Whether a business is large or small, companies everywhere face challenges and intense competition. When the situation becomes too hard to handle, the struggling business will call on business consulting firms to help them re-evaluate. A business consultant will take a deep look at the business and weigh options. Sometimes a business simply needs to rethink their marketing in order to win against the competition. Sometimes they need to straighten budgeting priorities to keep ahead of financial issues. Whatever the case may be, people working in business consultant jobs will be there to help work everything out. Sometimes the issues that need to be addressed are from rapid expansion, or even technical innovations. But if a business needs real help quickly, a business consultant is exactly what they need.
It only makes sense that this very important career takes a special amount of education and business experience. A wide variety of knowledge is needed to succeed in this position, but first and foremost is the minimum Bachelor’s degree. The most successful consultants have a Master’s in business although that degree is not necessary. Any additional knowledge in statistics or analytical work will boost your salary. The average business consultant makes about $63,500 a year.
To become a business consultant manager experience is your greatest ally. Unless you have an impressive degree, you will most likely have to reach the manager position by starting out as a regular business consultant. Most management jobs are like this, but don’t despair. As long as you are good at what you do, advancement can come quite quickly—especially in the field of business.
Business consultant jobs are in especially high demand at this time because of current economic challenges. Consultant jobs are also some of the most secure careers out there. And where are these business consultants hired? Well, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost 29 percent of business management consultants are self-employed. These are, of course, the more experienced consultants. The majority of consultants find employment at business consulting firms. One of the big decisions you will have to make if you pursue this career is deciding between a large firm and a small one.
There are both advantages and disadvantages in either choice. A small company is (generally speaking) much harder to get acceptance from. This is because they are small, and they have a limited budget. They can’t afford to hire every candidate that comes knocking. Your resume will have to be especially impressive to get attention. But once you’re in you will have a higher position as compared to the beginner at the larger firm. In a larger firm, it may be easier to get hired, but you will be considerably further from any management position, and you will have to work harder to get attention. But you do have a chance to make more than the smaller firm consultant would.
Another important thing to consider regarding this career is your love of traveling. (Or lack of it, as the case may be.) This is important because a business consultant spends a great deal of their time traveling to visit different companies or meet with multiple company boards.
A career in business has a lot to offer a person, and business consulting is an especially rewarding venture.
