I work for one of the big for and have been hovering around the 50% utilisation mark since I joined just over a year ago.All engagement feedback is excellent but as I havent been able to get on any long term projects utilisation is an issue as thats what im judged on and I cant see how I would be promoted based on these figuresEven starting to get worried that it may go the other way for me.Any advice please?Cheers

How old are you? I'm assuming you're a new grad, around 22 or so.In this case, I wouldn't be hugely worried about it. At your level, you have no control over your utilisation.I would only be worried if people have been turning you down for projects or saying they don't want to work with you.Basically if people like you, you'll be fine. But if they don't like you... then the utilisation will be an ideal 'excuse' for getting rid.Also, at your level, promotions tend to be time based rather than down to any measurable stuff like utilisation.

try and find a high-profile internal role that you can fit around your project work, e.g. something you can pick up between projects and then put on the back burner when things get really busy on client work. sales, training, methodology development, industry networks etc. are all good candidates. the key is visibility though; make sure senior managers know what you are doing and that this is something valuable, not just something to fill time for the sake of it. also, it's much better to have one long-term internal role where you can actually achieve something visible than just doing loads of random things people ask you to do. this approach certainly has worked for me.

thanks for the advice , its similar to what I have been previously told. I guess my issue is that I feel underpaid (took a 20% cut coming in) and Id say im quite highly qualified...(Chartered Eng, PhD)Oh and am 29...All my projects have been short termers due to the nature of the business we are getting in. Im well know within my group, have good feedback from peers, it just seems we are not getting the work in that I can get involved with so Im suffering with utilisation and it seems completely out of my hands