Hello all,I'm a civil service fast streamer currently working in a high profile Govt department in Whitehall. I've been there for just under three years.Although interesting work, the pay simply isn't good enoug and I would be very interested in exploring consultancy work. Hedra and PA have been suggested as potential routes. Of course, money isn't everything and i wouldn't jump ship for any position with a tinpot firm. Can anyone offer constructive advice please?

Where do you work? Hedra would make sense for ps consulting.

Most consultancies have pretty big government depts at the moment, though arguably the boom will come to an abrupt end should Labour lose the next election.Hedra and PA have decent government practices, though if you can I'd advise you to try and reinvent yourself pretty quickly once in if you want a lengthy career in consulting.

civil servants can't hack consulting.

Do an MBA.

Don't forget that there's no flexitime, sickies, big fat pension in the private sector, and you will be expected to work hard. Fast streaming or not.Stick in central Government - it's a whole lot easier than real life

Timmy, let me guess, you applied for the fast stream and failed? Now you work for one of the tinpot firms i was referring to, working on projects of zero significance for someone like Argos in Barnsley. You pick up a nice fat paycheck for doing the best part of nothing and dine out on telling people which Travel Inn you stayed at last week.You think someone working for the Treasury or Cabinet Office isn't expected to work hard? Also, i would suggest that working there is a lot more "real" than whatever nonsense it is you claim to do.Thanks for your useful contribution though. Very helpful. You really showed why you are a top consultant.

Hi Fast - was going to respond to you, but as its just gone 5 o'clock, you'll very likely have gone home by now. Sorry !!

Still here. It's 6 o'clock. Not sure how someone going home affects your capacity to respond on a message board. What do you do? Cleaner?

Try applying to HedraAtkins Management ConsultantsSercoPKFBT ConsultingCrap GemBest of luck...

Try IBM BCS - they hire anyone

Try Mott Macdonald...

With your strong interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills, why not join us here in the UN?