Tips for translating defense contracting experience into management consulting?

Hello folks,

I'm trying to break into management consulting from my current experiences in defense contracting. If you have suggestions or tips on how to translate the defense perspective into something a major consulting firm would look at, I'm all ears.

I picked up Case in Point from another WSO member in the intro thread, so I'm currently working my way through that book as well.

2 Comments
 
Best Response

Consulting is all about a certain style of thinking, not necessarily about knowledge. Someone can learn more "information," but that same person may not be able to think critically about problems (which is what consultants, generally speaking, do). Given this, try and mold your defense experiences in the frame of problem solving and critical thinking. Some questions to have answered by your resume would include:

  • What problems did you solve? How were your solutions unique?
  • What did you notice that others didn't?
  • What leadership experiences do you have - did you lead any engagements?
  • What did you achieve?

Basically, translate your defense work experience into broader terms that relate to consulting (client management, teamwork abilities/leadership, problem solving, critical thinking, innovation). You could also target consulting firms which work in the defense space, as your industry knowledge/experience would be valuable for them. Good luck.

 

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