Hiring for professional services and consulting
Here what you sell is people's judgment and the client's trust. The hiring challenge is adding professionals who solve ambiguous problems and communicate well, because talent IS the product.
From an industry risk to a better-supported decision
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Industry risk
The service is built on professional judgment, the client relationship and the ability to structure loosely defined problems. A bad hire shows up in weak deliverables, lost clients and non-billable hours. In an interview it's hard to see who reasons with structure and who just sounds good.
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Signals to assess
Analytical reasoning to structure ambiguous problems, communication and relationship building with clients, fast learning across new domains and accounts, and organization across multiple projects.
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Suggested assessments
Wonderlic (Inteligencia), Pensamiento Crítico y Resolución de Problemas, Comunicación y Relaciones Interpersonales, Gestión de Recursos y Proyectos
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Output
Ranking and comparable report to prioritize and prepare the interview.
Suggested assessments for this sector
Typical roles in the sector
Each role assesses different things. We show you what to combine and why.
Project analyst (consulting)
Analytical reasoning, information management, communication of findings and Excel/PowerPoint handling.
Assess project analyst (consulting) →Business development associate
Consultative sales orientation, communication, persistence over a long cycle and critical business thinking.
Assess business development associate →Consultant / analyst
Reasoning, critical thinking, communication and learning of new domains.
Assess consultant / analyst →Operations coordinator / PMO
Resource and project management, organization, risk communication and handling of Project/Excel.
Assess operations coordinator / pmo →Functional Specialist
Critical thinking, digital/functional skills, communication with the client and continuous learning.
Assess functional specialist →Project / Account Manager
Leadership, project management, client relationship and communication.
Assess project / account manager →Frequently asked questions
What are the challenges of hiring in hiring for professional services and consulting?
The service is built on professional judgment, the client relationship and the ability to structure loosely defined problems. A bad hire shows up in weak deliverables, lost clients and non-billable hours. In an interview it's hard to see who reasons with structure and who just sounds good.
What should you assess in hiring for professional services and consulting candidates?
Analytical reasoning to structure ambiguous problems, communication and relationship building with clients, fast learning across new domains and accounts, and organization across multiple projects.
Why assess before interviewing in hiring for professional services and consulting?
Here what you sell is people's judgment and the client's trust. The hiring challenge is adding professionals who solve ambiguous problems and communicate well, because talent IS the product. A common assessment criterion helps compare candidates by job fit before the interview. The human team decides.