Today we resume our two part series about key questions regarding International Management Consulting.
The Lifestyle of an International Consultant
First: What benefits and perks can one expect when working abroad? For example, what salary, housing, and so on are usual?
In general, you will have benefits that are fairly similar to those you would consider to be standard consulting perks in the US. You will be able to attend fashionable team and firm events, travel stylishly, and have an expense account.
On the other hand, your bonuses and pay will probably be less than you would receive in the US. There may be fewer perks. For example, most McKinsey offices in Asia don’t give their junior consultants Blackberries. You must reach Engagement Manager level before you get 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.
2. What kind of lifestyle can you expect? What hours will you work? What kind of social life is there?
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.
Be sure to research the cultural issues that exist in every country and every office. You will avoid embarrassing and problematic errors by doing so. For example, you will want to be aware that it is illegal to purchase alcohol in Saudi Arabia, if you are considering going there.
Click here for the guide to management consulting CV and resumes.
The Duties of an International Consultant
1. Is the work different from that of a US consultant? Is the responsibility greater or less?
When you think about consulting overseas, there are generally two categories you might fall into. One is consulting in a developed country. This would include Western Europe or Japan. The other is consulting in an emerging economy. This would include Vietnam and the Czech Republic.
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.
If you go to an emerging economy, your job would be somewhat different:
* Less sophistication among your clients.
* There might be greater variety in the experience and quality of your partners and principals.
* The resources of your local office might be limited.
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.