Overview
Introduction
It may boast the oldest name in consulting, but Arthur D. Little is a firm that feels fresh and vital, with a growing footprint in every major global market. While its work product and client list rival the biggest consulting shops, ADL’s focus on retaining and developing employees for long-term careers sets it apart as an employer and seems set to equip it for success in the years ahead.
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Vault Verdict
By all accounts, Arthur D. Little is going from strength to strength in the US, scaling its business sustainably as it continues to rebuild its brand name with a new generation of corporate executives.
As a result, insiders are effusive about life at ADL, citing a tight cohort of colleagues, early opportunities, and the potential to work on global projects as key factors in their overall satisfaction.
Compensation-wise, ADL is just outside the top tier of firms in terms of basic remuneration, but a strong bonus component and the ability to contribute to growing the firm—acting as owners—makes up for some of that. It also helps to ensure that the consultants the firm does hire genuinely want to be there—which is a critical component of that...
About the Company
Arthur D. Little has been at the forefront of innovation since 1886. It is an acknowledged thought leader in linking strategy, innovation and transformation in technology-intensive and converging industries. The firm helps clients navigate changing business ecosystems to uncover new growth opportunities; in so doing, it supports clients in building innovation capabilities and transforming their organization.
Founded in Boston in 1886, Arthur D. Little lays claim to the dual titles of first and oldest management consulting firm in the world. The pioneering spirit of the founder who lent the firm its name is the stuff of legend--and the firm he founded is still going strong, even after completing a journey that has seen it go from private entity to public corporation, and back to private following a 2011 management buyout by the part...
Employee Reviews
- “ADL works at the convergence of many industries and is adept at transferring knowledge from one case to another, potentially unrelated case.”
- “Fantastic entrepreneurial opportunity, in an organization that puts people first, that looks for innovation in all its people.”
- “It truly does put the well-being of its employees first. I feel very supported here in a way I haven't at other jobs.”
- “We all care about the work we do and view consulting as a long-term career, not just a shortcut to a different position in the industry.”
- “We have extremely high expectations and standards for client delivery, and equally high expectations for providing our team to have a great life at and beyond work. I came here from college, where the stereotype of consulting was to grind 2 years and leave. ADL reversed that fully for me. Now, it has come to the point where I feel a sense of devotion and pride to ADL and its continued growth. That is because of our culture and people, and I think that only leads to better work, and better relationships with clients.”
Why Work Here
ADL is an entrepreneurial company - we are the oldest management consulting firm but we are not trapped by process or tradition. For our business model, this means flexibility of approach – rather than just charge our clients by the hour, we may enter into partnerships with them. We eagerly transfer our knowledge to clients while learning from their insight and experience. This is also reflected in the way we work as a team – we value initiative and are always open to new ideas. Every path is possible, and we encourage our people to explore different industries beyond their specializations and work across disciplines.
ADL is proud to be ranked #3 on WSO’s list of Consulting Companies with The Hardest Interview.
Getting Hired Here
- “ADL looks for candidates who are driven, involved, and entrepreneurial.”
- “After initial application screening, if selected, you would be offered a preliminary interview. If selected after that, you would attend a ‘Super Day’ where you have 3 different hour-long interviews with different people of the company. The ideal candidate is one who is inquisitive, passionate about the company, and innovative in their thinking.”
- “Resume / cover letter / transcript drop; 1st round interview; 3 interview Super Day. Each round the pool gets smaller. It is competitive, as consulting can be. But we think we do a very good job of looking for people that have impressive quantitative ability and exceptional personality / are fun to talk to. We have a 'bar' set for performance of course, but what really stands out are people that we think bring a strong sense of empathy, integrity, and 'excitement' to the culture.”
- “When I was interviewing I heard back in a very reasonable amount of time, and I believe the firm is looking for bright, entrepreneurial individuals who are looking to make a difference in the business world.”
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