Is it a very demanding job? Yes, it is. Is it very time-consuming? Yes, it is. Does it require you to often travel to different places, skip lunch, and constantly be on the run? Yes, it does. But even with all these demands and sacrifices, there are reasons why consulting is still one of the most rewarding and sought-after jobs you can find.

On one hand, this job often attracts a certain type of people. Open-minded, active people who like life on the go, constantly being in the middle of something and always with a problem to solve ahead of them. On the other hand, if you are successful at what you do, you will be well compensated for your efforts, so there is always extra motivation in that.

Consulting In A Nutshell

The core of a consultant’s job is what the job title clearly states – consulting people, or more like it, companies. This involves constant involvement in the company’s business, frequent trips to meet with their representatives, and working around the clock to solve the company’s issues and doubts.

If this sounds like your cup of tea, you should definitely consider consulting as a career. If you’re up to the task and don’t find the high tempo too demanding or exhausting, the outcome can be very rewarding and can give you a few extra perks as well.

Consulting Rewards

So, if you’re an open-minded, energetic type of person, there are plenty of reasons why consulting might be a very interesting career choice for you. We’ll list a few main perks of the job below, so you can evaluate this for yourself.

On The Go

For people that get tired and bored of the regular 9 to 5 routine and being stuck in an office every day – look no further. A consultant’s job is rarely done in one place. Sure, you’ll have an office that you’ll use often, but half of the time you won’t really be in it.

Traveling from city to city to meet your clients, working on the plane on your laptop, or in a cafe as you grab a spot of quick lunch between meetings. Sometimes you’ll even call it a day as far as clients and offices go, and just finish up what work you have left in the comfort of your home. It’s dynamic, it’s an ever-changing schedule, and for some, it can be quite exciting.

Useful Traits

This type of job comes with certain skills that you’ll need to have or develop. Most of those skills are quite useful to have in everyday life, outside of your professional career.

Problem-solving – Always a great skill to have, if we’re honest. In your consulting career you’ll have to solve complicated problems all the time, and the more you do, the better you’ll become at it. It’s not just about the specific business problems you come across – it’s how you view and approach them.

Financial management – Working as a consultant often ends up in finances. Whether it’s profitability issues in a company, new product launches, etc. it always comes down to one thing – profit. By working on these issues frequently you’ll learn all the tips and tricks for better financial management, which once you adopt can only make your life better.

Responsibilities and Precision – Having no 9 to 5 work time mostly means that you are only judged by your results. This means that any slacking off at work is only going to do you damage. Either you will fail and lose the client, or you’ll end up having to make up for all the work you haven’t done when you should have. So the value of time will likely become crystal clear for you, and you will be forced to work on your responsibility in order to succeed in this business.

Communication – In this line of business, you get to deal with a lot of different people. You have to learn to function with all of them, so developing good communication and social skills is a must.

The Salary

Considering the high demands of the job and the huge competition for an open spot at any top consultancy – you can be sure that the salary can be very juicy. This varies of course, depending on the business you are consulting in, and your level of experience in your position. But in no manner is this a low-paid job. If you are hard-working and persistent, you will be compensated for your efforts. This is certainly one of the reasons why consulting is so sought-after and why you should ensure you find the best disability insurance for consultants to protect your income in case anything were to happen.

So if money is a big part of your motivation, you should be able to get motivated easily. A high salary with hefty bonuses can do wonders in this aspect for people who are always looking to earn more.

Demands Of Consultancy

Like we said in the introduction, it’s not all fun and games here, unfortunately. You have to be on top of your game most of the time, as it will be really hard for you to achieve everything you want. For instance, if you happen to specialize in DGPR Consulting, you may want to profoundly excel in that specialty. If interested, take the example of this UK data specialist consultancy and check out how they operate. You might get a clear understanding of how consultancy firms work. That said, it is always important to be proficient in the field in which you operate. Being on the road and in your job constantly can affect your social life or time for yourself, especially if you’re just starting and you haven’t adapted to that lifestyle completely.

However, once you’ve got the hang of it, you should be able to balance your personal life with your professional career. At least in a decent amount, if we may say so. As you become more experienced in your work, you’ll be able to evaluate your deadlines and the amount of work you have more efficiently, giving you the ability to know how much spare time you’ll likely have for personal things.

To Wrap It Up

What is demanding and tiring for some people is exciting and energizing for others. While some people like the coziness and stability of a fixed work time and an office, others will find it as a form of prison and will always strive to break free. It is down to the personality and lifestyle of each individual.

If you think you’ve got what it takes to succeed in consulting, we hope this article has helped you realize it and make a decision. Exhausting or exciting? Demanding or dynamic? Your answer will most likely show whether you’re cut out for it or not.