Consultant: Career Path

To become a consultant, start by cultivating a deep expertise in a specific field and honing skills in problem-solving, communication, and analysis.

Find mentors at
Airbnb
Amazon
Meta
Microsoft
Spotify
Uber

What does the Consultant career path entail?

Consultant

Embarking on a career in consulting appeals to many due to the diverse range of experiences and challenges it offers. As a consultant, you are exposed to various industries, business models, and organizational cultures, allowing for a dynamic and continuously evolving career. This exposure not only enhances your professional versatility and adaptability but also deepens your understanding of different market dynamics and business strategies. The role frequently involves problem-solving and creative thinking, pushing you to apply your skills and knowledge innovatively. Consequently, for those who thrive in ever-changing environments and enjoy applying their expertise to solve complex business problems, consulting offers an exhilarating and rewarding career path.

Moreover, consulting is uniquely positioned to offer vast networking opportunities and personal growth. Interacting with different clients and professionals provides a platform to build a robust professional network, invaluable for career advancement and personal development. Consultants often find themselves in roles that influence significant decisions, offering a sense of accomplishment and the opportunity to make a tangible impact on businesses and, sometimes, even on the broader industry or sector. The career journey in consulting also places a strong emphasis on continuous learning and self-improvement, compelling consultants to stay abreast with the latest trends, technologies, and methodologies. This aspect of continuous personal and professional development is a key driver for many in choosing a consulting career, ensuring that their skills and knowledge remain at the cutting edge in an ever-evolving business world.

Best books to explore the Consulting career path

A well-written and thorough book can be an amazing path to build deeper understanding and also act as a handbook as you discover the internet's vast resources.

These are our and our experts top picks to get started building career-relevant skills.

Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used

Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used

This Third Edition to Peter Block's Flawless Consulting addresses business changes and new challenges since the second edition was written ten years ago. It tackles the challenges next generation consultants face, including more guidance on how to ask better questions, dealing with difficult cli…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

The McKinsey way

The McKinsey way

"If more business books were as useful, concise, and just plain fun to read as THE MCKINSEY WAY, the business world would be a better place." --Julie Bick, best-selling author of ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW IN BUSINESS I LEARNED AT MICROSOFT. "Enlivened by witty anecdotes, THE MCKINSEY WAY contain…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Case Interview Secrets: A Former McKinsey Interviewer Reveals how to Get Multiple Job Offers in Consulting

Case Interview Secrets: A Former McKinsey Interviewer Reveals how to Get Multiple Job Offers in Consulting

In Case Interview Secrets, you'll discover step-by-step instructions on how to dominate what many consider to be the most complex, most difficult, and most intimidating corporate job interview in the world—the infamous case interview. Victor Cheng, a former McKinsey management consultant, reveal…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

The Back of the Napkin

The Back of the Napkin

"There is no more powerful way to prove that we know something well than to draw a simple picture of it. And there is no more powerful way to see hidden solutions than to pick up a pen and draw out the pieces of our problem." So writes Dan Roam in The Back of the Napkin, the international bestse…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

The McKinsey mind

The McKinsey mind

McKinsey & Company is the most respected and most secretive consulting firm in the world, and business readers just can't seem to get enough of all things McKinsey. Now, hot on the heels of his acclaimed international bestseller The McKinsey Way, Ethan Rasiel brings readers a powerful new guide …

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials

HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials

Change is the one constant in business, and we must adapt or face obsolescence. Yet certain challenges never go away. That's what makes this book "must read." These are the 10 seminal articles by management's most influential experts, on topics of perennial concern to ambitious managers and lead…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Give your job chances a boost

Connect with experienced Consultant mentors for guidance
Explore recommended resources and learning materials

Top Consulting Certifications

Understanding all core concepts of Consulting is key to claiming your next certificate. If you need help brushing up on your skills, consider reaching out to one of our mentors.

Accredited Agricultural Consultants Certification

Accredited Agricultural Consultant (AAC) members of the Society provide consulting services to over 5,500 clients who collectively represent over 7 million acres of rural real estate. Clients range from investors and non-operating landowners to farmers and professional agribusinesses. AACs offer ex…

Consulting Certification Coaching

Consider reaching out to a coach specialized in Consulting certifications. They can help you prepare for your exam, and provide you with the necessary resources to succeed. MentorCruise is the best place to find a coach for your Consulting certification.

Cyber Security Consulting Certifications

USCSI® believes that important job roles such as Cybersecurity Consultant, Cybersecurity Analyst, Software Engineer, Network Engineer, and similar ones must now understand that every IT or computer professional must now become a Cybersecurity expert in oneself. Prices start at $699 .

Communication Management Professional certification

The GCCC® was created by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) to offer certification at various levels and to promote a common, global understanding of what constitutes professionalism and competence in communication. The GCCC® is independent of IABC. Its members represent…

Talent optimization Consultant certification

The PI Talent Optimization Certification will forever change the way you lead. After completing the certification, you’ll be able to speak about talent strategy with authority and influence positive organizational change. Stay ahead of the curve. Get certified today.

chartered financial consultant certification

The ChFC® Program offers comprehensive education in the essentials of financial planning, including insurance, taxation, retirement, and estate planning. It also addresses advanced areas such as behavioral finance, non-traditional family structures, and small business planning.

Consulting Workshop

Consider joining a workshop specialized in Consulting. Workshops are a great way to learn new skills, and get hands-on experience. MentorCruise is the best place to find a workshop for your Consulting certification.

Certified Management Consultant

Our CMC® certification process confirms proof of your education, continuing professional development and commitment to the highest ethical standards of consulting. IMC USA’s examiners rigorously assess your submitted consulting engagement case studies and your competency in applying the knowledge a…

Get the guidance you need on the Consultant career path

There is no better source of accountability and motivation than having a personal mentor. What used to be impossible to find is now just two clicks away! All mentors are vetted & hands-on!

Accelerate your Consultant career with professional consulting

Already working in the Consultant field? Our Consulting consultants can help you and your team overcome challenges, implement best practices, and achieve your professional goals faster.

Connect with Consulting Consultants

Growing into a Senior Consultant role pays off – $20,000 up to per year

Not only is the progression from individual Consultant to a Senior role a natural progression, it also makes all the difference in your average salary.

On a global average, Senior Consultant receive a $20,000 salary hike over entry-level Consultants when they go from individual contributor to senior personnel.

Browse all Consulting mentors
Entry
Senior

Get the help you need & advance your career

In summary, a career in consulting offers a dynamic and impactful pathway for those seeking to leverage their expertise across a variety of challenging environments. It promises not just growth in professional skills and knowledge, but also an expansive network and a deeper understanding of multiple industries. The journey requires dedication, adaptability, and a passion for continuous learning. For those willing to embrace these challenges, consulting can be a deeply rewarding and enriching career choice, full of opportunities for personal and professional growth.