I have found that even with a very big network outside the firm that connected me to people inside the firm, it can be hard to get staffed. They have a system where you look for project opportunities but that system is often outdated and you can not know who is hiring for specific jobs.
A lot of people, specially senior managers and partners are often way too busy to respond to your e-mail and sometimes they will not even get into a phone call with you unless someone else referred you. There is intense competition and back-stabbing happens all the time and faster than you can think. One little honest mistake spreads quicker than a great achievement. Once you have done something that others claimed to be bad, it is hard to get your image back and you won't be invited to projects. You'll slowly sink if you don't play the political game.
HR and your resource manager are very nice to you, and they will try to help you to get into a project. However, you must be flexible and willing to work on something you don't master. I personally don't like the idea of begging for work while you can see everyone else is busy. However, take advantage to learn a different skill. I ended up leaving because I could not survive a political game within a small group.
Work/life balance is not truly there. There isn't a way to implement this easily in consulting. However, you should never expect someone to be available after hours and to work in the weekend. Even worse is hold someone accountable and stab them in the back if they had personal commitments on a weekend where you decided on a Friday afternoon that you need someone to work on a presentation that needed to be done on Monday morning. This can be something doable for young kids but not for employees with families.
