Type of consulting: Management

Type of Firm: Big 4

Location: UK (outside London)

MBA: No

Years at level: Entering my third year as associate

Years at level: Ditto

2017 rating: 4.5 (have had strong feedback, a high rating and highest performance related bonus, but apparently that bracket was quite large this year so to say rockstar is a stretch)

2017 salary: £31,000

2017 bonus: £1000

2018 salary: £33,000

I joined as grad entry after a career in the sector I consult in. I tried the experienced hire route but no one wanted me (I worked in communications which I grew to hate). If I could do it all again I would have done an MBA. The money and rate of progression has been abysmal. I’m looking at joining other firms for the promote and have interviews lined up. Some people say it’s a bad idea and to stick out another ten months for the auto promote before leaving as my hand will be stronger then. I’m not sure what to do.