- What does a typical day at Kaiser look like?
- How much do you travel?
- Will I get senior client presentation opportunities?
- What about work/life balance?
- What’s Kaiser’s training like?
- What’s life like in DC?
- I keep hearing Kaiser described as a “meritocracy,” but what does that really mean?
What does a typical day at Kaiser look like?
No two days are the same. For a description of an “average” day as a Kaiser consultant, please visit here.
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How much do you travel?
One benefit of working at Kaiser Associates is that consultants do not have to travel to the client site as frequently as they do at other firms in our industry. Whereas consultants at other firms may be at the client site from Monday through Friday, much of our work focuses on ‘external’ analysis, which means we can do our research from our home office. Consultants will typically travel to the client site 2-3 times during the course of an engagement. This averages out to once per month or less. Having consultants in the office most of the time has facilitated the development of a strong office culture. It also allows consultants to get to know the city that they live in and call home. When not meeting with clients, the office dress code is smart business casual and consultants are given the freedom to determine the most effective way to get their work done.
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Will I get senior client presentation opportunities?
One of the key differentiators at Kaiser is the amount of client exposure offered to consultants from the very beginning. Vault’s 2008 Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms ranked Kaiser #1 in Interaction with Clients. Compared to larger, more “top heavy” consultancies where client interaction is minimal, at Kaiser, the new Associate Consultant will interact with the client several times throughout the course of the engagement. Specifically, consultants will participate in the “kick-off meeting” an introductory client meeting, the bi-weekly client updates, where the consultant will act as the research expert, and the final presentation where the consultant’s research and analysis skills will be showcased. Interactions may range from answering specific research questions to presenting all or part of the deliverable. The Associate Consultant is a critical part of the success of any team at Kaiser, as his / her research drives the engagement.
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What about work/life balance?
At Kaiser, we believe that work / life balance is extremely important to the well-being of the both the individual and the firm as a whole. We work in a fast-paced environment where productivity is valued over time spent in the office. We offer a generous vacation and leave package, and provide opportunity for early leave on Fridays during the summer months. One of the unique benefits of working at Kaiser Associates is that consultants do not have to travel to the client site as frequently as they do at other firms in our industry. Because we are most often stationed at the office, we are able to more effectively balance a “work” life and a “personal” life.
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What’s Kaiser’s training like?
Upon arrival at Kaiser, new consultants will participate in a formal week to two week-long training program dubbed The Kaiser Experience. The purpose of The Kaiser Experience is twofold: to instill consulting and analytical skills necessary for success at Kaiser, as well as to welcome consultants as members of the firm and to the DC area. During the day, training sessions are led by a mix of consultant, manager, and vice president subject-matter experts, and cover skills such as research techniques, analytical frameworks, business writing, and oral communication. Each training session revolves around a case study, allowing new employees to apply acquired skills and knowledge to an actual client engagement and to ultimately create and present a deliverable. In addition, Kaiser maintains a fun and collegial environment. During the day, new consultants have the opportunity to meet their mentors, peers, and vice presidents over lunch. In the evenings, Kaiser hosts happy hours on the roof deck and firm-wide outings to local attractions (e.g., sporting events, museums, etc.).
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What’s life like in DC?
Just a block from the White House, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the Corcoran Art Museum, Kaiser Associates is located within walking distance of many of the most important institutions in the U.S. DC is an exciting place to live with an eclectic mix of cultures, museums, sporting events, restaurants, and nightlife. Georgetown and Adams Morgan are favorite after-work and weekend hangouts for our Consultants, though it’s also just a short trip to nearby beaches, mountains, or New York City. Comprising an area of less than 70 square miles, DC is a convenient place to live, work and commute, while benefiting from all of the attractions of our neighboring states of Virginia and Maryland.
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I keep hearing Kaiser described as a “meritocracy,” but what does that really mean?
Merriam-Webster defines a meritocracy as “a system in which the talented are chosen and moved ahead on the basis of their achievement.” At Kaiser Associates, individuals are encouraged to have fun and challenge themselves intellectually, which means that consultants are offered significant opportunities, such as client presentation, early on in their careers. Consultants who choose to challenge themselves and demonstrate a strong skill set are rewarded by fast promotion and the opportunity to take on more responsibility in client work, as well as participate in key internal firm initiatives. Furthermore, the firm has a non-hierarchical structure, which encourages consultants to participate actively in all areas of the firm.