Information technology consultants advise, plan, design and install information technology systems for their clients. What it involves IT consultants are contracted to work with industrial and commercial clients who are seeking help and advice about their business and IT problems. There are many similarities between their work and that of systems analysts, designers and applications programmers. A typical project involves consulting staff at all levels within the organisation to define objectives and determine information system requirements, before making recommendations, compiling and presenting information and writing reports and documentation. Consultants are responsible for designing and installing IT systems and for user-training and feedback. Employees must be able to demonstrate their ability to work under pressure keeping within deadline. A flexible attitude to working patterns is also helpful as periods of working away from home can sometimes be required.   What's required Any honours degree is acceptable for entry into the profession, although a qualification in a relevant subject such as operational research, business studies, management, mathematics, computer science or software engineering can be advantageous. Potential recruits must be meticulous and logical in their work and capable of meeting high standards in aptitude tests. Good problem-solving, teamworking, analytical and interpersonal skills are also important. Technical expertise and previous work experience is usually unnecessary as training in programming languages and systems analysis and design are provided to successful candidates once in post.