Week in the Life of a Consultant - Work week of a Management Consultant

As a former McKinsey consultant, I show you a typical week in the life of a consultant at MBB firms. I talk about the work of a management consultant and discuss what MBB consulting firms (McKinsey, BCG, Bain) actually do. This is a week in my live vlog, based on how my live was when I still worked in consulting, with my experiences at Accenture and McKinsey. It shows a work week in my life as a management consultant. Are you asking yourself, what do consultants do, or specifically what do consultants at McKinsey do? This video will give you the answers, it shows the life of a consultant. I will show you, how a day in the life of a consultant looks like.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:51 Monday
03:19 Pre-scheduled meetings
05:30 Tuesday
06:44 Wednesday
08:39 Thursday
10:23 Friday
11:14 Weekend
12:02 Wrap-up

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[njohnnyutah]

I think Mckinsey need to employ a business consulting firm to help them improve their dated work culture to help them achieve better results and a more stable and effective workforce.

[BorisShirokikh]

Nice that the value of sports is recognized. When I started my career in a consulting company I managed to close my first project that required working long hours (over 12 hours a day) only because I was regularly practicing ballroom dancing. I had enormous motivation not to let down my coaches and the dancing partner, which helped me face the stress and workload that I never faced before: I had the right motivation and energy to wake up at 5 am and go to sleep at 1 am. Moreover, physically sports help you think more effectively

[MillennialMess]

This was SO insightful and informative! It definitely gave me a better understanding on just what I may be getting myself into. Very well done! 👏🏼

[nikitayarygin]

Very intensive... especially from Wednesday to Thursday, basically no sleep, harmful. I would prefer to work 3-4 hours extra on weekend but to have a normal sleep schedule later. Thanks

[zarinakazhmukan]

Thank you so much, that was very helpful! It is so important to understand what to expect before you enter such consulting firms

[FinanceUnboxed]

Great to hear that you made time for fitness activities twice a week. 🏃‍♂️ From experience, I know it can be really challenging to find those hrs after long days working.

I've had times when I've stepped in to the gym at midnight for a workout, after a long shift in the office. Just need to make it a necessity.

[fedefrancioni]

Expecting to work from 7am until 11pm every day it's not the way any worklife should go. That means you'll burn out. And if ANY company allows that as a norm, then think if that's what you want from your life. I've been a consultant for 12 years and I went through some busy times, especially when I was working in my dysfunctional country (Italy), but I NEVER made this becoming the standard. Aim to close everything by 6pm, if it takes until 11pm probably you're not executing your work right, or you're too understaffed. And make your hobbies/gym a priority. In the US creating a work-life balance is much easier. Overall, this video really follows (and to some extent glorifies) the stereotype of what crazy consulting life is. But I believe it's time to change it, and it starts with owning our life goals and personal career path.

[ishank]

Loved the way you showcased the time table so precisely. Thank you !!

[erikhalvorsen]

This is really interesting and detailed. Consulting is an awesome field so it's great that you're sharing so much info.

[judyl.]

3:00
client interview, is when you ask some clarifying questions to the client team, for instance. as we can call: client discussion.
work team room: to get some work done.
finish at 10 pm is probably one of the better days.

4:00
internal calls: team problem solving, and internal expert call.
where your partners give input and guide.

4:50
prescheduled client meetings: jour fixe and steering committee.
jour fixe: sit with the client team for update
steerco: every second week, the most important meeting where project sponsor from the client side is there.
partner call: steerco doc, for something not doing in the steerco.

might meet the project lead from the client side.

8:00 on tuesday and wednesday, people don't have proper lunch.
8:40 it appears a bit more often that works until 1 AM.
9:00 independent of how late i worked last night, i would have 2 units of sport, it just makes me happy.
10:00 have it on standby because you have flex tariffs and reschedule the time.
10:15 thursday evening at home, just write emails and call it a day.
11:00 fun activities and maybe doing expenses
11:30 strong culture that the weekend is free.

[mariaantony]

Thank you Firm learning. I am about to join this industry and this seems a perfect prep and keep me mentally ready

[brentpaszt]

Yeah. I’ve worked as a consultant for 5 years and just remember multiple weeks you may be out of the country, on a project where the client wants you in the office on fridays, or your flying coast to coast.. I spent 2 years on a project Where I lived in a hotel 90% of the time and couch surfed the remainder. Had a storage unit for my things. It’s not glamorous. It’s not fun. You do get burnt out. However, the experience actually might be worth it

[iantolee]

As an ex-McKer, I can attest this is very real and representative. Esp. check-ins and outs

[moowam]

Great video and also some nice insights into the life of a management consultant.

[ivancruz]

Quite curious, has there ever been a time when your team, or someone else's team, couldn't solve the client's business problem no matter how hard and smart everybody worked? If so, how did you/they manage that? What happens in the rare times when a SteerCo meeting doesn't go well?

[pridify]

As much as I’m attracted to trying a management consulting role and all the prestigious, the schedule is pretty insane gotta admit that.

[erickvicunaflores]

Thanks for sharing this information with us from your experience! I’m from Perú and I would like to get a Job as a consultant soon. In the meantime, I’m preparing the Best i can. Your videos really help me a lot, even for my current job as a project manager. I have seen like 20 vids so far. Thanks again.

[meorthejob]

Thanks for sharing this. Very helpful!

[mcdlr]

Very nice of you to give such an insight;)

[yunleung]

Thank you so much for sharing this Heinrich! This is so helpful to so many people...

I am currently looking into my next career step, and consulting seems perfect despite of the obstacles. The biggest fear I have is that I won't adjust since I usually typos in my first draft and I need my sleep, but the variety of responsibilities/industries and the communication aspects of the job tempt me greatly...