I’m about a year and a half into consulting, and the exit conversation is already starting. A lot of people here have moved from consulting to product management or tech, and I’m curious about what that transition actually looks like from the inside.
I know consulting builds useful skills—project management, client work, structured thinking. But I want to understand the real dynamics. What do PM hiring managers actually value from consultants? Is there a sweet spot for when you should jump? Are there things you should be doing now, while you’re still in consulting, that’ll make that transition smoother later?
I’m not burnt out or anything, but I also know that the longer you stay, the more consultancy mindset you adopt. I want to be intentional about this rather than just drifting until I’m desperate to leave. What would someone with real experience on both sides tell a consultant who’s thinking five years ahead but might move in two?
real talk: the best time to jump is when you’re still fresh enough that you don’t sound like a consultant yet. pm hiring managers don’t want someone who thinks every problem needs a 80-slide deck and three months of analysis. they want builders. so if you’re planning to move, start building things now—side projects, products, anything that shows you can ship. that matters way more than your consulting creds.
also the pay conversation is different. you’ll likely take a step back initially. firms know consulting folks are coming in for stability and learning, not money. own that.
oh interesting so u shouldn’t stay too long? i kinda thought consulting experience would just keep getting better lol
building stuff on the side sounds smart. like concrete things not just consulting stuff
wait so pms prefer ppl who haven’t been in consulting forever? that’s good to know
The consulting-to-PM transition is increasingly common because both roles value analytical rigor. However, timing matters significantly. The optimal window is typically 2-4 years in consulting—enough to develop credibility but before you become purely client-focused. PM hiring managers value your project management and stakeholder skills, but they want someone who can think like a builder, not a process expert. To strengthen your future candidacy now, focus on product thinking: understand how your client’s products drive value, learn the technical components of what you’re advising on, and if possible, contribute to company product strategy. The transition is smoother when you’ve demonstrated genuine curiosity about product, not just consulting exit ambitions.
Your consulting skills are gold for PM roles! Start thinking like a product person now, build some projects, and you’ll transition beautifully. This is a smart move!
I made the jump after three years at a big firm. The biggest thing I wish I’d done earlier was actually understand product metrics and user research. I spent so much time on process and delivery that I hadn’t learned to think like someone building for users. When I got to my PM role, I had to catch up on that. If I’d been more intentional about product learning while still in consulting, the transition would’ve been faster. My consulting toolkit was helpful, but product thinking was the real currency.
Data shows that consultants transitioning to PM roles are most successful when they move within 2-3 years and have built demonstrable product knowledge beforehand. Hiring managers view your consulting background as bringing rigor and client sensibility, assets that differentiate you. However, statistics indicate that consultants who stay 4+ years often struggle to shift from process-oriented thinking to user-centric, velocity-focused product thinking. To optimize your future prospects, build product leverage now: understand customer metrics at your current clients, learn technical fundamentals relevant to your industry, and if possible, contribute to product roadmap discussions rather than purely advisory work.