A fond farewell

Today I am announcing my retirement from Vault. Over the past five years, I've really enjoyed writing for you all and receiving your feedback, and getting so involved in the consulting community. Have no fear, Consult THIS will continue to live on and provide you with the inside scoop on the top consulting firms, industry trends and hiring news. And there is some big news on the horizon: Stay tuned as Vault releases its annual consulting rankings on August 24!

If I have one parting bit of advice for the consulting job seekers out there, it's that you shouldn't be wooed solely by the marquee names. Sure, having McKinsey appear on your resume will raise some eyebrows and create a nice little alumni network for you. But when it comes down to it, there are so many other firms out there, and so many other factors that make a company a great place to work—be it practice area strength, quality of life or a diverse atmosphere, a firm should not be overlooked simply because it's not widely recognized by middle America. As the economy continues to improve, more specialized, niche firms will continue their upward trajectory and continue to make an impact, not to mention the fact that they often give consultants more weekends to themselves!

Happy job hunting, and best of luck in all of your consulting pursuits!