No – you don’t have to hold a degree to apply to become a 9Start Consultant. 9Start is a development programme, so we’re keen to hear from candidates from a range of backgrounds looking to develop into a business consultant.
The programme is designed to develop your skills and knowledge as you progress, so there’s no fixed criteria about the jobs or study you need to have done before. We will nurture your potential, what’s more important is your passion and your attitude. We are looking for good communicators, the ability to form great professional relationships, the confidence to adapt to new situations and an organised approach.
We’ll need you to complete an application online by submitting a CV and answering a series of video questions too. If you’re successful at the application stage, then you’ll be invited to complete an interview where we’ll find out more about you and the way you work by asking competency based questions. The interview is also your chance to ask us questions and find out why Nine Feet Tall is a great place to work! The next stage of the process is a final stage interview, where you’ll also be asked to complete a presentation exercise.
Hopefully you’ll enjoy recording your videos – think of them as your opportunity to bring your CV to life and the chance to show your personality by talking us through your experience in your own style. The video gives us an opportunity to get to know you a little bit before the interview process.
Before recording have a think about each question and plan the main skill, achievement or experience you want to get across. You might want to practise your answer before recording, to make sure you’re happy and that you can complete the response in the time allocated. The STAR method – Situation, Task, Action and Result – is a helpful way to organise your thoughts and prepare concise examples of your past experience. Also, don’t forget that if you’re not happy with your first attempt or if you run out of time, you can have another go and re-record a video.
When considering your application we’ll be looking at both your video response and your CV. We’re excited to learn more about you!
We’ll give you lots of information as part of your welcome so you know what the induction process looks like, as well as the core plan for your two year programme. Your first two weeks will be a mixture of induction activities: introductions, overviews of consulting principles, training sessions and social events too so that you have time with your fellow 9Starters and the wider Nine Feet Tall team.
The 9Start programme is very much about learning whilst doing, so you can expect early introductions to client accounts too.
As a 9Start Consultant you’ll benefit from a mixture of externally facilitated and internal training, with 20 dedicated training days each year. The internal training will support your development across our service offerings and you’ll tap into the team’s wealth of knowledge as you learn Nine Feet Tall’s ways of working. This training is complemented by external sessions in which you’ll build and finesse the softer skills of consultancy. What’s more, you will have the opportunity to obtain an accredited qualification in each year of the programme.
There is a framework of support to make sure that you have the help you need when working on client engagements. There’s the Account Lead who’s responsible for managing the client account and providing senior oversight. You will have a Mentor assigned to you too – this will be a more experienced Consultant who will advise, support and guide you in your Nine Feet Tall career. Also, you’ll be paired with a 9Start Buddy, someone who’s familiar with the programme too and is there to provide any informal help you need to get settled in and orientated.
