I am trying to make the move from a sales/commercial role into the business consultant sector.Can you offer me some advice on where to start hunting for employers? Can you give me some of your experiences in making this move and the difficulties encountered.ThanksDuncan

Impossible to comment. What industry sector? What have you actually done? What transferable skills? Think we need a bit more info to be at all helpful to you here.

Thanks for replying firstly.I currently work as an account manager in the Automotive industry. In fact since I left university in 1998 I have been involved in this industry. I started as a product engineer then worked as a liason engineer.I am looking to get out of the account management side of things as I believe that it can only take me so far whereas Business Consultancy seems to have some good long term possibilities.I believe my transferable skills are good relationship building, strong negotiator and a good commerical awareness.I also speak fluent French.Any advice would be appreciated.Duncan

YOU NEED TO WIDEN YOUR HORIZON BY ACQIRING A HIGHER DEGREE, SUCH AS MBA TO START WITH

IDENTIFY WHERE YOU ARE NOW AND FOCUS YOUR MIND ON WHERE YOUARE HEADING TO NOW, THEN HAVE A TIME FRAME FOR YOUR ACTIVITIES

YES WE NEED TO GET CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF YOUR PRESENT JOB AND QUALIFICATIONS

YOUR ADVANTAGES ARE THERE, BUT YOU NEED TO IDENTIFY WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO, SO YOU DONT GET BOREED AGAIN MID WAY

I have been looking into the MBA and probably the only way I can do it is through distance learning to allow me to continue to work. This will probably take 3-4 years to complete.Are distance learnt MBA's considered equally as full time courses?

Why distance learning only? A number of good business schools offer "part-time" type MBA courses under various names - some are only weekends others say 2 evenings a week for 2 years. Such courses are not considered second rate and in some cases better than full-time courses. These would allow you to continue working at the same time (and pay the bills!) .... and put some of the learning into practice .... if you are willing to put your social life on hold.

To be honest I had assumed that part time meant that it was during the week so not possible if in full-time employment.Didn't realise this was evenings and weekends.Going to look into it so thanks for the heads-up!Duncan

As always, look at the "status" of part-time courses (some good, some Cr@p - look at Association of MBA accreditation). I did part-time weekends MBA over 2-years at top 65 school - lots of syndicate work and assignments every week but great overall. Check out the international aspects as well as very important for future. Forget social life and regular commitments to sports and other though.

Should read .... top 5 business school. Just back from Australia and jet lag obviously catching up.