1.) Managing Directors don't bother getting to know Managers at all. Not even their names. If you're a Manager, you'll be totally overlooked, unless you do something wrong, which will ALWAYS filter back to your Managing Director, then they'll inquire who you are.
2.) If you do something wrong, no one will care why you did it or ask what happened. They won't care. They aren't your parents asking for an explanation. If you do something wrong, even if it's little, and insignificant - you're out. No discussion, no chance to tell "your" side of the story. No one will want to listen or care. Happened to me when I interrupted a speaking client to correct him when he was wrong after he asked me a question. Kicked right off the project for it. That was the only reason, per my superior Senior Manager.
3.) As a manager, you won't be managing anything or anybody. Period. The Managing Directors and Senior Managers will tell everyone what to do, and you have no input or say into it at all. That doesn't mean you won't be responsible for a lot. You will, and you will be held accountable. But you'll have no power or authority to do anything. If you need something, you have to ask your superior. If you need to know what to do or what to do next, ask your superior. No one will include you in any planning meetings. You may have a broad idea of what's going on, but no details. Get used to operating in the dark. It's going to happen a lot.
4.) You have to find your own jobs and projects. No one is going to take care of you. Better start talking to all kinds of people every chance you get and letting them know what your strengths and abilities are. Eventually you'll network around and find someone that can use you for something. Doesn't matter at all what you'd like to do. Only how useful you can be to someone or some project.
5.) Once you get on a project, keep your mouth firmly shut, and ears open. Never, ever, ever, ever say anything that could even remotely be implied as critical of any client or other colleague. Even if it's true, even if it's obvious. Especially to HR.
6.) Don't ever speak without being asked to. No one cares about your opinion unless they ask you, even if you're the only one that knows anything about what's being discussed, or are the only person with any experience in it.
7.) And, once you get on a project, you had better find a way to add value to the project, to your position on the project, to your tasks handed to you. You have to justify being there, otherwise you're dead weight and will get cut from the project without warning, very fast. Don't ever, ever think that at anytime at Accenture you aren't being watched, evaluated, or talked about by someone. You are. And you had better make sure it's positive. Watch your step every second, every day. You're on stage.
8.) Don't volunteer for anything. It's never, ever, ever going to go the way you think it is. No one will care that you volunteered, no one will appreciate it, no one will thank you or think better of you. It's not going to go on your record somewhere. It's a thankless job, and has the potential to be a minefield of things that will go wrong and make you look bad or worse, get you fired. There's a reason they're asking for job and task volunteers and can't find people. Experienced staff won't touch it, for good reason.
9.) Lastly, socialization. You are expected to attend Accenture gatherings, get-together's, and after work meals or social events with your colleagues. You had better go. But, this is a trap. It has the potential of being very bad for you. If you're too quiet, boring, dull, have no manners, are impolite, or do things others will think are stupid, you're in trouble. These events always have a mix of different Accenture employee levels, from Managing Directors down to the most entry level employee. From seasoned pro's to green hires. Be very careful in what you say and do. Your job is to leave people feeling good about you in a positive way.
10.) Don't ever ask anyone any question that you should have known by studying on your own. You should know Accenture hierarchy, employee levels, what people in each level are expected to do, all the different divisions and groups of Accenture, the values and corporate policies of Accenture, and much more. By heart.
11). Good luck. You'll need it.
