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Moving from Corporate to Consulting

Some dream of transitioning from a corporate software developer role to consulting or Big 4. Travel and the potential for more money add allure. However, the move is not for everyone and can be stressful if unprepared. Does it accelerate the path to becoming a tech exec?

Let’s determine if the consulting world is right for you. As a software developer, you’ll work on projects with a team, either at a client site or virtually. Junior focus on coding, while senior roles also involve pre-sales as a subject matter expert.

What’s the difference?

This is not much different from your current corporate software development team. The point is, you’ll be leaving a well-structured environment one with more stress. Clients have high expectations and constantly assess the quality of your work. If you excel at what you do, this won’t be a big deal. However, consulting company leaders are often pressured to quickly place you in a role, so you’re not sitting on the bench.

Project assignments

Leadership “markets” you to assign you to a project. Ideal fit can be secondary to project assignment, with revenue generation as the primary factor. Consider your flexibility and adaptability in handling change and stress. Making it past the first two years is a good sign for growth and advancement.

Up or out

Big 4 consulting firms (Deloitte, E&Y, PWC, and KPMG) follow an up-or-out model. you don’t get promoted within a specific timeframe (usually two years), they let you go. This can be unsettling for those transitioning from a corporate setup with no fixed promotion expectations.

Mix of assignments

Assuming you’re not assigned to a long-term project, rotating clients and projects is a great way to build experience. It keeps things interesting, avoiding the mundane grind of doing the same thing every day for years. However, if you prefer certainty and not having to learn anything new, consulting might not be the right fit for you.

As a consultant, each role offers an opportunity to learn and adapt to new job requirements and work environments. The pace can be demanding, as clients expect more productivity. However, there are chances to shine and make a lasting impression. Building a good rapport with clients may result in project extensions, which are highly valued by consulting companies. Consultants who excel in extending projects are rewarded with higher raises and promotions. If you thrive in a competitive environment, consulting is ideal for you.

I’m rambling and there is a lot more to this topic, but let’s summarize the pros and cons of the consulting world:

Pros:

Dynamic and fast paces
Quicker promotions and more money
Travel and interesting project locations

Cons:

Fast paced and lots of uncertainty
Stress and high expectations
Uncertainty of roles or work assignments

Being a consultant requires a particular mindset. Work-life balance may be challenging, with frequent on-the-road assignments. Temporary dislike of assigned work and constant self-evaluation can induce stress. However, if you progress up the chain (up-or-out), the rewards are significant.

Job Search for the Tech Exec

As a tech exec, I get asked all the time about the right strategy to find a new job.

In the past, physical resumes were mailed when seeking employment, hoping for a response. But in today’s digital era, LinkedIn is a remarkable platform for expanding your professional network. Search for industry peers, invite them to join your network, clearly communicate your job search intentions, and provide a direct link to your updated profile.

Furthermore, you possess the ability to proactively engage with professionals employed at your desired company. Take the initiative to connect with them and politely inquire if they would be willing to provide an endorsement for a specific role.

Anticipate the potential of being overlooked while recognizing that not everyone will respond to your outreach efforts. Nevertheless, persistence remains crucial. One of the advantages of leveraging LinkedIn is the extensive pool of connections at your disposal. As you commence expanding your network, the process of adding new connections becomes increasingly effortless. In forthcoming posts, we will delve into diverse strategies for networking through platforms such as LinkedIn.

Click here for a post on finding the right technology talent.

A Successful Tech Exec Takes Risks (well informed ones)

“All courses of action are risky, so prudence is not in avoiding danger (it’s impossible) but calculating risk and acting decisively. Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer.“
Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince

Risk: Every individual encounters daily risks, particularly when veering away from the comfort of routine. Evaluating the repercussions entails a crucial assessment of your strengths and vulnerabilities. As a tech exec, you will inevitably face challenging circumstances where your experience becomes indispensable in navigating tumultuous waters. Capitalizing on the wisdom of a mentor can significantly enhance your risk management capabilities. When a leader requests your trust and urges you to embrace a risky situation, even if it lies outside your comfort zone, have faith in their judgment. They have chosen you for your immense potential.

Here are a few key points to consider in order to overcome risks:

Acclimatize to the new environment:

Before diving into new situations, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the environment and the people. Build relationships regardless of their roles and seek to understand processes, best practices, and leverage others’ experiences for success.

Be comfortable in your shoes:

For success, be confident in your decisions. Recognize the empowerment to make choices you believe in. The support of your leadership and team fosters confidence in making tough calls.

Leverage experience and support of your mentor:

Smart decision makers value and harness the wisdom of experienced individuals. Trust in supportive leadership reduces fear of taking risks.

Be fearless and prepared for the unknown:

Every risk carries smaller unknown risks. Fear of repercussions hinders exploring all available options, resulting in self-imposed limitations and narrow operations.

Take bold moves. Risks are part of our daily lives, some consciously taken, others unbeknownst. Embrace career risks and watch yourself soar with smart choices and the right support. Progress awaits!

Avoiding Unconscious Bias as a Tech Exec

Unconscious bias is when a person unknowingly makes judgements based on their unconscious mind. A tech exec needs to understand and avoid making decisions based on unconscious bias.

Often, individuals are unaware of their own biases, which often stem from their upbringing. For instance, a parent may frequently express disdain for a particular race or creed in the privacy of their home, with their impressionable child as an audience. These encounters leave a lasting impact on the person’s psyche.

Human nature plays a role in our inclination to gravitate towards those who resemble us. In the realm of business, however, it’s crucial to acknowledge that not everyone shares our similarities. Consequently, surrounding ourselves solely with individuals who mirror our own traits can inadvertently reflect a bias, excluding others in the process.

Be aware that your leaders may have these biases and work to help yourself avoid being impacted.

Allow me to provide an illustration of being ensnared by bias:

You are on a team where everyone is a football lover. They talk about it every day, and the manager has started a fantasy football league.
You are not a fan and don’t participate in the discussions about the league. So, you are kind of on the outside.
The team manager establishes a strong bond with each member, sharing their love for football and regularly enjoying lunch together. Although you are not usually included, the camaraderie among them is evident.
Due to the manager’s substantial interactions with individuals who share a common interest, which often intertwines work discussions and football banter, he also entrusts the most captivating tasks to these individuals.
You are assigned mostly admirative tasks.
You articulate your dissatisfaction with the job to your counselor, pondering whether this organization might not be the ideal fit for you.
Your counselor, as expected, communicates with the manager to inform them about your concern. The manager, however, expresses their own concern that you haven’t directly addressed the issue with them. Furthermore, they mention to your counselor that you appear to be disconnected from the team and lacking motivation.
Because of the “football connection” you have not felt overly comfortable confiding in the manager.
Naturally, with the administrative work, and the lack of connection with your manager you are down. Mentally this is just not what you want to be doing.
The annual appraisals have commenced, and the feedback from your manager and counselor to the management team has been less than satisfactory. Despite your anticipation for a promotion this year, unfortunately, it will not be happening.

Unconscious bias affected your progress, but it’s not your fault for not getting promoted. Your manager favored individuals with similar qualities, lacking inclusivity. Hopefully, your company educates leaders about unconscious bias; but often, they don’t. If not, you’ll need to navigate this situation independently.

It’s tough, but don’t let isolation hold you back. Share your concerns with your manager about feeling excluded and request tasks that promote your growth in the company.

Click here for a post on dealing with the situation of your boss hating you.

Market Yourself

This subject deserves an entire category dedicated to it on this blog. It is a crucial aspect of brand building, regardless of one’s tenure in a company or career. Even tech execs must refine their personal brand to succeed.

As you navigate through your office, always be prepared for unexpected encounters with senior leaders. So, what should you do when you meet them in the elevator? Embrace the moment! Craft a concise self-introduction, commonly referred to as an “elevator pitch,” that highlights your background, role, and identity. Strive for brevity, ensuring it can be delivered within the duration of an elevator ride – perhaps just five floors. Let your words radiate confidence and eloquence, making a lasting impression.

I believe that the elevator pitch serves as the foundation for establishing your brand identity.

However, it is an imperative initial stride. Being comfortable with self-expression is essential. Practice it. Admittedly, sharing personal anecdotes with unfamiliar individuals can be daunting, but wise leaders appreciate your endeavors to forge connections and are typically encouraging (well, at least most esteemed leaders within the organization).

Here’s the elevator pitch…

Hello Mr. Jones! It’s wonderful to see you. I’m Jean Smith from the Technology Department. May I take a moment to introduce myself? I specialize in supporting finance department applications and possess exceptional communication skills. My long-term aspiration is to become a valued member of the leadership team at ABC Company. I am truly grateful for this opportunity to connect with you.

Feel free to add and enhance but avoid any oddities. Keep it concise and straightforward. Be warm and welcoming, as if meeting a friend on the street.

Please remember that you have a limited time to make a lasting impression on the leader. Our focus for now will be on ensuring that they remember you. We will discuss additional personal marketing activities at a later point.