a continuity guy in film, an academic researcher, a car journalist) and am seriously interested in strategy and change management. Does anyone think there's any mileage in thinking of consultancy? How to start - with an internship, despite being seven years older than the others?All thoughts very gratefully received.

Richard,I am 27 next week, graduated three years ago, spent the last three years abroad (well out of the blue-chip world) with the Army, travelling, and NGO work.Now about to start work as a consultant in Jan. Many firms have all year recruitment - just go for it! See thread 19663 too.

D what firm are you starting with? - To richard - dont worry. the only thing we check is that you understand that realistically your boss - even a manager perhaps - could be younger than you - is that something you can accept? Many find it hard. Also, your peer group will be on average several years younger than you - are you OK with that?I would suggest you apply after the 1st of October - thats when you will no longer need to state your age. So shave close, and no one will know your 27. unless you tell them.

D what firm are you starting with? - To richard - dont worry. the only thing we check is that you understand that realistically your boss - even a manager perhaps - could be younger than you - is that something you can accept? Many find it hard. Also, your peer group will be on average several years younger than you - are you OK with that?I would suggest you apply after the 1st of October - thats when you will no longer need to state your age. So shave close, and no one will know your 27. unless you tell them.

Consider http://www.knowledgeperson.com

to D - thank you for the tip on the other thread, which was very useful. to Igor - there were lots of people under me in film who were older than me, so it seems only natural to reverse the process. If I couldn't handle the notion of a younger boss, I wouldn't be thinking of it in the first place. When you say October, as we're already nearly in November, do you mean October '06 or '07?And finally, how to contact the firms? And which firms to contact, bearing in mind my interest in strategy and change management, particularly but not exclusively related to the public sector.

Richard,Not the most difficult questions to answer: Go look on the recruitment pages of each webpage!I did find it quite hard to work out which line to apply for: a mix between experienced hire or graduate, if in doubt phone up and get an email address to apply to direct - much easier, you might be able to avoid the q's and perhaps even get yourself noticed at the start... if you ask sensible questions ;)Best of luckPS if you want a good list of firms - download the pdf from this site that explains the various types (boutique, strat, huge) they have a good selection... I found it invaluable for me coming from a background with 0 knowledge of names etc.

D, Thanks, but not quite as easy a question as it might seem - as your point about the gap between graduate and experienced hire makes clear. Where is the pdf on here? I can't find it.

D, Needless to say I found the list as soon as I'd finished typing the previous message. Doofus Award Second Class.

I think with your experience (like mine) it is unlikely you will be able to enter as an 'experienced hire'. I ended up just applying for all the BA/AssCon positions... but be prepared for some non-replies, I suspect my CV is still in a pile of 1000s on some desk...

D,I didn't think for a moment that I'd be considered as an experienced hire, though I have wondered about saying I have industry exposure in media (offline, online, on screen) and automotive. Which attributes made you successful, do you think?

What I really tried to sell was how much leadership, management, people skills, and responsibility that I had in previous jobs. Talk about the work where you have shown real drive, commitment and perseverance. (Things you might need at 10pm on a Thur getting a project done!) My opinion is that, having got to an interview stage, you have already been 'selected' for your academic results and now need to show what you have over other similar applicants who might well have top degrees too but none of the skills above. (And obviously pass the case studies aswell!)You will have some advantages having worked in Media and obviously it will be in your CV for them to see. But using that experience is certainly a tricky one... obviously starting as a new guys we can't expect to specialise straight away or be comparable to a 2-3 year media experienced consultant - the risk of overselling would be to sound 'know-all' and arrogant! Which led me to not just sell particular sector interests or experience at all - instead I prioritised on wanting a general view first. (That is pretty obvious I think)Be aware that if you play your media background strongly they will tend to give you cases in non-media examples!! I didn't play up my degree background at all, and ended up getting a closely linked example in one interview!!Hope this helps!

D, That's very helpful again - thanks. I'll bear what you say in mind; using the generic aspects of my experience over the specific ones.How close to your original idea of what you wanted to do in consulting is the job you're soon to start?