Job Title: Senior Consultant
Location: Washington, DC
Submitted on: 01-Apr-04
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Gartner is a technology oriented consulting firm that works closely with
the CIO. Typical engagements include selecting hardware/software
partners, developing an IT strategy, reviewing technical documents,
advising firms on outsourcing opportunities.
Corporate culture is laid back and very independent. You are given
plenty of latitude in making your own hours, etc., but you must hit your
target numbers each year. Failure to do so, after a grace quarter, will
likely shorten your tenure with the firm.
Diversity, the Washington DC office is trying to become more diverse,
but all of senior management is white, middle aged and male.
Hours of work are very flexible, but if you are on the beach (non
billable) you need to be at work for an 8 hour day and actively try to
be placed on a job. Once you are on a client site or project managing
an engagement, you can make your own hours. Some consultants work from
home and receive some perks for doing so (free DSL, printer, etc.), or
others, like myself, are on client sites for extended periods of time.
This generally is only the case with the Federal practice. The typical
Gartner model is for consultant only to be on site to sell, kick-off an
engagement, gather information and present information. In this way you
can work on multiple engagements and often need to in order to make your
target number (80% billability for Senior Consultants).
The office dictates dress code, the DC practice is business casual
(slacks/skirt, dress shirt/blouse, blazer) and formal at clients (suit
and tie), and other offices are more casual. HQ (Stamford) is among the
most casual as it the San Jose office.
Advancement is sales driven and depends entirely on the individual
making the "right" relationships. It is to your benefit to find a
senior manager to sponsor you. This is very informal. There are no
published criteria for advancement; a lot has to do with you and your
manager's relationship. Reputation is very important in the office. So
develop a strong one early as an expert is a certain field and
handworker. If you are branded as difficult it will take a lot to
recover if ever. Senior management is very word of mouth focused.
Pay is good, at the top end (75th percentile) for consulting. Depending
on location travel can be anywhere from 0%(local) to 75%. All
consultants go to where the work is.
Gartner looks for technical experts that can provide consulting. If
your resume does not have any technical expertise clearly articulated on
it, you may have a hard time getting that first interview, this applies
to all levels of the firm (Associate Consultant to Vice President).
Once you are in, you will note that solid consulting skills are more
important than technical knowledge.
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