Argh... I have great academic qualifications (First Class Masters in Engineering), over three years experience in bus consulting and am super personable. Recruiting agents all tell me my CV is great BUT as yet, I've had not one interview (after a very long and frustrating 6 weeks). Where is everyone??????

Have you tried applying directly to the firm, through their websites ?

Everyone has been on holiday. August is traditionally the slowest month in the consulting calendar. Not only just for recruiting. I'm just taking a breather to catch my breath and see whats been happening in the consulting world as this forum is a very good barometer of our industry. I've only just gotten back from 2 weeks in th sun and have been wading through my inbox. Projects needing to be kicked off now left, right and centre; proposals that need to be completed; as well as about 50 CVs to review - Who know's your CV may be one of the ones sitting in my inbox? :-) You should start getting some feedback as we move into September which is traditionally a good time for people to start looking.

Traditionally August is quiet on all fronts, but not this year! My team have been rushed off their feet, with a huge number of interviews, assessments and hires. August has been our biggest month this year and we are expecting September to be just as busy. I'd ask your agencies to push for some feedback, because it really shouldn't be taking six weeks... Good luck!

Another Anon, I fear that mine may not be one of the 50 in your inbox ... would you mind if I made it 51? You can contact me at dummy.email.b@gmail.com if you wouldn't mind me sending through my CV. Thanks.

RecruitGal/Anon, what firms do you work for? Or if you cant answer that what type of consulting does your firm do? You say your interviewing - is that for experienced hires or graduate intake? cheers

Hi Jessica. I recruit experienced hires for one of the biggies (full service consulting), but don't like mentioning names. I'm trying (hopefully!) to be impartial in my posts - although I have to say I do enjoy the efforts of the PA Cheerleading Squad. I don't necessarily agree with everything they say, but you have to admire their enthusiasm!!

Oh, I can't divulge that sort of information. One of the big ones. I shall say no more. Who knows I may even be a colleague of Recruitgal. I focus more on the experienced hires. HR sifts through them on my behalf and then I have a closer look and then decided whether there is a match with our current needs. But as always, if there's talent out there, we'll take them on. Best of luck.

Thanks guys. RecruitGal, if you dont mind was there anything particularly you didnt agree with about the PA 'cheerleaders'. i.e. pay, work, wlb, etc. Im very keen to know. Thanks again for your advice.

I just think they might be painting an overly optimistic picture of their firm, e.g. portraying it as a lone beacon of integrity and good management in a sea of unethical slave-masters. The fact of the matter is that consulting is a very difficult job, with huge demands in terms of intellect and time, and this is something that ALL consulting firms struggle with. People that have been at PA for five minutes post messages which shriek about how great the Company is, are possibly not in a position to offer an informed opinion... Having said that, you have to hand it to PA - there are very few other big firms that consistently have current employees recommending them on this forum...