Consultancy
Consultancy offers independent advice and expertise to clients on a variety of issues (like improving company performance and business planning).
There are different types of consultancy across a range of sectors, including business, management, environmental, social media and IT.
Together with finance, consultancy makes up one of the largest sectors to recruit graduates. Employers range from international companies to small businesses. Some firms have in-house consulting departments, while others hire external consultantancy providers.
Find out about consultancy
Prospects:
Prospects’ generic job profiles:
Research the sector and keep up with current issues by reading the websites:
- Management Consultancies Association (MCA)
- Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
- Consultancy.UK
- Association of Consultancy and Engineering (ACE)
Check the Environment job sector page for more information about environmental consultancy.
Use of AI in consulting
AI has the potential to transform the consulting sector. AI can analyse huge data sets, facilitate forecasting and decision making, and improve efficiency in routine administrative tasks. It can also perform more complex tasks such as designing new services and strategies. There are some concerns around confidentiality and the security of client data. Alongside the rapid adoption of AI, human connections, creativity and insights remain important. Look at websites to keep up to date - the Big4 consulting firms, and others, regularly publish articles and blogs on the applications of AI in their work.
Jobs in consultancy are often high pressure and involve working long hours. Depending on the kind of role, you will need to demonstrate these skills:
- business/commercial awareness
- analytical skills
- problem-solving
- communication
- accuracy
- negotiation
- initiative
- time management
- organisation
- interpersonal/people skills
- project management skills
Work experience is essential for this competitive sector. You should think about:
- Insight days and shadowing opportunities - many large graduate recruiters run insight days to give you a taste of the sector. You can also send speculative applications to smaller finance companies to try and arrange short work shadowing opportunities to help you decide if a certain job is suited to you.
- Internships during your first year - some firms offer short internships open to first year undergraduates. These are typically shorter than the summer long internships offered to second year students. You can see a list of opportunities on Student Ladder.
- Summer internships with finance and consulting firms are very competitive but give valuable experience. Some students are offered graduate jobs with the firm they intern with. Internships are advertised on Handshake and on websites like TARGET Jobs and Prospects. Student Ladder also has a link of firms that usually offer summer internships.
- You can gain experience in other ways. Look into opportunities available with York Community Consulting or volunteer for a finance/treasurer role in any student society.
There are opportunities exclusively for students from black, asian or other ethnic minority backgrounds (BAME) to gain work experience in consultancy. Some popular schemes include SEO London and the Windsor Fellowship. Visit the drop-in in Careers and Placements for help finding more schemes.
Large graduate schemes are advertised through general graduate vacancy sites like TARGETjobs and Prospects. You will also find these on Handshake.
Many consultancy firms are based in London; Prep Lounge has a comprehensive list of London-based firms with the industry each works in, Glassdoor ratings and starting salaries.
If you're interested in a particular area of consultancy, start searching by looking at these examples of specialist vacancy sites:
- Environmental consultancy: ENDS Report
- IT consultancy: CW Jobs
- Management consultancy: Consultancy UK
- Recruitment consultancy: PM Jobs
More sites are listed in our other job sectors. Find different consultancies on the MCA's list of organisational members and check out recruitment agencies, specialising in consultancy recruitment, through Agency Central.
Most large employers in this sector have multi-stage recruitment processes, which may include any of the following:
- online application form
- online interview
- psychometric test
- assessment centre, including presentations
- interview.
Applications close very early for some schemes - some in December - so give yourself enough time to apply.
Smaller companies may have simpler recruitment processes. This may include applying with your CV and an interview for shortlisted candidates.
Use our pages on applying for jobs and the recruitment process to help with your preparation.
There are lots of things you can do right now at university to help you get the skills and experience for a career in finance or consulting:
- Network with professionals - look at what events are running. Contact graduates in the sector through York Profiles and Mentors
- Develop your business awareness by taking part in enterprise activities
- Go to our recruitment fairs to meet potential employers and find out more information about their graduate schemes
- Consider a placement year to increase your chances of getting a job in this competitive sector
- Apply for summer internships in York through York Internships
- Join a student society like the Entrepreneurs Society or apply to get involved in a project with York Community Consulting
- Look at the student guide (and free student membership) from the Association for Project Management to acquire additional skills
More resources: blogs, networks and people to follow
Connect with York graduates on York Profiles and Mentors
- Advisor to Early Stage Companies
- Management Consultant
- Independent corporate advisory firm Partner
- Cyber Security Consultant
- IT Consultant
- Managing Consultant in a climate consultancy
Find the full list of graduate profiles on York Profiles and Mentors
Social media accounts
LinkedIn accounts: