Does anyone have advice on how to network to get onto a project while on the bench as a new consultant?
I've been at a Big 4 strategy group for about 3 months. I haven't been benched since I started, so I have no idea how any of this works. I've sent out a cold message to staffing, let my coach and mentor know, and cold emailed, but haven't had luck so far.
I think I have an average newbie reputation (good work ethic, personality, and attitude, but need work on skills).
Typically, the unwritten practice is to look for a new role about a month before the official project roll off. The first step is to let the coach and mentor know - they can often guide you in the right direction. Hop on a call asap and say you want to get staffed, you're open to x, y, and z function and you need insights on how to approach.
I'd worry about being on the bench too long. The only time to be non-billable is if you're staffed on an internal initiative (that's significant enough that it deems as important as client work) or you're using some form of paid time off. If you're not re-staffed within two weeks, then HR may see it as a flag and it may start to hurt you from a performance basis.
Essentially, for every day you're not billing, you're costing the firm money and earning them none. So if you're benched for ~1 week, that's fine, that's friction. If it's ~2 weeks, that's okay, you need a break to destress, whatever. But anything longer becomes harder to ignore (unless it's an annual vacation in Dec/Aug or firm-wide).
If that's not the case, aim to re-staff asap - I can't stress this enough.
Yeah this is totally fair. I'm a new hire so I was too passive about looking for a project, plus I was rolled off about 19 days earlier than I expected because of budget.
Ty for the 2 week guideline, will definitely tried to get staffed before then.
What if someone tries really hard to get staffed but isn't successful? Like they spent 4-5 hours emailing and calling every day, but it doesn't pan out?
Also, is there more leniency for new hires (i.e. I've only been there for 2-3 months).
It depends on the firm, the internal process and procedures as well as who can vouch for you/bat for you to stay, but from my experience, leniency sways with the firm budget. If there are recessionary outlooks, and they have low performers according to their internal performance metrics, then at the worst case, they may lay you off even as a new hire.
It sucks, but firms are bloodless at times - they see consultants as employees that generate money or don't.
Btw - pm me.
yeah that's fair, thanks for the brutal honesty. i just pm-ed you
The firm I'm at also hires to the bench. Unsure what your internal project workload looks like but if you can get some experience working on proposals and/or business development (i.e. lead generation) then it's easier to justify the fact you're not staffed yet.
FinnesseGod is right though. The bench is a sinking ship. The longer you're on it the more likely you are to drown.
Fingers crossed for you. Good luck.
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