Some background and a quick question for any experienced consultants and/or recruiters... I am a 33 year old graduate with ten years commercial experience within the publishing industry, and four years of this in fairly senior sales management roles. I would like to broaden my horizons and I'm looking at consultancy as mt next career move, but I am unsure as to whether I should undertake some postgraduate or professional qualifications first. I'm considering the MSc Management Consultancy at Leeds Business School, but will this really enhance my career prospects? Should I focus instead on project management and/or training qualifications? Any advice gratefully accepted! Cheers.

Despite the deafening silence here, the feedback from people in the industry with whom I have spoken seems to be yes! Their view is that the course provides a good basic skill set that can be augmented by specific certifications in subjects such as project management.

Jason - I'd be more wary than that. Refer to Tony's message above re Postgrad studies - it's a very sensible response. Doing a Masters is a big time/cash commitment, and unless you also had relevant experience, it wouldn't necessarily make me look at your CV any more favourably. If you are doing it for personal development reasons, brilliant - but be careful about doing it as a stepping stone to a consulting role.

Sounds like wise advice RecruitGal, and thanks for the response! Still thinking seriously about the course, but I'll do some research as per Tony's suggestion. If an MSc/MA isn't necessarily the best option, what else would you be looking for in addition to commercial experience? Specific project management certifications? Appreciate any further thoughts!

Hi Jason - Tell you what - drop me a line at recruitgal@hotmail.co.uk and send me some more info on what kind of consulting you are specifically interested in and/or your CV - and I'll try and offer some suggestions. You should also try and come along to the Careers Fair on the 7th Oct and chat to as many consulting firms as possible to get their views on all this...

Thanks RecruitGal - an e-mail and copy of my CV are on the way. Look forward to hearing from you. Many thanks! Jason