Job Responsibilities
Participate in data collection and synthesis of information.
(write a query or two on data i will work with during the week,
pretty minimal)
Conduct qualitative and/or quantitative studies using
spreadsheets,databases, and customized applications. (most of my
time i am working on doing statistical analysis to use in reports)
Assist in development, preparation and interpretation of client
deliverables. (about an equal portion is delivering the material
to the client)
Interface with clients to verify data and respond to questions.
(speak to clients about once a week, usually head of HR for a
fortune 500 company)
Perform valuations of non-cash compensation through established
and standardized valuation techniques. (about 10% of my time i
spend valuing stock options and restricted stock grants)
Recognize client opportunities and seek to add value by surfacing
actions to be taken.
Typical Day
I wake up around 8 o clock throw on a pair of jeans and drive 30
minutes to work, the standard work day begins at 830 but most
consultants including myself show up around 9:15.
I check my mail(email and voice) read the news etc until about
10am.
i then work on client deliverables for a few hours (whatever they
may be) possibly talk to a client on the phone if need be.
go to lunch at 12, i take my time at lunch
get back at around 1 and work on client deliverables until the
end of the day which is generally 5 or 6 depending on when others
leave.
if i want to really get ahead i usually take my laptop home with
me and do an hour or two worth at home all though this type of
behavior is unusual, the atmosphere is very laid back
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Job Requirements
I was a typical finance major at a regular private school, most of our hires had
similar schooling or more selective schooling (i.e. Yale or other Ivy).
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Uppers
Laid-back, flexible schedule, freedom to work independently.
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Downers
Low pay and low bonuses, I would rather work at a company that had more work to
do, kept me busier and rewarded me for it.
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Lifestyle
Travel about 10% of the time at most, plenty of company social events, even if
they arent planned everyone is so friendly they all arange to go out together, I
frequently even go out with friends who have left the company because I had
created such close relationships. Dress code just changed from biz casual to
casual, even when it was biz casual I still dressed casual on 3 days of the week,
basically every day I didnt meet with a client I would wear jeans. Very diverse.
Flexibility, all consultants get a laptop, they say is for travel but you can use
it to work from home a few days a week.
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Compensation
Compensation is $48K/year, no bonus this year, as HR consultant I am aware that
the estimated market value is $60K/year for the job responsibilities, this is a
big demotivator and makes me not as happy to come to work every day.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Low pay will contribute to high turnover, unless they do something about the
pay, people will continue to leave, on the plus side its a good chance to move
through an organization fast as there are a lot of openings to fill for people
who leave. If you can't get in at Mercer, this is a great place to get in at a
lower level and try and work up the ranks fast before leaving for fair pay.
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