How did you build your technical skills?
Hi all,
I'm looking for some advice on my current position. I recently started a full time position as a consultant (around 3 months ago). I initially thought everything was going well but something is starting to bother me..
So far i've been staffed on some of the biggest projects with some of our big hitters, I took this as a sign I was killing it but having recently received my feedback from a number of people i'm noticing that almost everyone points to a lack of technical skills. This is really irritating as everyone has also said that I interact with clients fantastically, am a pleasure to work with and seem to understand concepts and situations at a stage far beyond what they would expect.
My worry is they are pointing to my formatting in decks and general presentation skills being quite weak and i'm worried this is going to hurt me at a later stage, one superior said that "you understand how to do my job really well but you're not performing to this standard in your own". I'm wondering how others that may have been in a similar position have dealt with this? I seem to submit things that I feel are presentable but then they come back with a bunch of comments.
Thanks for reading, any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I was kinda in a similar situation when I first started my consulting job (have now been working a little over a year).
You're going to get a lot of comments on anything you submit; it's part of the learning curve. What helped me was looking at past decks and paying attention to the formatting details - what color schemes/graphs/fonts are used, how are different types of data displayed, etc. Also ask the more senior consultants for advice! Your eye for formatting is something that should get better with time, as long as you're paying attention to the comments you're getting and using them to learn.
I think a big part about being a good consultant, at least at the entry level, and at least at my company, is having attention to detail. When the final product is basically just a powerpoint deck, that deck needs to look really, really good - so even though the feedback you're getting about formatting may seem silly, there is some reasoning behind it.
(wow I sound like I really drank the company kool-aid...)
Thanks for your advice! you're definitely right about the comments thing I guess it's getting around what I feel "looks good" to really understanding the reputation of my company and what clients expect when they hire us in terms of deliverables.
(don't worry I think you have too to spend this long looking at slides...)
How to improve technical skills? (Originally Posted: 10/09/2017)
I am a sophomore at a semi-target but I'm in a more liberal arts degree right now than a traditional business program. I'm switching into the business school for next year but what can I do in the meantime to improve my technical skills. Specifically, I want to get quicker and more confident with excel.
bump
Intel buys HP - build me a model Go!
6 years to Prepare-specific recommendations for technical skill development and resume (Originally Posted: 04/18/2009)
I graduated 4.0 with Honors from the Honors College at University of South Carolina. I was also a triple Business Major including International Business, ranked 1st in country at the undergrad level.
I have some work experience(less than 1 year), mostly marketing, but nothing with a pedigree and nothing all that substantial. I am going into the Peace Corps for 2 years to do economic development. I plan to get out and work with a non MBB for 2 years, make it to a target school and then apply to MBB. I have a feeling I will crush GMAT.
Will I still have a shot given my non-pedigree undergrad? First, what else can I do to maximize my chance of getting into top 5 MBA program? Second, what can I do to really beef up my resume, and what can I study given that I have at least 6 years before I apply to MBB? I have case and interview prep materials, GMAT prep, Vault and Wetfeet Guides, Mckinsey series books, and some things on PowerPoint and Excel. I read Consultingmag and periodically browse blogs and forums like this. I also am networking, and have managed to get in front of 3 Mckinsey employees, one an engagement manager, one from Accenture, and one from Bain.
I want to develop technical skills in the most important areas as well as soft skills. I want to know how and where to do impeccable research and data analysis. I need some specific topics to study, and some specific ways to study industries and functions. I'd like to find out specific analyses that are performed during the research and data analysis phases of the engagement.
Basically, if you knew you had 6 years to prepare to get into an MBB and then excel once there, what would you do? Also some specific recommendations for extracurricular involvement post undergrad, which demonstrates the level of leadership they are looking for would be helpful.
Is there anything I'm forgetting to ask or that isn't on my mind that should be?
All advice is welcomed, especially from those in MBB or former MBB associates.
if you want to work at MBB so badly that you'll plan 6 years ahead for it, why not try to now?
You're thinking way too much about this.
That's the honest truth. First, I have to agree with MarginCalling - if you want it so badly, it doesn't hurt to try now. Just because you fail doesn't mean you'll be out of the running in future recruiting cycles.
Second, you're right that given your USC education, it'll be tough to get the appropriate attention particularly in this economic climate. Aim for a top MBA program as you're doing - and focus on that first and foremost over any consulting skill-specific preparation. That will generally be a waste of time - what's far more important is your attractiveness to an HBS or Stanford GSB.
Finally, with respect to extracurricular focus post-undergrad, networking is by far the most important thing you can do. Join school alumni associations, area business networking groups, and so forth. While you've done a good job meeting current and former consultants thus far, you need to keep it up. Having those connections will be by far the most important thing you can do to have a leg up come application-time.
Best of luck!
Kevin Gao www.managementconsulted.com
Sed officia aut repellendus veritatis quisquam dolorem. Harum non voluptas inventore esse. Temporibus inventore fuga voluptatem. Eos similique deleniti rem aperiam totam.
Nobis harum accusantium vitae quasi. Culpa quas facilis nostrum velit ex dolore animi. Voluptatum qui dignissimos voluptas error quia. Velit ab quia et. Expedita id totam est molestiae dolorem voluptate quae.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...