IT consultant : Employers and vacancy sources

IT consultants work in almost every kind of organisation. They frequently work in firms of management consultants, software and systems houses, and some large manufacturers of computing equipment or software. Consultants are usually highly experienced IT professionals, but some employing organisations recruit people as junior consultants to be trained in specific technical and business skills.

IT consultants work in a range of sectors, including manufacturing, financial services, the public sector, health, and transport, to name a few. Clients include automotive firms, global investment banks and utility companies. The growth in e-services within the public sector has created an increase in consultancy projects linked to central and local government departments.

Some IT companies specialise in one area, such as web design and internet solutions, or produce software tailored to a particular market. The consultants that they employ will have specialist knowledge and experience in that area or about specific products and client sectors.

IT companies range from industry giants such as IBM to companies employing fewer than five people. There are many big graduate recruiters who take on recent graduates into consultancy roles. For example, Accenture, LogicaCMG, SAS Consulting, Hitachi Consulting, Deloitte, EDS, Gartner and Detica all run their own schemes.

Globalisation and outsourcing have been key trends in recent years. Now, however, clients demand a tailored approach to different businesses, as well as an in-depth knowledge of the business and clients' customers. Also, the rise in social computing has created new opportunities for using technology to form and extend community networks. The organisation e-skills UK - The Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology - has more information on current trends in the sector. Clients are also seeking environmental innovation in products and services.

Sources of vacancies

• Search graduate jobs on this site.
• Computer Weekly  
• Top IT Consultant  
• Computing  
• IT Jobs Post  
• IT Jobs Watch  
• CWJobs  
• Technojobs  
• Women in Technology  
• Inside Careers: Information Technology  
• Careers service vacancy lists.
• National and local press.

For speculative applications, UK Consulants has a directory of consultancies searchable by sector. Recruitment agencies commonly handle vacancies. Visit the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) to search for agencies by vacancy type and location.

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