Biggest mistakes new consultants make and how to avoid them…
Starting out in consulting comes with a learning curve.
In this blog, we’re going to reveal the most common mistakes new consultants make and how to avoid them so you can get your consulting career off on the right foot.
Not Preparing Enough
The biggest and most common mistake new consultants make is not doing enough preparation ahead of their first day on a project.
How to avoid this mistake:
Thoroughly research your client, their industry, and your project before landing
Read all available documents to understand context. Particularly focus on the statement of work and any working drafts of the final deliverable
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Investing a bit of time to get as much context as possible before you officially join your project will make you much more effective and therefore stand out as a consultant.
Lacking Proactivity
The great thing about consulting is you get a lot of autonomy early on in your career. The flip side of that is that you need to be proactive right from day one.
How to show you’re a self-starter:
Bring solutions, options, and recommendations
Use critical thinking skills like 5 Whys analysis
Align don’t ask. Check in with your manager that your work is aligned to the engagement priorities but never ask “what shall I do next?”
Having a Fixed Mindset
New consultants often come in with a fixed idea of what role they want to do and who they want to network with. Doing this means you’ll miss out on a lot of opportunities your firm has to offer.
How to demonstrate your growth mindset:
Say yes to diverse opportunities early on
Keep exploring different service lines, roles and training opportunities
Avoid pigeon-holing yourself too soon
Neglecting Your Network
It’s easy to get swept up in the day-to-day tasks. However, don’t forget to make time for networking.
Top networking tips:
Connect across levels and practice areas
Attend internal events and put yourself out there
It's a small world - visibility is critical
Never forget, “your network is your net worth”.
Forgetting the Basics
In the eagerness to please, many new consultants lose sight of the basics.
Always remember:
Respond quickly and meet deadlines
Set proper expectations and communicate proactively
Exceed expectations where there’s real value-add in doing so
Start Strong, Stay Strong
Avoiding these mistakes early on and you’ll be flying. If you keep these three pieces of advice from this blog in mind though, you’ll quickly adapt and thrive in your new career as a consultant.
