How to get promoted as a consultant
Consulting promotions are competitive, but achievable with the right approach.
This blog shares general advice on getting promoted in consulting. Each firm has its nuances so it’s important that you understand your specific firm’s promotion criteria. In this blog we reveal the promotion patterns that are common across all firms.
Know the Criteria
The number one reason consultants miss out on promotion is because they haven’t understood what’s expected of them.
Avoid falling into that trap with this three-step process:
Obtain your firm's official promotion guidelines
Analyse if your work fulfils level expectations. Use your Career Coach to help you be as objective as possible
Build a plan to fill the gaps
It’s important you get this right because you’ll need it for our second piece of advice…
Build Your Promotion Case
Consulting firms require you to build a promotion pitch which either you or your career coach will present to a panel on your behalf.
Make sure you have a tight story backed up with data that covers the following areas:
Client value delivered
Internal contribution
Sales contribution (doesn’t have to be big numbers especially at more junior levels but demonstrating that you were involved with some commercial activities is highly beneficial)
It’s not enough just to claim you’ve done something, make sure you prove it too. For example, phrases like “Lead a team of three analysts on a project which delivered £1m of additional revenue for the client” are good to include.
Earn Champions
It’s all very well you claiming that you’re ready for promotion but it’s especially powerful when you have other people fighting your corner too.
There’s a three ingredient recipe for getting senior promotion support:
Deliver exceptional work to get partners/directors in your corner. They can’t support someone whose work they’ve never seen
Secure testimonials from as many senior places as is reasonable. For example Senior Managers and Partners
Politely ask advocates to support your promotion at the panel discussion. It’s likely they will be in the room when your case is discussed
Proactively Seek Feedback
Promotion readiness isn’t achieved overnight. This is an ongoing effort which is steered through regular feedback.
Make sure you’re doing the following:
Have regular career conversations with leaders and your Career Coach
Ask for constructive feedback that will help you grow the skills needed to succeed at the next level
Implement the feedback and gather the data points that prove you’ve improved
Refine Soft Skills
Promotion candidates often have similar roles and responsibilities so the panel looks at how mature their soft skills are in order to differentiate who will earn the promotion.
They will be particularly looking at strategic thinking, effective communication and leadership skills. Make sure you’ve taken time to develop these with data to prove it.
Success Takes Preparation
Treat promotion like a year-long campaign. Master the criteria, quantify achievements, and earn senior support to champion you. If you focus on relentless continuous improvement, then promotion will follow.
