Hi,I am a Senior Consultant (Big 4) with 5 years consulting experience and I am looking to move to an industry role industry for a sustainable work/life balance (had a baby recently). I have 2 questions:Any comments on how people have found going from consulting to industry?Does anyone have any thoughts on how difficult it would be for me to get back into consulting in the future - say 3-5 years time?Thanks

Hi HeisenbergI moved from an SI, to a big4 and then to industry. In terms of work life balance it's obviously a great move as 9-5 is the norm. Salaries on offer in industry are also no less than consulting depending upon the sort of roles you are looking for. However my experience in industry has been tainted by being made redundant and then having a long term contract cut short due to changes in structure on both occasions. With all firms looking at their budgets, all I'd say is be careful on which role and firm you pick in industry as stability would be important now that you have a child. In terms of moving back to consulting, well I've been in industry about 2 years now and have recently interviewed with one of the big4 so your knowledge and experience on the client side would be valued. Hope that helps.

a07 - Many thanks. Very helpful indeed!

You'll be just fine.Once you've seen the light, you won't want to go back in 3-5 years time!

Bushy Eyebrow Partner - Thanks. You are probably right but is is a big change and unknown for me - the idea of doing a proper job ;)

Also, have you considered the Civil Service?Apparently, if you have left-wing tendancies, it is a dream environment. Otherwise, it's just a great way of getting paid lots for doing hardly anything. You even get job titles such as "Senior Director for Major UK Transformation" or "National Director for UK Performance". I once met one dude whose job title was "Senior Partner" - since when has the civil service been a partnership! Even Kim Jong-un (the "Supreme Leader") would be envious of the sort of job title you could land yourself in the glamourous public sector these days.

I have done a number of Public Sector projects. Even the title of 'Senior Partner' would not be enough for me to consider moving to civil service! Thanks for the idea though.