Hi everyone I was hoping someone could help me out with my next career move.About me – I graduated 3 years ago and since then I have had a 1.5 year role in industry and 1.5 years with a small (i.e. < 100 people) consultancy that hires graduates. The trouble is, there’s no real progression at the firm I work for – it’s for entry level professionals and after 3 years with them, you basically have to leave and make your own way.I’ve decided I want to leave sooner rather than later but it seems that all the consulting firms only really hire graduates or experienced professionals and I’m not sure I fit into either of those categories. I have not had much luck with speculative applications or recruitment agencies and feel a bit lost. Any advice? I don’t really mind working with a big name or small boutique – as long as I get a role in consulting, I’m happy.Thanks in advance :)

I&apos;d agree with your assessment. The major hiring points in consulting are i) graduate entry, ii) MBA entry and iii) experienced hire.You are past the point of graduate entry, but don&apos;t yet have enough experience or sector expertise that you are going to be a compelling experienced hire. So my advice would be to either go for an MBA at a top business school (at which point you&apos;ll have your choice of consulting firm suitors to choose from) or to stick it out a while longer at your current firm.Hope that helps and good luck.Tony RestellFounder, [url]http://www.Top-Consultant.com[/url] and [url]http://www.Social-Hire.com[/url]

Depends what you&apos;re after. You could be a candidate for consultant grade (1 up from graduate) at a big 4, Accenture, Cap etc with 3 years experience for sure. I&apos;ve seen people make that jump with less.

Thanks for your thoughts - makes me feel much better. I&apos;m after something in lean process improvement and / or business change transformation programmes. I&apos;ll keep looking, sure there&apos;ll be something out there.