Dear Mike:
I graduated from Georgia Tech two years ago and have been in consulting ever since, working on high-impact outsourcing projects that cut across IT, HR, finance, and legal. It’s been solid experience with serious exposure, and I’ve done well. I’m proud of the work I’ve done.
That said, I’m ready to make a move.
I’m looking for something more grounded, an internal operations role at a progressive company where I can roll up my sleeves, contribute across functions, and actually be part of the business, not just advising from the outside. Ideally, I’d like that role to be remote or mostly work-from-home. That kind of flexibility matters to me.
I’ve had a few interviews recently that went well. Multiple rounds, good conversations, strong feedback. But so far? No offers. And honestly, I’m surprised.
I’m not casting a wide net, but I’m being intentional. I’ve gone through personal referrals, not cold apps. And I’m not open to taking a comp cut, I’m in the low six-figures, and that’s the bar. I bring real value, and I know what I’m worth.
So what gives? Is this just part of the process, or is something off?
Thanks,
Lucy
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Hi Lucy,
First off, congrats. Georgia Tech, a top consulting firm straight out of school, above market comp, early exposure to high-level projects… that’s a solid start.
Not bad for a few years in. You’ve played the game well so far.
But if you keep getting to the final round in job interviews and aren’t landing the offer, it’s a sign that something isn’t adding up. And more often than not, it comes down to this:
You’re simply trying to balance all four legs of the proverbial career chair at once.
When professionals make a move, they’re typically juggling four main factors:
- Role – what kind of work they want to do
- Company Type – size, structure, culture
- Compensation – what they expect to earn
- Geography/Flexibility – where they want to live, and how they want to work (remote, hybrid, in-person)
Most people can reasonably control two of those. Maybe three, if the market’s hot and timing is perfect. But holding all four steady, especially early in your career, is where things start to break down.
From what you’ve shared, it sounds like you’re:
- Trying to shift from consulting into internal ops
- Targeting mid-sized companies
- Firm on comp
- And want remote (or mostly remote) flexibility
None of those asks are unreasonable on their own. But together? That’s a pretty tight filter, and it’s likely why you keep coming close in your search efforts but not closing.
Here’s the tradeoff:
If you keep all four legs locked in, you’re waiting for the market to align around you.
That might happen, but when is anyone’s guess.
If instead you’re willing to loosen just one or two requirements, maybe company size, maybe location flexibility, maybe comp, you open more doors. You shorten the search. You take back some control.
This isn’t about compromising, it’s about sequencing.
You can still get where you want to go.
But you’ll probably get there faster by letting one leg wobble a little.
Mike
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TNCR Community – what advice would you add to this thread? Do you have a perspective that you can share? Have a career question for Mike? Email him directly at mike.burgett@burgateglobal.com
