Jobs in management consulting offer high earning potential, in addition to significant job growth anticipated over the next decade. However, there's also high competition for management consulting positions, so it's often recommended that you have a graduate degree, expertise in specific areas, and a knack for both sales and public relations. And because nearly one-third of management consultants are self-employed, they also need to master everything from landing clients to billing.

While some employers and clients will accept an undergraduate business degree, many require a master's in business administration. Beyond that, however, education and training opportunities are generally flexible. There are few formal management consulting training programs, but because management consultants address such a wide range of issues, degrees in everything from accounting to marketing to economics. Management consulting jobs education and training options include:

1. Earning an undergraduate or graduate degree in business
2. Getting certified for management consulting employment
3. Signing up for workshops, seminars and conferences for management consultants
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Train for management consultant jobs with a business degree

Before you can advise others in management, you'll need to learn the concept yourself. You'll need at least an undergraduate degree, but to consult, you'll probably also need an MBA. Most universities offer both, and many offer an additional 'fast track' or 'accelerated' MBA program for executives.

I recommend: Well-known schools like The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania often offer both a traditional and an executive MBA program. Smaller schools, such as The Meinders School of Business at Oklahoma City University, usually offer several MBA options as well.

Get certified in business management consulting

While not a requirement, certification as a consultant does provide you with additional training--not only in management topics, but also in the many aspects of working as a consultant. And, many clients and employers will feel more confident hiring someone with certification.

I recommend: The International Guild of Professional Consultants and Coaches offers seminars and certification courses for consultants. The American Management Association offers a series of seminars leading to its Certificate of Management Excellence.

Take management consulting career workshops, seminars and classes

Associations for management consultants offer conferences, seminars and workshops for every stage of management consulting careers. Beginners can learn how to search for and interview for management consultant positions, and industry veterans can learn about new methods in their field.

I recommend: The Management Consulting Association at the UCLA Anderson School of Management offers seminars for students just entering the field, covering everything from resume and interview workshops to a mentoring program. The Association of Management Consulting Firms offers conferences for executives; topics covered include everything from analyzing trends to keeping up with the latest business practices and models.

Jobs in management consulting are perfect for those who have a lot of business knowledge and experience. Many companies occasionally prefer to bring in outside help to get a better perspective on their business and those who have a management consulting career are the ones they turn to.

Consulting jobs may be concentrated in large cities, but there is still a need for management consultant positions in small towns as well. Wherever there is a business, there is a need for a consultant.

If you want to find the best management consulting jobs:

1. Network with others you meet. Meeting with others could be your next chance for business management consulting. Stop by your local Chamber of Commerce for a meet and greet.

2. Get an MBA. A Masters of Business Administration is a requirement for jobs in management consulting. This shows that you have the training necessary to advise others on good business decisions.

3. Experience counts. Many people start out in business management before moving to management consulting careers. This experience lends credibility to their suggestions.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search for management consulting jobs

The Internet is one of the first places that people turn to when they need to find a job, no matter what the industry. It's a good idea to start your search for management consulting job openings there.

I recommend: Check out the Vault, which is a well-respected job board, catering to upper-level job seekers. Alternatively, ExecuNet lists several top-level executive positions in various locations throughout the country.

Use an executive search firm to find management consultant jobs

A search firm can help match you with a company that meets your needs. Recruiters carefully screen both companies and applicants in order to ensure that they place people in the best position for them. Additionally, using a recruiter can save you time by allowing someone else to do the hard work of sending your resume out to companies.

I recommend: The recruiters at A.E. Feldman have experience in the industry that they recruit for. This makes them particularly suited to make a good match. They specialize in placing people into financial management consulting positions. Michael Stern Associates, Inc. can also help you find a great position.

Put your name out there to get freelance small business consultant jobs

Many business consultants work on a freelance basis. This is great news for small business owners that need guidance but cannot afford a full-time consultant. If you enjoy helping small businesses succeed, you may want to give freelance management consulting a try.

I recommend: The difficult thing about becoming a freelancer is finding customers. This can be easy when you advertise online. Start by creating a profile at Guru.com, which offers a section for business consultants. You can also advertise your business management consulting services on your local Craigslist.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Have a professional design your resume so that it stands out among the crowds of people applying for management consulting positions.

Management consulting jobs are an integral part of almost every business industry. Management consultants work with employees and managers to ensure workplace efficiency, quality control, customer satisfaction and employee recognition and training.

Management consulting involves several key terms and processes. Learn about these key terms to determine if a management consulting job is right for you, or if your business can benefit by hiring a management consultant.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Benchmarking

Benchmarking is an evaluation process in which managerial consultants measure the production and quality levels of a company against similar companies in the industry. Benchmarking helps managers identify weak areas for further development.

I recommend: BusinessDictionary.com defines benchmarking.

Business process reengineering

Business process reengineering, often called BPR, is the restructuring of a company's work flow and business policy or procedure. BPR is often recommended by management consultants to improve workplace efficiency or product quality.

I recommend: Rockford Consulting explains how BPR can help employees recognize more efficient methods of working that achieve higher quality results.

Team building exercises

Team building exercises are group exercises designed to help employees break the ice, communicate, contribute ideas and brainstorm on projects. Team building exercises can include games, physical activities, group discussions, chartbuilding and other group activities.

I recommend: Business Balls explains how team building exercises can improve the communication and teamwork among employees. It also offers suggestions for workplace-appropriate exercises to encourage productivity.

Total quality management

Total quality management, or TQM, is a business philosophy that states that everyone involved with the development or production of a product is responsible for its quality. Management consultants are often integral in the implementation of this philosophy to help improve employee work production and quality.

I recommend: BNet Business Dictionary defines total quality management and explains how the process encourages employee accountability and quality control.

Black-Scholes Equation

The Black-Scholes Equation is a financial model used to evaluate the worth of a company's stock options and predict the value of the stock in the future. Management consultants are often called upon to assist in stock option evaluation.

I recommend: Street Authority explains the function of the Black-Scholes Equation, and offers a graph to help you understand how it works.

Situational leadership

Situational leadership is a style of leadership in which a manager or team leader can adapt their leadership methods to meet the needs of each individual project or team.

I recommend: Chimaera Consulting offers a simple explanation of the situational leadership philosophy.