Hi All,I recently was offered a graduate role from a consulting firm (PA Consulting) which I gladly accepted. However, I am slightly concerned on whether they might cancel them due to the economic situation going on which I am sure all of you are aware about.I have been given a start date though.It would be good to hear from your experience whether it is likely that Consulting firms are likely to cancel or have cancelled these contracts? I imagine people at the bottom of the chain are first to go and it is worrying me as I need to hand in my notice for my current role next week if things go to plan.Thanks in advance.

I've seen other firms do a variety of things including pushing your start date back or offering to pay a % of salary as a retainer until they're ready for you to start properly.I would have thought (but stand to be corrected by the great and the good!) that if they can do something to delay your start but not lose you totally then they will - especially if they know they've got some big contracts around the corner.

If you are serving notice, then I presume you are quite close the PA start date? Just e-mail them and ask for confirmation that the start date is still valid, explaining that you need to give notice elsewhere.Its a completley normal and acceptable question to ask them.Good luck in the new job.