Staff shortages in consulting

Question: When is a jobs bonanza not a jobs bonanza?

Answer: When your skills don't match the skillsets consulting firms are actually looking to hire!

My last blog post attracted criticism from several candidates who felt there simply isn't a "jobs bonanza" in the management consulting market right now. The evidence they presented is that they've found it impossible to secure a new job in consulting this year. The caveat to my "Jobs bonanza" statement is, of course, that the demand profile for consulting services has shifted quite considerably over the last years - so those individuals that were in demand 5 years ago are not necessarily the same people firms would like to hire today. I do stand by my assertion that this is the best time in the last 5 years to be looking for a consulting job - but clearly only if you've got the skills that are in demand.

The results of our first Quarterly "Consulting Prospects" survey will be out in the next couple of weeks - and the survey findings highlight the areas within consulting that are growing most robustly (and thus the practice areas that are most likely to be hiring). Unsurprisingly practice areas like Manufacturing are on the demise, whilst the likes of Financial Services and TMT consulting are back in vogue. Watch this space for the full findings...

But back to the "Jobs bonanza" debate.

As sponsors of the MCA's riverboat cruise last week, I had the chance to meet with a couple of hundred consultants from the likes of Accenture, Capgemini, Atos Consulting, BT, Deloitte, etc. Having been challenged on the state of the recruitment market in consulting, I went to the event hoping to hear first hand from consultants just how busy they are and how aggressively they are now recruiting.

I wasn't disappointed.

In aggregate, I heard that the major consultancies are now bumping up against serious capacity constraints - they simply don't have the number of consultants necessary to meet accelerating client demand. Recruitment teams are under tremendous pressure and have been given some stratospheric hiring targets for the next year. To try and address the shortfall, consultancies are getting creative and I heard that firms are encouraging consultants to take extra pay in lieu of holidays; introducing initiatives to entice new mothers back into employment; bolstering employee referral schemes. In short, all the things you would expect organisations to do if they find they are turning away business owing to staffing shortages.

The key for those struggling to get hired, then, is to present oneself (in the form of one's CV / resume) as someone that has the skills that are currently in demand. If you can prove you have these skills you will get hired. Back in 2003 the state of the market was a valid impediment to even suitable candidates securing a consulting job; but in 2005 you need to look beyond this. A lack of interviews or offers is a reflection on the candidate rather than the market...

Tony

PS if you need help reworking your CV / resume, click here now

Jobs bonanza for consultants!

Have just returned from summer vacation, so apologies there've not been postings to our consulting blog for the last weeks. But the exciting news as I got back to my desk is that there's been an absolute flood of bookings from consulting firms committing to attend this October's management consultancy careers fair at Olympia.

It seems that firms are expecting a real hiring spree when the holiday season is over and I've returned to find we now have 40+ exhibitors at the careers fair - including prestigious employers like Accenture, Atos Consulting, BearingPoint, Capgemini, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, IBM, Infosys, PA Consulting, Proudfoot and Serco Consulting (to name but a few).

Would be great if you could join us there - if of interest do click on the image below for full details...



Hope to see you there in just a few weeks' time. Tony

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Concerned about a colleague's behaviour?

Are they binge drinking, gambling or taking recreational drugs to cope with life in the fast lane? Have you tried and failed to get through to them? Are you worried about the consequences for their career, health and home life?
betty tv is making a documentary series for Channel 4 which aims to help people in trouble turn their lives around and they have contacted Top-Consultant to see if we can help. They would like to speak to consultants who are worried about a colleague or friend.
Please call Kamala on 020 7290 0660, or e-mail kamala@bettytv.co.uk. All contact will be in strict confidence.

Breathtaking sights await consulting candidates

BT's fast-growing consulting business have been very shrewd and decided to make use of the BT Tower in London as an enticing venue for its next experienced hires careers event taking place on 26th July.

I was also invited to the BT Tower in the last months and I have to tell you it is simply breathtaking!! From the top you're so high up you feel like you're in the clouds - then you look down and see the London Eye way below... it really is quite an experience.

So if you're free the evening of 26th July and would be interested in finding out more about consulting career opportunities at BT then take a look here and be sure to register in the next days. This is an opportunity not to be missed...

Tony