Getting Staffed Is Half the Battle
Now that you?re staffed - guess what? Your job search, in essence,
begins all over again. That's because your first few assignments can be
critical to your future at your firm. One frequent danger is
pigeonholing. (The danger of this tends to be greater at larger
consulting firms.) Complete a computer-based training module about the
programming language COBOL, go on a few successful COBOL training
assignments and voila! - you're a COBOL expert and will be primarily, if
not exclusively, on COBOL assignments. Now, this is fine if you've got
a desire to specialize, and even better if you happen to become an
"expert" in an area where assignments are diverse and plentiful.
However, there can be drawbacks to such an approach. You might grow to
loathe COBOL. You might be routinely staffed on assignments where
travel is unavoidable. COBOL might be the furthest thing from your
career goal.
Ask yourself a few questions. Where do you want to work? Do you want
to travel? Do you want to work with a particular client? (Many
consulting firms have bread-and-butter clients with whom they routinely
work.) Do you want to stay with this firm for a few years, or for a
career?
If you?re not in an area you like - or worse, if you're not getting
staffed at all - you have a few options. Do your best to receive
training in an area that interests you. Ask those a level above you, as
well as your mentor ((whether informal or assigned by your firm) if they
are aware of any current or upcoming projects in your preferred area. Some consulting companies have internal intranets; don't be shy about
using yours to locate projects that interest you and the appropriate
contacts.
You may or may not have a representative in human resources who staffs
you. Make sure you meet your HR rep and communicate your preferences to
her regularly. But be warned: While some HR reps are looking out for
your best interests, many reps are simply trying to staff warm bodies.
If you're new to the organization and know no one, you may not have any
options. You may need to take whatever is given to you, be a team
player and do the best job you can. If it's not your first choice, in a
diplomatic way, make sure your HR rep knows that - to be able to better
fit you in your next role. Then use that project to be known as the
person who has the great attitude, can do anything, and someone people
want to work with.
Even if you despise your project, build relationships with project
managers on every project you are staffed on. They are the front lines
to the staffing opportunities - and deciding who they want to be on
their team. Those managers will also support you for promotion and help
you navigate through the company. Soon, you will be staffed directly on
projects by your contacts.
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