Consulting Graduate Programs: An Insider's Guide to Application and Recruitment
Considering consulting after university? This blog covers the graduate recruitment process and weighs the unique pros and cons of entering as a grad.
Navigating Graduate Applications
Here’s your essential checklist for consulting graduate programme applications
Research all deadlines - some firms hire year-round, some have cut-offs, don’t miss out!
Tailor cover letters to each firm. There’s nothing worse than telling Accenture how excited you are to work at Deloitte…
Practice aptitude tests - verbal, numerical, logical reasoning. Most firms require you to pass these before you even get an interview
Prepare thoroughly for the interviews and assessment centre. Don’t just think about you’ll be asked but also what you can ask them to show genuine interest
Demonstrate you have the core consulting skills: critical thinking, analysis, communication, leadership, problem solving, and teamwork
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Pros of Consulting Graduate Programmes
These are just some of the great things you can get by joining a consulting graduate programme:
Unparalleled training in consulting methodologies and beyond. Firms invest heavily in graduates as they are the future leaders of the firm
Tight-knit peer network for lifelong friendships and support
Lots of responsibility and autonomy early in your career
Potential Tradeoffs
Consulting graduate programmes aren’t for everyone. Here’s some of the things you should know before you sign on the dotted line:
Very competitive for promotions with large intake of grads
Can be a hard transition without prior real-world experience. Some things may feel quite theoretical, especially at the beginning
Less industry knowledge than experienced hires so you might have to put in some work to build the industry context
The Bottom Line
Overall, graduate programs offer a rewarding path to jumpstart your consulting career with world-class training and peer support. With preparation and realistic expectations, new graduates can thrive in the demanding yet intellectually stimulating world of consulting.
