The day-to-day work of a management consultant is filled with a variety of tasks, from collecting data and knowledge to conducting analysis and presenting solutions to clients. It involves a lot of travel and long hours, but it can be an incredibly rewarding career. I remember when I was in my dead-end job, wondering what a day in the life of a consultant really looked like. I wanted to see the whole story.
After many years in management consulting and team leadership, I can now share my experience. A day in the life of a consultant has its ups and downs, moments that really matter, and sometimes physical pain from pushing yourself too hard. It also has its rewards, such as being exposed to things you would never otherwise be exposed to at this point in your life. Of course, every day is different.
I can't break bread with distinguished business leaders every day. Some days I work until my body hurts and my hands shake. And, of course, there is no normal day. One of the advantages and disadvantages of consulting is the fact that things are always changing and you are always doing something different: working on different problems, with different people for a different client.
Below is my attempt to describe a day in the life of a consultant. Management consulting is one of those professions where you are employed by a company to help improve performance and resolve any problems they may have. Consultants can specialize in a variety of different industries, and their work is often varied and well-paid. But the details of the function are difficult to know until you enter the field.
You'll use some consulting frameworks to deepen business challenges and impress your clients with innovative ideas. Being a consultant can be a tough life, but if you like to work hard, be busy, and have a lot of variety in your professional life, then this is definitely the life for you. It's not atypical for consultants to work (a lot) beyond what their client counterparts do, but after working hours it turns out to be one of the most productive times of the day. Suppose this consultant is part of a team that helps you design and implement new software to streamline operations.
Rather, it is the assistant to the CEO who says that the interview should be brought forward or postponed until Tuesday. If you work for a consulting firm, you'll likely have less leeway to manage your schedule and choose your clients. One of the best things about working as a consultant is the variety you experience in your days, so while there really isn't a “typical day” in the life of a consultant, here's an overview of what it looks like broadly. Typically, these meetings will be led by your team, but as an entry-level consultant, your job may be to share your screen or take notes while a more senior consultant shows up.
So if you're thinking of becoming a consultant, keep reading to take a look at a day in one's life and see if it could be life for you. If you're not getting on a plane or taxi to go to a customer meeting right away, you'll likely use this time to tackle the most difficult or urgent task of the day. Learn the skills you need to succeed and shine as well as tips and tricks to succeed in the first 3 months of your career as a management consultant. I believe that the money and knowledge I gain from working as a management consultant will bring me closer to discovering what I should focus on to develop my potential and will allow me to have the resources to do so.
