I graduated this year with a 2:1 in an information systems degree. The degree was specifically tailored to satisfy the criteria for a consultancy position in IT, management, strategy etc. I have applied to all the big city firms and I have been rejected by all of them and no-one is giving me feedback so I know what I am doing wrong. I graduated from university of Hertfordshire, could this be the problem? I feel I have a good CV and a strong cover letter with a lot more experience in consultancy than most new graduates could boast (I did a consultancy module and a live client-facing consultancy dissertation). Any one got any advice as mt confidence is taking a serious bashing! Thanks

It could be a number of things! It may be one re-occuring thing. From what you have said I believe it might be your university, but im only speculating. Secondly and more likely, your cover letter may be letting you down. Perhaps get someone to check it for you who has experience as a recruiter, or better still get a consulting recruiter to have a look at it. Apart from that im not sure what more I, or anyone for that matter can say given the berevity of the information you have disclosed.

You are legally entitled to see your interview notes and comments under the data protection legislation. May be worth contacting the Information Officer in one of these companies and asking them for a copy of your interview notes and commentary

Leyla: are you actually getting any interviews? If you are, it's unlikely to be your CV, letter or academics. If you are not (and I'm guessing you're not), I suspect you have already identified the problem (or at least one big problem - it may or may not be the only one, of course) - I'm afraid it's your degree/University: it wouldn't make it through our screening. But what to do? Well, unhelpfully, I wouldn't start from this position.... But given you have to, there are some things you can do to increase your chances (no guarantees): be explicit about recognising you have a weak degree (sorry, that'll be how it's seen) and emphasise in your letter WHY you chose the course, why you feel it shouldn't be written off (is it, for instance, better rated than the average for Hertford?) and play up any modules where you got top marks; consider studying for, taking (and aceing - 700+) the GMAT and highlight that in your letter; and/or try a networking/referrals approach - does your University have contacts with any firms (perhaps personal contacts of faculty members), or do you know anybody who is working or has worked in consultancy? Ask them if they will recommend you for interview, and bypass the screening process. If none of that works, realistically, you may have to get a corporate position for a few years and (if you still want to by then) try to come in to the industry as an experienced hire. Good luck.

Thanks all of you for taking the time to respond to my query. anon you are right, I'm not even making it through the screening process which is really frustrating as I tailored my degree to meet the criteria for consulting. I have as you said played up my strongest modules including a consultancy module!! Unfortunately I don't know anyone who currently works in consultancy. Could you recommend any consultancy recruiters or anyone who could take a look at my CV and cover letter? If it is my university, which like you I am pretty sure it is, then I need to have an even stronger application on my side. The worst thing about all this is that I know I would be great as a consultant!!! It's a catch-22 situation.

Hi Leyla - I'm a consultancy recruiter. Feel free to send your CV to me at my hotmail account - recruitgal@hotmail.com - and I'll take a look for you...

Iam working in a finance company since last four months in operations department, i have done MBA in HR and want a job in the related field , i am facing the problem that employers is saying that if i have done MBA why i have joined a job in operations?

But here's the thing! Why don't you know the names of any consultancy recruiters? There are dozens, and they are pretty easy to identify. I don't want to seem harsh, but as someone who has hired consultants in the past, you don't seem to want the role enough to cover all the bases that an eager interviewee would have done.

I have done endless amounts of research!! I have searched and searched for management consultancy recruitment agencies and I get nothing!! I have registered with numerous on-line job sites that have consultancy sections but I hear nothing back! I want this role more than anyone could even begin to imagine. If I was not that keen on the role I would have given up after the first 20 rejections! But I haven't, I have kept going and kept applying. So instead of being all condescending and judgemental, why don't you try to help? As I have said, I have applied directly to companies, I have registered with jobsites, I am attending the consultancy careers fair on Friday... so you tell me, what other bases are their to cover? And I would be much obliged to you if you would pass on the names of these consultancy recruiters.

Apologies for 'their' instead of 'there' in 2nd to last sentance.. was due to not concentrating and sheer outrage not lack of grammatical skills (would not want to be judged on that as well!)

Hiya, I tried emailing my CV to your hotmail account but it keeps returning as a failed message. Do you have another address I could try? Just to check it was recruitgal@hotmail.com?

Leyla, I believe RecruitGal actually gave you her wrong email address (naughty her!!). I believe its actually recruitgal@hotmail.co.uk I should know, ive consulted with her on a few issues and have to say she is really helpful. Word has it that she is sexy as well ;)

Thanks for that B, I'll also make sure she receives your comments... I feel like an out of job Cilla Black! :o)