Tell me about Guidehouse

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ALthough their maternity leave is pretty awesome.

Does anyone know what the work life balance is for new parents?

If it's anything like Big4 as a PP suggested, and you are in a client-facing role, it is abysmal. Senior Consultant is also a level where you are REALLY expected to bust your ass if you want a promotion, that's where it starts getting super competitive. And like PP said, you better be spending your time not working (after working your 12+ hour days) cranking out that BD work. I've worked in a Big4 managing hundreds over the years and I have only known ONE female senior who had a kid, and she had a sweetheart deal due to being a family friend of one of the big partners. The maternity leave is awesome but the travel, long hours, 24/7 nature of the job make it incompatible with parenthood, particularly as a new hire in a low level position with little leverage. If you take the job, use the maternity leave but be prepared to walk after. Internal roles are much better, but pay less and are not really the "sexy" side of the business.

[Anonymous]

I haven’t worked there, but recently turned down an offer with Guidehouse.


The client facing role was really a great fit for me, but their corporate culture didn’t seem appealing. The recruiter actually said on a call, our bonuses are end of year and that’s why we have such a high turnover rate, so many employees leave once bonus is awarded and they can get another job easily with Guidehouse on their resume. I saw that as a glaring red flag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t worked there, but recently turned down an offer with Guidehouse.


The client facing role was really a great fit for me, but their corporate culture didn’t seem appealing. The recruiter actually said on a call, our bonuses are end of year and that’s why we have such a high turnover rate, so many employees leave once bonus is awarded and they can get another job easily with Guidehouse on their resume. I saw that as a glaring red flag.

People wait to leave until after they get their bonus and have no problem getting another job. Yea, that sounds like a huge red flag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t worked there, but recently turned down an offer with Guidehouse.


The client facing role was really a great fit for me, but their corporate culture didn’t seem appealing. The recruiter actually said on a call, our bonuses are end of year and that’s why we have such a high turnover rate, so many employees leave once bonus is awarded and they can get another job easily with Guidehouse on their resume. I saw that as a glaring red flag.

People wait to leave until after they get their bonus and have no problem getting another job. Yea, that sounds like a huge red flag.

High turnover rate is a big problem. The hours are long and although you can be rewarded with a big bonus the actual base salary isn’t great. Work long hours with the hope of a big payout. My guess is people get an average bonus and then bounce due to burnout.

[Anonymous]

Can anyone talk about the pay ranges for different roles, and the bonus percentages?

[Anonymous]

The job I was offered was a senior consultant. They were going to give me $130 and said I would be eligible for an 18-20k bonus.


I have received base offers that are much higher without long work hours and the demand for BD work so I declined.

[Anonymous]

That bonus seems average. Curious how many years experience you have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t worked there, but recently turned down an offer with Guidehouse.


The client facing role was really a great fit for me, but their corporate culture didn’t seem appealing. The recruiter actually said on a call, our bonuses are end of year and that’s why we have such a high turnover rate, so many employees leave once bonus is awarded and they can get another job easily with Guidehouse on their resume. I saw that as a glaring red flag.

People wait to leave until after they get their bonus and have no problem getting another job. Yea, that sounds like a huge red flag.

High turnover rate is a big problem. The hours are long and although you can be rewarded with a big bonus the actual base salary isn’t great. Work long hours with the hope of a big payout. My guess is people get an average bonus and then bounce due to burnout.

This was me, the work is interesting but I was so burned out I had to quit after bonus time. I had two little kids at home and my quality of life was awful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That bonus seems average. Curious how many years experience you have.

15 years

[Anonymous]

Did not receive bonus this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While Guidehouse is no longer a Big 4, you should expect a very similar lifestyle. Your overall experience will vary based on the team you join - some are happier than others. Salary range is wide for a senior, last I heard it was something like 80-140, depending on experience and certifications etc. You should expect to work long hours, as you will be supporting a client plus there is an expectation that you will contribute to business development (proposals etc) and internal firm initiatives after your client work is complete.

Thanks this is helpful! This is OP.


I was told that we can really contribute as much or as little as we like towards BD, but that bonuses depend on it.

Not just bonuses, though that too. But if you don’t do it, you will be a senior consultant forever. No chance at promotion and decent raises.

There are places to be stuck at senior level. My firms senior analyst can stay put at 180k until they get bored and we are 9-5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While Guidehouse is no longer a Big 4, you should expect a very similar lifestyle. Your overall experience will vary based on the team you join - some are happier than others. Salary range is wide for a senior, last I heard it was something like 80-140, depending on experience and certifications etc. You should expect to work long hours, as you will be supporting a client plus there is an expectation that you will contribute to business development (proposals etc) and internal firm initiatives after your client work is complete.

Thanks this is helpful! This is OP.


I was told that we can really contribute as much or as little as we like towards BD, but that bonuses depend on it.

Not just bonuses, though that too. But if you don’t do it, you will be a senior consultant forever. No chance at promotion and decent raises.

There are places to be stuck at senior level. My firms senior analyst can stay put at 180k until they get bored and we are 9-5.

Where is this?

[Anonymous]

I've been told by multiple senior people there that it's a toxic work environment. Lots of backstabbing, internal competition, etc. If you're senior manager or above, I'd keep looking. If you're junior, get in, get experience, and get out.

[Anonymous]

I worked for a private equity owned government consulting company before and I would never do it again. Was going to apply for a position there until I realized they were PE owned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The job I was offered was a senior consultant. They were going to give me $130 and said I would be eligible for an 18-20k bonus.


I have received base offers that are much higher without long work hours and the demand for BD work so I declined.

That seems fairly standard for a fed senior consultant unless I’m missing something?