Hi All,First, thanks to all contributors for a great (and often laugh out load) forum. Would appreciate some experienced views on my intended move into consulting...A bit of background;I currently work in a large FTSE FMCG company and have been promoted steadily since joining over the past 8 years. I started off in Supply Chain and Logistics Fulfilment at the age of 18 (just picking in a warehouse!) when I had to ditch a university place at UCL due to family commitments. Since then, I have spent the last 11 years working my way up and 3 years ago I moved from an Ops Manager position in a large RDC to become Development Manager within an internal strategy team that handles all Supply Chain strategy for my division. I have managed several large change projects successfully and am valued where I am. But I crave something bigger and the ability to broaden my experience outside my industry. Oh, and I want to earn a lot more! I have really enjoyed the element of 'internal consulting' and am very used to being away from home 3/4 days a week, doing 60hrs, living on hotel food etc. In my very limited spare time in lonely hotel rooms I have also managed to achieve a degree in English Lit via the OU, and graduated last year with a 2:1So,I am now at a point where I have no desire to go back to a line managerial role but I have reached the top of my game on the in-house strategy front, where I really enjoy the diversity of projects and mobile lifestyle (I would die a slow and boring death being tied to one desk!). I have recently been exploring the options in the world of 'consultancy proper' and have had a job with Accenture as consultant suggested to me by a leading recruitment firm.My appeal is for advice from those of you already in the world of external consulting...Given that I have a humanities degree from a non red-brick institution and that I have no big4 experience, will my supply chain skills and the knowledge that comes from having 'really been there and done it' count for anything at a frim like ACN or is it more likely that I will just be used and abused with little opportunity for promotion? What kind of entry salary might I expect? I have heard some negative feedback from exp hires that have just been sidelined or pigeonholed and leave only to go back into industry. Would I be better off looking at more niche or boutique placements or is the playing field pretty level?Sorry for the wordy post and for those of you that aren't already asleep, thanks for reading, your comments wil be gratefully received!

Was all that just leading to the question whether you will be used and abused in a consulting firm? Or was there a question being asked that i missed?

Sorry! To be more specific, the questions are:Given my only asset is my supply chain experience (and an OU degree that I have been told doesn't count for much) how likely I am I going to be able to progress in a firm like ACN who appear to recruit mainly from graduate pools? My fear is that I get recruited in to fill a gap in a specialist area and then get left on the bench...What kind of entry package could I potentially look at given the above?And in your opinion will I have a better chance in making the best of my existing skill set by looking toward niche firms rather than the likes of ACN?Thanks...

Accenture don't recruit graduates specifically into supply chain anymore and do recruit a motif experienced hires so don't worry about that. I'm afraid I don't know how much weight they will place on your degree but we are definately recruiting so apply and see what happens. Only thing I'd say on pay/level is they are not always keen on bringing people in from industry at manager level if they have no external consulting experience. It does happen but but be prepared to push hard for manager level if you do apply/think you would be ok at it.

Dodge,I am an experienced supply chain consultant who has worked for and with the Big4 supply chain practices and a couple of SC boutiques.Two of the best SC consultants I know (Snr Cons & Mngr) are non-graduates, both having been recruited from 3rd party logistics backgrounds - so don't let the degree thing put you off at all. SC practices really value people who have 'been there and done it' so long as:-You can handle yourself in front of senior clients i.e. give them confidence you can get the job done and then do it.You know the fundamentals of supply chain theory and how it works in practice.You are sufficiently self-sufficient in doing analysis / number crunching - if you think you'll have an army of SC-savvy people to do this for you quickly and accurately, think again, you'll come across a few but in my experience they're rare.My view is that SC people with solid experience soon become valuable sellers as well as doers - partners appreciate taking real-world SC issues and 'war stories' to prospective clients. Ability to sell as well as deliver is the quickest route to promotion.From your original post I'm sure you have a wealth of project experience to fall back on. One thing to be aware of is that at interview (and particularly if you are asked to do a case study) the emphasis will be on being able to see the 'bigger picture' and articulate the improvement opportunities concisely and persuasively - testing your ability not only to do the project work but identify opportunities to sell-on and build long-term relationships with clients.Your real challenge will be to quickly establish yourself as someone who can work and create selling opportunies independently (not solo, just low maintenance), and for your sake, be able to work ouside the normal SC frameworks, methodologies, processes etc that the bigger consultantcies (tediously) fall back on when there's nobody around with the experience and confidence to take an assignment/opportunity by the scruff of the neck.What you'll learn and enjoy will be largely due of the variety of problems you'll come across (in lots of different sectors) and working with some very good people to deliver under pressure - not from exposure to a consultancy's 'proven supply chain toolbox'.If you're commited to the lifestyle (sounds like you are!) then joining a SC practice could be a great opportunity and very enjoyable - don't let the 'irrelevant degree' (it's not) dent your confidence and don't be surprised how valuable your experience and knowledge could be in a 'typical' Big4 practice.Boutiques are also an option but in my opinion the opportunities for promotion/reward can be more limited and you could risk becoming a 'jobbing' project consultant forever - obviously not the case everywhere, just my limited experience.From what you say, it sounds like you want to properly do the 'consultant thing' and if that's the case, IMHO, a Big4 is the place for that.Good luck with whatever you decide. Any more specific questions, just let me know.

Guys,Thanks a million for taking the time to respond with such considered answers, they have helped a great deal in my deliberations! Really appreciated...

Mate, there is a hiring boom in ACN, and your experience sounds perfect to get in. Hopefully HR won't be too stupid to get stuck on rules. You will not be hired for a particular project/position. Note that this has its negatives as well as positives. You will definitely not find yourself without work to do, but you may be asked to do work outside your comfort zone / skillset.Just make sure you structure your CV well, and highlight the relevant skills - put serious effort into this.The problem mentioned above is real though - you may have to battle for a manager position. On the other hand, as long as you get the salary bump you're looking for I wouldn't get hung up on title. Things move fast in consulting and even if you come in lower than you'd like if you're good you will progress.

Hi Baykus,Thanks for taking the time to reply. Your post seems to suggest you have some internal understanding? Do you know 1st hand that there is recruitment drive at ACN currently? I think I will definitely have to push for M1 as it appears that the consultant pay grade tops out at a level that will prevent me from getting an increase. While I have no experience of managing a team of consultants, I do have several years of line management responsibility behind me and have managed teams of PMs. Will my management experience be relevant in this field or is a manager in a firm like ACN more a 'seller' than a 'motivator'? Cheers,

Yes, I know very reliably that ACN is recruiting, so this is the time to apply.ACN managers are not generally sellers just yet - that's more Senior Manager level. Motivator doesn't quite cover it either, you ensure delivery one way or the other, but your background should be relevant.

Hi All,Thanks again for the original responses, all of which were extremely helpful and helped me take the plunge and apply to ACN at Manager level in the logistics fulfilment area. I applied in Early August and had a phone call at 0830 yesterday morning while on a flight to a meeting which I obviously couldn't take. When I called back the guy told me he had a slot at 0900 and I had missed it but that he would be in touch and couldn't tell me when.It would appear that this rather clandestine approach means that I'm only gonna get 1/2hrs notice on this 'phone screening' thing, so can anyone let me know their experience of it? I have trawled through some previous posts about it being a general chat about skills, but is it as simple as that for an exp. hire going in at manager level? Won't there be anything competency based until 2nd stage?Thanks again!

The 'phone screening lasts up to 1 hour and is really designed to test your appetite for Accenture and your aptitude for the work. They won't ask specific competency type questions but they will ask about your IT experience your project management experience and (if for a more senior role) your sales experience. It's also a chance to test your general interpersonal skills - I guess these need to be strong to come over well on a 'phone interview.In general, ACN are looking to recruit and the 'phone interview is designed to help you out rather than catch you out. Know your cv, know your experience, know the organisation and where you could fit into it / what you do well. If you do some prep in those areas, you should be fine.Good luck, T

Thanks Trinny!I get the feeling I am going to have to fight hard for a manager role as most of my selling experience has been internal - more influence than sell! However, I have been in several customer facing engagements over recent years that should help bolster that position.Thanks for your advice and taking the time to reply.