CAREERS IN CONSULTING

CAREERS IN CONSULTINGBentley University Career Services

TABLE OF CONTENTSCONSULTING OVERVIEW. . .3 Four Types of ConsultingEducational Requirements and Uppers / DownersFull-Time Sample RolesInternship Sample RolesHOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF . . . 8 Candidate QualificationsAcademicsOn-Campus InvolvementYour ResumeNetworkingInterview PrepRESOURCES . .11 Recommended Websites and Books2

CONSULTING OVERVIEW3

Consulting OverviewFinancialConsultingIT ConsultingFOUR TYPES OF CONSULTINGHR / StaffingConsultingManagement /StrategyConsultingAlso referred to as “Advisory” practice/servicePlacementopportunity forBentleyUndergradsFinancial Consulting firms provide advice on: Capital budgeting, project valuation and financial information integrity Risk management, insurance engagements, financial control and compliance Global finance operations, tax and treasury optimization Corporate restructuringIT Consulting firms help clients to: Design and implement IT systems or develop better IT practices Train staff members in IT areas such as hardware/software design setup Provide strategic advice on social media, search engine marketing and IT issuesHR / Staffing Consulting firms help clients to: Manage compensation and benefits programs Analyze staffing needs, advise firms on personnel policies and diversity issues Recruit, hire and train workersManagement / Strategy Consulting firms help to: Improve an organization’s structure, management, efficiency and profits Develop and recommend short-term and long-term strategies for their clients4

Consulting BackgroundEducationalRequirements EDUCATION & UPPERS / DOWNERS Bachelor’s degree at a minimum; Many consultants also obtain their MBAAttending a top-rated MBA program increases your chances of landing amanagement / strategy consulting roleOthers have advanced degrees in their specialty (Ex. Accounting, Engineering)ConsultingUppers Intellectually stimulating workCareer diversityGeographic freedomOpportunity to travelGreat pay, bonuses and perksPrideConsultingDowners Long hoursFrequent travelRejectionHigh pressure and stressConservative culture5

Consulting / AdvisoryFULL-TIME SAMPLE ROLESThe following is a sample of relevant and/or competitive Consulting/Advisory full-time jobs recentlyheld or accepted by Bentley undergrad students.FULL-TIME JOBSCompanyDeloitteDeloitteDeloitteDeloitte ConsultingDeloitte ConsultingEYEYEYGrant ThorntonGrant ThorntonIBMKPMGKPMGMercerOctober Three SMSapient Global MarketsTrinity PartnersPositionBusiness Risk ConsultantIT Advisory AssociateTechnology Risk ConsultantBusiness Technology AnalystProject Controller AnalystBusiness Advisory ConsultantRisk Advisory ConsultantTechnology Advisory ConsultantBusiness Advisory Services AssociateForensic and Valuation Services AssociateConsultantAdvisory AssociateIT Advisory AssociateInvestment Consulting AnalystConsultantBusiness Development ConsultantProcess ConsultantTechnology ConsultantAdvisory AssociateManagement ConsultantM&A Valuation AssociateIT Risk Advisory Consulting AssociateRisk Advisory AssociateTechnology and Management Consulting AssociateBusiness ConsultantAssociate Consultant6

Consulting / AdvisoryINTERNSHIP SAMPLE ROLESThe following is a sample of relevant and/or competitive Consulting/Advisory internships recently heldor accepted by Bentley undergrad eDeloitte ConsultingDeloitte ConsultingEYEYEYGrant tionBusiness Valuation InternConsulting InternTechnology Risk InternBusiness Technology Analyst Summer ScholarProject Controller Summer ScholarBusiness Advisory Program InternRisk Advisory Program InternTechnology Advisory Program InternForensic and Valuation Services InternAdvisory InternCredit Risk InternConsulting InternIT Consultant InternAdvisory InternTransaction Services Valuation InternIT Risk Advisory InternTechnology and Management Consulting Intern7

HOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF?8

How to Prepare Yourself?CANDIDATE PREPARATIONCandidateQualifications It’s helpful to know the general qualifications required for a consulting oradvisory position, so that you can prepare yourself in and out of the classroomto build and enhance these skills. Here are some general qualifications: Strong academic track record (typically evaluated via GPA) Effective written and verbal communication skills Problem-solving skills Customer-service skills Analytical / technical skills Teamwork and leadership skills Interest or passion for consulting Strong work ethic AdaptabilityAcademics Aim to get your GPA as high as possible (GPA minimums vary by company, but3.5 will be necessary for the most competitive opportunities) Leverage group projects to help you build, enhance and demonstrate keyqualification areas (Ex. Teamwork and leadership skills)On-CampusInvolvement When getting involved on-campus, think quality over quantity – better to bevery involved in one or two activities than marginally involved in five Consider joining the Bentley Consulting Group and any other clubs on campusthat interest you – remember, companies are looking for well-rounded,interesting candidates Take on leadership roles where possible and/or position yourself for leadershiproles in future semestersYour Resume Refer to the Bentley “Resume Writing Guide” for overall guidance Look to demonstrate that you possess many of the Candidate Qualificationsfrom above as you build your resume content Please work with your Career Services advisor for additional guidance9

How to Prepare Yourself?CANDIDATE PREPARATION (continued)Networking First, ensure your resume and LinkedIn profile are updated Connect with Bentley alumni and company recruiters from the Consulting /Advisory firms that you’d like to work at Many of the firms listed in the sample roles section of this guide come toBentley’s campus each year to recruit and meet students, so look to attendNetworking Nights and other events those companies are participating in Refer to the CareerEdge Events page for a real-time event listing(https://careeredge.bentley.edu/events/) Leverage LinkedIn to connect with Bentley alumni from firms that may notcome to Bentley’s campus each year Tip: Stay organized by making an Excel list of contacts that you are reaching outto for networking purposesInterviewPreparation Refer to the Bentley “Interview Guide” for overall guidance The Resources section of this guide highlights several websites and books thatwill help prepare you for case interviews as well10

RESOURCES11

Consulting / AdvisoryRESOURCESVault.com provides in-depth intelligence on what it’s really like to workwithin an industry, company, or profession—and how to position yourselfto launch and build the career you want. Access through s) and create an account usingyour bentley.edu email address. Vault Career Guide to Consulting, 2nd EditionVault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy ConsultingFirms, 2017 EditionVault Guide to the Case Interview, 8th EditionAnd many more!Bentley’s Consulting Career onsulting/ Through professionals in the field and in collaborationwith the Bentley Consulting Group, this Communityexposes students to the industry, relevant career pathsand more Join via CareerEdge for the latest news, opportunities,workshops/events and moreRecommended BooksCase in Point,by Marc CosentinoCase Interview Secrets,by Victor ChengWSJ calls this theMBA Bible as theauthor demystifiesthe consulting caseinterviewA former McKinseyInterviewer reveals howto get multiple joboffers in Consulting12

Consulting / AdvisoryRESOURCESPay Service Resources There are several pay service resources available thatoffer support and customized prep from current andformer consultants (some also offer free content suchas mental math practice tools)Please evaluate your free resource options first andspeak with a member of Bentley’s Career ServicesOffice if you have any com)(https://caseinterview.com)13

Consulting / Advisory INTERNSHIP SAMPLE ROLES 7 INTERNSHIPS The following is a sample of relevant and/or competitive Consulting/Advisory internships recently held or accepted by Bentley undergrad students. Company Position Deloitte Business Valuation Intern Deloitte Consulting