Case Study: How an IT professional Transitioned to Accenture Strategy (Based on a real story)

The Journey of Rashmi (Name Changed): From IT Services to Accenture Strategy Consultant

Rashmi stared intently at her screen, fingers flying over the keyboard as lines of code streamed across the monitor. She was deep in the middle of an AI initiative—one she had volunteered to lead—that would transform her company’s customer service operations.?

But even as she perfected algorithms and led her team to automate critical processes, her mind buzzed with a different kind of challenge: How could she transition from solving technical problems to solving the business world’s most complex issues? How could she take this passion for technology and transform it into a career at Accenture Strategy?

Rashmi was an accomplished Senior IT Developer at a mid-sized tech company. With 7 years of experience under her belt, she had worked on numerous projects, mastering cloud computing and enterprise solutions. However, despite her success, Rashmi started feeling a desire for something more. She wanted to move beyond coding and technical problem-solving to make a broader impact on businesses. The fast-paced, dynamic world of management consulting—particularly at Accenture—caught her attention.

This is the story of how Rashmi transitioned from being a technical expert to becoming a consultant at one of the world’s most prestigious firms.

The Turning Point: Discovering Consulting (and more importantly herself!)

Rashmi’s journey began with reaching out to GoCrackIt :-).?

On listening to her aspirations, I suggested her to look at her profile “the way a recruiter will perceive…” using GoCrackIt Leverage Framework (https://forms.gle/xC6PmTbTt9ChMsKB8 ) to understand her profile:

The questions were:

1. Industry - What Industry(ies) you can leverage
2. Function - What Function(s) you can leverage
3. Transferable Skills - What Transferable Skills you can leverage

Her answers were:

We also go through her own GoCrackIt Self Assessment Form (https://www.gocrackit.com/self-assessment ) which she filled to reflect on her profile’s strength.

With these reflection exercise, we realised that the parts of her job she enjoyed most weren’t just about solving technical problems—they were about strategising, leading teams, and working closely with clients to align solutions with their business goals.?

But the question remained: how could she translate her technical experience into something valuable for Accenture?

To answer this, we did one-to-one career conversations (https://www.gocrackit.com/services ) to explain her consulting career landscapes, roles, growth path, resume and interview expectations amongst other things. Particularly we focused on how she can transition.

I also helped her build a comprehensive plan. Based on our GoCrackIt Career Transition Framework, she filled GoCrackIt Career Development Planning Tool (https://www.gocrackit.com/cdp)

She began to see her IT background as an asset that could help her stand out in consulting, especially in a world where digital transformation was becoming increasingly critical.

Step-1 Build Good Knowledge

Taking Initiative: Leading an AI Project

One of the key moments in Rashmi's transition came when I asked her to volunteer to lead a project that aimed to integrate AI into the company’s customer service operations.

This project was a game-changer for Rashmi. She was responsible for everything from developing the AI algorithms to managing cross-functional teams and presenting her findings to senior leadership. The initiative not only helped the company automate 30% of customer inquiries but also positioned Rashmi as a leader in an emerging field.

As she led this AI project, Rashmi saw the direct connection between her work and the strategic needs of the business. This experience added a "spike" to her resume—something that would later catch the attention of Accenture recruiters. It was no longer just about coding; she was solving complex business problems through innovative technology.

I also motivated her to dive deep into reading books like The Mckinsey Way, The McKinsey Mind, learning about consulting frameworks, strategic thinking, and how consultants approach business challenges.?

Step-2 Building Relevant Network

Knowing that consulting was as much about who you know as what you know, Rashmi began expanding her professional network. She reconnected with alumni from her university who were working at Accenture and other consulting firms. She reached out to them on LinkedIn and set up informational interviews to learn more about their experiences.

At the same time, she attended consulting webinars and industry events, actively participating in discussions and making herself visible to recruiters. Through these efforts, Rashmi was able to build relationships with consultants and gain insights into what Accenture was looking for in candidates.

Step-3 Building Brand

While she started her preparation, I also encouraged her to showcase her knowledge on LinkedIn so as to improve her visibility and build her personal brand. I asked her to write weekly one Thought Leadership articles for topics such Generative AI, ESG through technology etc. She started getting good visibility.?

Step-4 Crafting a Consulting-Focused Resume

When Rashmi felt ready to make the leap into consulting, she knew her resume had to tell a compelling story. I did a personalised resume review session and we focused on:

• Impact and Leadership: Rashmi highlighted her role in leading the AI initiative, framing it as a business transformation project rather than just a technical achievement.?

For example, she wrote:?

“Led an AI-driven project that reduced customer inquiry resolution times by 30%, saving $1M annually.”

• Strategic Thinking: Rashmi emphasised her strategic contributions, showing how she aligned IT projects with business goals.?

She included bullet points like,?

“Collaborated with senior leadership to integrate AI solutions into the company’s broader digital transformation strategy.”

• Quantifiable Results: Numbers mattered. By quantifying her achievements, Rashmi made it clear that she was not just a coder but someone who drove tangible results for the business.

Step - 5 Preparing for the Case Interviews

One of Rashmi's biggest challenges was preparing for the case interviews, which were an integral part of the Accenture recruitment process. She approached this with the same determination that had fuelled her career so far.

• Daily Practice: Rashmi practiced case interviews daily, focusing on business frameworks and problem-solving techniques. She used GoCrackIt’s mentoring services to practice with peers and participated in mock interviews with friends in the industry.
• Working with a mentor: To ensure she was on the right track, Rashmi worked with a consulting mentor who provided personalised feedback and helped her refine her approach.
• Behavioural Questions: In addition to case prep, Rashmi worked on her answers to behavioural questions. She knew Accenture would be assessing her leadership, adaptability, and client-facing skills, so she prepared stories that showcased her experience in these areas.

The Interview: Showcasing Her Unique Value

When Rashmi finally landed her interviews with Accenture, she was ready. The interviewers were impressed by her technical expertise and her experience leading the AI initiative. During the case interviews, Rashmi was able to combine her knowledge of business strategy with her deep understanding of technology, offering unique insights into how companies could leverage AI for competitive advantage.

The AI project she had led became a focal point during the behavioural interview. The interviewers were particularly interested in how she managed the project, led a diverse team, and drove business impact. Rashmi was able to clearly articulate the steps she took to ensure the project's success, and she connected those experiences to the types of challenges Accenture consultants face.

Actually interviewer commented “You are so much well prepared…”

The Outcome: Joining Accenture Strategy

After multiple rounds of interviews, Rashmi received an offer to join Accenture in their Technology Strategy Practice. Her unique blend of technical expertise, leadership experience, and strategic thinking made her a perfect fit for the firm’s focus on digital transformation and innovation.

Now, as a consultant at Accenture, Rashmi is using her background to help clients tackle complex problems at the intersection of business and technology. She’s no longer just building solutions—she’s shaping the future of businesses through strategic insights and cutting-edge technology.

Rashmi’s journey shows that transitioning into consulting from a technical background is possible with the right strategy, preparation, and mindset.?

As She sat in her new office at Accenture, reflecting on her journey, she realized that the leap from IT developer to management consultant had been one of the most rewarding risks of her career. The challenges she once faced in leading a groundbreaking AI initiative were no longer just technical problems—they were now the building blocks of strategic insights she brought to clients on a daily basis. She didn’t just make a career change; she transformed her entire perspective on what she could achieve.

You, too, have the power to redefine your path. The skills you’ve honed, the challenges you’ve conquered, and the passion that drives you—all of these are the foundation for something greater. Whether you’re sitting at your desk coding, managing projects, or leading teams, remember: the leap you’re considering could be the start of your own transformation. Take that first step, pursue the challenge, and let the world see what only you can bring to the table. Your next chapter is waiting—go write it.

Just GoCrackIt !

Step by step action items for you to transition into Management Consulting

1. Understand your profile using GoCrackIt Leverage Framework (https://forms.gle/xC6PmTbTt9ChMsKB8 )
2. Reflect on your profile’s strength using GoCrackIt Self Assessment Form (https://www.gocrackit.com/self-assessment )
3. Plan your transition using GoCrackIt Career Development Planning Tool https://www.gocrackit.com/cdp (it has pre-filled sample plan to get into consulting, you can refer)
4. Build knowledge, connect with relevant network , build your brand, create an impactful resume and practice interviews (refer to GoCrackIt Career Transition Framework)
5. Prepare your resume, bring business impact & keywords, take help of GoCrackIt :-) (https://www.gocrackit.com/services )
6. Practice case interviews, again take help of GoCrackIt :-) (https://www.gocrackit.com/services )
7. You can refer to curated preparation material here?
8. Ultimately have confidence, do your research & just GoCrackIt

#consulting #career #mentoring