Hi GuysI joined one of the large 'French Owned' firms last year ( Atos or Cap ! ) and have recently been offered a role with a much smaller boutique firm.The Pros seem to include travel, really good global client list, specific to retail which is a preference as well as a big rise in pay etc.Cons - in my opinion, I am worried a move to a smaller firm while I am only 25 and with just a year in Consulting could damage my CV long term.I really am unsure about which route to take so any advice would be greatly appreciated.Thanks All

it's generally too soon to move after only 1 year with a big name to then move to a boutique - you'l find yourself justifying that move for the next 10+ years of your career. But if they have offered you a big raise then this may indicate they operate a more senior or specialist level, which could in itself be beneficial. You need to do some rapid due diligence, especially around where their alumni go when leaving the firm, the reputation of the firm, and their key competitors. To make the move two out of three of these need to come up looking very strong.

Thanks marsdayThe role would take me from Consultant to Senior Consultant which in itself could justify the change.Good advice - there only seems to be two in the market; Javelin Group and Kurt Salmon and most alumni move back to industry which isn't something I would look for.As for firm reputation both seem to be strong but not considered as true consultancies.Tough call - being from India I haven't heard of either

Hmmm there are very few retail focused boutiques.Ok, if we base the comparison on comparable firms which you have mentioned as being key competitors.. At 1 year in I would not swap Cap for Javelin or Kurt Salmon. Atos would be more borderline - would swap for KS not for Javelin. Frankly I was hoping you were going to put some strat boutique in the mix, which would have made it a real decision. Kurt Salmon are a good firm, good people there, but one which is very operationally focused, and you would need to be more senior to get the benefit. Javelin very tech focused and I dont see what you would gain. Frankly you'll be swapping a major name for a small one without the work being much different and little exit options until you reach seniority but which time you'll have moved from the firm in question anyway and the analogy will be meaningless.In my opinion stay where you are for another 1 - 2 years.

Thanks - that's greatI wasn't actively looking but a recruitment agency put me in front of Javelin and they made it sound very attractive; higher job role and package, good client base with chance to travel globally etc. Glad you pointed out it's not a good choice.At capgemini we do a lot of body shopping and I have been victim of this a lot as I was sent out to do various "roles" which I don't consider true consulting.I am only at consultant level but with an MBA and good experience I expected more but it seems like Javelin isn't the answer.I am starting to think I need to progress to the senior levels before the true strategic consulting roles appear. Thanks again

bodyshopping is prevalent in most consulting firms in one form or another - and you wont escape it simply by joining a smaller firm as it can be even more embedded if you see being tasked on anything which needs feet on the ground regardless of whether it interests you or contributes to your development as being bodyshopping. Big firms have a pressure to sell bodies onto projects, small firms have a pressure to use whatever bodies they have on a project. As a consultant you probably have a couple more years of this yet - in any firm - but you will get past it, probably by SC level.

This will always be a difficult call to make,my advice will be take your time and be at your place for another year or so.