My career has evolved from an IT (infrastructure) role to generalist HR role and now I want to specialise in sub-speciality of leadership development, but I have limited experience in consultancy. In late 2009, I completed a MBA. So naturally with the current recession, my in-experience in terms of both consultancy and its a niche area, I’m finding it a little tough. Essentially my CV attempts to highlight certain traits, such as my previous leadership experience, HR, dissertation, etc, but I’m not getting a foot in the door.I’m wondering what I should do, and what strategies one would suggest to securing a job in this line of work as either an internal or external consultant?Would like to hear from Leadership consultants or people who recruit in this area?

Hi Andrew,I've worked on Leadership Assessment & Dev't projects for about 10 years and if i were looking at your CV I would be looking for evidence of a few key areas:- Examples of how you have guided/coached others to alter their behaviour in some way- The link between your efforts to influence others and tangible business results- Your knowledge and understanding of the theories of leadership and their application to business- Your own leadership experience- Your knowledge of the leadership challenges faced by individuals at certain levels in various industriesI imagine you'd have some of the theoretical knowledge from your MBA, but there is alot out there. One route in might be to play your HR card and opt for a stepping stone role? I.e. generalist to specialist. Bear in mind however that not all firms believe leadership development has anything to do with HR :)Firms you might like to consider are CHPD, Cedar, Crelos.

Dear Tom,Thank you for your feedback, which I found useful and will incorporate recommendations into my CV.Take care,Andrew

Hi!Leadership means many different things and so leadership consulting interventions vary significantly from supervisory leadership and program leadership to board and strategic leadership.You will need to get specific about what type of leadership consulting and take a long term development approach to build up your leadership expertise - knowledge and practice. I recommend you consider joining the International Leadership Association (http://www.ila-net.org). This will give you the opportunity to gain real leadership knowledge and to network with the top leadership practitioners, consultants, coaches, scholars and researchers around the world.Leadership learning is career-long/life-long you can't get it out of a book or on a course alone, but your passion for the field will be noticed over time and opportunities will come to you.Best wishes,Laurence