I just don't get? How do I or can I transfer from a great tax career into SC/MC?? I'm a qualified ACCA and CTA I've worked for a number of large US corporates as the Group Tax Consultant. I have strategy skills not only in tax but in business, I have lots of M&A experience and business development skills too. Plus I work with VP and senior management so I have that commercial awareness skill set too? So why do I keep getting rejections? I recon, given the chance I could do pretty well on the case studies - I mean how hard can they be? A bit of Maths, a bit of management and a bit of strategy, surely not? Is a MBA the only way forward? The poor chap in the message below says he went to Harvard and yet he still can't get into good firms? SOMEONE PLEASE HELP, WHAT I'M I DOING WRONG???

Stay in tax! By the sounds of things you seem to be in a good position why waste your time moving into a new career and all it seems that your probably being paid pretty well too? With no experience your probably going have to start out at the bottom and work your way up can you manage it? However I would say no to the MBA if 1. someone is funding it or 2. you got the financial clout! Good luck!!

Its seems like you got the basics to get into SC but maybe you need to go do the MBA to help you get somemore case study experience? I'm not sure see what other consultants say! How many years restructuring and M&A work have you got??

I've got 5 years M&A's and structuring experience and i'm currently doing some tax and operational structuring for a large media company!

Hi Taxman, I can understand what you are going through and it is very frustrating when you just can't see reasons for your failure. The most important thing is realize very quickly that the fault lies with yourself. Once you realise this - you can start taking constructive action to remove any major faults by going through the whole application process. 1) Start with your application & CV: Get it reviewed by some senior colleagues and get tips from them to improve your CV. You can get a professional CV done by a recruitment consultancy - they are worth the small fee. YOUR CV NEEDS TO DIFFERENTIATE YOU SUFFICIENTLY FROM OTHER CANDIDATES TO GET YOU THE INTERVIEW. CV will not get you the job. 2) Analyse yourself: Match the skills and experience you have with the skills required for your targeted position. Maybe you should try and gain some more skills either though study or by taking on responsibility in other areas at work or even through your social life by networking or taking on voluntary positions. 3)Interview Technique: Again you can get friends and colleagues to take mock interviews and help you with your technique. Prepare good answers for FAQs so you are sure to impress the interviewer with your quick responses. Always highlight in the interview how you can use your skills and experience for the benefit of the potential employer. This should get the employer interested.4) Are you asking for a very high position or salary for which you are not qualified. Be realistic - maybe you need to target a middle level role rather than going for top management. I hope you get some ideas from the above to identify where the problems are. An MBA in itself is NOT a solution. BUT AN MBA CAN IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS SET. So if you feel there is a weakness in this area - you could do an MBA. But its all about the value you can give to the employer. Consultants need to make money for the consultancy firm. If you can show them how you can make money for them - you will get hired. All the best. YOU CAN DO IT! Best regards, Moosa

Thanks!

Cheers! A lot of people have told me the same thing "stay in tax" but Tax is boring I want a new challenge? Yes your quite right about getting paid well - so taking a salary cut and starting out right at the bottom could be difficult?

Well it wouldn't be RIGHT at the bottom, given your experience. Who have you applied to? Did they give you any feedback on why you weren't invited to interview (is it your academic background, perhaps - that's a filter that catches a lot of people)? Have you had a look at the guide to different consulting firms on this site? - Those described as "boutique" might be more flexible in assessing your CV, especially if you would be able to bring some interesting potential client contacts with you. Final thought: have you had any discussions with the main headhunters in this field? They should be able to give you some good advice.

Strat:I've tried all this and the answer is no! I just dont have a 1st in Economics from Cambridge hence the reject - tho I recon I could do a dam better job then they could! Oh well such is life? So about these "boutique" can you name a few? Maynbe i'll try there as I have nothing to lose (i've been rejected so many time). Its quite embarasssing considering my skills -

The ones specifically listed are LEK, Detica and Parthenon, and Monitor, Marakon and OC&C are also noted on a 2x2 chart. You can get the report by following the "Get the Top-Consultant guide to consulting firms" link at the top right of this page - it has a longer list of the smaller firms at the back. If it is the case that your academic background really doesn't look that good on paper, but you've since excelled analytically in a commercial environment, then I really would suggest: emphasizing analytic skills on your CV; highlighting any potentially valuable client contacts you have; and trying the consulting headhunters (the market is very buoyant at the moment). If that still doesn't work - and this really is still what you want to do - an MBA (or at least doing the first step and taking the GMAT) might indeed be the only way; INSEAD only takes 9 months. Alternatively, can't you find some ways to mix in more general and strategic advice on the back of your tax work? Good luck.

Strat: Thanks! Good bit of advice!