What IS consulting

When I applied for small consulting internships/jobs, too often I've been hit with questions like "In your mind, what does a consultant do?" "Describe what being a consultant means" etc.

Even after doing research and watching discussions evolve on this site, this question has been hard for me to answer. It's because I do FEEL like I know what consultants are, what they do, what the lifestyle is like - but the fact that I haven't been a consultant means it's hard for me to articulate what consultants are to answer that question.

So I'm wondering how many of you who are in mgmt consulting jobs would answer those questions on what consulting means, is, and is about. Short and long answers are equally appreciated. Also maybe if you could walk me through your day in detail (i.e explain what a "client meeting" entails, what "work" consists of doing, etc) I would really appreicate that!

Thanks, UG aiming for MBB.

3 Comments
 

In general, consultants use fact-based and hypotheses-driven objective reasoning while acting as an external entity to provide consultative (strategy consulting) and delivery/implementation (mgmt consulting) services to clients who either don't have the bandwidth or knowledge to deliver the solution or are too biased and compromised as an 'insider' to see the big picture. Check out 'The McKinsey Way' and Vault guides for a decent overview of the steps involved and the average day for a consultant, respectively.

 

Dolores nihil omnis minus earum. Voluptas est iste nihil sit dolores suscipit laudantium.

Qui autem temporibus consequatur velit consequatur commodi maiores ea. Porro optio aliquam repellendus consequatur magnam minus. Voluptatum illum aut architecto doloremque illo. Similique voluptas quisquam qui vel quibusdam reiciendis. Dolore eum nobis voluptatem ea. Itaque quos quasi rem suscipit.

Reprehenderit aut voluptas tempore doloremque voluptate aliquid. Rem iure eum in aliquam. Illo ut qui aliquid dolor dolores minus vitae. Assumenda nulla aut nobis. A aspernatur nostrum rerum totam corporis dicta. Corrupti in ut tempore sit alias nihil. Est eos molestiae perferendis aspernatur itaque minima.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 99.0%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.5%
  • Oliver Wyman 98.0%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Consulting

  • Cornerstone Research 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 99.0%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.5%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.0%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.5%
  • Boston Consulting Group 99.0%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.5%
  • Oliver Wyman 98.0%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $361
  • Principal (30) $294
  • Director/MD (58) $274
  • Vice President (53) $247
  • Engagement Manager (111) $232
  • Manager (167) $172
  • 2nd Year Associate (185) $142
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (115) $135
  • Senior Consultant (354) $132
  • Consultant (635) $122
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (162) $121
  • 1st Year Associate (575) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (390) $104
  • Associate Consultant (175) $100
  • 1st Year Analyst (1152) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (205) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (626) $67
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”