Job Responsibilities
At this time, my primary job responsibility is business
development. Over the years, my responsibilities have changed
from being more analytical and technical then project management
and client focused and now focused on business development.
Being able to show technical expertise and excellent
communication skills was critical to being able to move up in the
organization. Typical hours are 50 to 60 hours per week. Travel
is not as much as in other consulting jobs. We only travel
around 10 to 20 percent.
|
Job Requirements
A graduate degree (PhD in Industrial and Organizational
Psychology) is the ticket to a job in my field. Aon is
particularly sensitive about the programs from which we hire. We
like Michigan State, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Univ. of South
Florida. These programs are difficult to get into and are
difficult to complete. They all have a strong statistical
component to them. Math and statistics IS important!
|
Uppers
Interesting work creating solutions for organizations. Exposure to senior
executives. Lots of autonomy in the work once you have a little experience.
Great opportunities for advancement for high performers.
|
Downers
Administrative work - billing and other organizational tasks. If
you like working with colleagues frequently, make sure you are in
an office with several other consultants. Smaller offices can
feel isolated. High billable hours goals and expectation to work
approx 60 hours a week.
|
Lifestyle
Home and work life balance can be a challenge, especially if you have a family.
Travel is pretty much required, but isn't as bad as some consulting firms. Dress
is business causal, emphasis on business. Depending on the office, there aren't
many company social events. We are rather frugal. More diversity is needed.
|
Compensation
Salary is competitive, but not overly generous. We base starting
salary on market rates. Raises are performance based. We are
definitely a pay for performance company. High performers are
rewarded, poor or average performers are not. Bonuses are
becoming a more important part of our incentives at Aon. Bonuses
make up more than 10% of my annual compensation. Benefits are
relatively good. Since the parent company is an insurance
company, we have good insurance programs.
|
Advice to Jobseekers
I believe all management consulting is becoming commoditized.
There is less emphasis placed on expertise and more on price.
So, I don't think salaries and perks in the field are going to be
as good as they once were. It's going to be harder to justify
working the long hours and sacrificing personal time for less in
the future. The firms are going to be demanding more of
consultants and perhaps look for lower level staff to do more.
This may create more entry level jobs in consulting but make it
more difficult to advance later on.
|
