I looked at some of the big consultancies’ websites and didn’t find many vacancies for people with 3-4 years experience. Let’s take Atos for instance, I did a quick search for experienced consulting vacancies (IT related functional area) in the UK (43 posts). I have noticed that most of the ads are addressed to candidates with a minimum of 5 years relevant experience. Let’s say that my friends and I have 3-4 years experience. What consultancies should we maximise our efforts on? Which (if any) of the big 5-6 are more active in recruiting people from the 3-4 years experience group? ………………………………………………………Also, I had a look at Deloitte website, in consulting they have 17 openings in the UK, some addressed to the 2 years + experience group. But only 17 vacancies in total for the whole of the UK? Are the big consultancies really looking to recruit many new consultants? Out of the many and many applicants I imagine there are out there, which percentage will ever make it? Or when we see a job ad the firms are actually looking to attract candidates for more than one position? Or are there more vacancies that are not advertised on firms’ websites?

Hello Jakie. Often times the ads on recruitment sites are very generic, so don't get too hung up on the details. In my firm we currently have ads for Consultants with a wide variety of function backgrounds, e.g. finance, HR, supply chain, etc. We are actually looking for consultants at all 'grades' within those functional groups, junior to senior. If you are interested in consulting and you think that you fit the main bulk of the requirements, then send in your CV and see how it goes. We take your CV and make an assessment of which 'grade' you'd come in at - which we confirm at assessment. Not posting a hundred different ads might seem like laziness on our part, but it keeps things neat and tidy, and stops you having to figure out the difference between all the grades (which differ from firm to firm). Sorry if that was a rambling answer... Good luck!

Hi Jakie! PA are actively recruiting people with the depth of knowledge and insight that someone like you could bring to client problems. Open up www.paconsulting.com, and click on "Join PA". Why not take a look, and send your CV across to us ? We have a wide variety of role in a number of IT areas, with a good mix of top tier private and public sector clients.

Why not give Charlotte Butler a call in PA ? She's the recruiter for IT Management. She's on 020 730 9000.

I mean 0207 730 9000.Ooops !

Hi, have a question.....If you're not applying directly on a job on a website, what is it that you should say in your cover letter? Is it just you're interesting in joining the firm, explain why u want to join the firm, what you have to offer and that you're willing to take up any position suitable?? or do you express an interest a 'certain position' that you feel you're suitable for? Do HR people look at your CV and go....mmm...he/she might be suitable for this/that...etc. It just seems harder to get a job that way as I'm sure you receive a lot of CVs and probably don't want to try to match every CV? (maybe you do, not sure!)Maybe it just depends on luck and the opportunities available for a certain firm at a certain time!