Reply to: CV - Consultancy or Client?

[Eirikur]

It depends for who the cv is
For a bank I would say <Bankname> on behalf of <consultancyname>
But for a consultancy I would just say <consultancyname>

[PerfectStorm]

Having done a variety of consultancy and non-consultancy work, I'm yet to find a scenario where it makes a meaningful difference other than some vague politics around 'the client' from time to time.

it's like the whole Public/Private sector thing. One's a lot slower than the other and one has people that actually do stuff in it - that's it.

[ladymuck]

It depends

Is the spec asking for consultancy experience, or experience in a particular industry where the end client is a major player?

If either of those then pick the one which suits the spec best.

If not then what vwdan said.

[m0n1k3r]

He asked what the SOP was for consultancies. I was very clearly told at the big 4 and tier 2 firm that I worked for, that clients are not for external CVs.

I don't know if you've ever worked in the consulting industry for a big name employer, but they all mostly say the same. Outside of NDAs, I don't think it's actively enforced though.

It's not only for the big4. Smaller and mid-size consultancies frequently also adhere to the same client secrecy rules. The contracts with their clients tend to have a non-disclosure clause in them, where they have to ask for permission to mention the client's name for a specific purpose, especially if they work on something of strategic value.

Contracting is different. For clients, that's simply replaceable temp staff brought in from a temp agency (and that thinking is where IR35 issues begin).

[PerfectStorm]

Agencies and their clients don't own what you say about them externally, barring some major exceptions (such as those do do with national security)

I would name whichever party is the most beneficial, and leave out the "on behalf of".

Write what the next agent/client wants to see.

And of course, if anyone asks you "Have you worked for Soulless Agency Robots LTD" you can say "Yes, when I was working on Household Name plc"

a LinkedIn/CV policy is only ever an 'ask' - it's not a mandate. And of course, if you're independent of such organisations, they have even less cause to twist your arm.

You are the boss.

[b0redom]

He asked what the SOP was for consultancies. I was very clearly told at the big 4 and tier 2 firm that I worked for, that clients are not for external CVs.

I don't know if you've ever worked in the consulting industry for a big name employer, but they all mostly say the same. Outside of NDAs, I don't think it's actively enforced though.

Is it OK on your Powerpoint though? After all CVs are for permies....

[Lance]

He asked what the SOP was for consultancies. I was very clearly told at the big 4 and tier 2 firm that I worked for, that clients are not for external CVs.

I don't know if you've ever worked in the consulting industry for a big name employer, but they all mostly say the same. Outside of NDAs, I don't think it's actively enforced though.

did they also tell you not to put the client on LinkedIn?

[DrewG]

It is? Since when? Every contractor/employee ever has put their past client/employers down.

He asked what the SOP was for consultancies. I was very clearly told at the big 4 and tier 2 firm that I worked for, that clients are not for external CVs.

I don't know if you've ever worked in the consulting industry for a big name employer, but they all mostly say the same. Outside of NDAs, I don't think it's actively enforced though.

[JustKeepSwimming]

Not a problem for a vast majority of us never having worked with those and I don't think I'd take them off either. For one the agents can't deal with anything different and missing information is likely to be a blocker to them and I can imagine it would with some clients as well. Why is that information missing, what's going on would be their first throught.

And I can't remember an interview where the client wasn't interested in past clients and would pick one or two to ask what I did there.

I'll take your opinion on this as I don't know but sounds like overkill to me.

I mention the big4, with normal stuff. So there is no gap. I just don't say the client name anywhere. It's active legal/regulatory stuff not pure IT/business.

Bank managers fully understand or at least get an idea when it's FCA/AML/CTF sort of thing.

[northernladuk]

Think it depends on the contract. I had a Big4 gig and I don't mention the client, I don't even mention the client in interviews, it's always 'Well known bank' or something like that. Due to the nature of the gig it's either say the client name and be unable to say anything about the role or not say the clients name and speak about the role. It's easier mentally for me to just never say the client.

Whereas now im fielding another role through a consultancy which won't have that kind of sensitivity.

Not a problem for a vast majority of us never having worked with those and I don't think I'd take them off either. For one the agents can't deal with anything different and missing information is likely to be a blocker to them and I can imagine it would with some clients as well. Why is that information missing, what's going on would be their first throught.

And I can't remember an interview where the client wasn't interested in past clients and would pick one or two to ask what I did there.

I'll take your opinion on this as I don't know but sounds like overkill to me.

[JustKeepSwimming]

It is? Since when? Every contractor/employee ever has put their past client/employers down.

Think it depends on the contract. I had a Big4 gig and I don't mention the client, I don't even mention the client in interviews, it's always 'Well known bank' or something like that. Due to the nature of the gig it's either say the client name and be unable to say anything about the role or not say the clients name and speak about the role. It's easier mentally for me to just never say the client.

Whereas now im fielding another role through a consultancy which won't have that kind of sensitivity.

[northernladuk]

The SOP is to not put client names on an external CV. Source: worked at Deloitte and PwC.

It is? Since when? Every contractor/employee ever has put their past client/employers down.

[northernladuk]

Generally I put

"Client Name on behalf of Consultancy"

or if I did multiple projects, I'll put the consultancy down and split it by customer below

And that makes up most of my CV, to try and get the best of both worlds down. But I do mix and match a bit and basically pick whichever gives the most kudos.

This for me as well.

[DrewG]

I assume most of us put the Client down on our CV when through an agency.

What's the SOP for consultancies? Is it as simple as always put the Consultancy down or does it depend on who the Consultancy and Client are, ie which has better name recognition?

The impression I got casualy talking to managers over the years is that Consultancy is a big plus, even had many claim few years at big4 and you can coast for life.

The SOP is to not put client names on an external CV. Source: worked at Deloitte and PwC.

Ignoring SOP (as I often do), I have select client names on my CV from my Big4 days where the client is 'prestigious'.

Tread carefully, don't break NDAs etc.

In regards to coasting, I think someone told you a tall story. Big 4 on your CV will look to some employers/clients in the future but I don't know anyone from my past that doesn't work hard. A good brand name on your CV just gets you through more doors, it doesn't mean you have to do nothing. If anything, sometimes the expectations are even higher if you come from a big brand.

[vwdan]

Generally I put

"Client Name on behalf of Consultancy"

or if I did multiple projects, I'll put the consultancy down and split it by customer below

And that makes up most of my CV, to try and get the best of both worlds down. But I do mix and match a bit and basically pick whichever gives the most kudos.