Hi There,Im looking to develop my career further into the banking industry but my background is consulting. I have been working in the consulting industry in the last two years working on both business and technical projects. As i start to search for potential opportunities in the banking environment the immediate requirement is "previous banking/investment experience" even though i meet all the other requirements. Can anyone advise how once can break into the bank industry?

Why is it that so many people whant go get into Banking? It is an horrible job: full of stress and no respect at all!!! Know what you´re getting into before trying to make the switch!!!

John - You could try talking to your clients in banking - they'll know the quality of your work so if you work through those networks it will be easier to get a break. Once you have a little experience in the industry it will be easier to take it from there.Lemmy - horrible, full of stress and no respect? Sounds like some people's descriptions of consultancy ;-)

Lemmy,I am thinking of finding a banking or "industry" job to get away from consulting. I am sick of having to manage/persuade people i barely know. I would rather work long hours as a spreadsheet monkey than have to deal with all this touchy-feely consulting bullshit.

Agreed. I have done most of my consultancy work in the Banking sector and on average I spend 10% of my time finding solutions and 90% of my time playing chess game to persuade others to implement the solution. It is relentless dealing with people.

Pretty much all business jobs are 10% finding solutions and 90% trying to influence people. Arguably it is much easier to influence as a consultant than as an industry insider because the fact that someone senior has agreed to pay consultancy rates shows some commitment.

Again it all depends on who has recruited you. If the senior manager who has recruited you is using you to bash others, then it is going to be an upheel struggle. Generally speaking you are respected as a consultant because of your perceived specialist knowledge. On the other hand you can be seen as a threat to the normal way of doing things and your ideas and suggestions will be resisted. This could be very frustrating, especilaly in a high pressure banking environment