Advice for International Management Consultants
Today we conclude the second part of our two part discussion of the key questions in International Management Consulting.
What is the Lifestyle of an International Consultant Like?
1. How do salary, benefits, housing and perks compare with those of US consultants?
Usually, your benefits would be comparable to the standard package you would receive in the US. You would have the opportunity to attend lavish firm and team events, travel first class, and use your expense account.
The downside is that your pay and bonuses may be smaller than you would expect in the United States. You might have fewer perks. McKinsey’s Asian offices, for example, do not give Blackberries to their junior consultants. When you arrive at Engagement Manager level, you will be awarded one.
If you are an international hire - that is you are hired in the US and must relocate abroad - you will get some relocation benefits. You might get a larger relocation bonus and free housing temporarily. Beyond that, your benefits would be similar to or the same as consultants hired locally.
Second: What is the lifestyle like when working abroad? What are the hours? What is the social life like?
This greatly depends on the country and the office you settle on. If you are in East Asia (China, Korea, Japan) the work will be harder. If you are in South America or Latin America ( Brazil, Argentina, Mexico) your work day will be shorter.
You will want to consider the cultural issues that exist in each country and office very carefully. The fact that alcohol cannot be bought legally in Saudi Arabia is a good example. Clearly, it is important to research the cultural mores of your targeted destination before you apply. This will prevent potentially problematic errors.
Click here for the guide to management consulting CVs and resumes.
The Duties of an International Consultant
1. Will the work differ from that done by a consultant in the US? Will you have more responsibility or less?
There are two general categories to be considered when consulting abroad. There is consulting in developed countries, like Japan and Western Europe, and there is consulting in emerging economies like the Czech Republic and Vietnam.
When consulting in a developed country, your work won’t differ much from consulting in the US. You would find differences in your client base and the industries you would deal with. Also, your firm’s strengths and reputation would add some variables.
In an emerging economy, your work might differ for several of reasons:
-Your clients may not be as sophisticated.
-Your principals and partners will be more varied in both experience and quality.
-You will have fewer resources in your local offices.
That wraps up our tour of overseas business consulting life. Please post your questions about international consulting below, and I will update the article as I receive them.
