I'm a JMO looking to exit the service this Spring/Summer and have been actively looking for a job in consulting (ideally) for the past couple of months now. Unfortunately I've hit a roadblock in that I'm not coming to a firm straight out of undergrad and don't have enough industry experience to be considered an "experienced hire."
I have experience in ERP/SCM, project management, and organizational change management from holding numerous leadership roles over the past 4+ years as an Army officer. However, when I highlight these attributes in phone interviews I'm often told my experience isn't extensive enough (I served roughly 12 months in each role) for the positions firms are looking to fill. Unfortunately no one is looking to hire a generalist.
Is there a way to sell these skill sets so that firms can see the value in the experience I have if I were to come work for them?
Answers
Scott-
Thanks for your service! You're right, most organizations require at least 5 years of experience in a chosen, specific field. To build that experience, you might want to consider taking an entry-level analyst position with a Government agency. While building up that experience, stay current in your chosen field through self-development (e.g., join professional organizations and network / attend conferences and other events). Also consider earning a consulting certification to give yourself a competitive advantage in landing a future consulting job (e.g., Institute of Management Consultants' Certified Management Consultant (CMC) designation).
Good luck!
Deb
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