Consulting Jobs Overview
Businesses of all sizes across every industry can face challenges on many levels. That's why hiring a consultant can be beneficial for streamlining operations, reducing costs, and increasing productivity and revenue. Working in consulting jobs requires strong analytical skills and business acumen as you'll be diagnosing and resolving client problems using your expert industry knowledge and skills.
Whether you're consulting for a marketing company, IT firm, or a human resources department, you'll offer your advice and provide strategies to help improve their business performance. Your work could focus on specific areas, including operations, management, finance, or education, depending on your interests and educational background. If you excel at problem-solving, have a keen eye for detail, and enjoy helping others, a career in consulting could be your ideal fit.
In this role, your responsibilities will vary depending on your specialism and the industry you work in, although your typical daily duties will include:
- conducting research and analyzing data to gain insights into the business
- diagnosing problems and investigating ways to solve them
- assessing the pros and cons of potential strategies
- compiling and presenting information and recommendations to clients
- implementing agreed solutions and systems
- developing new procedures and training for employees
For more work opportunities, you can explore all our business operations jobs or take a look at the following:
Consultant Education and Skills
When applying for consultant jobs, most employers will require you to have a bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, management, economics, or a related field. To work in a specialized industry, you may want to consider a minor in that field in addition to a business degree.
To give yourself an advantage over other candidates, it may be a good idea to work in your desired industry for a few years to build your experience and gain knowledge of how specific companies operate. You can also join a professional association such as the Institute of Management Consultants, where you can find valuable learning opportunities, earn certifications, and attend networking events and seminars.
Completing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) can make you even more attractive to a potential employer. If you want to take this route, consider a degree that offers an MBA combined with classes from a field you are interested in.
To become a successful consultant, you'll also need the following skills:
- analytical skills
- commercial awareness
- problem-solving
- attention to detail
- self-discipline
- business acumen
- exceptional communication
- teamwork
- leadership skills
Update Your Resume for Consultant Jobs
Before you hit send on your next job application, make sure you understand what employers look for in a resume, such as a strong career summary and quantifiable achievements. Your final resume should be well-formatted, error-free, and easy to read. If you're just getting started and need some help, take a look at our sample consulting resume for more suggestions and ideas.
Attaching a cover letter to your application is a great way to get noticed. An effective cover letter should sell your skills and show a potential employer why you're the perfect candidate. Refer to our sample cover letters that will help you get hired, and then browse through our cover letter tips and advice articles.
Interviewing for Consulting Jobs
Interviewing for a consulting job can feel intimidating, even for the most experienced professional. Still, with careful preparation and company research, you'll be able to show up to your interview with confidence and enthusiasm. Answering common interview questions with solid, real-life examples relevant to your experience can significantly increase your chances of landing the job.
How Much Do Consulting Jobs Pay?
Curious to know how much you can earn as a consultant? It all depends on your education, location, and specialization. For example, the median salary for a business consultant is $89,536, whereas a financial consultant can make about $81,948 per year.
Check out Monster's Salary Tool, where you can enter your desired job title and location to understand better what you can earn. While you're there, compare the salary estimate with similar jobs and find out what skills can increase your value.
Walk the Path to Success with Monster
Top recruiters search Monster every day to find skilled candidates like you. Now that you know how to look for consulting jobs take the next step by creating your Monster profile today. As a member, you'll be able to upload your resume and apply for jobs that interest you. Additionally, you can sign up for job alerts, so you never miss an opportunity to apply early.