What qualities do you need to thrive at companies like Deloitte, Accenture, etc?

[SeductivePig]

Let's say in terms of fields akin to the prestige/difficulty of management consulting, etc..

I'm not talking about low level jobs like coding or anything that a business administration major can get into, but jobs that require intelligence, jobs that hire engineers, etc

From what I gather you need the following:

strong work ethic
interpersonal skills
presentation skills
thorough understanding of business acumen
emotional intelligence

Beyond that, I'm guessing you need to have a background in the subspecialty that you want to get into (healthcare, life sciences, biotech, pharma, oil & gas, high tech, etc)

Is that all that's needed?

I am curious because right now I'm working as a contractor in the oil & gas industry on the electrical side and am not happy with my job - looking to make a switch.

 

[kranky]

Willingness to travel all the time and be home only on weekends.
Work 12 hour days when traveling.
No real need to know the business, just learn the buzzwords and methodology du jour they are flogging.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Well... Considering I work at one of your examples.... let me give you my perspective.

1. It totally depends on what department you are in. If you're doing audit/tax returns, you're in for a tough ride in general. I hope you're single and don't mind working into the nights.

2. Numbers numbers numbers. Are you reaching your hour goals? Sales quota? etc.. That's all that really matters.

3. It's an "Up or out" mentality (usually). If you aren't moving up they are going to get you to move out.

4. It's often that you will be working with clients, so yes, not being a bumbling moron in front of them is going to reflect on how you do. Honestly, I'm an introvert and always think about what I'm going to say before I say it and I'm doing just fine. Things like "Presentation skills" will simply come as you become more familiar with the subjects. I'm assuming you aren't old and experienced since you're asking this question.

5. You don't need a background so much as a foot in the door.

As far as your other comments such as "strong work ethic", I'm not 100% sure what you mean - but basically, you need to get shit done. Give a deadline and have it done by then. When someone asks you to do a task ask them when they need it by and either have it by that date/time, or tell them you won't be able to complete it in time.

There will be plenty of lingo, acronyms, and "business acumen" as you put it. Things like that only grow with time.

Personally, I pertain more towards an IT technical consulting side of things. We deal with ERP systems and such. I can say that it is no doubt much easier than audit or returns. Don't get me wrong, we have our late nights too, BUT... We are often dependent on the client. So if you have a lazy client, you can't make them email you back so you can continue working. In cases like that, you get to blame them if you don't meet a deadline. If you have nothing but returns to do, then it's squarely on you.

Thankfully, they treat us pretty well where we are at. They don't really give a shit where I do my work as long as it gets done. I've had plenty of weeks working from home, and if you do come into the office they have breakfast and other stuff for us. Almost a perk to going into the office

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Willingness to travel all the time and be home only on weekends.
Work 12 hour days when traveling.
No real need to know the business, just learn the buzzwords and methodology du jour they are flogging.

For travel, overall I agree. It helps.

But it Depends. If you're Audit, yes, it's very likely you will be on 100% travel to be at clients. Keeping in mind, your client could always (maybe, possibly) be a local one.

If you're doing returns you will be working out of the local office.

Disagree on the "work 12 hour days". It depends what group you're in and the expectations. If you need to get something done by a date - then yes, 12 hour days are very much within the realm of possibility. If it's a "typical" day then a typical day is more within 8-10 hours. Hell, my day today most were in around 9 and out by 4.