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What is a management consultant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
Robin Cormier
introduction image

A management consultant advises organizations on how to improve performance and solve business problems. They work with clients across various industries, helping them to identify areas for improvement and develop strategies to achieve their goals. Management consultants typically analyze data, conduct research, and provide recommendations on topics such as organizational structure, marketing, finance, and operations. The role requires analytical skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to communicate effectively.

What general advice would you give to a Management Consultant?

Robin Cormier

Assistant Professor, Montana State University - Billings

While college graduates begin to launch their careers, they also face uncertainty about job opportunities. This can be a daunting time in their life. First and foremost, they should be proud of their achievements. There are many steps they can take to prepare for a future career, such as developing a network and building a strong resume. However, in my opinion, the most important advice I would offer new graduates is to pursue their passion. When you are passionate about your career, your life is more fulfilling, and you are more determined to achieve success. Passion shows through how you communicate, develop working relationships, and your level of career investment.
ScoreManagement ConsultantUS Average
Salary
7.6

Avg. Salary $99,360

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
6.8

Growth Rate 11%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.17%

Asian 13.55%

Black or African American 8.05%

Hispanic or Latino 8.88%

Unknown 4.50%

White 64.85%

Gender

female 34.08%

male 65.92%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress Level
6.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
8.7

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
2.2

Work Life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Management Consultant?

Pros

  • Exposure to diverse industries and business models

  • Opportunity to develop a wide range of skills

  • Opportunities for international travel and work

  • Exposure to senior executives and decision-makers

  • Opportunities for networking and building relationships with clients

Cons

  • Travel can be exhausting and disruptive to work-life balance

  • Steep learning curve and constant need to learn new skills quickly

  • Working in a highly competitive environment

  • High expectations from clients and colleagues

  • Potential for conflict between client goals and personal values

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Management Consultant career paths

Key steps to become a management consultant

  1. Explore management consultant education requirements

    Most common management consultant degrees

    Bachelor's

    67.3 %

    Master's

    21.7 %

    Associate

    6.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific management consultant skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Healthcare9.41%
    Project Management6.61%
    Portfolio6.01%
    Business Process5.40%
    Business Strategy5.28%
  3. Complete relevant management consultant training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New management consultants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a management consultant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real management consultant resumes.
  4. Research management consultant duties and responsibilities

    • Streamline and program manage operations for end-to-end creation of all assets using Smartsheet.
    • Lead daily agile scrum meetings towards the end of the development phase of the project.
    • Monitor and control project schedule for SaaS product to achieve project deliveries in at least 95th percentile.
    • Lead teams in implementation of value map streaming, ISO 9000 and waste reduction in manufacturing process.
  5. Prepare your management consultant resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your management consultant resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a management consultant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Management Consultant Resume templates

    Build a professional Management Consultant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Management Consultant resume.
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  6. Apply for management consultant jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a management consultant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Management Consultant Job

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Average management consultant salary

The average Management Consultant salary in the United States is $99,360 per year or $48 per hour. Management consultant salaries range between $72,000 and $136,000 per year.

Average Management Consultant Salary
$99,360 Yearly
$47.77 hourly

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How do management consultants rate their job?

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Management Consultant reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2021
Pros

Flexibility of schedule and type of work in Organizational Development. Telecommute options are also superb.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

As it seeks to solve problems in innovative way

Cons

It needs more patience to apply the true solution and satisfy your client


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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

Variety of clients and challenges. Ability to solve diffcult probepms and to mentor others.

Cons

Marketing during and between projects. Work is not always steady.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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