Army Rumour Service

Register a free account today to join our community
Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site, connect with other members through your own private inbox and will receive smaller adverts!

Tips sought on what consultancy firms are looking for in recruits?

jim30

LE
Folks, I am looking for any advice people can offer here. Long story cut short, I am very keen to leave (eg utterly desperate) to leave the civil service. I have applied for several 'intro to defence consulting' roles with major companies where they are trying to bring across experienced CS or Mil staff with the right experience.

I have so far failed to get even an initial interview in any of my applications, and I am getting rejected out of hand with all the main firms. I've spent a lot of time on CVs and covering letters to show how my experience matches their requirements (eg policy design, implementation and so on) and I have the right clearances they want, but I just cant get a break.

I would really appreciate any advice people could pffer as to what the firms who look for people to come into these roles, which are clearly marked as not needing prior consulting backgrounds posts are actually looking for as at the moment I am stumped about what I am doing wrong and how I can do better.

Any advice hugely appreciated!
 
Is it not the case that these sort of organisations want you to explain how you can access budget holders and influence organisations?

If I'm understanding you right, it's business development roles you're looking for?

The civil service is so big, there must be something that peaks your interest?
 
I have reached my limit in the CS and am fed up of a risk averse, powerless organisation obsessed with process and not talent. The lack of pay, opportunity and prospects is the killer for me. I want out, but mo one out seems to want me :-(
 
  1. Does it have to be consultancy? Does the job you're really looking for have a different job title, but pretty much the set of boxes you're looking to tick?
  2. Consultancy means a major ability to BS. I've met many consultants who can BS for England and relatively few who've added value to a business. Are you strong on the BS front?
  3. Have you let the companies come to you? Put up your CV on Reed Online and see what recruitment consultants get in contact. (That's how I got my present job [which I wouldn't have thought of applying for]. The company I now work for recruits by looking at CV's on Reed Online and contacting people directly).
  4. As @BarcelonaAnalPark says, you may be looking at a Business Development role. HMG contracts out a lot of work. Maybe you should be looking for the companies that do that work and aiming to get a Business Development role there accordingly.
Wordsmith
 
I know the quality of recruitment agencies vary hugely but would it be worth trying them ? good ones tend to know the backdoors.
 
I have reached my limit in the CS and am fed up of a risk averse, powerless organisation obsessed with process and not talent. The lack of pay, opportunity and prospects is the killer for me. I want out, but mo one out seems to want me :-(

The grass may be greener, imo. Everything you've described is not confined to the CS.

Take your time doing this, you might be tempted to take another job but unless you completely understand where you're going, you could end up somewhere just as sh1t.

Contact an organisation that you'd like to work with and explain what it is that you're trying to do. They might give you some valuable advice as to how to get work with them.
 
I have reached my limit in the CS and am fed up of a risk averse, powerless organisation obsessed with process and not talent. The lack of pay, opportunity and prospects is the killer for me. I want out, but mo one out seems to want me :-(

That also describes many companies in the private sector. Including the huge software multinational I worked for until a year ago.

Wordsmith
 
Get working on your LinkedIn profile. The last five job leads I have had since leaving were all unsolicited via LinkedIn - I'm not even actively looking at the moment.

You are going to need to look at who you know in these areas and start tapping them up. Through a friend I was introduced to a ex-Army guy who I took for coffee. Explained I just wanted to chat about how he transitioned and the business scene in Ottawa. Went well, he introduced me to others (see above about work coming to me) and gave some good advice.

Your ex-RNR, sorry Maritime Reserve, so start working the ex-services network groups. White Ensign, Officer Association etc.
If you are eligible for CTP Resettlement I would say take it - they are good at helping people make that transition. (For Service leavers not so much you).

I'll contact you outside of the site for more directed advice but the above is good for any service leaver.
 
I have reached my limit in the CS and am fed up of a risk averse, powerless organisation obsessed with process and not talent. The lack of pay, opportunity and prospects is the killer for me. I want out, but mo one out seems to want me :-(
What about your pension though? It's the only reason I've put up with the above plus bullying, harassment, abuse and lies from managers.
 
Pointy shoes, a cheap suit, and a ghastly watch...

Going off topic I know, but you don't need a watch as a consultant.
  1. You borrow a watch from your client.
  2. You use it to explain the concept of time.
  3. You sell the watch back to the client as a service.
Consultancy in a nutshell.

Wordsmith :smile:
 
It may be that you are better starting with one of the smaller ones. Are there any consultants in your part of the MOD whose brains you could pick over a pint?
 
Get working on your LinkedIn profile. The last five job leads I have had since leaving were all unsolicited via LinkedIn - I'm not even actively looking at the moment.

You are going to need to look at who you know in these areas and start tapping them up. Through a friend I was introduced to a ex-Army guy who I took for coffee. Explained I just wanted to chat about how he transitioned and the business scene in Ottawa. Went well, he introduced me to others (see above about work coming to me) and gave some good advice.

Your ex-RNR, sorry Maritime Reserve, so start working the ex-services network groups. White Ensign, Officer Association etc.
If you are eligible for CTP Resettlement I would say take it - they are good at helping people make that transition. (For Service leavers not so much you).

I'll contact you outside of the site for more directed advice but the above is good for any service leaver.

What he said about LinkedIn. Pays to get signed up to interest and industry groups as well as individuals.

Lots of outfits now have in house recruitment teams and use LinkedIn not just as a search medium but also an advertising one rather than splash on press or pay agents fees. They only go to agencies once that source has been exhausted.

https://uk.linkedin.com/jobs/defence-jobs

Direct applications only work if the HR bod whose desk or screen it lands on has a suitable role to fill at that moment.
I know what happens to the rest....

That said, it is worth doing the specialist Agents if nothing else than to get a feel for the current market and where you might fit in.
 
Top