Jim Jones ⋅ Getzville, NY Fidelis Care ⋅ 35 years experience

Jay, thank you for your service. I am going to echo other comments in terms of deciding what kind of consulting do you have experience in and how does that match your professional interest set. Network network network is the key to gaining valuable insights into what employers are seeking and helps you show case your skills, abilities and knowledge. Employers want to now what you have done, not what can you do. Set up a series of informational interviews with potential employers to gain the information and insights that will help you refine your job search. Good luck!

Don Barkman ⋅ Oak Ridge, TN The Business Center ⋅ 40 years experience

What are you going to consult on as an expert? Find a firm that works in that field. Most clients want evidence that you have handled issues they are facing. Translate military situations into private sector ones to show your value. Consulting is not as easy as newbies assume it is. Expertise is the easy part. Selling yourself is the hard part.

G. Rino Fazio ⋅ Arlington, VA U.S. Department of State ⋅ 15 years experience

Jay –

I am currently in an EMBA program. EMBA programs are a slightly different than traditional residential MBA programs because most of EMBA candidates are not fighting to get into consulting…most EMBA candidates (from my perspective) already have careers and using the EMBA degree to either climb the ladder or switch into a slightly different career fields. On the other hand, top tier traditional fulltime MBA programs are heavily geared towards placing their graduates in top tier consulting firms.

Regarding on when you should get into an EMBA program, that is more of a personal timing issue. For me, I was waiting for the “right time” for about 11 years before I finally made the move. I waited until I had a steady job and made the decision with my family on when to apply.

I get the sense that unless you have a specialized skill or the right network or an “in”, top consulting firms may not look at you without a reputable MBA degree.

You also should start studying for the GMAT. Most of the top schools require it. For example, Wharton will not grant any GMAT waivers. But other top schools may grant a waiver.

I hope this help. Feel free to reach out any time.

v/r

Rino

Drew Schildwächter ⋅ Wilmington, NC Salesforce ⋅ 8 years experience

Jay: I think Kyle has the right answer. Networking is how you will be hired.

I have a friend who is an MBA, JD etc. etc. from great schools; he clearly was an attractive hire for consulting firms (he's worked for Big 4 and BBM firms now). On the flip side, I have classmates from "the finest high school in the South" (The Citadel) who are consultants and managers with Big 4 firms; no one hired them because they were impressed by a 4-year degree from a public South Carolina college.

I would begin by going through your LinkedIn network and trying to find fellow alumni or Navy network folks who work at firms interesting to you. I would begin by just asking them about their roles and their companies and building your SA. By doing so you will get some knowledge and build some good relationships.

One additional benefit to your networking is that many firms have military hiring programs (Deloitte notably). Many of those have programs that might help your networking, too. (Again, notably Deloitte.)

Best of luck!

Alfred Marron ⋅ Washington, DC Federal Gov't, private sector & DOD ⋅ 17 years experience

First perform a good research of the company's core values and hiring practices. Most companies screen their resumes within seconds and seek only candidates with advanced degrees from the top institutions when hiring junior consultants or associates. There are exceptions for hot jobs that require specific skills. Some consulting firms will not hire into lateral positions as they want to manage risk when they entrust consultant work with their clients. So they may provide training upfront. Sliding right into a senior or mid- Management consulting job depends on your unique leadership experience and skill sets. Networking is the optimal method towards getting more than a ten second scan of your resume by recruiters but it takes patience and perserverence. Current trends state a job search to your actual hire date is ranging up to six months longer for clearance jobs. Good luck but don't ever discount your experience as irrelevant, just ensure your resume is drafted for a corporate America audience otherwise it will get passed over.

Tom Wissing ⋅ Diamondhead, MS Seaside Consulting ⋅ 13 years experience

If you're talking about using your experience and doing Management Consulting, you don't need an MBA. In fact you don't need an MBA for anything if you have ambition and drive, especially if you're a documented and well referred leader with military experience.
Search a couple job sites looking for "manager" or "program management" positions. You can also put try to find a mentor Consultant in the particular field, they might give the best advice (for free)

Kyle Cragg ⋅ Mc Lean, VA KPMG ⋅ 3 years experience

Jay,

What kind of consulting are you looking to get into? As I'm sure you know, consulting covers a wide variety of industries and topics so if you're exploring varies functions of consulting great, if you already know, even better and please share.

Now, I can't speak to the EMBA piece so I will let someone else chime in on that but I can speak to the networking question. There isn't a "right" time to begin networking before applying. You should be networking WELL in advance in order to create and develop meaningful relationships with people inside your target firms. Ideally, you are forming relationships so far in advance that you have people invested in your success and that genuinely want to contribute and help. That way, you have people inside referring you to specific roles as opposed to you launching your resume off to the black hole of the applicant tracking system. Bottom line, your networking efforts should have started yesterday.

Regarding your last question. I'm not sure I understand what you're asking. If you can provide some clarification, I can see if I can be of any more assistance.

Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions.

Kyle