Moving from local government to consulting: how to sell yourself better?

[MotherOfRatios]

Has anyone made the move from the public sector to consulting?

I've been in local government in a matrix management situation. I just want a bit of a faster pace and more varied projects. I recently interviewed with one consultancy firm and I didn't make it past the recruiter bit I'm just wondering if I'm not selling myself in the right way? Does anyone know of any good recruiters to reach out to because I really just want to move out of the public sector.

I know that people will say stay for the pension, but I just want a couple of years out to try something new.

this is a well worn route into consultancy. Your public service knowledge and experience with be most valuable to firms consulting in that field. If you are not already in touch with firms bidding for work in that area, it might be worth seeing what you can find out in that field.

Get yourself established in the field where you are already known then consider if you want to, moving to other areas.

good luck.

I've applied to pwc and Deloitte rejected, do you have any tips?

Does your local gov dept buy in a lot of consultancy services? What insights can you take across? Can you get in touch with a recruiter in your field and have an open chat with them about your chances - what the market is like, you might be better to make the move to industry at the moment.
Although it's a well worn path - the adjustment can be tricky to manage - we decided not to pull across anyone above manager level as the gap is just too big to close between consulting skills/commercial awareness and knowledge/technical skills.

Mainly EY/Deloitte but they never advertise jobs in this area. I've never spoken to a recruiter tbh

If you work with the consultants and have a good relationship, ask to buy them a drink and bend their ear, test the water. Dh will always helping people develop their careers including his clients. He’s good at marrying up needs between clients too. You need to get used to having conversations with people about your next move.