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9 Consulting Resume Examples That Worked in 2024

Best for senior and mid-level candidates

There’s plenty of room in our elegant resume template to add your professional experience while impressing recruiters with a sleek design.

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Like this template? Customize this resume and make it your own with the help of our Al-powered suggestions, accent colors, and modern fonts.

• Consulting Resume
• Business Consultant Resumes
• Technical Consultant Resumes

While consultants can work in many fields, Charlotte had her eyes on business! As she prepared for a move with her family, she knew it would be wise to make a resume and write a cover letter —her work background was rich with translatable business and financial analyst experience, but she’d been working the same business consultant role since 2018.

Confident she had the skills and consulting abilities it would take to build up a little extra cushion and deck out her new family home, Charlotte began researching resume advice .

Writing a resume can still be a challenge, even for experienced professionals, so Charlotte pushed any doubts aside, and her confidence pulled through when she got her new consultant job offer.

Stick with us for some great consulting resume examples and templates that will empower you to start making your next professional move, too!

Consulting Resume  

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• If you specialize in revenue forecasting or another area, think about how you can include more about your specialty on your consulting resume.
• For example, did you help a company increase its revenue by a certain percentage? Did you provide services for well-known companies? Answer these questions to help employers better evaluate your skills.
• No matter what, you  must  customize this section for each job application. Add relevant keywords and accomplishments according to the job description to make sure you’re hitting the mark.
• If you don’t have time to tailor your summary, simply leave this section out in favor of more work experience.

Business Consultant Resume

• Graduating from a prestigious institution alone isn’t enough to stand out—you need to show how you continued your education to gain invaluable consulting experience. A solid business consultant resume will dedicate space to key certifications, like a CFA, in addition to a degree.

Leasing Consultant Resume

• It can help to choose a  resume template  that is attractive to look at and easy to read. You can alter the font type, size, and section header colors to fit your personality until your resume is uniquely yours.
• Skills like “project management,” “Google Workspace,” “negotiation,” and “sales,” are all excellent skills to include on a consulting resume. Just make sure you back these up with evidence.

Management Consultant Resume

• Not only is reverse-chronological the industry standard, but it’s also highly likely that your most recent job will align most with the job you’re currently seeking.
• For example, you can add a certifications section to list any certifications you may have. Not all employers require certification, but they definitely differentiate you from other consultants.

Sales Consultant Resume Example

• Are you exceptionally skilled at generating new leads, exceeding sales goals, or cross-selling to clients? Back those abilities up with numbers, and your resume will impress any hiring manager. 
• Include the specific software programs you know about in the  skills section of your resume .
• Don’t forget to add other hard skills and plenty of soft skills like “presentations” and “traditional lead generation.”

HR Consultant Resume

• If you haven’t already demonstrated how you connect with people in your  HR cover letter , you can show off your collaboration skills through words like “mentored,” “counseled,” and “led.”
• Try adding metrics to your bullet points to help potential employers quantify and visualize your efforts.
• Percentages relating to saving money, increasing efficiency, or resolving conflicts are always good. You can also shoot for numbers relating to the number of employees you helped or the locations/departments you oversaw.

Operations Consultant Resume

• Your resume should be one full page, unless you have more than ten years of experience.
• If you can’t fit all your work experience onto one page, remember that you can share more details in your consulting cover letter .
• Enlist the help of a trusted friend or mentor before you submit your application. They’ll likely catch something you didn’t during the revision process.
• Although it’s helpful to use a  resume checker  (and we’d recommend it), remember that AI systems can’t catch everything, so always go over your resume at least  twice  by yourself.

IT Consultant Resume

• Correctly  formatting your resume  can help you fit everything you want without sacrificing aesthetics.
• Play around with font type, size, and color to make more room and improve the look of your IT consultant resume .
• Active verbs like “installed,” “scheduled,” “communicated,” and “generated” are descriptive and clear, plus they save space over passive verbs.

Marketing Consultant Resume

• Make sure you measure the revenue impact of your contributions as a marketing professional, and style it so those metrics stand out.

Related resume guides

• Financial analyst

Consulting Resume Guide (REAL McKinsey, BCG, Bain examples)

Every year, ~200,000 candidates apply to McKinsey, but only ~2,000 of them end up getting an offer. That's a 1% success rate. Candidates usually don't know this, but the most competitive step in the recruiting process is the cover letter and resume screening. That's where more than 60% of candidates get eliminated.

So how do you craft a management consultant resume that gets you interviews at McKinsey, BCG, and Bain?

Because here’s the thing: consultant resumes are actually VERY different from CVs for other professions.

So, let's step through the consulting resume basics and writing tips you should be aware of.  Plus, we’ll review 5 REAL CV examples that landed candidates interviews and jobs with McKinsey, BCG, Bain and other top firms.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• What do top management consulting firms look for?
• 5 consulting resume examples  (from REAL candidates)
• Consulting resume template
• Consulting resume tips 
• How to write a great consulting resume (step-by-step)
• Consulting resume checklist

Let’s get into it.

Click here for a resume review with an ex-MBB consultant

1. what do top management consulting firms look for ↑.

Before crafting a consulting resume that will get you multiple interviews, you first need to understand what top consulting firms actually look for in a candidate.

There are two versions of the truth when it comes to this topic: the official version on every firm's website, and the unofficial one that they are less willing to talk about.

1.1 Official version

As we have already mentioned in our case interview guide, all top consulting firms broadly look for the same skills. This is particularly apparent when comparing the skills McKinsey, BCG, and Bain list in their job description requirements.

Top consulting firms tend to all be interested in candidates who exhibit the following:

• Problem-solving. This means you need to have shown strong intellectual abilities to solve problems at university and during your work experiences. You also need to demonstrate strong quantitative and analytical skills to stand out.
• Personal impact. This means you've shown a dedication to achieving great things in most projects you undertook in the past. Your resume needs to showcase instances that demonstrate your strong personal initiative and resilience in the quest for success.
• Entrepreneurial drive. This means you should have a track record of launching new initiatives. You are not satisfied with doing things the traditional way. You like innovating, even if that means having to manage ambiguous situations.
• Teamwork and leadership. This means you've shown you can lead groups of people in the past either in a professional context, at university, or in any extracurricular activities. This also includes your effective communication skills and ability to collaborate with and manage different stakeholder relationships.

The first objective of your resume should be to highlight relevant parts of your experience that demonstrate these skills. Each bullet point in your resume should specifically target one. And overall, your bullet points should be balanced across these four categories.

For instance, let's assume that there are 20 bullet points in your resume. Broadly speaking, 5 of your bullet points should show your strength in problem-solving and 5 should show that you deliver impact when you are part of teams. Another 5 should show that you are used to taking initiative. And yet another 5 should show that you can lead teams.

Doing this will take you a long way in crafting a successful application. Trust us, it works both for entry-level and experienced hire resumes . But unfortunately, there are also untold truths about consulting CVs that you need to be aware of.

1.2 Unofficial version

If you meet the above qualifications, then great! But it would also be helpful if you keep in mind the following ‘unofficial’ preferences that top consulting firms rarely put in their job requirements. They’re as follows:

• Big brand names

First, your resume screener will be looking for big brand names when going through your CV. If you went to a target school (e.g. Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge, etc.), that will definitely help.

If you did not attend a target school then your best chance of getting noticed is to have worked for companies that are big and well-known.

You might be wondering why consulting firms value big-brand universities and employers so much. To be frank, top consulting firms are snobs when it comes to academic and professional pedigree. This is obviously slightly unfair, but there are a couple of reasons things work that way.

First, it's easier to sell Junior consultants to clients if they have an impressive background. When a client asks "Who will be on the team?" Partners like to be able to answer "Melissa just joined us with a bachelor's from Oxford and an MBA from Harvard" or "Bukayo joins us after 3 years leading a team at Google." That makes it easier to justify the high salaries consulting staff get paid.

Second, consulting firms receive a LOT of applications every year. McKinsey, for instance, received about ~200,000 resumes each year. They can't interview everyone and need a pretty efficient way to get to a manageable number of candidates they can interview. Big brand names are a shortcut. They want to hire high-achievers and assume that if you went to a top school or worked for a top employer, you are a high achiever.

This can feel very frustrating and unfair if you don't have big brand names on your resume. In these situations, it does not mean you won't be able to make it into consulting. It just means that unfortunately, it will likely be more work for you than for other people. You will have to network more , consider working/doing an internship at big brand names first, and maybe apply to consulting firms multiple times. But you can still do it.

• GPA/Grades cut-off

One of the questions we often get about consulting resumes is: "I have a 3.X GPA from University Y. Will I make the cut-off?" To be clear, there's no official GPA cut-off in the US, or grades cut-off in other countries.

Your resume will usually be reviewed by a recent graduate from your university who works at the firm. They will score your resume on a number of dimensions, one of which will be your grades. 

If your grades are on the lower end (GPA < 3.5 in the US, 2:1 or less in the UK), you will obviously get fewer points than if they were higher. As a consequence, you will need to compensate for this with very strong achievements in other areas of your resume. This could be an extracurricular activity where you showed strong leadership and entrepreneurship skills. 

Finally, one important aspect of consulting resumes that's not discussed often is languages. Only a few job posts (mostly openings for positions in regions where English isn’t the primary language) explicitly require proficiency in languages other than English. 

But even if you’re applying to an English-speaking firm, speaking multiple languages fluently will boost your chances of getting an interview.

Indeed, most consulting firms operate a global staffing model. If you are based in the London office but speak French and Spanish, that means your firm will be able to send you on projects in the UK, France, and Spain, but also North and South America and many countries in Africa. Your value to the firm will therefore be much higher than if you only spoke English.

Do you want expert advice on how to get into consulting?

Our management consultant coaches can help you build an actionable plan to get into consulting and boost your chances of landing a job at MBB or any top consulting firms.  Click here to book a 1-to-1 consulting career coaching session .  

2. 5 Real consulting resume examples ↑

Before we start on how to write your consulting resume, let's take a look at samples of what you should be aiming for. 

Unlike in other articles on this topic, these are all real resumes that got real candidates job offers at top global consulting companies. Note that we’ve anonymised most of the resumes to protect the resume owners’ privacy.

2.1 McKinsey resume examples

Jacob’s mckinsey resume.

This resume got the candidate an interview (and later an offer) at McKinsey, which is where he's now working. (Please note that we've changed the names of the companies to protect the candidate's privacy).

T his is a seriously high-quality resume. Here's what Jacob does particularly well:

• Quantifying achievements : Jacob uses numbers to make his achievements shine. Notice how his work achievements are full of specific sums of money or percentages. This ensures that we can clearly understand the impact he has had.
• Action verbs: Jacob starts his bullet points with verbs describing key actions for a consultant: "Developed investment case", "Solved client's concern", "Identified commercial risk".
• Skills & Interests : You can bet that Jacob had even more great work achievements that he had to leave out to fit in a strong Skills and Interests section. But it's definitely worth it - in four lines he's able to make himself stand out from the crowd with some very specific and interesting passions.
• Font trick! You almost certainly didn't notice, but the penultimate line of Jacob's resume is in font 10, rather than 10.5. This helped him squeeze it all onto one page.

Henry’s McKinsey resume

This is the resume that got “Henry” (not his real name) a consultant role at McKinsey.

Here’s what we think makes this resume stand out:

• Highly targeted: Apart from his professional consultant experience, notice that two of Henry’s internship experiences are not directly related to management consulting. But they earn their spots in his resume because he’s able to highlight the aspects of these experiences that are relevant to consulting, i.e. client relationship management, project management methodologies and tools, and collaboration. They also show that he’s suitable for a range of different industries such as manufacturing, insurance, and finance.
• Action verbs: Henry starts his bullet points with verbs describing key actions for a consultant: “Formulated a strategy”, “Performed competitive benchmarking”, “Advised on R&D roadmap”, “Mentored 4 interns” etc.

2.2 BCG resume examples

David's bcg resume.

The below resume belongs to David, a consulting interview coach on our platform (currently a hiring manager at Revolut for the Global Strategy Team). It's the resume that got him into BCG in 2020.

Here's what we found interesting about David's resume:

• Clarity : David is extremely concise. He sticks to one page and leaves plenty of white space, making it extremely easy for a recruiter to read quickly.
• Project-based approach: David has worked on a lot of different projects in a short space of time. By listing many of these projects, he demonstrates experience across different consultant skillsets.

Theo’s BCG resume

This is the resume that got “Theo” an associate role at BCG. BCG recruiters have used this particular resume in university workshops as an example of what to aim for so it’s an excellent model to study.

Here are the highlights that we think make Theo’s resume attractive to recruiters:

• Achievement-oriented : Theo’s resume is a great example of how a candidate with limited work experience can leverage their educational and extracurricular achievements. He lists down his grades and awards and has bullet points demonstrating specific skills such as problem-solving, innovating, teamwork, and leadership.
• Quantified success: In his two professional/internship experiences, Theo quantifies his achievements (“success rate of more than 90%”, “10% salary increase in the first year”).

2.3 Bain resume examples

Suresh’s bain resume.

This resume earned the candidate, let's call him “Suresh”, a role at Bain.

Here's our feedback on this resume:

• Quantified impact : Suresh does a great job of quantifying the impact of his achievements, giving specific numbers when possible.
• Additional information: Suresh uses the last section well to demonstrate an interesting depth of personality and other skills such as writing and languages.
• Layout: Extremely simple layout is clean and very easy to digest.

3. Consulting resume template ↑

Now that you’ve seen a few stellar examples of consulting resumes that work, let’s take a look at this consulting resume template. Use it as a basis or reference point for writing your consulting resume. 

A word of advice: a lot of people use this template so be careful about how you use it. Take inspiration, but be sure to write every sentence from scratch. 

Just a few notes about the template:

• It’s based on a consulting resume of a candidate who got interviews at McKinsey, BCG and Bain. You can trust this template works.
• This resume might look impressive. It's one of the best ones we have seen. Even if you have not achieved as much as this person, you can still get an interview.

Click here to download the resume template as a Google doc .

Click here to download the resume template as a PDF .

4. Consulting resume tips

Before we take you through the step-by-step process of writing your consulting resume, here are the 9 things we’ve learned after having reviewed hundreds of CVs over the past few years. Our expert coaches, Cody (top tech recruiter, ex-Google now at LinkedIn) and Candace (career and resume expert) also weigh in with their insights.

4.1 Keep it to one page

Consulting recruiters have to review tons of resumes daily. Keeping your resume to one page is one way to make the job easy for them. But we know condensing your entire lifetime's achievements in ~500 words is difficult. 

The key is to select the right achievements and to describe them in a way that makes it clear you would make a great consultant. It takes time and a few iterations to get it right, so start earlier rather than later.

4.2 Organize your resume into 5 sections

The best consulting resumes have 5 sections: Personal information, Education, Work experience, Extracurricular achievements, and Additional skills. 

One of the most common mistakes we see in CVs is to not have an "Extracurricular achievements" section. This is a BIG mistake as this is a section you can use to showcase some of the skills that consulting firms look for such as leadership and entrepreneurial drive.

4.3 Avoid fancy designs

"Design features like pictures, columns, photos, etc. can prevent ATS systems from correctly scanning your resume," says Candace.

Using a special format with a slightly funky font is tempting. You might think it could help you stand out. But it won’t. Most, if not all, companies now use Applicant Tracking Systems or ATS to pre-scan resumes. So your fancy resume might not even make the ATS cut.

Let’s say your funky resume somehow managed to pass through the ATS. You still won't get extra points for it. At best, your CV screener will think: "Okay, I've never seen this format, but why not?" At worst, they will think: "Who is this person? They don't get it!"

The content of your resume should stand out, not its format.

You should also avoid including your photo in your resume unless it’s specifically required. This goes against employment and discrimination laws in most countries, and is another potential problem for ATS systems.

4.4 Use action verbs

"Us recruiters are lazy. Don't make us dig around for the key info, we want to see if you meet the job requirements in the first 10 seconds!" says Cody.

A good way to make a good first impression in 10 seconds is by using keywords in the form of action verbs that resume screeners are either consciously or subconsciously looking for. ALL your sentences should start with an action verb that highlights one of the soft skills the firms are looking for.

For instance, you should have bullet points on leadership that start with: "Led a team of 10 people..." And bullet points on problem-solving which start with: "Solved one of the toughest engineering problems..." 

These action verbs are important because they are at the beginning of sentences. If you use the right ones, your resume screener will immediately think: "Okay, this person has the right skills. Let me look at their CV in more detail."

4.5 Quantify your achievements

“This advice is for many careers spanning many industries, we have to tell our story through data and numbers. Words can tell a story but numbers tell it way better," says Cody.

Consultants are obsessed with quantifying things. When you become a consultant, a big part of your job is to crunch numbers to back up ideas you present to clients. If your idea is not backed up by numbers, it's just a point of view. If it is backed up by numbers, it becomes an argument and has more gravitas. 

For instance, if you were awarded a scholarship to study abroad you should write something like: "Awarded Entente Cordiale Scholarship to study in the UK (2 scholarships for 1,000+ applicants)" This will make you stand out much more than if you had just written: "Awarded a competitive scholarship to study in the UK."

4.6 Dumb things down

This is particularly important if you have written a Ph.D. or Master's thesis. Your resume screener won't be familiar with your field. And they won't take the time to Google anything they don't understand. It is your responsibility to dumb things down sufficiently for them to be understandable.

A good test for this is to ask a friend or sibling to highlight anything that they don't easily understand in your resume. If you find them scratching their head to make sense of a sentence, it is too complicated. Simplifying things is hard work, so you should start this process early.

4.7 Highlight your soft skills

As mentioned in the first section of this guide, McKinsey, BCG, Bain and other top firms are looking for skills that are very specific to consulting. A lot of those skills are actually SOFT skills such as leadership, personal impact, entrepreneurial drive, etc. 

If you have a standard resume that you use for other jobs, you will most likely have to adapt it to showcase the specific soft skills consulting firms look for. If you don't do this, you run the risk of your CV being overlooked as it's not tailored enough to consulting.

4.8 Be unique

Your resume screener will literally have looked at hundreds of CVs before they look at yours. The reality is a lot of these resumes are quite similar. So, if there's something a little bit unique that you have done, you should not hesitate to say so. 

For instance, you might have worked for 6 months in a surf shop in Australia, or you might have done a 6-month unpaid internship for charity. Everything that differentiates you in a positive way should be clearly mentioned on your resume.

4.9 Don't get AI to write it for you!

With the boom in AI technology and the likes of ChatGPT increasingly used by students and applicants, it's tempting to think you could get a bot to write your resume. And if you're finding it hard to get started, AI can be quite helpful in giving you examples of the sorts of phrases you should be writing.

However, rely too much on AI and you run the risk of your CV looking exactly like everyone else's and not truly representing who you are: a unique individual and (hopefully) a great consultant in the making!

5. How to write a consulting resume ↑

Now that you’ve seen examples of what you should be aiming for, as well as some key tips, let’s go through the resume-building process.

5.1 Study your target company and job description

Before you start writing or editing your resume, our tip is that you do some research.

Find the job specification, read it thoroughly, and use it to shape your resume. 

• Figure out if you’re applying for a general consultant role or an industry consultant role. Some job posts will have a general ‘consultant’ opening. This means you don’t have to start with a specific expertise and are expected to develop one on the job. Others are highly targeted and will have a specific industry that they’re building teams for, such as finance, healthcare, tech, and others. 
• Prepare to adapt your resume accordingly. Look into the keywords of the job description and use them as much as possible where they’re applicable. Suppose your previous jobs or internships are not directly related to consulting. In that case, you can phrase your descriptions to highlight specific consulting skills such as leadership, project management, problem-solving, etc. Same goes for your extracurriculars.
• Zoom in on a few of the responsibilities in the job description that you think are most important. Search for specific examples from your past that demonstrate experience in doing the same thing or very similar. Find the numbers to back it up where possible, so you’re ready to include this information in the work experience section later on.
• Take note of the language used in the job description so you can, where appropriate, match specific verbs and phrases.
• Research the company. If you have a particular interest or expertise, you’ll want to get into the firm that matches it. If you know anyone who works in your target company, you might want to ask them for advice or information about what their company is specifically looking for.

Now you’re probably wondering: do you have to write a different targeted consulting resume for every company you’re applying to? 

The answer is: ideally, yes. But as we’ve covered in the section at the beginning, these top companies are typically looking for more or less the same qualifications. 

We looked at some of the latest job postings on McKinsey, BCG, and Bain and aggregated the data to find the most common consulting job requirements for top companies in 2024. And here’s what we found:

Typical consultant job requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, with a strong academic record
• Robust analytical and problem-solving skills
• Above-average communication and presentation skills
• Relevant experience (in consulting or specific industry indicated)

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MBA, PhD, or additional qualifications or certifications)
• Specific industry expertise (financial services, healthcare, technology, etc.)
• Prior consulting experience (familiarity with consulting methodologies and client engagement)
• Language skills (for positions in non-English-speaking regions, proficiency in local languages is often preferred)

Common Responsibilities

• Engaging with clients to understand their needs, present findings, and provide recommendations; building and maintaining strong client relationships
• Leading and managing consulting projects, including overseeing project deliverables, coordinating team efforts, and ensuring timely completion
• Performing in-depth analysis to identify issues, evaluate data, and develop actionable insights, using analytical tools and methodologies
• Collaborating with team members and sometimes mentoring junior staff 
• Assisting clients with the implementation of recommendations or strategies to ensure successful execution

If you don't want to have to tweak your resume for each specific company you're applying to, aim to base your resume around this list of requirements.

Once you’re done with your research, let’s get into writing your consulting resume!

5.2 Organize your resume by sections

As you’ve seen in the example resumes and the resume template, every consulting CV should be split into 5 sections:

• Personal information
• Work experience

Extracurricular achievements

Additional skills

Below are a few best practices for coming up with a layout for your resume:

• Choose a professional-looking font: Size 10-12, black and white. Arial, Calibri, and other plain sans serif or serif fonts are fine.
• Use bullet points.
• Make sure the formatting is 100% neat and consistent.
• Include enough white space so that it doesn’t look overcrowded.
• Save it as a PDF so it looks uniform on any device.

Now, let’s get into each section.

5.2.1 Personal information

In this section, you should include all the basic personal details the consulting firm you are applying for is requesting. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you put this section together:

• Use a larger font for your name than for the rest of the section to make it stand out.
• Don't insert your headshot, date of birth, or gender unless specifically requested by the firm.
• Use a neutral/professional email address. Keep your hilarious email address for friends and family.
• Double-check all your details including your email address and phone number before sending your resume.
• No need to include your street address–this may cause issues with data privacy laws; just your general region will do.
• No need to label each item, e.g “email:”, “tel:”, etc. It’s obvious what they are, so save the space.

5.2.2 Education

This section should summarise the different degrees you graduated with. It should NOT include your high school experience. If you have recently graduated and only have internship experience, this section should follow the Personal information section. 

But if you have already had a first job for 1+ years, you could consider swapping this section with the Work Experience section. 

Here are a few tips on how to write this section:

• If you have multiple degrees (e.g.: a BA and an MBA), you should write a subsection like the one above for each degree, starting with your highest level of education first (e.g.: your MBA).
• For each degree, include the name of the degree, university, and dates in the headline. You should also describe relevant course content briefly (no more than one line).
• List your grades (e.g.: GPA) as well as results on other standardised tests you have taken (e.g.: SAT, GMAT, etc.)
• Detail all the awards and scholarships you have received, and most importantly how competitive they were (e.g.: 2 awards for 1,000 students).
• If you have written a thesis/dissertation, you should also summarise the topic in a way that's very easy to understand. Note if it is being published in academic journals.

5.2.3 Work experience

The work experience section should include the previous work positions you have held as well as your main achievements in these roles. Here are some more important points to help you put this section together:

• Use reverse chronological order, putting most recent employment at the top
• Include the name of the position you held and the employer as well as the location and dates in the headline. The first line of the section should then describe your employer/department in one sentence. Notice that this mirrors the structure used for the Education section.
• Start each bullet point with an action verb that matches one of the skills consulting firms look for (Leadership, Entrepreneurial drive, Personal impact, Problem-solving, etc.). "Led", "Analysed" or "Presented" are good examples of such verbs.
• Use present tense verbs (e.g "Lead, Develop, Execute") in your current position (except for completed achievements), and past tense verbs for past position (e.g "Led, Developed, Executed")
• Balance the skills you demonstrate as much as possible. For instance, notice how some of the bullet points above are about leadership while others are about problem-solving.
• Focus on the results of what you did and quantify them as much as possible to highlight the tangible contributions you have made. Ex-Google SVP Lazlo Bock talks about a common method for doing this that you might find helpful, called the “X, Y, Z” formula : “Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y] by doing [Z]”.

5.2.4 Extracurricular achievements

One of the most common mistakes we come across in resumes we receive from candidates is the absence of an extracurricular achievements section. 

This section is particularly important if you have limited work experience as it's a great way to show leadership, entrepreneurial drive and personal impact. It's also a great way to compensate for average university grades or a non-target school. 

The way you write about your extracurricular experiences should follow the same format and tips as for the Work experience section. Here are different types of activities you could write about (not exhaustive):

• University clubs: if you have held a position in a university club (e.g. Consulting club, Finance club, Theatre club, etc.) you should definitely mention it. The "higher" the position the better, as it could highlight your ability to lead and manage others.
• Sports team: if you were part of a university sports team, you should definitely highlight that along with the achievements of the team. This will highlight your ability to work with others.
• Side businesses: if you have set up a side business with friends at university, you should mention it along with the number of customers/revenue you have managed to achieve. This will show your entrepreneurial drive.
• Writing/arts: if you enjoy writing or any other art form and have published your work or have online followers, you should also not hesitate to mention it. This will help showcase your creativity.

5.2.5 Additional skills

Finally, you should focus the last section of your resume on any additional skills you have. 

Our recommendation here is to keep things simple and to list any foreign languages, programming languages, software experience, or project management tools that you know. 

For each language, you should specify your level of proficiency. For the technical skills, you can also specify your level (experienced or expert).

5.3 Ask for feedback

Now that you have put together the first version of your resume, your next step is to ask for feedback to improve it. If you know any consultants or former consultants, don’t hesitate to reach out to them to get their thoughts. 

But failing that, asking for feedback from peers is also helpful. They'll be able to cast a fresh eye on your resume and flag typos, inconsistencies, or sentences that they find difficult to understand. 

5.4 Proofread - multiple times! 

This is the last step of crafting your CV and it is crucial. You should never skip this part.

When you become a consultant, one of your deliverables will be PowerPoint decks and Word documents. You’ll be expected to proofread these multiple times before handing them over to clients. So even as an applicant, you’ll be expected to do the same with your resume.

In particular, make sure to triple-check your contact details. You don’t want to miss out on an interview because of a typo in your email address.

6. Your consulting resume checklist ↑

Almost ready to send your resume? Use this checklist to make sure you’re following the best practices we’ve recommended above.

You should be answering “Yes” to every question.

• Have you demonstrated the 4 key consultant traits? (problem-solving, personal impact, entrepreneurial drive, teamwork and leadership)
• Is it just one page?
• Is the formatting 100% consistent and neat?
• Is there enough white space to breathe?

Personal Information

• Have you triple-checked to make sure your contact details are correct?

Work Experience

• Have you talked about your ACTIONS rather than your responsibilities?
• Have you QUANTIFIED the impact of your actions?
• Have you got the tenses correct?
• If you graduated >5 years ago, are your examples post-university?
• Do your extracurricular activities make you stand out in some way?
• Have you listed any languages you speak and your level of proficiency?
• Have you added any additional skills or competencies that could add value?

Proofreading and feedback

• Have you proofread it since you last edited it?
• Have you gotten any feedback on your resume and updated it?
• Have you saved it as a PDF to make sure it displays correctly on all devices?

Did you say “Yes” to every question in the checklist? Well done! If you’ve used all the tips in this article, then your resume should be in good condition and will give you a fighting chance of getting that interview.

7. Is your consulting resume truly outstanding? ↑

The guide above as well as our consulting cover letter guide should go a long way in helping you craft documents that will get you interviews.

But to get your consulting resume from "fine" to "outstanding" usually requires feedback from someone who really knows their stuff - as in an ex-recruiter or manager at one of the MBB firms.

By signing up to our resume service , you can choose from our team of management consultant coaches like David , Htoo , Tiago ,  Shankar , and recruiting experts like Candace and Cody . They will spend an hour going over your CV with you and give you feedback on how to immediately improve your resume, including what experience to focus on, how to optimize your phrasing, formatting, etc.

Check it out and increase your chances of getting an interview at a top firm!

Related articles:

Consultant Resume for 2024 - Best Examples & Writing Guide

You’re a consultant.

Your expertise and skills are invaluable.

How do you create a resume that represents your value ?

In this guide, we take you through a simple step-by-step process to creating a powerful consultant resume that gets results.

• An example of a finished consultant resume that works
• How to write a consultant resume that’ll fill up your interview diary
• How to make your consultant resume stand out [with top tips & tricks]

Before we get started, here’s a consultant resume example, created with our very own resume builder :

Interested in a position different from a consultant? We've got a bunch more resume examples for you:

• Executive Assistant Resume
• Business Analyst Resume
• Financial Analyst Resume
• Accountant Resume
• Bookkeeper Resume
• Bank Teller Resume
• Banking Resume
• Administrative Assistant Resume
• Office Assistant Resume
• Career Change Resume

If you take a look at the template at the top, that’s what a winning resume looks like. Follow the steps below to create a consultant resume that works just as well as the above example.

How to Format a Consultant Resume

Before you can impress the recruiter with your best attributes, you need pick an appropriate format.

Doing so will not only highlight your talents, but it will make the life of the recruiter easier, which will get you started on the correct foot.

The most common resume format is “ reverse-chronological ”, and it’s for good reason. Essentially, it allows the hiring managers to immediately see your value proposition, rather than hoping they read to the bottom of the page. We recommend starting with this format.

The following resume formats also get our approval:

• Functional Resume – If you have strong skills, but lack the work history, this resume format is recommended
• Combination Resume – Offering a mix of both “Functional” and “Reverse-Chronological” formats, you should go with a combination resume format if you have the experience to back-up your skills

Once you’ve decided on a format, you need to organize your resume layout . Resume builders already come with pre-defined and recruiter approved layouts.

Use a Consultant Resume Template

To get the consultancy job, your resume needs to be clear and precise. 

And if you’re thinking of using a simple text editor…

You may want to think again. 

For a structured layout, we need to look elsewhere. 

We need to use a template that won’t fall apart with every small change.

To do this, use a consultant resume template. Use any of the following resume templates that can be easily tailored for a consultant position.

What to Include in a Consultant Resume

The main sections in a consultant resume are:

• Work Experience
• Contact Information

Want to go a step further? You can also add these optional sections:

• Awards & Certification

Interests & Hobbies

That sounds great, but what do we write for each of these sections? 

Read on to learn how.

Want to know more about resume sections? View our guide on What to Put on a Resume .

How to Correctly Display your Contact Information

Now, this section is simple, but there are a few important rules to follow.

The most important rule is to make sure all information is 100% correct.

One wrong digit in your phone number can result in the recruiter offering an interview to a confused elderly lady in a nearby city.

The contact information section must include:

• Title - In this case, “Consultant”
• Phone Number – Check this multiple times for errors
• Email Address – Use a professional email address ([email protected]), not your childhood email ([email protected]).
• Greg Mills - Consultant 101-358-6095. [email protected]
• Greg Mills - Best Consultant. 101-358-6095. [email protected]

How to Write a Consultant Resume Summary or Objective

The consultancy industry is fierce.

Therefore, it is no surprise that recruiters spend just a few seconds glancing over each resume.

So, how can you make every second count?

You need a powerful introductory paragraph that grabs their attention and persuades them to place your resume on the “yes” pile.

You can use either a resume summary or objective .

But what is the difference between the two sections?

A resume summary is a 2-4 sentence summary of your professional experiences and achievements.

• Experienced marketing consultant with a strong background in developing award-winning strategies for a diverse clientele. 5+ years of industry experience includes PPC campaigns, SMM, web design, brand development, and more. Strong history of developing and overseeing marketing campaigns that maximise profit.

A resume objective is a 2-4 sentence snapshot of what you want to achieve professionally.

• Motivated marketing specialist looking for a Consultant position with The Tea Company to apply leadership and marketing skills to improve company revenue and market exposure. Experience includes monitoring competitors, identifying trends and likely scenarios. Skilled in WordPress, Facebook Ads Manager, Photoshop, ClickFunnels, and more.

So, which one is best, summary or objective?

Experienced consultants should use a resume summary to summarize their top achievements. On the other hands, individuals with less experience may want to use a resume objective to highlight their skills and aspirations.

How to Make Your Consultant Work Experience Stand Out

Recruiters need confidence that you’ll do the job.

Make the wrong choice, and THEIR job may be on the line.

The easiest way to add confidence is with your work experience.

Here’s the best way to structure your work experience section…

• Position name
• Company Name
• Responsibilities & Achievements

Business Development Consultant

Growth Solutions Inc

03/2016 - 10/2020

• Assess business needs and set new growth targets
• Streamlined operations to reduce costs by $84,000
• Created 3 successful outreach campaigns that grew revenue by 32% in 2019

To stand out from the other consultants, you should focus on what you have achieved so far in your career, instead of your daily duties. 

Instead of saying:

“Implemented new operations rules”

“Streamlined operations to reduce costs by $84,000”

So, what is the difference between the two statements?

Well, the first statement shows that you implemented new operations rules but it doesn’t show if your new rules were successful or a complete failure. 

The second statement shows that you were able to reduce costs by $84,000, which proves your skills and makes you a more desirable consultant. 

What if You Don’t Have Work Experience?

Maybe you’re a graduate looking for your first consultancy job?

Or maybe you have experience in a particular field, but never as a consultant?

It’s no secret that recruiters want proof of skills before hiring someone. 

But whether you have job experience or not, there are options.

You see, it doesn’t matter if you’ve never held the job title of “marketing consultant”, as you can call-upon the crossover skills from previous jobs.

For example, if you held a junior marketing position for a start-up company, you can talk about any crossover skills and experiences. Just like a marketing consultant, you would be able to show you used in-depth marketing knowledge to grow a company.

For the students reading this, you’ll enjoy our guide on how to make a student resume !

Use Action Words to Make Your Marketing Executive Resume POP!

you want to separate your resume from the competition, which means using power words to make your achievements stand out:

• Experimented
• Collaborated

How to Correctly List your Education

Next, it’s time to talk about your education.

There’s nothing too complicated with this section, just simply enter your education history in the following format:

• Degree Type & Major
• University Name
• Years Studied
• GPA, Honours, Courses, and anything else you might want to add

B.A. in Marketing

University of Chicago

2010 - 2014

• Relevant Courses: Managerial Communications, Principles of Marketing, Quantitative Methods, and Macroeconomics

Now, you may have some questions on this section. If so, here are the answers to some of the most frequent questions that we get:

• What if I haven’t completed education yet?

Regardless of whether you’re a marketing graduate or still studying, you should still mention every year of education to date

• Should I include my high school education?

The general rule is to only include your highest education. So, include your high school education if you don’t have a relevant degree for marketing

• What do I put first, my education or experience?

Experiences are the priority, so those go first. If you’re a recent graduate, you will likely need to start with education

Still not sure? Check out our guide on how to list education on a resume .

Top 10 Skills for a Consultant Resume

The hiring manager wants to see that you have the correct skills.

But what resume skills do we recommend?

The hard skills you put on your resume will depend on the exact field you’re in, but the soft skills will usually be the same.

Make sure to look at the job description to find what the company is looking for.

Hard Skills for Consultants:

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
• Campaign Management
• Google Analytics
• Content Management Systems (CMS)

Soft Skills for Consultants:

• Creative Thinking
• Communication
• Time-Management
• Team Player
• Generally, only include the most important soft skills. Any graduate can say they have creative skills, but not many have an advanced knowledge on Content Management Systems.
• Here’s a more comprehensive list of 100+ must-have skills this year .

What Else Can You Include?

We’ve now covered every essential resume section .

But is your resume the best it can be?

You need your resume to stand out !

Adding the following sections could be the deciding factor in whether you’re hired for the consultancy role or not.

They’re also a great idea if you lack experience or have a less than desirable education.

Awards & Certifications

Have you won an award for your work?

Have you done any courses that improve your skill-set?

Make sure to include all relevant awards in your resume.

Here’s an example:

Awards & Certificates

• Google Ads Certified Expert
• “Best Presentation 2020” – Digital Agency
• “Critical Thinking Masterclass” – MadeUpUniversity

Now, this section will vary in importance depending on the industry that you work in.

With that said, being able to speak a second language is just another way that you can impress the recruiter. 

As such, feel free to add a language section if you have space.

Rank the languages by proficiency:

• Native or bilingual
• Intermediate

Now, you may be wondering, “why does the recruiter need to know that I enjoy archery on the weekend?”

Well, your interests reveal the type of person you are.

The recruiter also gets to know you more on a personal level.

Now, this isn’t a necessary part of your resume, but feel free to add this section if you have space.

Here’s which hobbies & interests you may want to mention.

Include a Cover Letter with Your Resume

By now your resume should be first-class!

Your application is not complete just yet.

The truth is, cover letters are still an important part of the hiring process, especially if you have employment gaps or are making a career change.

There is no better way to show the recruiter that you care about working for their company.

To create a winning cover letter, we must ensure that it is structured correctly. Here’s how to do that:

You should complete the following sections:

Personal Contact Information

Your full name, profession, email, phone number, location, and website

Hiring Manager’s Contact Information

Full name, position, location, email

Opening Paragraph

Like with your resume, the recruiter will skim though your letter. As such, you need to command attention in just a few seconds. Use concise language to mention…

• The position you’re applying for
• Your experience summary and best achievement to date

Once you’ve sparked the reader’s interest, you can get deeper into the following specifics:

• Why you chose this specific company
• What you know about the company
• How are your top skills relevant for the job
• Which similar industries or positions have you worked in before

Closing Paragraph

Don’t just end the conversation abruptly, you should:

• Conclude the main points of the cover letter
• Thank recruiter for the opportunity
• Finish with a call to action. This is a good way to start a conversation. A simple “At your earliest opportunity, I’d love to discuss more about how I can help company X” will work

Formal Salutations

To keep the letter professional, end with something like, “ Kind regards ” or “ Sincerely. ”

For more inspiration, read our step-by-step guide on how to write a cover letter .

Key Takeaways

You’re now an expert at writing consultant resumes. 

Let’s quickly summarize the lesions-learned:

• Use an easy-to-follow resume layout. Prioritize the reverse-chronological format, and then follow the best practices on content layout
• Use a resume summary or objective to catch the recruiter’s attention
• Talk about your best achievements, rather than your previous job responsibilities
• Include a personalized consultant cover letter

Suggested Reading:

• Emailing a Resume - 7 Vital Tips to Consider
• 21+ Essential LinkedIn Profile Tips For Job-Seekers
• 35+ Common Interview Questions and Answers [Complete List]

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• Career Blog

Consulting Resume: The 2024 Guide with Sample & Writing Tips

A strong consulting resume is an essential tool for anyone looking to break into the consulting industry or advance their career within it. Whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, your resume is your first chance to make a positive impression on potential employers.

In this guide, we will provide you with the tips and tools you need to create a compelling consulting resume. We will help you understand what employers are looking for, show you how to highlight your skills and accomplishments, and provide you with a sample resume to use as a template.

Importance of Having a Strong Consulting Resume

A strong consulting resume is crucial for several reasons. First, it is your first opportunity to showcase your skills and experience to potential employers. Your resume should demonstrate that you have the knowledge, expertise, and experience to tackle the challenges that consulting clients face.

Second, a well-crafted consulting resume can set you apart from other candidates. The consulting industry is highly competitive, and your resume needs to stand out to catch the attention of hiring managers.

Finally, your resume is your marketing tool. It should market your skills, experience, and knowledge to potential employers and demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the job.

Target Audience

This guide is for anyone looking to create a compelling consulting resume. Whether you are a recent graduate looking to break into the industry or a seasoned professional looking to advance your career, this guide will provide you with the tools and tips you need to create a winning resume.

Brief Overview of the Guide

In this guide, we will cover the following topics:

Understanding the Consulting Industry

• Crafting a Strong Consulting Resume
• Highlighting Your Skills and Accomplishments
• Making Your Resume Stand Out
• Sample Consulting Resume
• Writing Tips and Tricks

By the end of this guide, you will have the knowledge and tools you need to create a compelling consulting resume that highlights your skills, experience, and knowledge, and sets you apart from other candidates.

In order to effectively write a consulting resume, it’s important to have a solid understanding of the consulting industry itself. In this section, we will cover an overview of the industry, the various types of consulting roles, and the skills required for a consulting role.

Overview of the Consulting Industry

The consulting industry is made up of firms that provide expert advice and guidance to organizations to help them improve their overall performance. The industry is comprised of consulting firms of various sizes, ranging from small boutique firms to large multinational corporations. The consulting industry is known for its high salaries, fast-paced work environment, and potential for rapid career advancement.

The Various Types of Consulting Roles

There are several types of consulting roles, each with their own unique set of responsibilities and requirements. Some of the most common types of consulting roles include:

Management Consulting:  Management consultants work with organizations to improve their overall strategy, operations, and business performance. They may specialize in specific industries or functional areas, such as finance or technology.

Technology Consulting:  Technology consultants work with organizations to help them evaluate and implement new technology systems and solutions. They may specialize in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, or data analytics.

HR Consulting:  HR consultants work with organizations to improve their HR practices and strategies, including recruitment, retention, and performance management.

Marketing Consulting:  Marketing consultants work with organizations to develop and implement marketing strategies to achieve business objectives such as increasing sales, market share, or brand awareness.

Financial Consulting:  Financial consultants work with organizations to manage and optimize financial performance. They may specialize in areas such as accounting, tax, or mergers and acquisitions.

The Skills Required for a Consulting Role

Consulting roles require a diverse set of skills, including:

Analytical Skills:  Consulting requires the ability to analyze complex data and information, identify patterns and trends, and make recommendations based on that analysis.

Problem-Solving Skills:  Consultants must be able to identify problems and develop solutions to address them.

Interpersonal Skills:  Consulting involves working closely with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders, so strong interpersonal skills are a must.

Communication Skills:  Consultants must be able to clearly and effectively communicate their recommendations to clients and other stakeholders.

Project Management Skills:  Consulting projects often involve multiple stakeholders and complex timelines, so strong project management skills are critical.

The consulting industry is a multifaceted field with many types of roles requiring a diverse set of skills. Understanding the industry and the skills required can help you create a more effective consulting resume that showcases your strengths and qualifications.

Structure of a Consulting Resume

When crafting your consulting resume, it’s important to include key elements that will catch the attention of hiring managers and showcase your expertise. Here are the main elements to consider:

Key Elements of a Consulting Resume:

Professional Summary : This section should provide a brief overview of your experience and skills that make you a strong candidate for a consulting role. Keep it concise and to the point.

Education : Include your academic achievements, any relevant certifications or licenses, and any relevant coursework or training.

Consulting Experience : This should be the largest section of your resume and should provide detailed information about your consulting experience, highlighting the most significant projects you’ve worked on and the results you achieved.

Skills : List your professional competencies, such as your ability to analyze data, conduct market research or create presentations.

Achievements : Demonstrate your accomplishments in the consulting field by providing measurable results from past experiences.

References : Include relevant professional references or testimonials that speak to your consulting abilities.

Tips for structuring your Consulting Resume:

When it comes to formatting your consulting resume, keep these tips in mind:

Be concise and to the point : Use bullet points to highlight your achievements and keep descriptions of your duties and responsibilities brief.

Use bolded headers : Use bolding to make it easier for recruiters to quickly scan through your resume and find the information they need.

Tailor your resume to the job : It’s important to highlight relevant experience and skills based on the specific consulting job you’re applying for.

Keep it professional : Use a clean, easy-to-read font (such as Times New Roman or Arial) and avoid using graphics or images.

How to tailor your resume for a Consulting role:

When applying for a consulting role, it’s important to tailor your resume to the job description. Here are some steps you can take to make sure your resume is hitting all the right notes:

Analyze the job description : Read the description carefully and look for key skills and qualifications the employer is looking for.

Highlight your relevant experience : Include specific examples of relevant consulting experience you’ve had in the past.

Use keywords : Use keywords and phrases from the job description throughout your resume to show that you are a good fit for the role.

Quantify your achievements : Use numbers and percentages to demonstrate the impact you’ve had in past consulting roles.

Customize your professional summary : Tailor your summary to the specific consulting role you’re applying for.

By following these tips, you can create a strong consulting resume that highlights your relevant skills and experiences, making you stand out as a top candidate for the job.

Resume Writing Tips for Consulting

When it comes to a consulting resume, you need to stand out from the rest of the applicants. Here are some attention-grabbing strategies that you can use to make sure that your resume catches the eye of hiring managers.

Attention-Grabbing Strategies for Your Consulting Resume

Start with a strong and compelling summary statement. This will be the first thing that the hiring manager will read, so make sure it stands out.

Highlight your relevant experience and accomplishments in your summary statement and throughout your resume.

Use bullet points to make your resume easy to read and scan quickly.

Use relevant keywords that are specific to your industry and skills to make your resume more searchable.

Keep your formatting simple and professional.

Impactful Language and Action Verbs to Use in Consulting Resumes

Using impactful language and action verbs can make a big difference in how your resume is perceived. Here are some examples of action verbs that you can use to describe your experience and accomplishments:

• Facilitated
• Implemented

When writing your resume, focus on using language that is concise, clear, and results-oriented. Avoid using jargon or buzzwords that may not be understood by everyone.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Consulting Resume

There are some common mistakes that people make when writing a consulting resume. Here are a few things to avoid:

Being too general. Your resume should be tailored to the specific job you are applying for.

Focusing too much on your responsibilities and not enough on your accomplishments.

Using a generic resume template. This can make your resume look unprofessional and unoriginal.

Not proofreading your resume carefully. Typos and grammatical errors can make a bad impression on hiring managers.

Including irrelevant information. Stick to the most relevant and important information.

By following these resume writing tips for consulting, you can ensure that your resume is attention-grabbing, impactful, and free of common mistakes. Remember to tailor your resume to the specific job you are applying for, always use impactful language, and take time to proofread carefully. With these tips, you can create a consulting resume that stands out from the crowd.

Consulting Resume Samples

As a job seeker in the consulting industry, it can be helpful to review sample resumes to get an idea of what works and what doesn’t when it comes to presenting your qualifications and experience. In this section, we’ll take a look at sample consulting resumes, analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and offer some dos and don’ts for using sample resumes effectively.

Sample Consulting Resumes

There are a plethora of sample consulting resumes available online, ranging from basic templates to elaborate examples that showcase a candidate’s experience in a particular industry or role. Some of the best places to find sample consulting resumes include job boards, recruiting sites, and career advice websites.

When reviewing sample consulting resumes, it’s important to keep in mind that what works for one candidate may not necessarily work for another. Every job seeker has unique qualifications and experiences that should be highlighted in their resume. That being said, there are some best practices that can apply to any consulting resume:

• Start with a strong summary statement that captures your skills, experience, and goals.
• Emphasize your consulting skills, such as problem-solving, project management, and client communication.
• Include quantifiable results to showcase the impact you’ve had in previous roles.
• Tailor your resume to the specific role and company you’re applying to.

Analysis of Sample Resumes

To effectively analyze sample consulting resumes, start by identifying the key components that make up a strong consulting resume. These include:

• A clear summary statement that highlights your consulting experience and skills.
• A list of core competencies that demonstrate your areas of expertise.
• Professional experience that showcases your consulting achievements, including quantifiable results.
• Education and certifications that align with the consulting industry.

When reviewing sample consulting resumes, look for examples that effectively highlight these key components. Pay attention to the formatting, wording, and design of the resume as well – a well-designed resume can make a big impact in the consulting industry.

Dos and Don’ts of Using Sample Resumes

While reviewing sample consulting resumes can be a helpful tool in crafting your own resume, there are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind:

• Do use sample resumes as a source of inspiration and ideas for formatting and organization.
• Do tailor your resume to the specific role and company you’re applying to.
• Do include quantifiable results that demonstrate impact and success.
• Do focus on consulting skills and experience.

Don’ts:

• Don’t copy and paste entire sections of a sample resume into your own.
• Don’t use irrelevant or outdated information in your resume.
• Don’t neglect to customize your resume – a generic resume won’t make you stand out in the competitive consulting industry.
• Don’t forget to proofread and edit your resume for errors and clarity.

Reviewing sample consulting resumes can be a helpful tool in crafting your own resume.

How to Showcase Your Consulting Experience

As a consultant, your experiences and achievements are what set you apart from other candidates. In this section, we will discuss how to showcase these accomplishments in the most effective way possible.

Emphasizing Your Consulting Experience

The first step in showcasing your consulting experience is to highlight it within your resume. Ensure that your consulting experience is front and center in the work experience section of your resume. Additionally, consider creating a separate section for consulting projects to further emphasize your experience.

Demonstrating Your Achievements in Consulting

When highlighting your achievements, focus on the results you have accomplished for your clients. Use specific, quantifiable examples of how your consulting services benefitted your clients. Emphasize cost savings, increased efficiency, and revenue growth, wherever applicable.

Highlighting Your Transferable Skills

Consulting requires an array of transferable skills that can be useful in other career fields. Your resume can be a great place to highlight these skills to make yourself a more attractive candidate. Transferable skills like project management, data analysis, and leadership are all valuable assets that can set you apart from other candidates.

As a consultant, it’s essential to showcase your experience, accomplishments, and transferable skills. With these tips, you can make sure that your resume highlights what makes you an exceptional consultant and a valuable addition to any team.

Cover Letter Writing Tips for Consulting

A cover letter is an essential tool for job applicants in the consulting industry. It is the first point of contact with the hiring manager and provides an opportunity to showcase your skills, experience, and qualifications. Here are some tips for writing a compelling consulting cover letter:

How to write a Consulting cover letter

Research the company and job requirements: Before writing a cover letter, do some research on the company and the job requirements. This will give you an idea of what the hiring manager is looking for in a candidate and help you tailor your cover letter accordingly.

Customize your cover letter: A generic cover letter will not impress the hiring manager. Customize your cover letter to showcase why you are the best candidate for the job. Highlight your skills and experience that match the job requirements.

Start with an attention-grabbing opening: The opening of your cover letter should be attention-grabbing and make the hiring manager want to read more. Consider starting with a personal story, relevant experience, or a question that shows your interest in the company.

Use a professional tone: A consulting cover letter should have a professional tone. Avoid using casual language or humor. Use a formal tone and show your expertise in the industry.

Keep it concise: A consulting cover letter should be no more than one page long. Keep your cover letter concise and to the point.

Strategies for impressing the hiring manager

Highlight your achievements: Your cover letter should highlight your achievements and accomplishments. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and experience.

Show your knowledge of the industry: A consulting cover letter should show your knowledge of the industry. Demonstrate your expertise by discussing industry trends or sharing relevant experiences.

Emphasize your problem-solving skills: Consulting is all about problem-solving. Emphasize your problem-solving skills in your cover letter by discussing how you have solved problems in the past.

Show your passion for the company: Show your passion for the company by discussing why you want to work for them. Demonstrate your knowledge of the company’s mission and values.

Common mistakes to avoid in a Consulting cover letter

Spelling and grammar errors: Spelling and grammar errors can make you appear unprofessional. Always proofread your cover letter before submitting it.

Focusing too much on yourself: Your cover letter should be about how you can help the company, not just about yourself. Focus on what value you can bring to the company.

Being too generic: A generic cover letter will not impress the hiring manager. Customize your cover letter to showcase why you are the best candidate for the job.

Using informal language: A consulting cover letter should have a professional tone. Avoid using casual language or humor.

A well-crafted consulting cover letter can make a great first impression and help you stand out from other applicants.

Consulting Job Interview Preparation

Congratulations, you have landed an interview for a consulting job! It’s now time to start preparing so that you can give a stellar performance and stand out from the competition. In this section, we will cover the types of consulting job interviews, key interview questions for consulting roles, and the best practices for preparing for a consulting job interview.

Types of Consulting Job Interviews

The types of consulting job interviews vary depending on the company and position you are applying for. Some common interviews you may encounter are:

• Behavioral interviews: These interviews typically focus on how you have handled situations in the past and assess your ability to handle similar scenarios in the future.
• Case interviews: Case interviews are a common part of consulting interviews. You will be presented with a business problem and expected to walk through your thought process and provide solutions.
• Group interviews: In these interviews, you will be put in a group setting where you will work on solving a problem with other candidates. This type of interview assesses your ability to work collaboratively.
• Technical interviews: Technical interviews are common for consulting roles that require specialized knowledge. These types of interviews assess your understanding of the industry and your ability to apply that knowledge to real-world situations.

Key Interview Questions for Consulting Roles

Here are some key interview questions that you may encounter during a consulting job interview:

• Why do you want to work in consulting?
• What experience do you have in problem-solving?
• Can you walk me through a time when you had to analyze complex data?
• Tell me about a time when you had to work in a team?
• Can you describe a time when you had to think outside the box to provide a solution?

Be prepared to provide specific examples in your answers to show your skills and experience.

Best Practices for Preparing for a Consulting Job Interview

Preparing for a consulting job interview takes time and effort. Here are some best practices to help you get ready:

Research the company and the role: Research the company and the consulting job you are interviewing for to understand their mission, values, and industry trends.

Brush up on your technical knowledge: Make sure you are up to date on industry trends, have a thorough understanding of the company’s services, and review case examples to prepare for potential case interviews.

Practice your problem-solving skills: Practice your problem-solving skills by reviewing common consulting frameworks and apply them to real-world scenarios.

Prepare for behavioral interviews: Review your past experiences and identify situations where you had to think on your feet, work in a team, or demonstrate leadership.

Be prepared to ask questions: Prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer about the company, role, and career development opportunities.

The key to preparing for a consulting job interview is research, practice, and preparation. Use the tips provided to showcase your skills and experience, and leave a lasting impression on the interviewer. Good luck!

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Consulting resume examples & templates

Choosing the right resume format for consulting 

Include your contact information, make use of a summary, outline your consulting work experience: tell your story, include the relevant key skills that make you a great consultant, detail your education & relevant consultant certifications, pick the right resume layout and design for a consultant resume, what type of salary you can expect in consulting.

Consultants are the “fixers” of the business world. Whenever there’s a problem that needs solving, these professionals are called in to get the job done. If you happen to be an expert in your field, chances are you have a wealth of know-how and expertise to share with the world. 

However, before you get the chance to do that, you need to get your foot in the door. How can you prove to the hiring manager that you are the ideal candidate? How can you show that you are a cut above the rest? Writing an interview-winning consulting resume is the answer. 

In the following resume guide, we will take you through the steps to do just that. Wherever you are in your consulting career, we know what it takes to get you from zero to hero in no time. 

Resume guide for a consulting resume

Boost the success of your applications with Resume.io. We have a library of 500+ resume examples for top professions. Plus, our resume builder can help you create a compelling resume quicker than ever.

This resume guide and corresponding consulting resume example will cover the following:

How to write a consulting resume

• Choosing the right resume format for consulting
• How to add your contact information
• Using summaries
• Adding your consultation experience
• Listing education and relevant experience
• Picking the right resume design/layout
• What the current consulting market looks like, and what salary you can expect

Before you start working on your consulting resume, you need to make sure that you have the right elements. Here is what the one or two-page document needs to cover: 

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

Now that you understand what your consulting resume should include, let’s take a moment to talk about how you should write it. This document is, at its core, marketing material. It is the first thing that the hiring manager will see when considering you for a consultation contract. For that reason, you need to make sure that it ticks all of the boxes. Let’s take a look at some of the best approaches you can use when you are writing your next resume: 

• Focus on your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) . The first thing that you should pinpoint here is your USP. That is, the trait or skill that you have that sets you apart from the competition. The thing that you highlight will likely depend on your specific area of expertise or, indeed, the sector in which you offer consultations.
• Get the tone of voice on point . Consultants play a vital role in any business but the number one thing that they have to do is communicate. When a business manager hires you, they will expect you to be able to talk clearly and effectively to staff members. Show that you are capable of doing this by using the right tone of voice in your initial resume. You should ensure that your writing is simultaneously approachable and professional.
• Lead with your accomplishments . Consultants have to be experts in their field. So, what is it that qualifies you for this specific role? One of the ways in which you can highlight your value is by focusing on your accomplishments rather than just your duties in previous roles. What results did you deliver for businesses in the past? Be specific here and, wherever possible, add some quantifiable data or statistics.
• Tailor your resume to the role . Hiring managers can spot “copy and paste” resumes at a mere glance. If you want to get ahead of the competition, it is important to make sure that you tailor your resume to the role. Learn as much as you can about the business.

Include keywords in your resume

Keywords can make or break your consulting resume. That’s because most businesses now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) when hiring new staff members. The software scans each incoming resume and determines whether it is a good match for the vacancy. 

If you want to give yourself the best chance of success, return to the original job advert and look at the language that has been used there. By using the exact same terms, you may be able to ensure that your resume gets past the ATS. 

Don’t make things hard for the hiring manager. Choosing a simplistic resume format means that they can gain the information that they need at a single glance. 

As a golden rule, we recommend using the reverse chronological order format. This is the standard resume layout that hiring managers expect to see and it’s easy to use. 

However, if you are transitioning into the realms of consulting (from another career), you might need to use a different format. In this case, you could find that a functional format works best. This layout puts more emphasis on your skills than it does your prior work experience. 

To help you along the way, we have a wide range of resume templates . When exploring them, you can choose the format that is most appropriate for your job search. You can also take a look at our wide range of resume examples to see how each of these formats work in practice. 

Are you unsure of which resume format to choose? Put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes. Try looking at your application from their perspective. Which format offers the most value?

Next up, it’s time to include your contact information. You can list these details as part of your resume header . Much like a business card, this section includes the basic things that a hiring manager needs to know about you. It should be clear, straightforward, and easy to read. 

While this is by no means the most exciting part of your consulting resume, it plays a vital role. With that in mind, make sure that your resume header includes the following elements. 

• Full name & title . You should include your full name—first and last name—and the title of the role for which you are applying.
• Email address . List an email address that you check on a regular basis. Make sure that the address is appropriate for a workplace setting. If in doubt, simply create an address that includes your first and last name.
• Phone number . While many recruiters now use email as standard, they may call you too. For that reason, you need to include a phone number. Ensure that you can be reached at this number and that the answer phone message is suitable.
• Location . You don’t need to include your full address on your consulting resume. However, you should list both your city and state . If you are willing to travel, or even relocate, for certain contracts, you should also include it here.
• LinkedIn . Many consultants use LinkedIn to find and connect with their audience. If that describes you, you can include a hyperlink to your  LinkedIn profile in your header.

Don’t include

• Date of birth . Highlighting how old you are could lead to age discrimination .
• Personal details . The hiring manager does not need to know your marital status, social security number, or passport number .

Consultant 

[email protected]

Apartment 23, New Road, 

Dallas, TX, 75252

Business Genius

As a consultant, you’re going to need a way with words. Business leaders expect you to come in with solutions and deliver them in a clear way. Showcase your abilities in the summary section of your resume. This paragraph is your highlight reel. What do you bring to the table?

Use this space wisely. You want to show that you are the perfect professional for the job. With that in mind, make sure that you tailor this part of your resume to meet the business’ needs. Try to understand what the problem is that the company is facing, and explain how you can solve it. 

You can do this by outlining your past wins. Use a selection of hard-hitting action verbs to describe how you have got results for your clients. The more you can show off your value to the hiring manager, the more likely you are to grab their attention and win them over.

Avoid repeating accomplishments that you outline elsewhere on your consulting resume. Instead, give the reader something new to sink their teeth into. Consider what you have done that will wow the hiring manager. You might want to draft a few different options before you come up with the one that you choose to use as your main summary. 

Since this is only a short snapshot, you don’t have a load of words to play with. You want to be selective in the ones that you choose to include and the ones that you omit. One way to save space is to not use any openers such as “I am,” “I have,” or “I did”. These are wasteful. Instead, get right in there with your main points and—as the saying goes—cut to the chase. 

Looking for some more inspiration? We’ve got you covered. Check out our:

• Chief officer executive resume example
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• Business marketing manager resume example
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You can find adaptable consulting resume examples summary below:   

Entry-level consultant adept in analytical problem-solving, project management, and client relations. Proven track record of increasing departmental efficiency by more than 35% in only three months. Leveraging a lengthy professional background in marketing and sales.

Business consultant with 5+ years of experience in supporting cross-functional teams. Confident in providing strategic solutions to the most common problems faced by commercial enterprises. Specializing in enhancing departmental collaboration, communication, and motivating teams to not only reach but exceed targets.

Senior consultant with 12 years of experience working in the digital sector. Confident in cutting inefficiency down by a minimum of 18%. Expertise includes leading cross-functional teams, consulting on digital compliance, and driving stakeholder engagement. Adept in identifying emerging trends in the field and staying up to date.

When you have perfected your summary, the next step is to complete your work experience section. This is all about telling your career story: where did you start, where are you now, and what have you learned along the way? To position yourself as a top consultant, you need to weave a narrative that details the history of your countless endeavors and successes.  

Don’t go back any further than 15 years here. Hiring managers spend just seven seconds looking at each new resume that lands on their desk. That means that they don’t have time to read through a never-ending history of your working life. As such, you should make sure that you only include around three to four job positions on your consulting resume. 

One of the biggest mistakes that candidates make here is delivering empty statements. You’re not merely trying to fill a word count. Instead, you want to show the hiring manager that you are bringing true value to their ranks. You can do this by including results-based points in this section. Let’s take a look at some examples of how these bullet points may look: 

• “Boosted departmental efficiency by 25% in the first quarter of the year”
• “Collaborated with business leaders to cut costs by a massive 31%.”
• “Improved overall stakeholder engagement by 16%, by using tried-and-tested business strategies”

In each case, you should tell the hiring manager how your actions had a direct impact on the business. When hiring a consultant, they want to know whether the move will pay off. You need to clearly outline what type of return on investment (ROI) the business can expect when they work with you. The best way to do this is to show them what results you have got in the past.

Let’s take a look at the adaptable resume sample below:

Senior Consultant at Deloitte Consulting, New York City  August 2018 - Present 

• Lead cross-functional teams in delivering consulting projects for clients in the financial services, healthcare, and technology sectors
• Conduct market research, analyze data, and develop strategic recommendations to address clients' business challenges
• Implement process improvements and change management initiatives, resulting in an average of 15% cost savings for clients
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, leading to a 90% client satisfaction rate and recurring engagements

Consultant at PwC, New York City  June 2015 - July 2018 

• Provided consulting services to clients in the retail and consumer goods industries, focusing on supply chain optimization and digital transformation
• Collaborated with clients to identify key performance indicators and develop dashboards for real-time monitoring and decision-making
• Managed project timelines, budgets, and resources, ensuring on-time and within-budget delivery of high-quality deliverables
• Mentored and trained junior consultants, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development

How to write a consulting resume with no experience 

New to the world of consulting? Don’t panic. Plenty of professionals transition from their field of expertise to consultation. If that describes you, simply make sure you draw the hiring manager’s attention to the knowledge and experience you have in your field. You should cover: 

• What you know . What have you learned in your existing career? Start with that and then expand on how this knowledge puts you in a prime position for consulting.
• Your field of expertise . What is your field of expertise? How have you proven yourself to be a leader in this sector? Focus on any papers you’ve published or the big names that you have worked with over the years.
• Transferable skills . Do you have transferable skills that you can use as a consultant? You might be an expert presenter, for example, or have the ability to lead. Whatever the case, you should talk about these skills in your consulting resume.

Emphasizing the above aspects of your professional life may help you land an interview, even with no direct experience on your resume . Let the reader know what you have to offer.

As a consultant, you should have a broad selection of hard and soft skills . Make sure you include a mixture of both when completing your skills section. 

Hard skills apply directly to consultation and your field of expertise. Remember, you need to prove that you are a leader in your given industry to the hiring manager. 

On the other hand, soft skills allow you to communicate and collaborate with other professionals. It should come as no surprise that these skills are pivotal in your overall success. 

When you use our resume builder , the system will offer up a selection of pre-written skills that you can use. Of course, you can also add some of your own, depending on your expertise.

• Project management
• Strategic planning
• Data analysis and visualization
• Process improvement
• Change management
• Stakeholder engagement
• Presentation and communication
• Microsoft Office Suite

The education section of a consulting resume is typically in reverse chronological order. You should detail any degrees that you have here, plus additional training, too. The educational feats that are worth mentioning in the application process include the following:

• Bachelor’s degrees . Most of the time, consultants have at least a bachelor’s degree in either business or marketing. However, you may have a degree in a different field, and boast a wealth of industry-level experience instead.
• Master’s degrees . It is not uncommon for consultants to have a master’s degree, such as an MBA. You should mention this accolade on your consulting resume.
• Additional training . Have you undertaken any additional training, such as evening or online courses? If so, you might want to include them on your resume.

Should your education be more impressive than your work experience, you might want to shake things up. Use the functional resume format to highlight your training over your work history.

Master of Business Administration (MBA), Columbia Business School, New York City  August 2013 - May 2015 

Bachelor of Science in Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia  August 2009 - May 2013

You want to make the right impression from the start. To do that, it’s important that you choose the perfect design for your consultant resume. Here are some things you should keep in mind: 

• Keep it simple . You don’t want to overdo it with imagery and graphics. These features can detract from the content of your consulting resume.
• Choose the right font . The font you choose says more than you might expect about how professional you are. Pick a clear typeface that has a formal vibe to it.
• Use color sparingly . Whacking a load of color onto the document is not a smart move. Instead, you need to choose just one or two colors (if you use any at all!).

Want to take all of the hassle out of the design process? Use one of our field-tested resume templates to do all of the hard work for you.

Consultant text-only resume example

Results-driven consultant with over 8 years of experience in providing strategic solutions to Fortune 500 companies across various industries. Proven track record of identifying opportunities for process improvement, cost reduction, and revenue growth. Skilled in project management, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement. Committed to delivering high-quality deliverables and exceeding client expectations.

Employment history

Consulting job market and outlook

Looking ahead to the coming decade, the consulting industry is expected to remain strong. According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) , the business services industry—under which you will find consulting—is the second-largest and third-fastest-growing sector within the service-providing industry. By the year 2028, it is expected there will be 1.6 million new jobs.

If you are thinking of becoming a consultant, you will want to know how much money you can make. Professionals in this role can expect to earn between $55,603 and $147,576 annually. However, the average salary within the realms of consulting stands at $87,243 per year.

Key takeaways for building a consulting resume

Convincing the hiring manager that you’re the consultant for them is a tall order. Make sure you write a compelling summary, include results-based points, and tailor your resume. Follow the advice that we have outlined in this resume writing guide and you will be on the right track. 

When you’re ready to get started, our online resume builder makes things simple. Just input your career details and watch the whole thing come together in no time.

Beautiful ready-to-use resume templates

Consulting Resume – The Ultimate Guide Including CV Templates (2024)

Did you know that over 60% of management consulting applications will fail to make it past the initial screening phase? Their consulting resumes end up in the rejection pile, while the chances of a management consulting job drop to zero. Recruiting teams at top consultancies like McKinsey, BCG , or Bain (MBB) receive hundreds of applications, so they decide within just a few seconds if they want to take your CV forward. This makes your resume one of the most critical parts of the application process.

If you want to seriously pursue a career in management consulting , it is crucial that your consulting resume makes an instant good impression . Your CV must go into the actual requirements of a job in management consulting , so you can convince the reader instantly of your skills. In this article, we will explain to you step-by-step how to build a resume that will help you secure an invitation to your interview !

• What Makes a Good Consultant?
• Relevant Work Experience
• What Is The Difference Between A Regular and A Consulting Resume?
• What Are The Requirements For Your Consulting Resume?
• Four Steps To Build A Consulting Resume That Will Help You Successfully Pass The CV Screening
• Step 1: Understand What Recruiters Are Looking for
• Industry Standards of Consulting Resumes
• Your Skills
• Your Achievements
• Your Language
• The Relevance of Information
• Step 2: Lay the Foundation of Your Consulting Resume
• How to Phrase Your Skills
• How To Phrase Your Achievements
• Step 3: Putting It Together and Creating Your Consulting Resume
• Section 1: Education (or Work Experience)
• Section 2: Work Experience (or Education)
• Section 3: Leadership and Extracurricular Activities
• Section 4: IT Skills, Languages and Personal Interests
• Step 4: Resume Editing
• Consulting Resume Templates
• What’s The Next Step After My Application?

To be able to write a resume that is appealing to recruiters, it is important to understand what it is they are looking for. The consulting firm is looking to hire graduates that not only have strong academic records, but that have the underlying potential to grow into the role of a consultant.

Junior consultants are never expected to be industry experts however, they are expected to possess a good balance between IQ (intelligence quotient) and EQ (emotional quotient) , these should be complemented by any relevant work experience you have gained.

The skills that fall under IQ for a consultant are predominantly problem-solving and analysis . This is because the nature of consulting projects is to solve a problem the client is facing, and a robust strategy must be built on sound analysis.

Demonstrating your problem-solving and analytical abilities on your resume can be easier for candidates that studied subjects such as engineering, computer science, and economics at university as these subjects exercise both skill sets. However, even if you did study a subject that involves problem-solving and analysis, then it is still just as important to highlight when you have demonstrated these skills in any prior work experience.

Emotional intelligence is highly regarded in consulting for multiple reasons. The first reason is that a lot of the work is client-facing and so being able to build strong working relationships is important, senior partners and directors need to be confident that you are ‘safe’ to put in front of a client. Another reason that social skills are valued is that you will often work on small teams (3 or 4 people) and potentially work away with that team, meaning you not only work together but socialize together . Being easy to get on with makes everyone’s lives easier.​

To communicate EQ on your resume, include examples of working within a team successfully (sports teams included), volunteering work, extracurricular activities, and highlight any work experience that involved client-facing elements.

You are not expected to have loads of experience as a graduate applying for a consultancy job, but any relevant experience is taken into consideration. They hold value because they can display your motivation to pursue a career in consulting, the working environments you have been exposed to so far, and allow you to demonstrate your IQ and EQ.​

Of course, the most relevant experience you can have is a prior consulting internship , the majority of applicants, don’t have this experience, so what experience is valued?

Experience at big brands and investment banks is looked upon favorably by resume reviewers for a couple of reasons. One is that they have extensive application processes, so the reviewer can be confident that any candidates with experience at big brands and investment banks are probably going to be high achievers . Another reason is that, in these roles, applicants will have been exposed to similar tools to those required for the job, such as Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, etc.​

Increasingly, consultancies are looking favorably upon entrepreneurial activities and experiences. This is partly because industry incumbents (clients) are becoming increasingly aware of the threat of rapid changes in their industries due to smaller competitors, but also because this is a clear signal of favorable characteristics for consulting, such as work ethic and creative problem-solving skills.​

Whilst big firms and entrepreneurial efforts are beneficial, they do not carry as much value as your EQ and IQ. You also cannot control the names and experiences on your CV at this point, but you can control how you portray those experiences on the page. Use any components involved in the experience in which you can highlight your IQ and EQ clearly and concisely.

You may think that you can just use your regular CV as a consulting resume. If you do so, you will most likely fail the CV screening . Regular resumes are highly different from consulting resumes. They focus on the input, such as what you have done in a company, whereas consulting resumes focus on the output, i.e., what exactly you have achieved during your position in the particular company.

You will see that regular resumes are by far more vague than consulting resumes, which aim to be as specific as possible about achievements and outcomes. Besides, normal resumes allow creative formatting and are more flexible than consulting CVs, which follow standardized rules and rigid. Here are the most important differences between regular resumes and consulting resumes that you should keep in mind when creating yours:

The basic principle of a successful consulting resume is to understand what the recruiter is looking for. Once you have internalized this, it will be a lot easier for you to know how your resume has to look like and how to optimize it to perfection . Then you can create the foundation of your resume by gathering all the information needed and putting it together, following industry standards and our resume tips . This way, you avoid creating your resume blindfolded.

Consulting CV: Download CV Templates

Give yourself 30 minutes for this step during the creation of your consulting resume. Put yourself in the shoes of a recruiter at McKinsey: You are receiving about 200,000 applications per year and only have time to scan each for about 20 seconds . After only a few seconds, the recruiter will already have an opinion on your resume, and it is up to you to influence which impression the recruiter will get of you first.

You can help the recruiter with this scan by pointing out the most relevant skills as clearly as possible . In the following example, we have color-coded the areas of a resume to make clear the importance of the different sections during the scan:

• Red: The red sections are those that the recruiter will scan first.
• Yellow: The yellow sections will come right after the red.
• Green: The green sections are skimmed second to last.
• Blue: The blue sections are scanned last.

As you can see here, the names of your universities and companies as well as the key takeaways from the positions are what the recruiter looks for at first glance during the screening process. This is followed by the sub-bullets in the educational and professional experience sections, where it should be said that here again only the first sub-bullets get the most attention and those that follow less so. The leadership and personal part of your resume will be the last to be considered , but this does not mean that you should put less effort into them. As mentioned before: consulting resumes thrive for perfection from top to bottom!

When you start writing your consulting resume, it is essential to be familiar with the industry-standard guidelines. If you do not manage to follow these standardized guidelines, your application will end up directly in the bin . To avoid this, make sure you be aware of the following standards:

• Limit your resume to one page (except if you have some years of professional experience).
• Use a standard font , e.g. Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri
• Set the margins to between 8 mm and 16 mm.
• Make sure your name at the top is larger than the rest, bold and centered, with your contact information (email address, phone number) below that.
• Format the section headings to upper case, bold and underlined.
• Make use of “the rule of three” within the sections and mention three bullets per section.
• Do not include a photo – Although it is still standard to add one in some countries, the safer option is to not include one.

What the recruiter is looking for:

When screening your resume, the recruiter is looking for specific skills that are needed for good management consultants. This will convince them that you deserve to be taken into the next interview round.

What you can do:

Your skills should be outlined as accurately as possible . By doing so, you never lose focus on your goal to convince the recruiter to take your application to the next level. These are the most relevant skills needed in management consulting – make sure to point them out in your resume with concrete examples (To find out how, skip to How to Phrase Your Skills).

1. Entrepreneurial Spirit – You take the initiative in projects and have a strong personal drive.

• Have you started your own business?
• Are you sharing your expertise in a successful blog?
• Do you have any evidence of when you have put an idea into action?

Keywords: Researched and Developed, Project Managed, Devised, Supported, Implemented, Lead, Managed, Launched, Introduced

Example:  Developed and launched a gamified fitness-journey app with more than two million downloads in 2023.

2. Functional Expertise – You are comfortable with the business world and understand how it works on a functional level.

• Did you take part in a cooperative business project between industry and university?
• Have you gathered functional experience during an internship?
• Do you have work experience in a particular sector?

Keywords: Analyzed, Documented, Evaluated, Calculated, Designed, Presented, Produced, Recommended, Solved, Identified, Tested, Traced, Examined, Generated

Example:  Generated 3x user base growth by creating and managing digital marketing initiatives.

3. Teamwork – Consulting is a people’s business. You are prepared to manage relationships and work productively with your team members.

• Do you play any team sports?
• Have you been part of team projects at your university or other employers?
• Have you been volunteering?

Keywords: Advised, Cooperated, Participated, Networked, Tutored, Guided, Coached, Assisted, Trained, Instructed, Facilitated, Organized

Example:  Organized $3.5k fundraise to support children and families in need during a pandemic.

4. Problem-Solving – You are able to determine the source of a complex problem and find effective solutions to it.

• Have you found root causes and by that were able to solve a problem?
• Do you proactively address problems if you find any?
• Do you always strive to find alternative and efficient solutions to problems that you discovered before?

Keywords:  Analyzed, Assessed, Computed, Conducted, Created, Decreased, Defined, Designed, Developed, Evaluated, Improved, Identified, Organized, Minimized, Proved, Revised, Solved, Overcome

Example:  Identified a new market segment to increase revenue by 16%.

5. Analytical Skills – You have a high cognitive capacity and an analytical mindset.

• Have you created models from data?
• Do you have programming skills?
• Have you analyzed data before to draw a conclusion from it?

Keywords:  Analyzed, Audited, Assessed, Balanced, Maximized, Measured, Calculated, Built, Evaluated, Classified, Developed, Estimated, Performed, Quantified, Investigated, Rated, Forecasted

Example:  Built analytical model to forecast sign-up growth of a social media platform with an 80% accuracy rate.  

6. Leadership – You can take charge of project activities and do not fear to take the lead.

• Have you had any responsible position in a university club?
• Have you been responsible for a team at your previous job?
• Have you organized any events in the past?

Keywords:  Appointed, Challenged, Dealt with, Directed, Employed, Executed, Enforced, Led, Hired, Initiated, Managed, Motivated, Planned, Trained, Supervised

Example:  Recruited and managed a global team of 30+ across 8 countries.

7. Delivery of results – You can put your thoughts and ideas into action to generate effective outcomes.

• Are there any tangible outcomes of projects or tasks that you have completed in the past?
• Have you improved the efficiency of any processes at your university or previous jobs?
• Have you raised funds for a charity?

Keywords:  Delivered, Developed, Built, Established, Implemented, Realized, Achieved, Launched, Introduced, Minimized, Maximized, Modernized, Transformed, Restructured, Advanced, Enabled, Managed

Example:  Managed R&D testing of projects which led to one technology being implemented in a car series production

The recruiter who reads your resume will also look at which well-known companies you have already worked for, but also whether you have attended a prestigious university. Since top consulting firms receive tons of applications every year, they focus on filling the positions with high-performing applicants. Big brands and top universities are a shortcut for the consultancies because they assume that you must be a high achiever if you want to be accepted by such a top school or top employer. Of course, this is not all recruiters look for in your achievements. They will also scan the specific aspects you have achieved.

If you can put in university degrees from top universities and professional experience from top brands, that is great, you should definitely do that! Nevertheless, having prestigious brands on your resume will not automatically get you the job. Therefore, your consulting resume should be achievement oriented. Show the recruiter your particular achievements from each position you previously had. Ultimately, it will be these achievements that will make you stand out from the crowd and show recruiters that you have the key skills needed for the consulting industry.

If you want to learn how to phrase your achievements, please skip forward to the section “How to Phrase Your Achievements”.

It is important that the recruiter understands every word of your resume and that the language you use is understandable . The person screening your CV will probably have a background in psychology or business administration with a focus on human resources, so they might not necessarily understand it if you use very specific terminology or jargon – and they will most definitely not have the time to. Remember: 20 seconds screening!

Make sure to use language and terms that can be understood by anyone. Especially if you come from a technical background, it is important not to include technical jargon but to use words that the recruiter will understand directly. Keep in mind: If the recruiter does not understand what you are talking about, he or she will lose the attention on the CV.

The recruiter is looking for output and achievements that are relevant in the context of the respective company and management consulting in general.

As mentioned above, consulting resumes are specific and focus on output. With every point you mention in your consulting resume, reconsider twice if it is really relevant to what you want to say. Overall, you should only mention those details that are relevant in the context of management consulting. This way you provide a better overview for the recruiter.

One of the most frequently asked questions in the Consulting Q&A on PrepLounge is whether the candidate will pass the CV screening with a 3,X GPA from University Y. We can say: Whether you pass the screening or not depends on more than your grades. Officially, there is no GPA cut-off in the US or other countries . The recruiter will look at your GPA for sure, but will evaluate your resume on several dimensions.

If your GPA is above 3.5 , that’s great, mention it! Mentioning the GPA is not a must. If your GPA is lower than 3.5, you will have to compensate the points you lost here with other parts of your resume that come out stronger, like an extracurricular activity that enabled you to show off your leadership skills or entrepreneurial spirit.

Now that you know what the recruiter of a consulting company is looking for, it is time to lay the foundation of your resume. For this step, it is important to first gather all the information needed, like work certificates, university diplomas, honors, certifications of voluntary work. This will help you to phrase your skills and achievements within your resume.

In the following section, we will provide you with an overview of the most relevant skills needed in your consulting resume and examples on how to reinforce them with evidence. We also give you some different keywords and example sentences that you can use to help you get your point across and underline the skills that are relevant for your job in management consulting.

Your consulting resume should show off specific achievements and how you improved things in the company while you were there. In the following section, we will explain to you how to structure them.

The Structure of Your Achievements:

To make the first draft of your resume easier to write down later, we recommend you start by writing down a maximum of four achievements for your most recent positions and a maximum of two achievements for the oldest positions. Make sure to write down the action you took, and the result you achieved.

The following structure might help you structuring:

List Your Relevant Activities:

Create an overview of your academic and professional career, as well as other activities where you were able to achieve outstanding results that are meaningful for your career in consulting. This overview should consist of your functions as well as your main tasks , for example:

• Accounting Intern: Scheduled meetings with investors
• Summer Intern: Helped managers with the preparation of presentation
• Analyst: Created Excel models to forecast inventory

Go Into Detail:

After that, you should think about your tasks in a more detailed way and ask yourself what you really did during your job at the respective company. You can do so by adding a more detailed description of your tasks . Try to always connect your tasks to numbers as this is more meaningful than just a plain description with words, for example:

• Accounting Intern: Scheduled and coordinated bi-monthly meetings with five large investors
• Summer Intern: Supported three managers with market and competitor analysis for client presentations
• Analyst: Created Excel models to forecast inventory with an 80% accuracy rate

Add the Results:

The next step is the most important: the results you achieved . Focus on how you have been a benefit to the company and how your actions made a difference to the status quo of the company. You will be a real problem-solver as a management consultant and will be demanded to have a positive impact on your client’s company. This is why recruiters will take a close look at your achievements. In the following, we have put together a list of different key areas in which you could potentially have made an impact during your previous job positions :

• Accounting Intern: Scheduled and coordinated bi-monthly meetings with five large investors, resulting in a seven-digit investment by one major investor.
• Summer Intern: Supported three managers with market and competitor analysis for client presentations, leading to the realization of a new project with an increase of revenues by 12%.
• Analyst: Created Excel models to forecast inventory with an 80% accuracy rate that decreased costs by 20%.

After the first two steps, you have now everything you need to put together your first draft of your consulting resume. All you have to do is following the standard guidelines of a consulting resume, or alternatively download our template and fill in your content. Give yourself approximately two hours for this third step, and tailor each section of your CV according to the following :

Depending on how much work experience you have , the order of your consulting resume sections will differ:

• If you have  less than two years of work experience, you should put your education first, followed by your work experience.
• If you are an experienced hire and can present more than two years of professional experience, it will be vice versa, so the education section will follow your work experience.

Let’s imagine the first scenario is the case for you:

If you have recently graduated, education will probably make up the largest part of your life. Nevertheless, you should not excessively focus on your education in your consulting resume. After all, you should only demonstrate information that is relevant to the work as a management consultant. This also applies to the educational qualifications you had before you entered a university. Only include it if they are either exceptionally good or if the employer asks for it.

However, as much as you should try to include only the relevant information, it is still important not to leave any gaps that could raise questions about your education history. For example, if you had a gap year between your bachelor's and master's, list it. Ideally, you can even add something that will add value to the resume. Here is a list of items you should include in the education section of your consulting resume:

• University Name, city, country, and timeframe
• The name of your degree and if required your qualification
• Courses relevant to the consulting career
• Exchange semesters
• Scholarships

This is how your education section could look like in your resume:

By now, you should know that your work experience is the most important section in your resume. Within this section, you should demonstrate your skill set in two to five achievement-oriented bullet points . Make sure to show that you can for example work independently and that you have been exposed to top-level management.

And don't panic if you feel you cannot mention game-changing results, yet. Most employers know that entry-level employees or graduates do not immediately change the world when they make their first professional experiences. Again, we provide you with a list of components you should not miss in your employment section :

• Your job title, the company name, city, and country
• Time period: If you have more than two years of work experience, you would only list your experience in years. Shorter experiences, for example internships, are listed with the abbreviated month and year dates. Make sure to be consistent here.
• Achievement-oriented bullet points: In step two, you should have listed your achievements. Now you can use these and list them here. Try to come up with a mix of competencies and skills required for the job you are applying to.

This is how your work experience could look like in your resume:

Impressive leadership experience and other extracurricular activities like volunteering allow you to stand out from the crowd. Especially if you do not have as much professional experience to fill the whole page, you can make use of this section to shine bright with extracurriculars that are related to management consulting or showcase your leadership abilities. Here are components you should not miss within this section:

• The name of the organization, business or consulting club, city, and country
• Time period: Follow the same rules as in the section of your professional experience
• Achievements: Just like in any other section, make sure to highlight the things you have achieved or how this activity positively contributes to your CV.

This is how this section could look like in your resume:

Your IT skills include all relevant programs or software you are familiar with, most importantly the Microsoft Office package (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.). On top of that, you can mention other data analytics programs or programming skills you may know. You do not need to go into any detail, just list the programs and your level of expertise.

As an international job, speaking several languages can come in handy. The listing of your spoken languages should follow a strict order: Start with your mother tongue and English after that if it is not your mother tongue. After this, you should list the languages you speak, that are relevant for the location you are applying to. Other languages you speak should be then listed at the end of the list. For each language, you should also state your level of proficiency: native, fluent, business, or basic. These levels should not be replaced by certificates you obtained years ago, as they do not reflect the current language skills and can already be outdated. However, if you insist on adding your certificates to your CV, do so in addition to your language level.

Lastly, your personal interests can find space in this section. Do not overlook this part as it is still an important piece of your resume! Put in things that you are passionate about, and even try to show your result-oriented nature. Did you run a marathon with great timing? That is definitely something to put into!  You might be lucky and have someone reviewing your resume with similar interests. This could have a positive effect on your application.

Do not skip this step! Editing your resume at the end is the most important part of creating your consulting CV . In this step, you want to make sure that you did everything you can, so your resume will pass the screening process. At this point, it should be as good as it can be!

It is easy to compromise on minor details or make mistakes when you work on a document for so long, and especially when it involves blowing your own trumpet. Asking as many people as possible for feedback on your resume provides you with fresh eyes and opinions from people that know you and therefore can make a judgment as to how well it reflects your achievements . They are likely to provide feedback that will elevate your resume higher. Be careful not to make all feedback changes as it is likely to result in a mess, only implement what you consider to be positively impactful .​

Multiple eyes will also multiply your proofreading efforts. Any mistakes will be viewed very negatively, as attention to detail is important for consultants, so you need to be absolutely sure there are no mistakes when you submit your resume.

Once you feel like your resume is ready to be submitted, make sure to send it as a PDF file and double-check the file name. Here you should include your first and last name as well as the name of the company you are applying for.

Are you worried that your resume may not pass the CV screening? Download our consulting resume templates for free to spruce up your consulting application right now.  You can save it as a Word document  and simply fill in your data. It’s that easy!

Congratulations! If you have followed our step-by-step guide, you should have the perfect consulting resume lying in front of you. We wish you good luck with your application! To continue your successful journey, your next step will be to start with your case interview preparation as soon as possible.

On PrepLounge, you will find everything you need to be fully prepared for your case interview . The vast PrepLounge community makes it easy to find case partners to practice cases with who have the same ambition to become an experienced case-solver like you! Besides the like-minded case partners, you can also make use of case coaches who can train you to perfection. Apart from the most active case partner community, PrepLounge also provides a vast collection of online resources , such as our extensive case library that offers more than 180 cases that you can interactively practice with your case partner in our built-in platform meeting room.

All of these perks are accessible for PrepLounge members. We support you all the way through, starting with the writing of your resume over to the case interview preparation up until your contract negotiations. If you have more questions about writing a consulting resume, your case interview, or any other topic related to consulting, we invite you to leave a question within our Consulting Q&A or browse through other Q&A threads that answer questions related to cover letters and CVs. Join the world’s largest case interview community and set off on the journey into management consulting!

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Resume Examples

• Common Tasks & Responsibilities
• Top Hard & Soft Skills
• Action Verbs & Keywords
• Resume FAQs
• Similar Resumes

Common Responsibilities Listed on Consulting Resumes:

• Client Meetings : Conduct regular meetings with clients to understand their business needs, goals, and challenges. These meetings are crucial for gathering information and establishing a strong relationship with the client.
• Business Analysis : Perform detailed analysis of the client's business operations, processes, and performance. This could involve reviewing financial reports, conducting market research, and analyzing business data.
• Strategy Development : Develop strategic plans and recommendations based on the analysis of the client's business. This could involve suggesting improvements to business operations, identifying potential growth opportunities, or advising on strategic decisions.
• Project Management : Oversee the implementation of recommended strategies or projects. This could involve coordinating with different teams, managing resources, and ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Performance Monitoring : Monitor the performance of implemented strategies or projects. This could involve tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), analyzing business data, and providing regular updates to the client.
• Report Writing : Prepare detailed reports outlining the findings of business analysis, the recommended strategies, and the results of implemented projects. These reports are crucial for communicating with the client and documenting the work done.
• Training and Mentoring : Provide training and mentoring to the client's staff. This could involve teaching new skills, sharing best practices, or providing guidance on how to implement recommended strategies.
• Risk Management : Identify potential risks associated with recommended strategies or projects. This could involve conducting risk assessments, developing risk mitigation plans, and advising the client on

Speed up your resume creation process with the AI-Powered Resume Builder . Generate tailored achievements in seconds for every role you apply to.

Consulting Resume Example:

• Conducted regular client meetings to understand their business needs, resulting in the development of tailored strategic plans that increased client satisfaction by 25% and led to a 10% increase in client retention.
• Implemented a comprehensive performance monitoring system, tracking key performance indicators and providing regular updates to clients, resulting in a 15% improvement in overall business performance and a 20% increase in revenue.
• Led a team of consultants in the successful implementation of a risk management framework, resulting in a 30% reduction in potential risks and ensuring the successful completion of projects within budget and timeline.
• Conducted in-depth business analysis for clients, identifying process inefficiencies and recommending improvements that led to a 20% increase in operational efficiency and a 15% reduction in costs.
• Managed multiple projects simultaneously, utilizing strong project management skills to ensure on-time and within budget delivery, resulting in a 25% increase in client satisfaction and a 10% increase in project success rate.
• Developed and delivered comprehensive training programs for client staff, resulting in a 40% improvement in employee performance and a 20% increase in employee satisfaction.
• Led the development and implementation of a business growth strategy for a client, resulting in a 30% increase in market share and a 25% increase in revenue within one year.
• Prepared detailed reports outlining business analysis findings and recommended strategies, effectively communicating complex information to clients and stakeholders, resulting in a 20% increase in client engagement and a 15% increase in client trust.
• Mentored and coached junior consultants, providing guidance and support in their professional development, resulting in a 20% improvement in team performance and a 10% increase in employee retention.
• Strategic planning
• Client relationship management
• Performance monitoring and evaluation
• Risk management
• Business analysis
• Process improvement
• Project management
• Training program development and delivery
• Business growth strategy development
• Report writing and presentation
• Mentoring and coaching
• Team leadership
• Stakeholder communication
• Employee retention strategies
• Financial forecasting
• Change management
• Data-driven decision making
• Time management
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Negotiation skills
• Adaptability
• Proficiency in consulting software and tools
• Knowledge of industry trends and regulations
• Conflict resolution
• Cross-functional collaboration.

Top Skills & Keywords for Consulting Resumes:

Hard skills.

• Project Management
• Data Analysis
• Financial Analysis
• Market Research
• Business Strategy
• Process Improvement
• Change Management
• Risk Assessment
• Stakeholder Management
• Presentation Skills
• Problem Solving
• Communication Skills

Soft Skills

• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Leadership and Teamwork
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Time Management and Organization
• Client Relationship Management
• Strategic Planning and Decision Making
• Presentation and Public Speaking
• Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
• Attention to Detail and Accuracy
• Critical Thinking and Data Analysis
• Business Acumen and Industry Knowledge

Resume Action Verbs for Consultings:

• Implemented
• Facilitated
• Strategized
• Collaborated
• Streamlined
• Orchestrated
• Coordinated

A Better Way to Build Your Resume

Resume FAQs for Consultings:

How long should i make my consulting resume, what is the best way to format a consulting resume, which keywords are important to highlight in a consulting resume, how should i write my resume if i have no experience as a consulting, compare your consulting resume to a job description:.

• Identify opportunities to further tailor your resume to the Consulting job
• Improve your keyword usage to align your experience and skills with the position
• Uncover and address potential gaps in your resume that may be important to the hiring manager

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Related Resumes for Consultings:

Controls engineer, corporate strategy, strategy consultant, strategy consulting, strategy manager.

Consulting Resume: Detailed Guide with Real Examples

Table of Contents

What is a consulting resume?

At first glance, a consulting resume looks like any other typical resume. It is as basic as can be: personal information, education, work experience, extracurricular activities, and maybe interests.

That said, with closer inspection, there is a world of differences when you compare consulting resumes to normal ones . While a normal resume is a quick summary of your professional life, a consulting resume is a celebration of consulting skill sets and qualifications .

Every word, every bullet point you list must scream “ CONSULTING !”. It might sound funny at first, but you will get it once you understand the consulting field better, your resume can look “consulting” without you having to think about it. 

Consulting resumes are output-based, Normal resumes are input-based

Quick example

Input way of thinking: “I went grocery shopping.”

Output way of thinking: “I went grocery shopping and ensured my whole family will have enough food for the next week.”

Consultants deal with a huge amount of input every day , and these data are only meaningful if they lead to any usable output. Thus, every bullet point in your resume must lead to a result, no matter how trivial a task is.

Even if all your working experience consists of flipping burgers at a local fast-food drive-through, tell the screeners about your record-breaking speed, or the perfect customer satisfaction rate you got!

So keep these questions in mind when you draft your resume, for screeners will also be asking the same things: 

• What did you accomplish? What was the outcome? 
• How impactful was your action to the project/company?
• Were the results impressive enough? 
• Were the results fact-based, measurable, and verifiable?

Consulting resumes are specific, Normal resumes are vague

I once participated in the Paragliding World Cup event.

A vague way to “brag” is: “I finished strong .”

A specific way of “bragging” would be: “I ranked #3 out of 90 pilots in the competition.”

Consultants hate it when things are not specific and certain. They are trained to bombard candidates with follow-up questions every time they come across unspecific communication. Not talking in detail is a one-way ticket to failure. So do not make this mistake.

But don’t you worry, because this mistake is easily avoidable, by adding into your resume quantitative components, i.e. numbers and statistics, or by using qualitative descriptions. You can see many examples of these techniques in our Consulting Resume Toolkit .

Prepare your resume with our Consulting Resume Toolkit and get feedback by joining our Discord community right now! There are fellow ambitious MBB applicants and experienced ex-MBB consultants who will help you.

Consulting resumes are implicit, Normal resumes are explicit

Explicit: “I have excellent negotiation skills.”

Implicit: “I negotiated the biggest deal in the history of the company , resulting in XX% revenue increase .”

Don’t just outright say you are “good at” something, as concise as it is. Employ objective information, facts, and data to back up your claims. Consultants are very fact-based so they will not believe you unless you have facts to prove you have done something well.

Consulting resumes are cold while Normal resumes can be flexible

As much as you should stand out, do not attempt to do so through your resume format . Impress the screeners with the content, not fancy presentation.

Other industries like advertising and marketing would appreciate an out-of-the-box resume, but consulting will not. You should apply the same rule you do dressing up for interviews: as conservative as possible. Conservative in this field means professional.

Don’t get me wrong, consultants do appreciate creativity, just in the right places. You should reserve that creativity for projects instead. For resumes, stick to the traditional format template, which I will get to in part 5 of this article. 

Consulting resumes have to be perfect while Normal resumes can be forgiving

Remember, it is harder to get into big consulting firms than Ivy League Schools. Screeners go through an absurd amount of resumes only to narrow down to less than 100 candidates for interviews. Hence, you cannot expect them to be forgiving and ignore your mistakes.

Every space, every dot and comma, every word must be perfect. You have only one A4 page to convince them you have the potential to be a consultant, so it is natural that any mistake you make will be detected and there goes your resume. 

What do consulting firms look for?

• Leadership skills : The ability to influence other people, communicate ideas, and synergize with team members effectively. 
• Problem-solving ability : The ability to effectively solve problems with a structured, top-down approach. 
• Achieving mindset : The willingness to go beyond the call of duty to learn from experience and strive for the best results. 

Every assessment system needs a set of standards to base the scoring on. Management consulting is a very unique field and therefore requires somewhat unconventional grading criteria. That is why the very first step to beginning writing your consulting resume is to understand the values that consulting firms cherish and to make sure that every inch of your resume reflects those values.

So why are the 3 aforementioned attributes, or values, so demanded? 

Leadership skills

A consultant is like a general on a battlefield. Even as a fresher, you are given a certain amount of control over a handful of resources, and a lot of expectations are put on you.

Can you manage and assemble all the loose pieces to deliver the best output? Can you take the initiative to finish the project? And most importantly, can you delegate others and help them achieve your envisioned results as well? 

Problem-solving ability

This is the quintessential skill that every consultant must have. You are expected to be able to effectively break down, analyze and solve problems of various sorts in various situations. How else can you consult other people on their business problems if you do not know what to do with them?

Problem-solving is always expected to be showcased in case interviews, but before that, you have to sell it on your resume. Worry not, I will show you how you can express it through your task descriptions. 

Achieving mindset

In other words, are you result-oriented ? Do you have a strong desire to achieve what you have never been able to do before? How do you cope in the face of adversity, do you go straight through?

The consulting field is very tough, being sufficient will simply not suffice. Progress isn’t something you get when you don’t push past your limits. All successful consultants I know are very driven, and you need to emulate this and show it in your resume. 

(BONUS) The consulting resume heatmap 

When scanning resumes, do screeners look at everything equally? Of course not.

There are typically a few more noteworthy areas in a resume. I interviewed dozens of resume screeners across McKinsey, Bain, and BCG offices and asked them what they look at more often in a resume. Surprisingly, we all somewhat point to similar areas of focus. Below is an example of a resume heatmap to show you these important parts!

• There is a big emphasis on GPA : Sure, GPA is not everything, but it sure is a convenient way to get a general evaluation. In case you don’t have a good GPA, don’t worry because other test scores like the SAT can substitute. 
• University and company names also receive a lot of the attention
• The first bullet point of the most recent job is by far the most important part of your resume. This is where you can score a home run. 
• The second bullet point of the most recent job or the first bullet point of others receive less attention but are still just as important. 

There are, of course, exceptions to what is shown. For example:

• If you had worked at a prestigious firm, chances are the first bullet point of that job will get the most attention. 
• Bullet points too long or too short will lose attention. 
• Presentation mistakes will steal attention from important points. 
• The better your resume is, the more time and effort the screener will spend on it. If it has made a great first impression, the screener is more likely to read the third and fourth bullet points you have written. 

Want to get feedback on your resume? Share your resume to our Discord community after fine-tuning. You can also learn from other applicants’ experiences and ex-MBB consultants’ advice. Don’t miss out this opportunity! 

How to write a consulting resume

It is time to get down to brass tacks and start drafting your very own consulting resume. For this part, I will only walk you through the basics, which I will go into deeper later in the article. This is to give you an overview of what you need to do so you can effectively manage your time while writing a consulting resume.

Step 1: List out all your jobs and achievements

Although I said before that a consulting resume should fit one A4 page only, for this step, do not worry about the length yet . Write down everything you could think of: education, working experience, extra-curricular activities, achievements and qualifications, and the description for all of those things. You will trim it down later. Taking things out of the resume is easier than adding them in.

Step 2: Tailor each bullet point in a consulting fashion

Remember the difference between consulting resumes and normal resumes? Each bullet point you write must at least fit the 5 criteria (output-focused, specific, implicit, cold, and perfect) to meet the eyes of screeners at a consulting firm. And that is the bare minimum requirement.

This step is a crucial point in writing a consulting resume, and for that reason, I have designated a whole separate section for how to write each bullet point perfectly after this, so stay tuned. 

Step 3: Tailor the visual format of the resume 

Consulting is a field where creativity is extremely valued, for without it one cannot hope to solve unfamiliar problems day in day out. That said, reserve that creativity for when you get the job, do not show it on your resume. For this part, stick with a conservative look , just like how you would dress on your first day of work.

Other than that, you also need your resume to have a professional font and is skimmable . That said, this is such an important pillar in writing a consulting resume that it deserves its own big point, which we will get to later.  

Step 4: Trim the resume into one A4 page

After having listed all the crucial bullet points, it is time to do some magic to make everything fit into one A4 page. You can either (1) omit content or write more, or (2) tweak the format of your resume, e.g. adjust the page margin or font size.

Whatever you do, make sure everything fits into one page . It is challenging, but one page only! If your resume needs to reach a second page, it is too long; and if it is only 0.7 pages long, it is too short. Everything must fit roughly into one page. 

Step 5: Review it yourself and ask others to help

There is no limit to how many times you should review your resume. Do it as many times as possible, and do it early. Because the product you submit to your consulting firm of choice will have to be perfect, you need to scrutinize the document thoroughly before applying.

And ask around for feedback, you will need at least an objective opinion. Not only so, but you might also want someone experienced to proofread your resume for you. You can never be too careful. 

Step 6: Correct mistakes and make improvements

After you have reviewed and got someone to proofread your resume, it is time to do the final touch-ups. Make sure everything is perfect before you apply for any job openings. It is as simple as that.

How to write each bullet point perfectly

Bullet points are the essential building blocks of a great resume, without them, there is no passing. Even if you don’t have the perfect experience and you didn’t go to a prestigious university, your bullet points have to reflect the potential consultant in you.

Typically, a great bullet point consists of 3 parts:

1. The work  2. Explanation of the work 3. The output

For example: Went grocery shopping (A) – at the most crowded supermarket in town (B) – ensuring adequate food supply for the whole family of 3 for the next week (C). 

So how do we approach this structure?

• The work : Use strong, yet simple verbs in the present or simple past tense, depending on the time of course. 
• Explanation of the work : This is an expansion of what the work is, what it entails. You need this part to emphasize the context of the work. - Be as specific as possible; - Highlight the difficult nature of the work - Deploy business terms accordingly and accurately.
• The output : In other words, the results. This can either be qualitative or quantitative, but has to be accurate and to the point either way. 

To make this easier to understand, let’s take a look at a few specific examples:

“ Managed consulting engagements (A) – with P&L responsibilities (B) – generating a profit of $700,000 in 2012; exceeded profitability goal by 8% (C). ”

“ Conducted market research, identified addressable markets, developed market segmentation and recommended entry strategies (A&B) –resulting in a 97% increase in potential revenues and a 125% increase in valuation (C). ”

In the second example, parts A and B have merged together , and this is totally okay – the job description remained specific throughout and the author managed to put in decent consulting wordings and terms, along with direct results in part C. Once you internalize this knowledge, you will find that you can be a bit more flexible and still write good bullet points.

As long as you have all the right ingredients, there should be no problem. And one of the indispensable ingredients is the vocabulary to write effective work descriptions. In our Resume Toolkit , you can find a secret list of technical terminologies and verbs that will make your resume sound much more “consulting”. 

Visual format of a consulting resume 

Choose a conservative, black-and-white design.

Remember what I said earlier about formatting the resume? No creativity, especially in the visual department! In the consulting field, everything is approached with discipline and tried-and-true frameworks, so everything printed on paper has to be conservative and scientific.

Moreover, this is actually a no-brainer since your resume will be printed in black ink on white paper anyway, so do not try to impress screeners with colorful designs. 

Use a serif font, preferably Times New Roman 

Serif fonts are the foundation of any professional document, especially in a business setting. They look clean and easy to read. Please do not use fun fonts to impress recruiters, they will not appreciate it.

And when in doubt, use Times New Roman . Of course, you can use other serif fonts if you want, but I’d strongly advise against that. You can never go wrong with Times New Roman, so if you really want to change the font, make sure it is a serif font and looks professional. 

Utilize white spaces to ease the reading experience 

Remember that screeners have to go through hundreds, if not thousands of unexceptional resumes a day, so they can only spend a small amount of time on each. Thus, they will definitely appreciate a resume that is easy on the eyes, meaning skimmable.

Adjust the line and paragraph spacing so your bullet points don’t get cramped together. 1.15 or 1.5 spacing will do just fine. 

Consulting resume examples (Passing & failing resume)

The good resume that passed.

This resume demonstrates good qualities of proper organization and formatting. Let’s see which key takeaways we can pick up from this one!

While this resume is not 100% similar to the official McKinsey resume template (which I will get to later), all the foundation principles are met. There is good spacing throughout, heading font types are slightly varied but look professional nonetheless. It provides a pleasant reading experience

Skimming quickly through a few bullets, we can see sharp, specific, and result-oriented writing. Let’s dive even deeper!

• The most impressive achievements are put into the first bullet where screeners look at first. This candidate certainly knows how to divert attention to his  800/800 GRE  and being in the top  10% of class at Yale . 
• The candidate provided context for his  3.68 GPA  (which while not bad, is not great either): being on the  Dean’s List/top 15% of engineering undergraduates . 
• An ideal bullet point length is  between 1.5 and 2 lines . All 3 bullets under “Independent Studies” did just that!
• The candidate clearly demonstrated his result-driven mindset from the get-go – it is rare to see full-fledged bullets in the Education section.

Professional Experience

• Good brand name with relevant experience. He worked for 5 years in consulting or consulting-related positions at Deloitte, which is also a famous consulting firm. This is  by no means a prerequisite  to be a management consultant, but it certainly helps to catch a screener’s eyes. 
• A balance between qualitative and quantitative. The first bullet of the first job is always important, and notice how it contains both qualitative data (migrate client’s finance operations) and quantitative data (reduced overhead by 20%). Many people just went crazy for numbers but in fact, you can tell a lot just with a qualitative description!
• The candidate stuck to my aforementioned formula: The work, the explanation, and output. You can see that in the second bullet. 
• Every bullet point is consistently well crafted: perfect length ( 1.5 – 2 lines ), perfect rhythm, specific results, sharp writing. The screeners will find a good point no matter where they lay their eyes on.

Additional Information

The candidate took every chance to show his result-oriented nature. Many people tend to overlook this part of the resume, but not this candidate, who took it very seriously.  Results are everywhere , in every bullet point. 

The bad resume that failed

• The candidate included his nationality , which is a deadly mistake. In the US, companies are prohibited from making hiring decisions based on candidates’ races and nationalities. HR will stay away from resumes like this, which drops your chance to virtually zero. Read more about the auto-failed mistakes below. 
• Potential miscommunication : The candidate wrote his expected grade is “1st in Finals (2:1 in Prelims). The grading systems in countries are different , so you should make it easy for everyone to understand yours. You should include your ranking to showcase how competitive your performance is. 
• Unspecific bullet points : This candidate failed to include any quantitative results in his bullet points. 
• Grammar mistakes : This candidate made various grammar and spelling mistakes, which signals to the screeners that he might not be detail-oriented, leading to an auto-fail. DO NOT submit your resume if there is even just one mistake!
• Non-MECE sections : The candidate put extra-curricular activities and skills into one section, which violates the MECE rule. If you plan on including these 2 sections, break them apart. 

Consulting resume template (McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and more)

Where to download the template.

Such a template can be found in our FREE Prospective Candidate Starter Pack – along with many other free materials such as case books, case interview framework library, and sample screening tests from McKinsey, BCG, and Bain. You can download it by subscribing in the form below:

Why are McKinsey consultants crazy about this resume template?

Firstly, it is space-efficient . You can squeeze in a lot of information and expect no wasted open space or cramped area.

Secondly, it is structured and easy to skim through . Font style diversity makes different sections stand out from each other. Screeners who go through hundreds of resumes a day will appreciate this a lot.

Thirdly, it is professional and elegant , exactly how McKinsey wants to present itself. We, consultants, like no-nonsense and straightforward things like this. 

How to use the template? 

Though the template I provided is pretty much plug-and-play, you can tweak it a bit in case you have too much blank space or your content cannot fit one page. If you find yourself in one of those situations, be mindful of the following points:

• Make sure everything fits roughly into one page . One page only! Not 1.3 or 0.7 pages!
• Aim for about 600 words (± 100) with font size 10. My tip is to just write everything out without worrying about length first, you can always adjust later. 
• Feel free to adjust the page margin (not too much of course). After writing, adjust your margin to accommodate your content. 
• If you need to adjust the font size, stay in the 9 -11 zone. 
• Do not change the font. 

16 tips for consulting resumes 

Tip 1: write your resume early.

Writing a resume is a long process, and you will need to spend weeks or even months on it to make the perfect product. You have spent years building education and working experience already, don’t waste them all by giving your resumes only a few days.

Tip 2: Review your resume multiple times

I have said it before and I will say it again – check your resume relentlessly. One mistake is enough to get you disqualified, so do not stop reviewing your resume until you are 100% it is spotless.

Tip 3: Practice with benchmarks

Look for resumes of other applicants, assess the quality of your own resume versus theirs, and see if there’s anything you can learn.

Back when I was applying for McKinsey, I faced the same problem as you today; that’s why I came up with the Consulting Resume Toolkit – which contains 60 actual resumes submitted to McKinsey (of course, with the full consent of the owners). All are accompanied by extensive feedback using systematic error codings for the most common mistakes.

Tip 4: Put in your contact information

If they cannot reach you, you are automatically out; the screeners don’t even have to think further if they want to call you or not.

To be extra detailed, use smart spacing to make your phone number easy to read. For example, try 0172.572.951 instead of 0172572951 .

Tip 5: No religious/political viewpoint

These are sensitive subjects that have nothing to do with your desired positions. You are expected to stay neutral , or HR will stay away from your resume . If you have previously worked at an NGO or NPO for a cause, keep in mind to use professional terminologies that do not express any beliefs.

Tip 6: No photo/gender/race

Hiring decisions made based on any of these 3 factors is strictly prohibited, at least in the US. The screeners will not risk the PR crisis for just 1 resume, so it is best to not include your photos, or your gender, or your ethnicity in your resume.

Tip 7: Do not reach the second page

2-page resumes are a nightmare to handle in the screening room. I have worked in the recruiting process before, and 99% of the time we discard 2-page resumes right away , or just skim the first page if you are lucky. No matter how impressive your experience is, a 2-page resume will put it all to waste.

Tip 8: No creative formatting 

Personally, I love looking at creative resume templates. But if I were to hire someone whose job is to steer an entire company away from bankruptcy in a stressful working environment, I would for sure go with someone who sticks to protocol.

Tip 9: Spelling/grammar mistakes

Whether you are incompetent at English or you were careless, it is a red flag for screeners. How can they trust you to not make the same mistakes in future consulting documents?

Tip 10: Formatting mistakes 

If you cannot format a 1-page resume properly in a low-stress situation, how can you expect to handle a big volume of complicated documents and reports with really tight deadlines? Stick to the template I have provided you tightly!

Tip 11: Spoken language

Since your resume is considered a professional document, please stay away from any informal expressions or wordings. People in the consulting field take this very seriously.

Always use tried-and-true terminologies in your resume, just like what you can find in the Resume Toolkit Program . 

Tip 12: Do not talk behind anyone’s back 

Whatever the reason for your stopping working at your previous job, do not talk bad about it, especially on your resume. Screeners do not have time for gossip or drama, and they certainly do not appreciate the negativity you bring.

Tip 13: If you have a low GPA, make up for it

Although there is no hard cut-off bar for GPA, one that is lower than 3.0 will most likely not advance you to the next round. If you have a sub-3.0 GPA, you have to make up for it with really great achievements, be it a working experience or a good score on a standardized test.

Tip 14: Submit your resume in PDF form 

Submitting your resume in a DOC or DOCX file is a risky move since you have no guarantee it will look the same on others’ computer screens and printers. Your beautifully formatted resume may be botched horribly, and screeners know that, so they will spend significantly less effort and time on it.

Remember to export your resume to PDF if you want to preserve it!

Tip 15: Name your attachment file carefully

Each office receives thousands of resumes in a recruiting batch, so a file named “ Resume.pdf ” will most likely get lost in the process. Before you send your email, rename your file in this format: “ Year_Your name_Resume.pdf ” to avoid the hassle.

Tip 16: Send the perfect email

The screening process starts from the moment the office receives your email. Any email without a title , or an attached file , or a cover letter , or body text will be immediately disqualified.

Consultants have to communicate through email day and night, so they will take this very seriously. Don’t waste all the effort put into your resume by sending a poor email. 

FAQs about consulting resumes

Should I include my ranking at school?

Some students ask me whether they should include their ranking at university or even postgraduate study. And my answer is always YES. By including your ranking in class, apart from your GPA, the screener has a broader view about your academic background and how good you are compared to your peers! If you have a good ranking or any title at school, put it in your resume to impress the screener. They are happy to see clear results and more important, this helps assess your ability!

How could I decide between using CV and resume?

Most people think the two terms are synonyms, but in fact they are not. Here is the difference:

• A resume is a one or two page summary of the applicant’s skills, experience, and education. It is often brief, concise, and tailored for each job.
• A curriculum vitae is a comprehensive list including your detailed educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations, and other details.

There are  two factors that may affect your decision of using a CV or resume:

• Businesses go for resumes – Academia go for CVs

Applications for business fields are often reviewed by a standardized process under time constraints. Because of this, brief and concise Resumes are much preferred.

Management consulting firms like McKinsey, Bain, or BCG definitely belong to this group. So according to this factor, resumes are definitely the format you should use.

The people I have seen many times in our Consulting Feedback service are the people coming from academic backgrounds applying to management consulting. These people very often don’t change their mindset and habit throughout the application process and their resumes, or more like CVs, show it.

• Location factor : exceptions for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia

While businesses generally prefer resumes, there are exceptions in various locations. In Europe, the Middle East, Africa, or Asia, business employers are more likely to accept CVs.

So management consulting applicants in these above locations should check with the specific HR recruiters to be 100% certain. But when in doubt, a resume is always preferred!

What does the screening process look like?

Some did ask me what was the typical vibe inside the screening room, and I always replied “Busy, Boring and Tired!”

We screeners have to work with a lot of resumes. And this is on top of the already heavy workload we do as junior consultants at the time. Resume screening is not high in our priority list. There’s no KPI, no bonus, no nothing in doing this. This is just something we do as a goodwill for the office. The real reward only happens when we come across a really good resume. And for some reason, we can sniff it very quickly.

If you ask, most screeners will tell you that he or she spends about 60-90 seconds per resume. But the honest number is much lower. After roughly 10 seconds, we have already formed an opinion about a resume and depending on the situation we may spend another 30 something seconds to confirm our thoughts. Over 80% of the time, the initial impression ends up being the final decision. During those 10 seconds, there are certain areas that we look into more closely. Those are areas you MUST rock – I did give you a key about it in the heat map section. Look at it seriously and find your way out there!

What is the grading system for consulting resumes?

When writing each bullet, we focus on the micro details. But it pays to zoom out from time to time and evaluate your own resume from the top-down view.

Does it show off a well-rounded set of consulting skills and qualifications?

Maybe it shows more than enough analytical skills while missing out on the leadership and people part?

Each screener has a slightly different version of the “grading system”. But all the general ideas are pretty much the same. Some screeners do it in their heads while some others would even put grades on an excel sheet next to a carefully drafted grading table.

Over the years, I have talked to many screeners and accumulated everything into a magic resume grading sheet. This is like the average grading sheet that a normal and typical screener will use, either implicitly or explicitly. See this in the Consulting Resume Toolkit.

Should I submit my cover letter together with my resume?

Yes! Your resume is a cold hard sheet, while the cover letter is more like a human. It tells stories highlighting your personality and how you will come across as a person. In the massive application pool, you should stand out with your own story by attaching your cover letter together with your resume. Impress the screener with your unique selling point, elaborated in your cover letter. If you have not got any ideas about the cover letter, check out at the Complete Guide to your Cover Letter !

Should I include academic achievements on my consulting resume?

As you may have realized if you read this article carefully- what you did in the past is not as important as the experiences and qualities reflected in the process.

That means you can include academic experiences in a consulting resume. However, there are two caveats to this, which I will discuss later.

For now, first things first – do academic achievements show consulting-fit experiences and qualities?

The short answer is that they can. The long answer is, academic projects (presumably at college level or higher) usually involve problem-solving in a structured, fact-based manner, as well as teamwork – matching the required skill set of prospective management consultants; what remains is to write your resume so that it portrays those academic experiences in the best possible light.

What are the caveats, then?

• Academic experiences are generally less favorable than business experiences. After all, consulting is about solving business problems, and even though academic projects can help you demonstrate quite a few consulting characteristics, it’s not the most suitable way. If you have a few years of work experience, use that instead (unless your academic experience is truly extraordinary, such as inventing a cheap, reliable test kit for the COVID-19 pandemic).
• Try not to use technical terms when describing academic achievements – consulting people are business people, generally, we don’t speak the language of the “ivory tower”. Screeners are extremely busy and tired, they won’t bother to Google your technical terms – your resume will head straight to the bin if it’s not tweaked for consulting language.

What is the difference between a boutique consultancy resume and an MBB resume?

There will be a few differences here and there, but the basic principles will remain the same.

Boutique or MBB, they are all management consulting firms, so they tend to look for the same kind of people – good leadership abilities, high achieving mindset, and structured problem-solving skills. Your “personal resume template” will need to somehow convey all of those qualities and experiences to the screener, in the best possible way (even if boutique consulting firms may not have the luxury to recruit the “creme de la creme” as MBB firms, you should still strive for the best as it increases your chances of passing).

However, one crucial difference between boutique firms and top consulting firms (such as MBB or consulting divisions of the Big 4) is the scope of their operations – while the large consultancies can touch on every industry, function, and location imaginable, their boutique counterparts focus on one or at most a few specialties , such as healthcare (industry specialization), sourcing and procurement (function specialization).

What that means for the applicants is they need to demonstrate highly relevant industry experience – if you’re aiming for, say Putnam Associates (a healthcare consultancy), you will benefit greatly from a Harvard Medical School bachelor’s degree and a few years of work experience with pharmaceuticals. Nonetheless, I have to stress again that you’re still writing a consulting resume, so you must demonstrate all the consulting skills and qualifications required – leadership, achieving, and structured problem-solving.

I don’t have much of the required experience and qualifications. How can I increase my chance in top consulting firms?

I’m going to be brutally honest here – all the tips and techniques laid out in this article require that you – the applicant – have the necessary “substance” in the first place. If you don’t have that substance yet, the best thing you can do is to go out there and get it .

Career is a long journey – you’ll be working for at least 40 years after graduation, so if you neglected building up your profile for a consulting job, there is ample time to make up for your mistake. And even if you don’t get the job, it’s not the end of the world! You can still find other careers just as rewarding as consulting, financially, and emotionally.

Now, suppose you want to apply for consulting immediately and you want to make the best of the modest experiences you have – I can still offer a few tips:

• Emphasize the consulting skills and qualifications even in the smallest tasks you did. Don’t just say you “conducted customer surveys” as an intern, say that you beat every other intern in that job by finishing it within 60% of the allocated time.
• Change the wordings to make small tasks sound bigger than they really are: instead of “registered 200 social accounts for the company’s website”, go for “increased the company’s online presence by 200% and streamlined the process for future social media SEO optimization tasks”.
• Refine your presentation – make sure your resume looks neat and easy to read, eliminate each and every spelling/wording/grammatical mistake, be consistent, and highly structured in both format and language.
• Use networking to help you pass the resume screening – it’s perfectly legitimate. Having a consultant/former consultant in your desired office vouch for you will dramatically improve your chances.

What is a good GPA/GMAT/… on a consulting resume? Should I write my GPA if it is low?

Generally, your GPA should be above 3.6 , and for GMAT, the threshold is around 700 .

Again, I should clarify that there are no explicit rules or requirements for GPAs or any kind of academic scores for that matter – see this article on GPA Cut-off at Top Consulting Firms for more details – but anything less than extraordinary will not impress consulting resume screeners.

If that’s the case, how do you prove yourself to be “ extraordinary ”?

Along with the scores, you may want to include your ranking or percentile – this helps the interviewer perceive your score better since grading standards vary from one institution to another. Ranking or percentile is extra helpful if you come from a country with unfamiliar grading systems (Germany, for instance).

Do keep in mind that the ranking should say “ I am the best ” – something around the top 5%, or even better, top 3% . “Top 10%” is good, but a lot of applicants at top consulting firms belong to that group, so you won’t stand out. And if it’s “top 20%”… don’t even mention it.

What if your GPA is low? Should you write it in the resume?

In the first place, what consists a “low GPA” can vary from one school to another – so if your GPA is somewhat low (in consulting standards, anything below 3.6 is “low”), but you do come from a leading school in your country and you’re among the best students, make it known by including the rankings .

If your GPA (and ranking) is just “unremarkable” – somewhere in the 3.2-3.6 range, you can include it in the resume, but make sure to show outstanding achievements elsewhere – such as work experience, extracurricular activities, or other academic achievements. Rest assured, those highlights can make up for a low GPA.

However, if your GPA is “low”, as in abysmally low – you should omit it from the resume. You’re not hiding anything – you will provide it if asked for. The screener will cast some negative doubts upon your application, but it’s still better than making a bad first impression with a 2.5 GPA. Again, you need to absolutely overwhelm the screener with consulting skills and qualifications everywhere else.

Should I include a failed start-up experience in the resume?

Think of it as some nice little spices – not the main dish. Consultants are extremely result-oriented – no matter how much effort you put in nurturing your start-up, it won’t be much appreciated if it’s a failure. Successful startups are rare, hugely successful startups are extraordinary, but failed startups… we have that every day, everywhere . It’s not even special.

If you’re still fresh out of college (1-2 years of work experience or less), and you haven’t achieved many outstanding feats so far, such entrepreneurial experience is nice to have. Of course, don’t emphasize it above your other, more successful experiences. The longer you work, the less important it becomes, and at some point, you will need to remove it from the resume, to make room for better career highlights.

I also have a tip to make the best out of that “failed experience” – it’s (you’re probably tired of reading this again, but it’s true) showing outstanding performance, even in failure. When a startup breaks, it’s not always the case that everything is bad – there can be good points – such as excellent sales figures – and bad points – such as severe conflicts between major shareholders. You need to highlight the good points of that start-up experience, to make up for the negative connotation of failure.

Is networking necessary to pass the resume round?

No, but yes.

Good networking with consultants at your desired office will vastly increase the chance of you passing the resume screening.

The point is, even if you are a “creme de la creme” applicant, the screener will have to go through hundreds of others just like you . In a boring, tiring, and busy setting. So unless your resume is super outstanding, or your have some “other tricks up your sleeve”, there is a pretty big chance of your application heading for the bin – remember, this first round is where most applications are eliminated.

One of those “tricks up the sleeve” is networking – provided that you have the necessary “substance” for management consulting, having a working consultant vouch for you can almost guarantee a seat in the PST/Potential test/Online test (or even straight to the interviews if you’re lucky!). This might sound somewhat shady to outsiders, but in management consulting, the trick is completely legitimate – the job requires extensive people skills, and successful networking is one of the ways to prove that you meet those requirements.

So get out there, go to networking events online and offline, or cold-contact through LinkedIn, get to know a few consultants at MBB firms, and show them your merit. It’s a long process, a lot of them will simply refuse, but it will pay off if you have the resilience.

In fact, there are industries where networking is a must to have your resume accepted – such as Investment Banking – the importance of connections in those industries is almost scary.

Management consulting, although conservative, is still more open, and you can get in without networking – i.e go through the online application process as most candidates do. The hard part of this method is about standing out in a forest of applications – and you can maximize your chance by applying the rules and tips in this article, as well as in our Consulting Resume Toolkit .

Does my resume have to be black-and-white only? Wouldn’t colorful resumes catch the eyes of the screener more?

To be honest, a colorful resume will definitely catch the screeners’ eyes. Just not in a positive way.

Consultants generally love the cold beauty of neat, clean, black-and-white papers. Yes, you can make such a resume beautiful – just spend a few minutes on Google and you’ll find countless ways to make Times New Roman on a white sheet attractive – mainly by using appropriate margins, spacings, text formats, and font size. We do have a section on the visual format of resumes and cover letters in each respective article – just scroll up again and you’ll see.

A nicely formatted, formal resume exudes professionalism and mature personality – traits much desired in the management consulting world. In contrast, sending a resume full of lively shapes and colors will only tell the screener that the applicant is childish and unprofessional. Yes, management consultancies love creative people – but they have to be creative in problem-solving, not in the arts.

Colorful resumes also suggest that the applicant has not done enough research in advance – if they did, they must be aware of the industry’s conservative and highly formal work culture. The worst-case scenario is a resume using a colorful template – which gives the impression of the applicant being both inappropriate and lazy (if you want to look creative, you have to create something, not using an off-the-shelf template – try to do that when applying for a designer position, you’ll see the resume getting rejected very quickly).

On the other hand, formal, official templates are completely fine and in fact, encouraged. You can find them on this very website, in our free Prospective Starter Pack - A-Z MBB Application !

Are the consulting resume review services worth the money?

From a purely business perspective, I am inclined to say “Yes” because I offer a Resume Review Service myself. However, an honest, objective answer is somewhat more complicated.

Now, having former consultants from top consulting firms – such as McKinsey, BCG, or Bain – reviewing your resumes will of course drastically increase your chances of passing the resume round. This stems from the fact that we are the people who screen your resume -we know exactly how to sound impressive and win the hearts of consulting resume screeners.

The numbers speak for themselves. The price of resume review services are often less than $70 for every edit – in MConsultingPrep’s case, it’s just $29; let’s assume that you need three reviews, which amount to $87 . That $87 will give you a 80% passing rate in the resume round where more than half of the applications get eliminated. And at the end of that recruitment process, there’s a job worth $120,000 per year . (see this article on Consulting Salary for more details)

That’s definitely worth the investment, isn’t it?

However, having been through the very same position as you – the reader – I also believe that resume-writing is a long-term process, and that resumes are highly personalized items – in other words, the best person to write your resume is no one but yourself. You possess extensive knowledge about your own qualities, experiences, and personalities – we, the resume reviewers – can only know you on a surface level, through the information you provide us.

For this reason, I created the Resume Toolkit – at the heart of this package are 60 real consulting resumes at varying levels of experiences, qualities, and estimated passing rate, along with comprehensive materials on how to write the best consulting resume for yourself.

At $79, the Toolkit is nearly equal to three reviews, but the number of reviews you can conduct for yourself using this product is infinite . In our trials, the product proved equal or even superior to the Review Service over a long period.

What’s the bottom line?

If you want excellent returns in a short time, Resume Review Service will suit your needs; but if you have time to practice (which, by all means, you should!) a Do-It-Yourself product like our Resume Toolkit . And if you’re unsure or want professional advice,  join our Discord and have your resume feedbacked by fellow ambitious MBB applicants and experienced ex-MBB consultants!

Write the Perfect Consulting Resume!

Learn how to win the heart of consulting resume screeners in 10 seconds with our Consulting Resume Toolkit! (60 resume example s, 01 DIY toolkit)

Have your resume feedbacked for free in our Discord community !

Scoring in the McKinsey PSG/Digital Assessment

The scoring mechanism in the McKinsey Digital Assessment

Related product

Consulting Resume Toolkit

Get the fundamental of crafting a "consulting-like" resume with the most powerful secret toolkit.

In this article, we'll look into several ways to tailor a consulting resume to stand out among thousands of competitors and win your screener’s heart.

Great consulting resumes have 4 main sections: Education, Work Experience, Extracurricular Activities, & Others. All should be result-oriented and data-driven

Storytelling is the key to writing good cover letters. Letters that include narratives that convey applicants' passion and desire are much more effective.

Resume Worded   |  Proven Resume Examples

• Resume Examples
• Other Resumes
• Consultant Resume Guide & Examples

Business Consultant Resume Examples: Proven To Get You Hired In 2024

Jump to a template:

• Business Consultant
• Senior Business Analyst
• Management Consultant

Get advice on each section of your resume:

Jump to a resource:

• Business Consultant Resume Tips

Business Consultant Resume Template

Download in google doc, word or pdf for free. designed to pass resume screening software in 2022., business consultant resume sample.

A business consultant is an expert who works closely with main stakeholders to help them achieve their corporate goals. They can help companies identify issues in their operations and streamline processes, generate profits, and find growth opportunities for their business. They must have high-level analytics skills and computer literacy. A business consultant is crucial in the company’s decision-making process. They are responsible for creating ideal business models, providing advice, and guiding business owners on their success journey.

We're just getting the template ready for you, just a second left.

Recruiter Insight: Why this resume works in 2022

Tips to help you write your business consultant resume in 2024,    include metrics of your achievements..

An excellent way to demonstrate your value as a business consultant is to include proven records of your achievements. Don’t be afraid to add metrics, analysis, and reports with your performance. This will complement your message and make you seem more transparent and authoritative.

   Highlight your data visualization skills.

A business consultant must be proficient in data analytics and also an expert in data visualization. Remember that not all business owners will understand complex numbers, so you must be able to communicate insights easily. That’s why it is crucial to demonstrate your analysis presentation skills in your business consultant resume.

Senior Business Analyst Resume Sample

Management consultant resume sample.

As a hiring manager who has recruited business consultants at top firms like McKinsey, Bain, and Accenture, I've reviewed hundreds of resumes. The best resumes effectively showcase the candidate's problem-solving skills, industry expertise, and ability to drive results for clients. Here are some key tips to make your business consultant resume stand out:

   Highlight your problem-solving skills

Employers want to see specific examples of how you've solved complex business problems. Instead of simply listing your skills, provide concrete examples:

• Led a team of 5 consultants to streamline operations for a $50M manufacturing client, reducing costs by 15% and improving production efficiency by 20%
• Conducted market analysis and identified untapped customer segments for a retail client, resulting in a new product line that increased revenue by $5M in the first year

Quantify your impact wherever possible, using metrics like cost savings, revenue growth, or efficiency improvements.

   Tailor your resume to the specific industry

Business consulting spans many industries, so it's important to highlight your relevant industry expertise. Avoid generic statements like:

• Experienced in consulting for various industries

Instead, call out specific industries and projects:

• Specialized in healthcare consulting, advising clients on patient experience, clinical operations, and digital health strategies
• Conducted due diligence for private equity firms on potential acquisitions in the technology sector, analyzing market trends and competitive landscape

   Showcase your leadership and teamwork abilities

Consulting projects often involve cross-functional teams, so employers look for candidates who can lead and collaborate effectively. Provide examples of how you've led teams or worked with diverse stakeholders:

• Managed a team of 8 consultants and 15 client stakeholders to implement a new CRM system, resulting in a 25% increase in sales productivity
• Partnered with C-suite executives, IT, and HR to develop and roll out a change management plan for a company-wide restructuring, affecting 10,000+ employees globally

   Demonstrate your strategic thinking and business acumen

Employers want consultants who can think strategically and understand the big picture. Show how you've developed innovative strategies or provided insights to drive business growth:

Developed a 3-year strategic plan for a $200M e-commerce client to enter new international markets, including market assessment, competitive analysis, and go-to-market strategy. Plan was approved by the board and is on track to deliver 30% revenue growth in the first year.

Use strong action verbs like 'developed,' 'led,' 'analyzed,' and 'delivered' to emphasize your strategic contributions.

   Include relevant education and certifications

While many consulting roles require an MBA, there are other ways to show your expertise and qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from XYZ University, graduated summa cum laude
• Certified Management Consultant (CMC) with 5+ years of experience in operations and supply chain consulting
• Completed executive education program in Digital Transformation at ABC Business School

If you have an MBA, highlight relevant coursework, projects, or leadership roles in student organizations.

   Optimize your resume format and design

A clear, easy-to-read format is crucial for busy hiring managers. Avoid common mistakes like:

• Dense paragraphs of text with no white space
• Tiny fonts or elaborate designs that are hard to read
• Inconsistent formatting or typos that show lack of attention to detail

Instead, use a clean, professional design with:

• Clear headings and bullet points to break up text
• Consistent font sizes and styles throughout
• Strategic use of bold or italic text to highlight key accomplishments

Have a trusted friend or mentor review your resume for clarity and typos before submitting.

Writing Your Business Consultant Resume: Section By Section

  summary.

A resume summary is an optional section that highlights your most relevant qualifications for a job. While it's not required, a well-written summary can grab the attention of hiring managers and succinctly convey why you're a strong fit for the role.

However, avoid using an objective statement, which focuses on your goals rather than the employer's needs. Instead, use your summary to showcase your skills, experience, and achievements that align with the business consultant position you're targeting.

To learn how to write an effective resume summary for your Business Consultant resume, or figure out if you need one, please read Business Consultant Resume Summary Examples , or Business Consultant Resume Objective Examples .

1. Tailor your summary to the consulting role

When writing your summary for a business consultant position, make sure to customize it to the specific role and company. Review the job description carefully and identify the key skills, qualifications, and experiences the employer is seeking.

For example, if the job posting emphasizes experience in project management and client relations, highlight your relevant background in these areas:

• Experienced business consultant with 5+ years of success in managing complex projects and building strong client relationships.
• Strategic business consultant adept at identifying operational inefficiencies and implementing solutions to drive cost savings and improve performance.

Avoid using a generic summary that could apply to any job, like:

• Hardworking professional seeking a challenging position in a dynamic company.
• Results-oriented individual with a proven track record of success.

2. Demonstrate your impact with metrics

To make your summary more compelling, include specific achievements and metrics that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Quantifying your accomplishments helps hiring managers better understand the value you can bring to their organization.

Business consultant with 7+ years of experience driving operational improvements and cost savings for Fortune 500 clients. Led a team of 5 consultants in implementing Lean Six Sigma methodologies, resulting in a 20% increase in productivity and $1.5M in annual cost savings.

Compare this to a summary without metrics:

Experienced business consultant with a background in operational improvements and cost savings. Skilled in leading teams and implementing Lean Six Sigma methodologies to drive results for clients.

While the second example still highlights relevant skills, it lacks the specific evidence of impact that makes the first summary more persuasive.

  Experience

Your work experience section is the heart of your business consultant resume. It's where you show hiring managers how you've applied your skills and knowledge to drive results for your clients or employer. Use this section to highlight your most impressive and relevant accomplishments.

Here are some key tips to help you write a strong work experience section that will grab the attention of hiring managers and showcase your value as a business consultant:

1. Highlight relevant business consulting experience

Focus on including work experience that is most relevant to the business consultant role you're targeting. This could include:

• Consulting projects where you helped clients solve complex business problems
• Roles where you developed and implemented strategic plans to drive business growth
• Positions that required strong analytical and problem-solving skills

If you have limited business consulting experience, look for ways to highlight transferable skills from other roles. For example:

• As a financial analyst, conducted market research and competitive analysis to identify new business opportunities, resulting in a 15% increase in revenue
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline operational processes, reducing costs by 20% and improving efficiency

2. Use strong action verbs

When describing your work experience, use strong action verbs to convey the impact of your contributions. Avoid generic phrases like 'responsible for' or 'participated in'. Instead, use powerful verbs that show how you drove results:

• Spearheaded a market entry strategy for a new product line, capturing 25% market share within the first year
• Orchestrated a company-wide restructuring initiative, resulting in a 30% reduction in operating expenses
• Synthesized complex data into actionable insights, enabling clients to make data-driven business decisions

In contrast, here are some examples of weaker descriptions:

• Helped with market research for a new product launch
• Worked on a team to reduce operating costs
• Created reports summarizing business data for clients

3. Quantify your impact with metrics

Whenever possible, use specific metrics and data points to quantify the impact of your work. This helps hiring managers understand the scope and significance of your contributions. For example:

Developed and implemented a new sales strategy that increased revenue by $5M and expanded the client base by 30% over 2 years

If you don't have access to specific metrics, you can still provide context for your accomplishments:

• Led a team of 5 consultants to deliver a complex project under a tight deadline, receiving praise from the client for exceptional work
• Created financial models and forecasts that were used by executive leadership to make critical business decisions

4. Showcase your career progression

Hiring managers want to see that you have a track record of taking on increasing responsibility and driving results. Use your work experience section to showcase your career progression, highlighting promotions, leadership roles, or high-impact projects.

Here's an example of how you might showcase career growth:

Business Consultant, XYZ Consulting Firm (2018-Present) Senior Associate, XYZ Consulting Firm (2016-2018) Associate, XYZ Consulting Firm (2014-2016)

In this example, the candidate has clearly shown progression from an entry-level associate role to a senior consultant position. Be sure to include key accomplishments and responsibilities for each role to demonstrate your growth and impact over time.

  Education

The education section of your business consultant resume should be concise yet impactful. It's an opportunity to showcase your academic achievements and relevant coursework that align with the role you're targeting. Follow these tips to craft a compelling education section that catches the hiring manager's attention.

1. Highlight your business-related degree

If you have a degree in business, management, or a related field, make sure to highlight it prominently in your education section. This shows the hiring manager that you have a solid foundation in the core principles of business consulting.

For example:

Master of Business Administration (MBA) University of California, Berkeley Graduated: May 2019 Relevant Coursework: Strategic Management, Financial Analysis, Organizational Behavior, Business Analytics

2. Include relevant certifications

In addition to your formal education, include any relevant certifications you've earned that demonstrate your expertise in business consulting or specific industries. These can help set you apart from other candidates.

Some examples of certifications to include:

• Certified Management Consultant (CMC)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

3. Tailor your education section for senior roles

If you're a seasoned business consultant with extensive work experience, your education section should be brief and focused. Avoid listing outdated or irrelevant coursework, as it can make your resume appear cluttered.

Here's an example of what not to include:

• Bachelor of Arts in English Literature University of Texas at Austin Graduated: May 1995 Relevant Coursework: Creative Writing, British Literature, American Literature

Instead, keep it concise and relevant:

MBA, Harvard Business School

  Skills

The skills section of your business consultant resume is one of the most important parts. It's where you show potential employers that you have the right mix of technical and soft skills to excel in the role. When writing your skills section, be strategic about which skills you include and how you present them.

1. Tailor your skills to the job description

When applying for a business consultant role, it's crucial to align your skills section with the job description. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to automatically screen resumes for relevant keywords before a human ever sees them. If your skills section doesn't include the right keywords, your application may never make it to the hiring manager's desk.

To optimize your skills section for ATS, carefully review the job description and make note of any specific skills or technologies mentioned. Then, incorporate those same keywords naturally into your skills section. For example:

Business strategy Process improvement Change management Stakeholder management Financial modeling

2. Emphasize hard skills and technical proficiencies

As a business consultant, recruiters will be looking for evidence of both soft skills like communication and hard skills in areas like data analysis, financial modeling, and project management. While it may be tempting to load up your skills section with generic soft skills, focus instead on showcasing your technical capabilities and subject matter expertise.

Avoid listing subjective skills like:

Strong communication Leadership Detail-oriented Team player

Instead, emphasize concrete skills and knowledge areas like:

Statistical analysis Financial forecasting Agile methodologies Business process mapping

3. Provide context with proficiency levels or years of experience

Listing a skill on your resume is a good start, but providing additional context can help a recruiter or hiring manager better understand your level of expertise. One way to do this is by including proficiency levels.

Requirements gathering (Expert) SQL (Advanced) Tableau (Intermediate) Salesforce (Beginner)

Alternatively, consider quantifying your skills by listing years of experience:

Lean Six Sigma (6+ years) Financial analysis (4 years) Visio (3 years)

Be honest in your self-assessment, as you may be asked to elaborate on your proficiency in an interview. And avoid going overboard with too many beginner-level skills, as this can make you look less specialized.

Skills For Business Consultant Resumes

Here are examples of popular skills from Business Consultant job descriptions that you can include on your resume.

Skills Word Cloud For Business Consultant Resumes

This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Business Consultant job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more likely you should include it in your resume.

How to use these skills?

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Career in Consulting

Consulting Resume: 11 steps to get interviews (2024)

How to write a consulting resume that passes the screening phase?

Top-tier consulting firms receive thousands of applications per year.

And only 30% of those applications pass the screening phase.

The other 70%?

They go to the rejection pile.

And weeks of intense preparation and years of effort are wasted.

So, here is my promise:

If you read this guide, this won’t be you!

In this in-depth guide, you’ll learn:

• What matters for consulting firms
• How to stand out (Hint: by writing EPIC bullet points)
• Which mistakes lead to rejection (and how to avoid them)

And here is the best part:

This article also includes the following:

• A simple step-by-step guide to writing a perfect management consulting resume
• Consulting resume templates you can download
• Three consulting resume examples that work in 2023
• A checklist to assess the readiness of your document

So if you want to apply to top-tier consulting firms, this guide is for you.

Let’s dive right in!

Table of Contents

Get the latest data about salaries in consulting, the screening criteria: what recruiters want.

There are many ways to answer this question. 

For instance, recruiters want to know if you won’t make them lose their time. 

In other words:

They don’t like to invite you for an interview and see that you can not a good fit. 

And from that perspective, recruiters are very risk-averse. 

If they have any doubt that you are not a good fit, they’ll reject your application.

An example?

Does your resume have a typo?

If yes 👉 rejected. 

(maybe you’ll make typos while making a presentation to a client.)

Another way to answer this question is:

Recruiters want to know if you can become a management consultant.

They want to know if you possess the characteristics of a successful consultant.

Those characteristics and skills for your consulting resume are:

Academic excellence

Problem solving.

• Analytical and quantitative skills

Capacity to influence

Communication skills.

• Results Orientation
• Clients Orientation.

The exact terminology can change depending on the firm. 

But, all strategy consulting firms look for the same characteristics. 

And if you want to become a management consultant, you must have those characteristics.

Now, let’s define the consulting resume skills sought by consultancies:

Recruiters will assess the following:

• The reputation of your college
• The awards you earned. For instance, being on the Dean’s list
• Your scores on standardized tests like GMAT.

Recruiters will assess your capacity to address complex challenges, develop practical solutions, and navigate ambiguity. 

Problem-solving requires logical reasoning and the ability to use both quantitative and qualitative analysis to reach solutions. 

Recruiters will assess your capacity to work effectively with others to achieve a common goal, respect diverse perspectives, collaborate productively, and contribute positively to the team dynamic.

• Your working environment: have you worked in intense work environments like consulting, investment banking, or a startup/scaleup environment?
• The progression of your career (have you been promoted faster than your peers?)
• Your involvement in activities outside of school or work
• Whether you had/have leadership roles at work, in clubs, or organizations
• Exposure to working with people
• Experience in working with different stakeholders/functions (which is a big part of the day-to-day job of a management consultant).

Recruiters will assess your experience in making others act upon your recommendations.

That’s what McKinsey calls personal impact.

Management consultants are change agents. 

Thus, consulting firms want to assess if you can be a change agent too .

Recruiters will assess your capability to convey information clearly and effectively through both written and verbal means.

In consulting, this includes the ability to present complex ideas in a straightforward manner and effectively engage with clients and team members.

Quantitative and analytical skills

• The major of your degree (math, physics, finance, etc.)
• Your work experience: does it involve heavy quantitative work? (for example, banking, finance, consulting, marketing, private equity, etc.)
• If you have experience in quantitative work (modeling, data analysis, etc.)

Results orientation

Recruiters will assess your experience in making quantifiable contributions.

That’s what Bain & Company calls Results delivery.

Clients orientation

Recruiters will assess your capacity to understand and meet clients’ needs, including building strong relationships, adapting solutions to client contexts, and ensuring client satisfaction.

This skill is critical in consulting due to the client-centered nature of the work.

Must you have all these characteristics?

Short answer: no. 

If you have all the above characteristics, it helps.

But you don’t have to.

If one (or two) of these characteristics is average, consulting firms can still invite you for interviews.

Related articles :

Your answer to the question Tell me about yourself must be consistent with the information on your resume.

Check this article explaining how to craft a superior answer to the question “ Tell me about yourself .” 

Also, read this article to learn more about the recruiting process at McKinsey.

Besides, I’ve written articles about the recruiting process at Boston Consulting Group and Bain & Company .

The 6 sections in a consulting resume

First, let’s start with the mandatory sections all resumes must have.

All consulting resumes should include the following four mandatory sections:

• Work experience
• Other information

These sections provide consulting firms with an overview of your achievements and academic background.

Each part is essential and influences your chances of being considered for an interview.

Contact section (mandatory)

The contact section should be at the top of your consulting resume.

It should include the following information:

• Email address
• Phone number.

Important: make it easy for the recruiters to know how to contact you!

Also, you can include a link to your LinkedIn profile.

However, I don’t recommend including your home address (unless asked by the office you’re applying to).

Education section (mandatory)

• Names of colleges or universities you attended
• Degrees you completed
• Honors you earned
• Starting and ending dates.

Work Experience section (mandatory)

The Professional Experience section should include your previous positions (in an anti-chronological order).

Also, you’ll add your main achievements in each of these positions.

Things to include in your management consulting resume:

• Employer’s name
• Position / Title
• Date and location
• Achievements

Things to exclude (unless requested by the firm you applied to):

• Summer jobs such as waiter, etc. (it’s irrelevant)
• Jargon (to avoid at all costs)

Other information section (mandatory)

This section may include the languages you speak.

Do you speak more than one language? 

The more languages you speak, the better your chances. 

Besides, you want to mention your hobbies.

While you don’t want to include a long list of hobbies, consulting firms want to get to know you personally. 

They want to see what you do outside of work.

But let’s be blunt: 

Even the most impressive hobbies are not deal-makers. 

You might have climbed the Everest. 

Yet, you’ll never be invited for an interview if your academic and professional achievements are below their expectations.

Your resume can also stand out from the competition by including optional sections like your profile summary and leadership experiences.

Career summary section (optional)

This section should condense your resume into three or four sentences.

The purpose?

Entice the readers to continue reading the other sections.

Note: the step-by-step guide below includes a framework for writing captivating profile summaries.

Leadership skills section (optional)

Have you had a leadership experience in an association?

Or have you been the president of a club while at college?

Then, mention it in this section. 

You must turn these experiences into achievements.

How to organize your consulting resume sections

Now, in which order should you organize all these sections?

You have two options.

And you should choose one option or the other based on your situation.

Option 1: if you are still a student.

In this situation, the order of the different sections must be as follows:

• Contact information
• Career summary (optional)
• Leadership experience (optional)
• Other information.

Option 2: if you are not a student.

How to write a consulting resume: your step-by-step guide

Let’s talk about your management resume guide to get multiple offers.

Here are the 11 essential steps to writing a strategy consulting resume:

Step 1: Choose a suitable template

First and foremost, you must choose the format of your resume.

There are two types of resume formats: chronological and functional.

A chronological resume shows your work history in reverse chronological (the most recent first).

On the other hand, a functional resume (also called a skills-based resume) highlights skills and qualities.

For consulting applications, the classic prevails. 

Therefore, you must have a traditional chronological resume.

And the style must be classic too.

Don’t be creative!

You want to stand out with substance rather than with style!

Step 2: Add your contact information

In this section, you should include your personal details.

• Contact information: email and phone number
• Date of birth
• Postal address

Note: your email address should look professional.

Step 3: Update the Education section

You are competing with some candidates having exceptional academic credentials.

Here is a list of 7 ways to stand out in the EDUCATION section of your consulting resume:

• Ranking of your school: was your school ranked as a top university? The ranking is important, mainly if you apply abroad.
• Curriculum: have you focused on quantitative topics such as Math, Physics, Economics, Finance, Marketing, etc.?
• GPA: have you done better than other students? Have you graduated at the top of your class? If yes, which percentile?
• Standardized tests (i.e., GMAT, GRE, LSAT): have you performed well in a standardized test?
• Scholarship: Have you received a scholarship? How much? What % of the total fees? What % of your class received a scholarship?
• Awards: Have you received an award or a price such as being on the Dean’s list? Have you received any distinction?
• Leadership: Have you contributed positively to other students’ lives? Have you taken any initiative for the greater good? Have other students elected you to run a club or an association?

Besides, you can watch the video below , an extract of a workshop I gave at a University. 

Step 4: List all your work experiences and achievements

Your business consulting resume must show how you moved the needle.

And to do so, there are two things you need to do:

• List all the situations where you had an impact
• Prioritize the situations that will appear on your resume

Let’s start with the first step:

Brainstorm: list all the situations where you had an impact

Start by listing all the situations – from your work experience, from school or from your extra-curricular activities – where you had an impact .

In other words, think where you moved the needle, or where you have been remarkable, or where people noticed your accomplishments, etc.

At this stage, you are in brainstorming mode, so:

• List everything out as it comes to you, and the filtering will come next; do not apply any judgment or filtering during this process
• Outline statements in the form of notes; you will refine them and turn them into powerful achievements later

You can use the following questions to help you list the accomplishments that may end up in your resume.

This is not an easy exercise.

Hence, do this exercise several times.

For instance, after doing it once, update your list of achievements the next day after a good night of sleep.

Then, rinse and repeat between 3 and 5 times.

Prioritize: select your most impressive achievements

Now you have a list of situations where you had an impact.

But you can’t put them all in your management consulting resume .

Thus, you must select some of them that will become the achievements in your CV.

So, how much should you select?

I recommend using this simple rule (based on the less is more principle):

• Select a maximum of four achievements per position for the most recent job positions (less than five years)
• Two achievements per position are enough for the oldest job positions

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Step 5: Write EPIC bullet points

Now that you have a prioritized list of situations where you had an impact, it’s time to translate them into compelling business stories .

These stories must tell:

• Which problems you had to solved
• How you solved those problems
• Which impacts resulted from your actions

You want to show the readers how GREAT you are and the HUGE opportunity they would miss by NOT inviting you.

To do so, use the PAR framework (this is one of my favorite hacks) to tell the readers the IMPACT you had:

– [P] Problem : what PROBLEM did you have to solve?

– [A] Action : what ACTION did you take to resolve the problem?

– [R] Results : what was the RESULT of your action?

Not only will the PAR framework help you craft a great resume, but also it will help you prepare for your job interviews .

The problem you solved

Describe the problem you had to solve: what was the problem?

The secret to describing a problem is to think of the problem from the point of view of your company :

Why was this problem important to solve for your employer? What would have happened if you had not resolved the problem?

In addition to these questions, ask yourself:

• How big was this problem : which metric was impacted? By how much?
• What was the scale of the problem : how many product lines / geographies / teams / etc. have been impacted? How many people / teams were involved in the problem resolution process?
• Which were the challenges you faced : did you have to resolve this problem within a tight timeframe? With limited resources?

Your actions to solve the problem

Tell what you did and the skill that enabled you to solve the problem.

The key here is to be specific : even if you have used several skills to solve the problem (and you probably did), focus only on one skill.

To help you write the actions you did, you can use this list of consulting resume keywords.

The result of your actions

Show the impact of your action.

The key here is to quantify your contributions .

For instance:

• Have you increased profits?
• Have you increased sales?
• Have you saved money?
• Have you increased productivity?
• Have you implemented a solution faster than expected? Or below budget?
• Have you made someone else’s job easier?
• Have you gained new customers?
• Have you increased customer’s satisfaction?
• Have you lowered customer churn?
• Have you improved a specific metric?

In addition, mention over what timeframe did you get these results .

For instance: “Increased customer satisfaction rate by 15% within 3 months.”

You must quantify the results of your actions.

It shows that you are result-oriented and comfortable with numbers .

20 examples of killer bullet points

Analytical skills :

• Analyzed a dataset of over 1 million customer interactions to identify key trends and recommended process adjustments that reduced operational costs by 15% within six months
• Designed and implemented a complex financial model to forecast the impacts of price changes on revenue, leading to an optimized pricing strategy that increased profits by 18% year-over-year.
• Resolved a long-standing issue with supply chain inefficiency by identifying key bottlenecks and implementing a real-time inventory management system that reduced delivery times by 33%.
• Led a task force to resolve a persistent quality control issue, devising a novel testing protocol that decreased defective product rates by 25% and saved the company $500,000 annually.
• Managed a team of 10 consultants in a high-profile market entry strategy project, guiding the client to expand into three new countries, resulting in a 20% increase in market share over two years.
• Directed a regional sales team through a critical turnaround strategy, reversing a two-year decline in sales and achieving a 10% growth in annual revenue within the first year of leadership
• Developed and presented monthly performance reports to senior management and stakeholders, enhancing the strategic decision-making process by providing clear insights and actionable recommendations.
• Authored a comprehensive training manual adopted across the company, which standardized procedures and improved training efficiency by 25%, enhancing overall operational readiness.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including tech, marketing, and operations, to streamline the product launch process, reducing time-to-market by 30% and improving team satisfaction scores by 40%
• Partnered with software engineers and data scientists to develop a new analytics tool that improved data accuracy by 40%, enhancing the decision-making process across the business unit.
• Cultivated a client partnership that led to the firm securing a three-year service contract worth $3M, by consistently exceeding key performance indicators and delivering exceptional service quality
• Successfully managed client expectations and project deliverables in a complex IT overhaul, resulting in a 95% client satisfaction rate and subsequent referrals that generated additional business.
• Persisted in securing a pivotal client relationship amidst intense competition and initially unfavorable client sentiment, ultimately achieving a strategic turnaround that contributed to a 50% increase in the client’s investment
• Overcame significant project delays due to unforeseen regulatory changes, adapting project scope and timelines to meet new requirements while still delivering under budget and ahead of revised schedules
• Initiated and led a new digital transformation project that introduced AI-driven analytics to the firm’s service offerings, capturing a new market segment and increasing department revenue by 35%.
• Pioneered a market research initiative into emerging technologies, leading to the development of a new product line that captured an early mover advantage and resulted in a 20% revenue increase in its first year.

Step 6: Check the well-roundness of your profile

Now that you have EPIC bullet points, it’s time to check the well-roundness of your profile.

What does that mean?

It means you want to show you have ALL the consulting skills.

Or as many as possible.

Why is it important?

Because I see this mistake all the time:

Candidates with resumes showing only one skill.

For instance, the resume of an Engineer can only highlight their excellent analytical skills.

And waste an opportunity to show they have other consulting skills.

Like leadership, drive, or persuasion skills.

Don’t make the same mistake.

Step 7: Write the Executive Summary section

Just as the purpose of an advertisement is to get people to buy, a Career Summary is your opportunity to hook the reader’s interest and make him/her eager to scan further down the page .

However, this section shouldn’t take up more than four or five lines.

Otherwise, you’ll risk losing the recruiter before they move on to your professional experience.

The questions you need to ask yourself are:

• What are your core attributes? Dedicated, results-driven, and enthusiastic. [Note: check the Personal Attributes table below to help you answer this question]
• Who are you? A financial analyst.
• What is your experience, past and present? 4 years of investment banking experience.
• What are your core skills? Highly quantitative. 
• What are your areas of expertise? Working with small corporates with revenues of up to €50m per annum.
• What have you achieved, or in which areas do you excel? Developing client accounts and increasing revenue. 
• What do you enjoy doing? Team leading, client contact.

A dedicated Financial Analyst with 4 years of experience gained working for two of the UK’s leading investment banks. Experienced with managing and developing a portfolio of small corporate accounts with an annual turnover of €50m, positively impacting bottom-line profitability. Thrives on providing exemplary levels of customer service and managing small teams. Enthusiastic and results-driven with an innate ability to pay close attention to detail.

This is one of the toughest sections of the management consulting resume to write.

Because you only have a few sentences to highlight the most important attributes you think will catch the recruiter’s attention.

List of personal attributes

Able Dependable Innovative Punctual Accurate Decisive Intelligent Qualified Adaptable Detail-oriented Inventive Quick-thinking Adventurous Determined Loyal Rational Alert Diligent Mature Realist Ambitious Diplomatic Methodical Reliable Articulate Dynamic Meticulous Reputation Assertive Effective Motivated Resourceful Astute Efficient Multilingual Responsible Attention to detail Empathetic Objective Self-assured Bilingual Energetic Observant Self-confident Bright Enthusiastic Open-minded Self-motivated Calm Expertise Organized Self-reliant Capable Fast-track Outgoing Sensitive, Flexible Passionate Spirited Caring Focused Patient Successful Clarity Friendly People-oriented Supportive Committed Goal-driven Perceptive Talented Competent Persistent Tenacious Confident Hands-on Personable Thorough Conscientious Hardworking Positive attitude Thoughtful Consistent Helpful Presentation Time keeping Co-operative High-energy Principled Trustworthy Creative High-impact Proactive Understanding Cross-functional Honest Productive Versatile Decisive Imaginative Professional Willing Dedicated Independent Proficient

Step 8: Add the other information section

My recommendation here is to keep things simple and to list the foreign languages you master as well as your hobbies.

Things to include:

• Languages you master and your level of proficiency
• Hobbies (try to be original and put signs of success such as running a marathon in less than 4 hours or playing concerts, etc.)
• Certificates
• IT skills such as Excel, PowerPoint, or Word (it’s useless)

Step 9: Proofread and check typos

After you have completed the laborious process of distilling your life’s accomplishments onto a single piece of paper, it’s time to polish your consulting resume to make sure it stands out above the rest .

Your resume is one of the few things you need to be perfect .

Thus, you must put the same attention to detail in your resume as Management Consultants do with their slide deck presentations .

Perfection is the minimum standard your management consulting resume must pass to keep it out of the rejection pile.

Pay close attention to the following areas to make your resume bulletproof.

Consistency

A consulting resume demands consistency across every single element on the page.

The decisions you make about how you format your resume, from the styles of your headings to your font emphasis, must be consistent throughout the entire document .

For instance, if you use 12-point bold font for company names on your CV, all company names should be formatted the exact same way.

Another example:

If you’re styling your role in italics, then every job title in your resume should also be formatted in italics.

Spelling and grammar

Few things scream “unprofessional” quite as lo udly as spelling and grammar errors on a resume.

So pay extra close attention to avoiding these errors at all costs .

You can not make a single error here.

Hence, ask for at least three different people to read your resume.

The company Talent, Inc recently surveyed 379 recruiters and human resource executives and asked them, “What are your biggest resume ‘deal-breakers’ that can cost a candidate the job?”.

They confirmed that spelling and/or grammatical errors could lead to a candidate’s dismissal even before they finish reading the resume .

Here is a list of CV mistakes to avoid.

Every other formatting and stylistic element should be perfect, including spaces, tabs, line heights, font emphasis, horizontal dividers, margins, bullets, and alignments.

In addition, make sure indents are consistent throughout the resume; you can do this by clicking on the ruler mark at the top of the document (⌂) to show the vertical line of the left and right margins across the screen and see where the text lines up.

File name and type

First, use the PDF format when submitting your resume to a consulting firm unless otherwise specified by the company or recruiter.

Besides, when assigning a file name to your resume, include your first and last name along with the name of the company you’re applying to in the name of the file, like “Sébastien Ritter Resume McKinsey.”

Note: your consulting cover letter must respect the same guidelines about file name and type.

Step 10: Get your CV reviewed by a consulting expert

I cannot blame you if you are struggling to write your management consulting resume:

It can be overwhelming to decide which information to include in your resume.

And to choose which words to use to describe your achievements.

To ensure your consulting resume is great, share it (with this article 😉) with your friends and ask for feedback .

But do not ask all your friends.

Instead, focus on these three people:

• Someone who is a grammar champion,
• An HR person, preferably in the consulting industry),
• And a Management Consultant.

If you need help from a team of experts (including former MBB recruiters), check this page .

Why work with us?

Check these success stories from our clients and learn more about how we achieve an 85% success rate .

Step 11: Complement your resume with a great cover letter

I always recommend submitting a consulting cover letter .

Submit a consulting cover letter even when consulting firms don’t ask to.

This article will help you write a compelling cover letter .

My best consulting resume tips

In 2023,  I analyzed 147 management consulting resumes . 

As a result, here are my 7 best resume tips. 

You’ll also learn the most common mistakes to avoid at all costs. 

Consulting resume tip 1: Meet consulting requirements

McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and other top consulting firms are searching for candidates having consulting skills.

For instance, these consulting skills are problem-solving, leadership, impact on others, entrepreneurship, etc.

You will likely need to modify your standard resume, which you may already use for other jobs, to highlight the particular soft skills consulting firms seek.

If you don’t do this, your CV may be ignored because it isn’t sufficiently tailored to consulting.

Consulting resume tip 2: Simplify your writing

Clarify and condense your message.

Using complicated words and jargon would almost certainly fail to convey your intentions to the company, and the person reading the resume probably won’t bother with the rest of your application.

Consulting resume tip 3: Show how you moved the needle

Make sure to quantify your accomplishments.

If you can demonstrate your actions’ impact, especially at work, your accomplishments will appear more impressive.

Use numbers (e.g., produced 9% year-over-year sales growth and produced £92m in efficiency savings) whenever possible.

Having specific personal information can help you stand out from other applicants.

Consulting resume tip 4: Write for a 20-second scan

Consulting HRs will not spend 10 minutes reading your consulting CV.

Not even 5 minutes.

Instead, they will scan it.

Thus, a good first impression only has less than 20 seconds to make an impact.

To do so, use keywords that HRs are looking for.

Action verbs are a great place to start with.

Each of your sentences needs to begin with an action verb emphasizing a soft skill that top consulting firms are looking for.

For instance, your leadership bullet points should begin like this:

“Led a team of 4 Engineers…”

Another example: your problem-solving bullet point can look like this:

“Solved one of the most challenging productivity problems…”

These action verbs are significant because they come at the beginning of sentences.

The resume screener will say:

“Okay, this person has the right skills,” if you use the proper ones. I’d like to examine their resume in more detail. “.

Consulting resume tip 5: Emphasize big brand names

Ensure the prestigious universities you attended and the prestigious businesses where you worked are prominently mentioned on your resume. 

Consulting resume tip 6: Remember that spelling counts

Grammar and spelling mistakes can indicate that you neglected to proofread your own resume.

Additionally, be consistent—do not represent a dash with “—” in one location and “–” in another.

Consulting resume tip 7: Give yourself time to write a quality resume

A strong consulting CV takes time to write, just like consulting cover letters do.

It’s important to consider your accomplishments and what sets you apart from others if you want to be successful.

Think twice before assuming you can create a quality management consulting CV in a single evening.

It necessitates numerous revisions, careful rereading, and prompt feedback.

Additionally, you must ensure that the management consulting CV complements your cover letter flawlessly and elaborates on your impressive abilities and experiences.

Five consulting resume examples that worked

Undergraduate consulting resume example.

Here is a first example of a winning McKinsey consulting resume.

This candidate has been invited for interviews and received an offer. 

Note: this CV was also a winning BCG consulting resume and Bain consulting resume.

Note 2: I’ve changed some data for anonymization purposes.  

MBA consulting resume example

Consulting firms love hiring MBA students!

But the competition is fierce.

And it can be challenging to stand out from your peers.

Hence, here is an MBA consulting resume example that worked in 2023.

Use this consulting resume example to update yours.   

PhD consulting resume example

After a few years of working on their thesis, a PhD candidate can feel that academia is not for them.

I’ve worked with several PhD candidates willing to (re)start their careers by joining a top consulting firm.

Here is a MhD consulting resume example that worked.

Experienced professional consulting resume example

After a few years, some experienced professionals might feel not challenged enough.

These professionals?

They don’t like the routine in their jobs anymore.

Hence, here is the turn to a career in consulting.

Next, a consulting resume example of an experienced professional.

Bonus: Firmlearning's McKinsey CV

Besides, you can watch this video from the YouTube channel Firm Learning (hosted by a former McKinsey consultant):

Attention: you can find hundreds of consulting resume examples online.

But you should never copy/paste sentences from those consulting resume examples!

You must understand the principles of a winning consulting resume.

And how to apply those principles to your management consultant resume. 

Consulting resume templates

Do not reinvent the wheel.

Thus, you can download free Word or PDF templates to fasten the writing process.

These are detailed templates that will help you outline your resume correctly.

You can use these templates to apply to any top-tier consulting firms, including the following:

• Bain & Company
• Oliver Wyman
• Roland Berger
• Deloitte Monitor
• Strategy&
• E&Y Parthenon
• And many more.

If you need help writing your resume, these templates will help you.

Here is the Word template .

And here is the PDF template .

Besides, check this article to download consulting cover letter templates and examples.

A consulting resume review

In this video, I’ll review the resume of Yash.

Yash is currently an MBA student, and he is planning to apply to McKinsey later this year. 

We decided to go through his McKinsey resume.

I gave him feedback on what was good and how to improve the parts of his resume that didn’t work.  

For instance, we discussed how to show his impact on his previous experiences better.

The cool thing about this is that you can use this feedback to improve your management consulting resume and pass the screening phases.

Enjoy the video! 

Consulting resume: the ultimate checklist

Writing (or polishing) a resume that passes the screening phase is difficult.

And this guide comes with a lot of strategies and techniques. 

Thus, to help you finalize your resume, I’ve prepared a checklist for you.

You can access this checklist by clicking on this link .

Then, you’ll see a Google spreadsheet that you can download.

I use this checklist to help my clients write winning consulting resumes and secure interviews.

Frequently asked questions

Can i submit a 2-page resume.

Being able to prioritize information is key in consulting.

And it starts with the information you show on your management consulting resume.

Thus, consulting resumes must be 1-page resumes.

Should I include a company description?

Some people include a brief description of each company directly under the employment information, but I think it’s best to leave this off.

If you’ve caught a recruiter’s attention and haven’t heard of a company listed in your experience, they’ll do their own research and look it up on Google or LinkedIn.

And if the company is well-known, including a description of what they do will insult their intelligence.

Your accomplishments will primarily be what matter most to a recruiter, not where you achieved them.

Use that space for your results bullets instead!

Do I need a consulting experience on my resume?

You don’t need experience in consulting to land a job in consulting.

Show your transferable skills in your management consulting resume.

What’s different in a consulting internship resume?

There is no difference between a consulting internship resume and a full-time consulting resume. 

Should I include all my education history?

Do not include high-school diplomas.

Instead: includes your Bachelor and Master’ degrees.

Should I submit a different consulting firm resume?

Write one perfect management consulting resume, and you’ll be good 🙂

Even the consultant resume summary section must be the same. 

What can I do if I can’t quantify my achievements?

These are very common questions among job seekers.

Let’s see how to answer those questions based on 3 different situations.

First situation: your contribution can be quantified, but you don’t have the number.

Unless you were actively keeping track of your results at your job, you probably don’t know how much impact, exactly, did your work have.

The first solution is to ask your previous employers  for the data .

They should be more than happy to send it over!

Another solution is to estimate the results by yourself (like doing a market sizing question ).

And that’s ok to put a rough estimate in your resume.

It shows that you are comfortable with numbers, and that’s great for consulting jobs!

But never lie in your resume or during job interviews .

Don’t say, “I increased sales by $15m,” if you know that the order of magnitude is not true.

Second situation: your contribution can’t be quantified, but the resources used to solve the problem can be.

If you can’t quantify the result, give a perspective on the scale of the problem by quantifying the resources involved .

How many people did you manage/work with? E.g., “Managed a team of 5 software engineers to develop software solutions for clients.” or “Worked with a team of 6 to create award-winning ad campaigns for Company X.”

What was the budget? E.g., “Successfully carried out X marketing campaign, going under the designated budget of Y USD.”

How many clients/customers did you work with? E.g., “Managed marketing campaigns of 5+ SaaS clients in the fin-tech and HR-tech industries.”

Third situation: you can’t quantify your result or the resources needed to solve the problem.

My first question is: are you sure?

If yes, don’t put a number .

Yet, try to put your achievements into perspective .

Supervised a team diversity initiative which led to a complete overhaul of the company’s hiring process

Created customer support strategy, which received approval from C-level executives

Introduced a product development framework now used by the engineering team across the company

How can I choose my achievements if I’m still a student?

If you’re a student or a recent graduate, you probably don’t have that much work experience

Yet, you can list achievements from:

• Internships
• School projects, for instance: I created a marketing strategy for Company X as part of my Marketing 101 class.
• University club activities, for instance: led the consulting club at XXX University
• Volunteering Experience, for instance: taught kids elementary mathematics as a volunteer at XXX’s orphanage.

Should I include a career objective section?

Your consulting resume should not include a “consultant resume objective” section.

Consulting firms know your career objective: land a job in Consulting!

So, let me repeat:

Your management consulting resume should not include a “career objective” section!

However, your cover letter can address why you want to pursue a career in consulting.

Should I include a skills section in a consulting resume?

Your management consulting resume has one objective:

Show that you can become a successful management consultant!

Consulting firms know what skills you must have (see the above section) to become a successful management consultant.

Putting other skills on your consulting resume tells them you haven’t understood their expectations.

Consulting resume: final words

I hope you have enjoyed this updated guide for writing consulting resumes that work in 2023.

Now, I’d like to hear from you:

Which tips from today’s guide will you use first to write your management consulting resume?

Are you going to rewrite bullet points?

Or start with the Education section of your management consulting resume?

Let me know by leaving a quick comment below right now.

P.S. Are you looking for help?

If you want a team of experts by your side throughout the entire consulting recruitment process, check if we would be a good fit by clicking here .

We’d be thrilled to help you secure a job in the top consulting firm of your dreams!

How to answer the question “Why consulting” and “Why McKinsey? Why BCG? Why Bain & Company?” .

Also: read this article to write a compelling and personalized cover letter.

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The 15 Most Common Consulting Interview Questions — With Answers

Discover the 15 most common consulting interview questions with sample answers. Prepare confidently with our friendly guide to acing your consulting interview.

Posted August 22, 2024

Featuring Garrett W.

MBB Interviews: Ask Me Anything

Starting friday, august 23.

7:00 PM UTC · 60 minutes

Table of Contents

Starting a career in consulting can be both challenging and rewarding, with interviews often being the toughest part. Consulting firms use these interviews to test your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, cultural fit, and potential to help clients. Whether you're an experienced professional switching to consulting or a recent graduate, knowing the common consulting interview questions and how to answer them can give you an edge.

This article will simplify the consulting interview process by covering the most common types of questions, including behavioral questions, market sizing, and case interviews. We'll explain what interviewers are looking for and how to craft strong responses. You'll also get sample answers and tips on the best questions to ask at the end of your interview to make a great impression. Our goal is to help you excel in your consulting interviews and advance your consulting career. Let’s begin!

What Are Consulting Interview Questions?

Consulting interview questions are designed to assess your suitability for a role in the consulting industry, focusing on various aspects of your professional capabilities and personal qualities. These questions can be broadly categorized into different types, each serving a specific purpose in evaluating your potential as a consultant.

Let’s Break Down the "Why Consulting" Question

This isn't just a routine inquiry — it's a critical one that helps interviewers gauge your understanding of the consulting role and your motivation for pursuing a career in this field. Here’s what interviewers are looking for with this question:

• Basic Understanding of the Job : It’s essential that you demonstrate a clear understanding of what consulting involves and what your daily responsibilities would entail within a consulting firm.
• Structured Thinking : Consulting requires the ability to dissect complex problems into manageable parts. In a case interview, your answer should reflect your capability to think logically and structure your responses effectively.
• Communication Skills : Since consultants frequently interact with clients and team members, excellent communication skills are crucial. Interviewers will be keen to see how clearly and confidently you can express your thoughts.
• Enthusiasm for Consulting : Consulting firms prefer candidates who are likely to be committed for a considerable period. They look for enthusiasm in your responses as a sign of your long-term interest in consulting.

Read : Consulting Coffee Chat Questions: How to Make the Most of Your Coffee Chat

Key Components of an Effective Answer

To craft a compelling response to the "why consulting" question in your case interview, focus on these three elements:

• Content : Clearly state your reasons for choosing consulting. This could include the appeal of working on significant business challenges, the diversity of projects, and the rapid skill development that consulting offers.
• Structure : Organize your response effectively. Use the Pyramid Principle by starting with your main reasons followed by supporting arguments.
• Delivery : How you deliver your answer is as important as what you say. Ensure your delivery is confident and articulate, demonstrating your professionalism and suitability for the role.

Broader Implications of Consulting Interview Questions

Consulting interview questions also aim to assess your overall fit with the consulting firm’s culture and values, your potential to contribute to client success, and your ability to handle the diverse challenges of consulting work. Interviewers look for detailed knowledge of the consulting industry and a genuine motivation to become a consultant, which you can demonstrate by thoroughly researching the role and the specific firm.

In your preparation, remember that every case interview is not just about solving case problems but also about showing your personality, motivation, and cultural fit. Therefore, balance your preparation between case studies and behavioral questions to ensure you present a well-rounded profile to your potential employers.

By understanding the depth and variety of consulting interview questions, you can better prepare to demonstrate your personal commitment and cultural fit with the prospective consulting firm.

4 Common Types of Consulting Interview Questions

1. consulting case interview questions.

In consulting interviews, case questions are pivotal in assessing your analytical and problem-solving skills. These questions present you with a business scenario that requires a structured approach to solve. For instance, you might be asked to help a company like PhoneCo understand the reasons behind declining sales and propose strategies for improvement. This type of question tests your ability to analyze data, think critically, and communicate your findings effectively.

2. Consulting Behavioral Questions

Behavioral questions in consulting interviews are designed to reveal your past behavior in professional settings, which can indicate performance on future projects. You'll likely encounter questions that prompt you to discuss past challenges you've faced and how you addressed them. For example, you might be asked to describe a situation where you solved a complex problem. Behavioral interview questions assess your experience and skills in real-world situations, giving insight into your potential as a consultant.

Read : Mastering Consulting Behavioral Questions: A Comprehensive Guide

3. Consulting Fit Questions

Fit questions are crucial in every consulting fit interview to determine if you're a good match for the firm's culture and values. These questions often explore your reasons for choosing consulting as a career and your interest in the specific firm. You might be asked about your professional experiences, including your involvement in consulting projects, and what drives you in your career. It's important to avoid generic answers and instead offer responses that reflect your unique motivations and understanding of the consulting role.

4. Brain Teasers Questions

While less common nowadays, some consulting firms still incorporate brainteasers into their interviews. These questions are not directly related to business scenarios but are used to evaluate your logical thinking and problem-solving skills under pressure. For example, you might be asked to use the number 4 in a creative way to total 500. The key to tackling these questions is not just to find the right answer but to demonstrate a logical and structured thought process.

By understanding these four types of questions, you can tailor your preparation effectively, ensuring you showcase the skills and qualities that consulting firms are looking for. Each type of question targets different aspects of your capabilities, from problem-solving and analytical skills to communication and cultural fit.

What Do Interviewers Look for in Interviews?

When you step into a consulting interview, interviewers are evaluating more than just your technical skills. They are looking for a blend of hard and soft skills, with a significant emphasis on the latter as you advance in your consulting career. Your ability to communicate effectively is paramount; it's akin to structuring a problem on the analytical side. If you cannot communicate well, your chances of succeeding in the consulting field diminish significantly.

1. Communication Skills

Effective communication is crucial in consulting. You must be able to articulate your thoughts clearly to teammates, managers, client contacts, and executives, including CEOs. The way you present your solutions and interact during the interview gives a direct insight into how you will handle client engagements and internal team communications. Consulting interviewers often ask interview questions that test your ability to explain complex ideas clearly and concisely, and a strong opening statement can set a positive tone for the rest of the conversation.

2. Leadership and Initiative

Interviewers also assess your leadership ability and initiative during case interviews. They look for your ability to navigate through the problem-solving process independently and lead both your team and clients towards effective solutions under tight deadlines. This ability to lead is considered a critical proxy for your potential success within the consulting firm. Demonstrating leadership involves showing how you have successfully managed teams, driven projects forward, and made significant contributions in previous roles. A strong opening statement that highlights a key leadership experience can capture the interviewer's attention.

3. Collaboration and Teamwork

As consulting projects often involve larger teams and multiple handoffs, especially from strategy to implementation, your teamwork skills are highly valued. Interviewers are keen to see how well you integrate with a team, contributing to and enhancing collective efforts. You should provide examples of past experiences where you collaborated closely with others, highlighting your role in ensuring successful project outcomes. Interview questions in this area may focus on how you manage conflicts, coordinate with diverse team members, and support your colleagues. Additionally, they may inquire about your experience with focus groups and how you've used collaborative insights to drive project success.

4. Drive and Resilience

Consulting can be a demanding career with long hours and challenging client demands. Interviewers look for candidates who demonstrate exceptional drive and resilience. They observe how you approach problem-solving in the interview -- whether you persist through challenges or give up easily. This resilience is a key indicator of whether you will thrive in the high-pressure consulting environment. Discussing specific instances where you overcome significant obstacles or maintained high performance under stress can illustrate your resilience effectively.

5. Relevant Experience and Leadership Potential

Your past experiences, especially in relevant work placements like internships, are scrutinized to gauge your interest and aptitude for consulting. Leadership roles in previous jobs or extracurricular activities are considered predictors of your potential to handle responsibilities within the firm. Consulting interviewers look for evidence that you have not only relevant skills but also the potential to grow and lead within the organization. Highlighting your achievements and the impact you made in previous positions can demonstrate this potential clearly.

6. Attention to Detail and Presentation Skills

Since consultants are often billed at high rates to clients, demonstrating meticulous attention to detail and excellent presentation skills during the interview is essential. These skills are indicative of the quality of work you will deliver. Interviewers assess how you organize your thoughts, structure your responses, and present your ideas. Providing examples of how your attention to detail and strong presentation skills have led to successful project outcomes can reinforce your suitability for the role.

7. Interpersonal Skills and Cultural Fit

Finally, the ability to get along with the team and integrate into the firm’s culture is critical. Interviewers assess your interpersonal skills and how well you might relate to other team members and clients. This assessment often extends beyond your professional skills to include your personal qualities and social skills. Discussing how you have successfully built relationships and contributed to a positive team environment in past roles can demonstrate your potential fit within the consulting firm. A strong opening statement that reflects your personality and enthusiasm for the consulting industry can also help establish a connection with the interviewer.

By understanding these focal areas, you can tailor your preparation for a consulting interview to highlight not only your problem-solving and analytical capabilities but also the soft skills crucial for a successful consulting career. This includes preparing for follow-up questions and behavioral questions, which are integral parts of fit interviews. Emphasizing how you handle various scenarios and interact with others can greatly enhance your chances of success in these interviews.

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Interview Questions with Sample Answers

In your consulting interview, you'll encounter a mix of interview questions designed to assess your suitability for the consulting role. Here's a breakdown of common question types and strategic sample answers, including how to provide specific examples and how to dive deeper into your responses, to help you prepare effectively.

Common Types of Questions

Consulting interviews typically feature these categories of questions:

Ice-Breaker Questions: These common introductory questions are used to help ease you into the interview setting. Try to have a notable quip prepared, but make sure to not make it too notable so that it overpowers the rest of the interview. Some of these questions include:

• “How are you doing?”
• “How was the traffic today?”
• “Did you have a hard time finding the office?”

Behavioral/Fit Interview Questions: These questions assess whether your qualities and motivations align with the firm's culture. They explore your past behaviors and skills in real-world situations. Examples of behavioral interview questions are:

• “Tell me about a time you made a mistake at work. How did you resolve the problem, and what did you learn from your mistake?”
• “How have you handled setbacks at work?”
• “How do you handle criticism?”

Case Interview Questions: These are the core of the consulting interview, where you are asked to solve a business problem, testing your analytical and problem-solving skills.

• “How many cars are sold in Chicago each year?”
• “What factors do you believe have driven the consolidation in the tech industry over the last ten years?”
• “What is the market capitalization of Apple today?"

Sample Answers to Common Questions

1. Tell me about a time you struggled to meet a deadline.

Sample Answer: "Once, I accepted a project with a tight deadline without fully assessing my workload. Realizing my oversight, I communicated my situation to my supervisor. With additional support, we completed the task on time. This experience taught me valuable lessons in time management and delegation."

2. How have you handled setbacks at work?

Sample Answer: “Setbacks are a natural part of any job, and I’ve learned to view them as opportunities for growth and improvement. One memorable setback occurred during the XYZ project where I was leading a team to develop a new software feature. Midway through the project, we discovered a significant flaw in our initial design that required us to redo a substantial portion of our work.

First, I gathered the team to discuss the issue openly and identify the root cause of the problem. It was important to maintain a positive and solution-focused atmosphere, so I encouraged everyone to contribute ideas on how to move forward. After assessing our options, we developed a revised plan with a clear timeline and redistributed tasks to ensure we could meet our deadline.

Throughout the process, I maintained regular communication with our stakeholders, keeping them informed of our progress and any adjustments we needed to make. This transparency helped to manage their expectations and maintain their trust in our ability to deliver.

In the end, we successfully completed the project on time, and the final product was even better than our original design. This experience taught me the value of adaptability, teamwork, and clear communication in overcoming setbacks. I believe these skills are crucial in a consulting environment, where unexpected challenges are common and must be addressed swiftly and effectively.”

3. Explain How You Adapt to Different Client Cultures

Sample Answer: "Before engaging with a new client, I research their company culture and adjust my communication style accordingly. For instance, I've learned that some clients prefer brief emails over calls. Adapting to these preferences has helped me build strong, effective working relationships."

Read : Why Choose Consulting? Exploring the Benefits and Opportunities

How to Answer Behavioral Questions Using the STAR Method

Behavioral questions should be answered using the STAR method, which stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Here's how you can structure your responses:

• Situation: Describe the context of the story.
• Task: Explain the challenge or objective.
• Action: Detail the actions you took to address the situation.
• Result: Highlight the outcomes of your actions, focusing on positive results and learned lessons.

By preparing responses that showcase your problem-solving skills, understanding of consulting demands, and ability to reflect on your experiences, you'll be well-equipped to impress in your consulting interview. Remember, each answer should be structured and concise, reflecting your clear thinking and communication skills.

Best Questions to Ask at the End of an Interview

Asking insightful questions at the end of your consulting interview is crucial for making a lasting impression. This is your opportunity to not only demonstrate your genuine interest in the firm and the role but also to connect personally with the interviewer. Here are some strategies and examples of effective questions you can ask:

Personalized Questions Focused on the Interviewer

Engage with the interviewer on a personal level by asking about their experiences and decisions in their consulting career. This approach helps establish a connection and can provide you with valuable insights into the consulting lifestyle and the firm’s culture.

• "Can you tell me about your background, and in particular how you ended up as a [company name] consultant?"
• "What has been your most challenging case thus far in your career?"
• "From your perspective, how have economic cycles affected the consulting business over the years?"

Questions About the Interviewer's View on the Firm

Understanding the interviewer's personal experience within the firm can give you a clearer picture of the internal dynamics and what to expect.

• "I'm really interested in [a specific area such as public sector consulting or renewable energy]. Could you share your insights about this area at [company name]?"
• "What do you think are the biggest misconceptions that applicants have about consulting?"
• "I've heard that your firm is known for [something positive], but also that [something negative]. To what extent do you find this impression accurate?"

Questions That Relate to Your Interests and Career Goals

Link your questions to your personal career aspirations to show that you are thinking about how you can grow with the firm.

• "Considering my background in [your field/interest], what opportunities for growth would I have at [company name]?"
• "Are there touch points or adjacent areas within the firm related to [specific interest] that I could explore?"

Engaging in a Two-Way Conversation

Make the interaction memorable by turning it into a conversation rather than a simple Q&A session.

• "What were your initial impressions of [company name] before you joined, and how have they changed over time?"
• "If you could recommend two books that all prospective management consultants should read, what would those be?"
• "Reflecting on your university days, what are the two or three things you wish you had learned that would have better prepared you for your role today?"

By focusing on these types of questions, you not only leave a positive impression but also demonstrate your strategic thinking and enthusiasm for the role. Remember to listen actively and engage with the answers provided, showing genuine interest and understanding. This approach will help you stand out as a candidate who is both interested and well-prepared.

We've covered the different types of consulting interview questions and how to answer them effectively. From behavioral questions to case studies and market sizing puzzles , you now have a better understanding of how to showcase your skills and fit within a consulting firm. This knowledge is valuable for anyone looking to break into or advance in the consulting industry.

Remember, success in case interviews requires more than just knowing the questions. You need a solid grasp of the consulting role, clear personal motivations, and the ability to think critically under pressure. With these insights, you're ready to tackle consulting interviews confidently. Use each interview as an opportunity to highlight your unique skills and advance your consulting career.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are case interviews, and why are they important in consulting?

• Case interviews are a critical component of the consulting interview process. They assess a candidate's ability to analyze complex business problems, develop strategic solutions, and communicate their findings effectively. Consulting companies use these interviews to evaluate how candidates approach problem-solving and their proficiency in data analysis and market trends.

How should I prepare for market sizing questions in case interviews?

• Market sizing questions are designed to test your quantitative skills and understanding of market dynamics. To prepare, practice structuring your approach to estimate market size, use data analysis to support your assumptions, and stay updated on market trends relevant to the industry you're applying to.

What are consulting companies looking for in a candidate’s ability to solve case interviews?

• Consulting companies look for candidates who demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and the ability to handle complex data analysis. They want to see how well candidates can dissect case scenarios, make sound judgments based on market trends, and present their findings clearly and persuasively.

How can I improve my performance in data analysis for case interviews?

• Improving your data analysis skills involves practicing with various types of data sets, refining your ability to draw insights from data, and becoming familiar with analytical tools and techniques. Focus on understanding how to apply these skills to real-world scenarios and case studies that reflect current market trends.

What should I expect during a case interview, and how can I succeed?

• During a case interview, you’ll be presented with a business problem that requires you to apply your analytical skills and understanding of market trends. To succeed, practice structuring your approach, be clear and logical in your reasoning, and use data analysis effectively to support your recommendations. Consulting companies are interested in seeing how you think through problems and communicate your solutions.

To help you prepare for your consulting interview, read the following additional resources to get you started:

The Ultimate 2024 Consulting Interview Prep Guide

How to answer the "why consulting" interview question, how to answer "tell me about yourself" in consulting interviews.

• How to Succeed in a Consulting Career - An Expert Coach's Guide
• Mastering Case Interview Math: Essential Formulas

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Chief Executive Officer Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

• Chief Executive OfficerResume Templates and Examples (Download in App)
• Resume Text Examples

How To Write a Chief Executive Officer Resume

Chief executive officer resume templates and examples (download in app).

• Entry-Level
• Senior-Level

Chief Executive Officer Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

• Hospital CEO
• Construction CEO

Aliya Jackson (123) 456-7890 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio New York, NY 12345

A hospital CEO with 10 years of experience, specializing in health care management, organizational development, and program management. A strong history of defining strategies to refine clinical operations, drive positive patient outcomes, and reduce operating costs for major hospitals with over $400 million in assets.

Professional Experience

Chief Executive Officer , St. Mark’s Hospital, New York, NY | March 2019 – present

• Oversee all aspects of business, clinical, and finance operations for a premiere hospital with 300 beds and over $400 million in assets
• Collaborate effectively with C-suite executives to define strategic direction for the hospital and lead initiatives to drive profitability through enhanced resource allocation, resulting in a $25 million cost reduction over five years
• Identify opportunities to enhance the delivery of patient-centered care in coordination with physicians and nursing teams, resulting in a 17% increase in patient satisfaction

Executive Director , Brooklyn Medical Center, New York, NY | June 2014 – March 2018

• Managed all aspects of daily operations and clinical programs for a 250-bed hospital, which included developing and allocating a $100 million-dollar operating budget
• Supervised 150 personnel and identified opportunities to improve clinical efficiency, resulting in a 16% reduction in patient wait times
• Coordinated with C-level executives and department leaders to evaluate staffing needs, recruit top talent, and establish an inclusive, forward-thinking work culture, resulting in 60 new hires and a 15% increase in employee retention

Certifications

• Certified Healthcare Executive (CHE), FACHE | 2015
• Six Sigma Greenbelt | 2014
• Clinical operations
• Hospital administration
• Operations management
• Program management
• Strategy development

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) Healthcare Administration University of Syracuse, New York, NY | September 2014 – June 2016

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Healthcare Administration University of Syracuse, New York, NY | September 2012 – June 2014

John Bergsen (123) 456-7890 [email protected] Philadelphia, PA 12345 LinkedIn | Portfolio

A dynamic and forward-thinking CEO with 12 years of experience building multi-million dollar companies within the construction industry. A proven track record of managing and scaling residential and commercial construction businesses. Adept at defining long-term growth strategies and building successful project management organizations.

Chief Executive Officer , Bergsen Construction Co., Philadelphia, PA | May 2017 – present

• Manage, scale, and build a residential and commercial construction company from the ground up, including hiring over 100 personnel, developing multi-million dollar budgets, driving new business development
• Define high-impact growth strategies and develop strategic partnerships to scale the business from pre-revenue to $32 million in gross revenue over seven years
• Liaise with project managers, architects, and client stakeholders to ensure alignment with business requirements, safety standards, and local and state regulations

Project Management Director , Highland Construction, Philadelphia, PA | June 2012 – May 2017

• Oversaw over 50 residential and commercial construction projects valued at $3 million to $25 million, managed all aspects of project delivery, and ensured strict compliance with OSHA safety regulations and building codes
• Implemented a new Agile-Waterfall hybrid methodology to improve resource allocation, eliminate roadblocks, and improve on-time delivery rates to 92%
• Interfaced with the C-suite and senior leadership teams to define strategic objectives and develop a $10 million operating budget
• Agile methodology
• Construction management
• Organizational development
• Project management
• Strategic planning
• Project Management Professional (PMP), 2012
• Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP), 2012

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)  Temple University, Philadelphia, PA | September 2012 – June 2014

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Project Management  Temple University, Philadelphia, PA | September 2008 – June 2012

Allison Rosenberg (123) 456-7890 [email protected] Seattle, WA 12345 LinkedIn | Portfolio

A CEO with 10 years of experience within the banking industry, specializing in change management, business strategy, and portfolio management. A proven track record of delivering executive leadership to major banks with over $200 million in assets.

Chief Executive Officer , First Financial Bank, Seattle, WA | March 2018 – present

• Oversee all aspects of banking operations across seven branch locations and define long-term investment and business strategies in collaboration with the board of directors for a bank with over $200 million in assets
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders and evaluate and approve loan multi-million dollar loan applications for businesses, school districts, and local governments
• Spearhead change management initiatives to transform the bank’s culture with a focus on diversity, inclusion, and public service initiatives

Senior Investment Banker , Starlight Credit Union, Seattle, WA | June 2014 – March 2018

• Developed successful investment strategies for client portfolios valued at up to $25 million and delivered presentations to stakeholders
• Built relationships with corporate leaders and facilitated meetings between C-level executives and investors throughout the due diligence process
• Executive leadership
• Banking operations
• Investment banking
• Change management
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), CFA Institute | 2014

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)  University of Washington, Seattle, WA | September 2012 – June 2014

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Economics University of Washington, Seattle, WA | September 2008 – June 2012

To write a truly great CEO resume, capture what makes you successful as a thought leader within your industry. As a CEO, every aspect of business operations is your responsibility. Whether it’s hiring team members, building strategic partnerships, or defining the long-term vision of the company, organizations turn to you for leadership. We’ll provide expert tips to translate your career into a CEO resume that sets you apart from other executives.

1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications

First impressions play a critical role in the hiring process, especially when applying for C-level positions at higher-end companies. Your opening summary needs to illustrate the most impressive and relevant aspects of your career in a succinct yet compelling manner.

Start with a sentence that captures your title, years of industry experience, and key areas of expertise. Use the remainder of the paragraph to highlight one or two stunning career achievements.

For example, if you built a multi-million-dollar company from the ground up, feature this accomplishment in your profile to demonstrate your track record of successfully managing and scaling businesses. Showcase these types of unique insights in your profile to differentiate yourself from the competition.

Strong Profile Example

Weak profile example.

An experienced hospital CEO with advanced solution-finding and leadership skills. Skilled in managing large hospitals and clinical teams. Seeking a position with St. Mark’s Hospital to continue growth as a leader in the health care field.

2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section

The professional experience section serves as the focal point of your CEO resume. This is where you’ll paint a clear and compelling image of your career achievements. Quantifying your accomplishments with monetary figures is important, as this is the best way to establish a sense of scope for the reader. Also, provide context for how you achieved these results to demonstrate your industry expertise.

For example, say you successfully scaled a business and grew revenue by $5 million. What strategies did you implement to generate this increase? How did you navigate the market landscape? How did you hire top talent and drive new business development while maintaining profitability? This information helps to brand you as a thought leader and strategic executive who can bring genuine value to potential organizations.

Strong Professional Experience Example

Chief Executive Officer, St. Mark’s Hospital, New York, NY | March 2019 – present

Weak Professional Experience Example

• Responsible for managing the daily operations of a large hospital, including solving complex business problems and improving process efficiency
• Work with executives to create strategies and manage high-value budgets
• Strive to improve the quality of patient-care delivery during tenure

3. Include relevant education and certifications

Although your work history will play the largest role in whether or not you receive an interview, CEOs are usually expected to have particular certifications and degrees depending on the industry. Many employers will be looking for an MBA when reviewing applicants, so it’s worth pursuing if you only have a bachelor’s degree. The value of a certification will vary depending on the industry.

For example, if you were pursuing a CEO position at a construction company, having a Project Management Professional (PMP) could be valuable even though you won’t be directly managing projects. In this situation, having a comprehensive understanding of project management gives you a nuanced perspective when developing high-level business plans and strategies.

• [Degree Name]
• [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
• Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) Healthcare Administration
• University of Syracuse, New York, NY | September 2015 – June 2017
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Healthcare Administration
• University of Syracuse, New York, NY | September 2011 – June 2015
• [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]

4. List pertinent key skills

At the executive level, you might already have a formal introduction or connection at the company you’re targeting, allowing you to bypass an applicant tracking system (ATS).

Even if this is the case, feature keywords and skill sets that match the organization’s needs. Provide a mix of leadership, business, and industry-related skill sets to convey the full breadth of your capabilities as a CEO. Below, you’ll find a list of potential keywords you may encounter during the job search:

How To Pick the Best Chief Executive Officer Resume Template

As a CEO, you need a professional resume template that captures your personal brand and conveys your experience in an accessible manner. Be conservative in your usage of color, graphics, and logos unless they serve a distinct purpose. At the end of the day, organizations will be far more interested in learning about your career achievements, so prioritize the readability of your content over visual elements.

Frequently Asked Questions: Chief Executive Officer Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for chief executive officer resumes -.

A CEO is expected to take the lead in all aspects of the organization. Your bullet points need to reflect that through proactive language and action verbs. For example, “Responsible for leading initiatives” is far less compelling than “spearheaded change management initiatives,” despite the minor alterations in word choice. Below, you’ll find a list of action verbs to craft the professional experience section of your CEO resume:

How do you align your resume with a chief executive officer job description? -

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , the average median income for chief executives was $258,900 in 2023. Due to the lucrative nature of C-level positions and the stakes at play for the company, it’s important to tactically align your resume with the position you’re applying for.

For example, say you were targeting a hospital that needs a CEO who can help transform the organization’s culture. In this situation, you would emphasize change management initiatives you’d led and demonstrate how they improved work environments, employee retention, and clinical effectiveness. Applying this strategy will immediately communicate the value you can bring to potential employers and organizations.

What is the best chief executive officer resume format? -

Reverse chronological is the best format for a CEO resume. As a C-level executive, your professional experience needs to be prioritized. This approach places your most recent and relevant work history towards the top of your document. A combination or functional resume format should always be avoided, as your skills and certifications should never take precedence over your career achievements.

Craft your perfect resume in minutes

Get 2x more interviews with Resume Builder. Access Pro Plan features for a limited time!

Once you’ve completed your CEO resume, consider adding a strong cover letter to help strengthen your job application. Provide additional insights regarding how your leadership expertise and industry knowledge would be a valuable asset to the organization you’re targeting. For more information, visit our executive cover letter guide .

Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

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20 Best Consulting Website Templates [FREE DOWNLOAD]

Table of contents, 5 inspiring consulting website examples for 2024.

Having a professional website for your consulting business is essential to make your business shine online. A well-crafted consulting website conveys trustworthiness while exuding expertise. It greatly determines the first impression that new clients or prospective clients form about your firm.

However, the process of developing a polished consulting website is often intricate and entails substantial costs. This is why many firms and businesses opt for pre-built consulting website template, with which they get a professional website while significantly saving time and money.

Yes, you can do the same! Here we have a handpicked collection of professional templates that designed specifically for consultant business including finance, management, HR, personal, and other consulting types. These templates can serve as a foundation upon which you can effortlessly customize and tailor them to align seamlessly with the unique requirements of your consulting enterprise. Also, we picked 5 innovative and inspiring website examples to fuel your creativity and basic FAQs about consulting website templates to help you create stunning website for your consulting businesses

1. Intelligence - A IT-Solutions Company Responsive Website Template

The intelligence template has been meticulously designed to offer a visually stunning and modern look that will capture your audience’s attention. The template features a sleek and clean layout, high-quality images, and elegant typography to create a sophisticated and professional feel. 

It comes with a range of pre-designed pages that can be customized to suit your needs. Whether you need a homepage, an about page, a contact page, or any other type of page, the “intelligence” template has you covered.

Key Features:

- 100% Responsive design

- On scroll-fixed navigation

- Awesome Design

- Bootstrap 4 Framework

- Working Contact Form

Free Download >>>

2.  Digital - A Digital Marketing Agency Responsive Website Template

This is a template designed for marketing business. It has a clean and clear structure including About us, What we provide, Marketing process, Our portfolio and Our Marketing partners. It also comes with CSS responsive dropdown menu. You can easily modify and update the content of each part of the page to fit your business needs.

- Fully Responsive

- Well commented code

- Easy to customize

- Validated HTML5 & CSS3

- Bootstrap Framework

Free Download >>>  

3. FinAgenc - A Finacial Consultant Agency Website Template

This template is designed exclusively for financial professionals, agencies, and consultants. With its sleek design and powerful features, FinAgenc is your gateway to a stunning and functional online presence.

- Responsive Design

- Drag-and-Drop Page Builder

- Finance-Centric Widgets

- Appointment Booking

- Blog Integration

Free Download  >>>

4. HR Crew - A HR Consulting Website Template

For all those companies related to human resource management, the HR crew is a excellent website template with everything preset inside. Whether it be for a job portal or an HR consulting firm, the template has a wide range of flexibility. Any human resource website template should support different types of job application forms and fast navigation through job listings. HR Crew human resource premium website template wears both these and many other characteristics.

- 20 HTML pages

- Job Search Form

- App Download Link

- Job Postings

5. Corp Group - A Business Strategy Company Responsive Website Template

Corp Group is a free website template built with HTML & CSS on Bootstrap. This web template is perfect for corporate businesses, agencies and similar businesses looking for a stunning web presence.

Key Features:   

- Google Fonts Used

- Valid HTML5 and CSS3 and much more.

6. Solutions - A Web Design Agency Responsive Website Template

Solutions website template helps customers to build a professional-look website and grab your customer’s concentration towards your business. It is the HTML website template that makes corporate business people make their business portfolio on display online in an attractive form.

- Home page with 2 styles

- Projects page – Image popup lightbox plugin

- Testimonial Owl Carousel slider

- Teams Owl Carousel slider

7. Execution - A Corporate Business WordPress Theme Website Template

Execution is the best corporate WordPress theme, which is best suitable for your projects to showcase your services. This template builds with Bootstrap4 framework has 10 Pages and many built-in awesome components such as hero section, features with photo, content with photo, services, team, testimonials, services, blog section, about, skills, carousel slider, responsive tabs, image services grids, services with icon, 404, contact form and map.

Key Features：

- Fully responsive (PC, Tablet, and Mobile phone)

- Advanced Bootstrap 4 framework

- Owl Carousel Slider

- Video banner

- Popup video

- Testimonial's slider

8. Corp Vision - A Business Strategy Company Website Template

This template includes all the pages a consulting firm will need to launch a top-notch website. The design was created following the latest trends in web design, and it also comes with an attractive wave animation on a banner, so the website has a modern, premium, and professional look and feel.  

Key  Features: 

- 100% Responsive and mobile-friendly

- Modern Business Homepage layout

- Banner Wave animation Effect

- Satisfied Client Testimonial Slider

- Designed with Bootstrap 4 framework 

9. Finance Ideas - A Finance Consulting Corporation Website Template

Finance Ideas is the corporate category website template used to build the finance consulting corporation or any corporate related website for growing your business online. The gradient finish garnishes the template makes it a more attractive website template. It also comes with a blog posts page where you can update the daily news and share about the pets.

- Fixed top Header

- Fully Responsive Design

- 6 + HTML Pages

- Blog Sidebar

- Google Location Map

10. Startup - A Business Consultancy Website Template

This template is designed for a business consultancy company for start-ups. It comes with simple but attractive theme colors and clear structure.  The empty spaces in this template also make it look clean and crisp. 

- 100% Responsive Design

- Attractive Images

- Design with Latest Bootstrap

- Valid HTML5 and CSS3

11. Worksmart - A Digital & Marketing Agency Website Template

Worksmart is a minimalistic basic website template built mainly for the corporate business category. Entirely built using HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap, the template is lighter even though it has some innovative animation styles.

- Video Pop-up

- CSS Animated Cards

- Top Slide Toggle Menu

- Video Background Plugin

12. Startled - A Multipurpose Business Website Template

Startled is a multipurpose Business website template designed especially for creative business websites. It is really versatile since it can fit for any type of brand and company like Corporate, business, agency, freelancers, designers, entrepreneurs, web studios, promoting your services, consulting business and much more. 

This template comes with necessary features for your online presence like beautifully and fully featured home page with introduction part, great features, stats number counter, offered services,  testimonials owl carousel slider and more. 

- Bootstrap V4.0.0 Framework

- HTML5 & CSS3

- 100% Responsive

- Responsive Pricing tabs

- 7 Html pages Image

13. Advisor - A  Investment Consultant Website Template

Advisor is a banking or corporate themed multipurpose template, a best choice for all your banking and corporate related websites like financial advisors, accountants, planners, consulting firms, business consulting and more. This creatively designed template has pretty awesome features like banner text slider, smooth scrolling navigation, nice hover effects, carousel slider, progressive numbers and clean, sleek, minimalistic and elegance style of design in every detail. 

- Easy to Customize

- Smooth scrolling effect

14. BizConsult - A Business Consulting Website Template

BizConsult is a free library for business consulting and corporate finance websites with predefined demo pages and web elements that helps you to build your own business site easily. It’s well commented and clean coded that’s why anyone can customize it easily.

- Bootstrap v5 framework

- Sass supported coding

- Google web font support

- Bootstrap icon font support

- Font Awesome v5 icon font

- Animation on page scrolling

- CSS3 hover effects

15. DGital – Digital Agency HTML Template

DGital is a well-crafted, creative, and modern designed free digital agency HTML template suited for startup digital agencies, SEO agencies, graphics design firms, creative agencies, web design & development agencies, online marketing agencies, SEO services providers, content marketing, consulting & financial agencies, and all other internet marketing and services related agencies and businesses.

- SaSS compatible coding

- Free Font Awesome v5 icon font

- Very clean and Well-commented code

- Developer and SEO-friendly code

- Stylish & responsive hero header

- Animated number counter

16. Karmo - A Minimalist Creative Agency Website Template

Karmo is an extremely eye-catching and eye-pleasing creative responsive website template that help you build creative startup agency website.  Its clean, lightweight, professional and trendy design makes it ideal for digital agencies and any kind of creative websites.  

- Fully Responsive Template

- Super Clear and Clean Layout

- Smooth Scrolling

- Well Commented, Indented and Clean Code

17. Consulto - A Business Consulting Website Template

Consulto is a free Bootstrap template for business consulting websites.  It follows all the latest trends and regulations of the modern web. Besides, it encompasses many significant features like split header, modal video player, sticky top navigation bar, testimonial carousel, Google Maps, and more others. 

- Bootstrap 4

- Fully responsive

- Split header with Video player

- Drop-down menu

- Accordion

- Google Maps

- Instagram Feed

- Working contact form

18. AEGIS -  A Business Strategy Company Responsive Website Template

This template is designed for a business stratedy company specialized in building websites, market reaserch, online marketing and more.  It comes with a modern and elegant design.

- Fully Responsive Slider

- Bootstrap Framework Version 4

- Clean and Clear Structure

19. WorkCore - A Business-solutions Agency Website Template

Workcore is a website templates perfect for business-solutions agency and corporate. It's designed with a new attractive UI that grabs the attention of your website visitors and makes them stay and know about your business services.

- Dark Theme Website Template

20. SEO Master – SEO Agency Website Template

SEO Master is a powerful, easy to use, and highly customizable free SEO agency website template specially designed for SEO, SEM, SaaS, B2B, Startup, digital marketing, email marketing, tech agency, IT business, and corporate websites.  The template is fully responsive and looks awesome on tablets and mobile devices. You can use this free HTML template to build your SEO & digital marketing related business website.

- Sticky and mobile-friendly navbar

1. Laura Busche - A Personal Consulting Website

This is Laura Busche 's personal consulting website. It is a fantastic example of great web design and branding. Laura uses strong visuals and organization to showcase her consultant brand effectively, creating an engaging platform that reflects her expertise in strategy.

At first glance, the clean and simple homepage design captures everyone's attention, while the sophisticated yet inviting professional color scheme sets it apart from other consulting websites immediately. As an expert in brand strategy, Laura's site reflects her skills by  showcasing her work and focuses on her projects and successes, avoiding clutter. 

Laura's website is also easy to use, with clear sections for services, blog posts, books, and her bio. It provides comprehensive information in a neat and organized way, making it easy for visitors to find what they need quickly. 

2. Olivine - A Product Marketing Consulting Website 

Olivine is an exemplary model for how a marketing consulting firm can effectively establish its online presence. The website not only showcases their expertise but also captivates visitors with visually appealing and interactive elements.

Landing on the homepage, bold colors and graphics make a vibrant first impression. This creative energy suits marketing consulting, where innovation is key. Dynamic visuals grab potential clients seeking fresh ideas from consultants.

The website's navigation is thoughtfully designed for ease of use, ensuring that visitors can quickly find the information they need. Intuitive menus lead to key sections such as Agency, Playbooks, Why Olivine, and Contact, streamlining the discovery of offerings — a crucial aspect for any consulting site.

3. Ninia Azzopardi - A Marketing Consulting Website 

This exceptional personal website distinguished by its warm and engaging layout and a clear presentation of services is owned by Ninia Azzopardi, an esteemed marketing consultant. 

The initial screen exudes simplicity, akin to a refined and minimalist name card. And when you scroll down, you'll definitely be amazed. The site offers a delightful scrolling experience, enhanced by astute scroll animations. 

Besides, the website's simple yet intuitive structure facilitates seamless navigation, allowing visitors to easily explore Ninia's background, offerings, and value proposition. The homepage serves as an efficient exhibition of her digital marketing expertise, featuring client reviews and work samples, effectively communicating her capabilities and fostering trust among visitors.

Her site really establishes a benchmark for creating a compelling platform to attract discerning consulting clients.

4. Adam Durrant - A SEO & Web Development Consulting Website

This is a consultation website whose layout features a clear sidebar navigation. At first glimpse, it might more like an application interface rather than a website homepage. But this trick does make it stand out. In this way, it provides an intuitive and clear structure of the site, making it super easy for customers to find any information they need to know about Adam.

Furthermore, strategically placed client testimonials serve to fortify Adam's capabilities. By showing endorsements, the site convinces potential clients of Adam's consulting impact. 

In summary, Adam Durrant's website strategically employs exceptional design, optimization techniques, and compelling content to effectively showcase his talents as a web development consultant online.

5. Millemann - A Minimalist Consulting Website 

Millemann is a consulting agency for oenologists or people who specialize in vine growing, grape harvesting, and wine manufacturing. The website's design adopts a minimalist approach, appealing particularly to individuals with a penchant for perfectionism. It has an extremely simple and clear structure with only three menu buttons: Home, About, and Contact.

The combination of black and wine red color schemes add sophistication, making it suitable for those in the wine manufacturing field. And its initial screen immediately captures attention with a promising display, where images and backgrounds subtly move in response to mouse interactions.

There are two arrows to facilitate seamless navigation across different sections of the site, which beautifully named “Passion”, “Expertise” and “Quintessence” to offer detailed information about their services, client testimonials, and case studies. . 

Overall, considering its aesthetics, layout, animation and interaction methods, Millemann is truly an innovative website for consulting businesses. 

What are the Factors to Consider When Choosing a Consulting Website Template?

There are a few key factors you should consider when choosing a consulting website template:

- Purpose and Goals

Clarify the purpose of your consulting website and define your goals. You should ensure it meets your specific needs in terms of functionality.  

- Overall Look and Feel

The overall look and feel greatly determine the first impression that new clients or prospective clients have on your firm. So look for designs that exude professionalism, credibility, and trustworthiness.

- Layout and User Experience

Consider how easy the template is to use and navigate. A template with a clean and intuitive layout will help make your website more user-friendly.

- Responsiveness

Make sure the template is responsive and displays well on various devices, especially mobile phones and tablets. A growing number of users access websites from mobile devices.

- Customization options

Consider how much control you want over the design of your website and choose a template that allows easy customization to reflect your business accordingly.

Yes, there are numerous free templates available in the marketplaces. However, they could have less features and customization choices, and they might not be as well-made as expensive themes. So you should carefully weigh its advantages and disadvantages and take your budget into consideration.

Which are the Best Websites to Find Consulting Website Templates?

1. ThemeForest 

Website: ThemeForest

ThemeForest is a marketplace for website templates, including many designed specifically for consulting businesses. You can find a variety of options, and it's part of the Envato Market.

2. w3layouts

Website: w3layouts 

w3layouts is a website that offers a collection of free HTML templates, CSS templates, and responsive web templates. These templates cover various categories and can be used for different types of websites, including business, portfolio, blog, and more. And most importantly, it offers free download.

Website: Wix

Wix is a website builder that offers a range of templates for different industries, including consulting. It's user-friendly and allows for easy customization.

4. ThemeWagon

Website: ThemeWagon

ThemeWagon is a website that provides a collection of free and premium HTML5, Bootstrap, and WordPress templates. These templates cover a variety of categories, including business, portfolio, landing pages, and more.

5. WordPress Theme Directory 

Website: WordPress Theme Directory

If you're using WordPress, you can explore the official WordPress Theme Directory. It offers a variety of free and premium themes suitable for consulting websites.

How to Build a Consulting Website?

Different organizations or individuals may have their distinct processes for building a consulting website. But it typically involves the following general steps:

1. Define Purpose and Goals:

- Clearly outline the purpose of your consulting website.

- Identify the target audience and set specific goals.

2. Choose a CMS and Template:

- Select a user-friendly CMS (e.g., WordPress, Wix).

- Pick a professional template aligned with your brand.

3. Create Essential Pages and Content:

- Develop key pages (Such as Home, About, Services, Contact).

- Craft compelling, concise content showcasing expertise.

4. Optimize for SEO and User Experience:

- Implement SEO best practices for better visibility.

- Ensure a responsive design for optimal user experience.

5. Launch, Monitor, and Promote:

- Test thoroughly before launch and announce it.

- Monitor performance, update content, and promote through digital channels.

In this article, we handpicked 20 free consulting websites of various categories, 5 inspiring templates to fuel you creativity and some basic FAQs about consulting website templates. 

As you can see, the barrier to creating a professional website has significantly lowered with the use of pre-designed website templates which enables anyone to effortlessly and rapidly develop an impressive website. You don't need to start designing each page from scratch. Instead, you can customize them according to your own needs. This flexibility allows individuals without professional design or programming experience to have a remarkable online presence which sometimes can be a game-changer for your business. 

So try and elevate your consulting business by embracing the efficiency and sophistication that these templates bring.

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The Best Consulting CRM: 10 CRMs Compared (2024)

Lucija Bakić

August 20, 2024

A good CRM is essential to winning potential customers, but the best consulting CRM can organize your sales process and enhance your project delivery.

CRM software helps optimize sales activities, client information and communication, and sales team performance. But what happens later? After you win your deal, you’ll need software to help you deliver results within budget and time and ensure client satisfaction. This list will help you find the best CRM tools for consulting services, from specialized software and all-in-one platforms to affordable alternatives.

List of the Best Consulting CRM

• Productive – the top unified platform for customer and project management.
• Salesforce – a robust sales CRM platform.
• HubSpot – another well-known CRM option.
• ClickUp – a solid project management option.
• Pipedrive – a streamlined alternative to HubSpot.
• Zixflow – a lesser-known but highly-praised solution.
• Honeybook – workflow management for a small firm.
• Freshsales – a good option for mid-sized agencies.
• Zoho – a Salesforce alternative for smaller teams.
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 – a CRM option within the Microsoft ecosystem.

Why Your Consulting Business Needs a CRM

According to research on CRM systems by Capterra, a consulting firm and other businesses that don’t have a formalized method for customer relationship management experience the following challenges:

• Errors in contact management and data consistency (41%)
• Fragmented and inefficient workflows (32%)
• Increased risk of missed opportunities due to lack of data (11%)

The best software for consultants can create a bridge between the sales cycle and consulting project management to simplify collaboration and deliver richer, more reliable data.

Key Features of CRM Software

CRMs for consultants should offer the following core features:

• Flexible pipeline management to monitor how deals progress through stages
• Creating and sending quotes/proposals for reliable pricing management
• Collaboration and contact management for easier follow-up
• Sales team scheduling to ensure that workloads are balanced
• Sales performance and reporting to drive sales process improvements
• Project planning and execution capabilities, including budgeting and team collaboration

1. Productive – The Best All-in-One Option for Consultancies

Productive is an all-in-one software created to cater to the workflows of professional services agencies, including the consulting industry. The biggest benefit of using Productive is that the CRM feature is integrated with other functionalities that helps a consultant run a successful project. This includes project and task management, budgeting, resourcing, and reporting.

The good thing about Productive is that having everything integrated in the same platform gives us a 360 view of how the company is performing regarding resources, efficiency, and profitability.

Verónica F., PMO at BICG

Read how consulting firms use Productive to get a complete overview of operations. Let’s explore Productive’s top consultancy CRM features in more detail:

Customizing Your Sales Pipeline

With Productive, you can organize and monitor your deals within a custom sales pipeline to ensure consultants are always on top of opportunities.

Deals in Productive look similar to task cards on a Kanban board

You can create your custom sales pipeline by customizing your stages with different names, colors, and icons. You can also set the probability of winning a deal for each stage; stages that are set to Won or Lost will naturally have a probability of 100% and 0%, respectively. Probability can be used to help you forecast your sales revenue. To move your deals between the different pipeline stages, simply drag and drop them. You can also move multiple deals in bulk.

You can have multiple Sales Pipelines with different stages for specific workflows and change your layouts between a board and table view, according to team preference.

Managing Customers & Consultants

While your deals contain all essential information on a potential client (deal name, company, deal owner, etc.), they also function like project tasks. You can add to-dos and deadlines and assign specific team members for better client management. There’s also a comment section for managing your discussions in one place instead of scattering information across emails and Slack (or not writing it down at all).

Manage each deal like a project task

Productive helps you manage your deal data and get better collaboration between team members. Your emails can be forwarded or bcc’d to Productive and accessed from an in-platform inbox. You can then assign emails to specific deals for an overview of your communications; if the email is part of an ongoing conversation, it will be auto-filed.

Creating Quotes

With Productive, you can easily create quotes/proposals and send them to clients. First, you’ll need to set up your agency rate cards by adding information such as the services you’re offering, price, and billing. Then, you can use this data to generate a deal proposal. Proposals can be customized for language, custom notes or footers, and more. When you’re done, you can download it in PDF format and send it to the client.

Your finished proposal in Productive will look something like this  

Sales Team Scheduling

Another one of Productive’s features includes sales team scheduling, also known as scheduling on deals. You can use the Resource Planning feature to get more control over how your sales teams are allocated and utilized across deals. Since scheduling is also linked to time off management, you can get a better overview of actual team availability by viewing holidays and time off in a single overview.

Get better control over your agency’s resources 

The biggest benefit of Resource Planning is that you can check your team utilization to make sure that workloads are balanced. This means that team members are not underutilized or assigned to too many tasks to complete on time.

Sales Reporting

Productive supports your sales processes with real-time insights into various key metrics. By setting probability percentages, you can forecast your sales revenue. You can also get an overview of all your deal stages and monitor performance, such as won deals by the owner or time period or lost deals by reason (to enable this metric, set different reasons and assign them to lost deals). You can also manage your sales team utilization or forecast it for improved strategic decision-making; for example, if all of your seniors are overutilized in a certain month, you can consider hiring another or upskilling your mid-level employees.

Resource utilization is one of the most important agency metrics

Reports can be created by using templates or by creating your own from scratch. You can also use custom fields to add agency-specific parameters. To share your reports, you can create custom dashboards or automate your sharing (to Slack or email) with Productive’s Pulse.

Winning a Deal

After you’ve won a deal, you can convert it into a project with the budget you’ve already assigned to it and continue managing it through Productive. Productive provides three essential project management tools to help you execute your projects with success: time tracking, project and task management, and budgeting.

• Time Tracking : Track billable vs non billable hours (using timer or manual entry), approve time entries for timesheets, and use this data for invoicing.
• Project Management : Get a high-level view of your progress with seven project layouts, including Gantt, Workload, Kanban, List, and more. Collaborate with your consulting team on tasks, invite clients to projects for free, and streamline workflows with Automations .
• Budgeting : Control your budget burn in real-time as the project progresses. You can also forecast your revenue and profitability to handle project risks and ensure your agency’s financial health.

Integrations

Productive offers a wide variety of integrations with HR, accounting, and collaboration tools. This includes HubSpot for syncing contacts, companies, and deals; Slack, Google Calendar, and Outlook for scheduling and updates; Xero and QuickBooks for accounting; BambooHR and Breathe for HRM; Jira and Memtime for time tracking, and more.

• Plans start with the Essential plan at $9 per user per month, which includes essential features such as budgeting, project & task management, docs, time tracking, expense management, reporting, and time off management.
• The Professional plan includes custom fields, recurring budgets, advanced reports, billable time approvals, and many more for $24 per user per month.
• The Ultimate plan has everything that the Essential plan and Professional plan offer, along with the HubSpot integration, advanced forecasting, advanced custom fields, overhead calculations, and more for a custom price.
• You can also check out the Enterprise Plan with custom pricing for companies that would include more than 50 active users per month.

You can also try a 14-day free trial before committing to a paid plan.

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2. Salesforce

Salesforce is a leading CRM platform that offers solutions for the manufacturing, communications, retail, tech, and media industries. It provides products for marketing, sales, customer services, and more.

Key features:

• Customer data management
• Sales & marketing AI and automation
• Sales engagement intelligence
• Sales forecasting & analytics
• Website and app personalization

SOurce: salesforce

Salesforce is a robust CRM platform that comes with a set of benefits and downsides. The benefits are that it can be customized to your needs and provides comprehensive analytics, but it’s also costly and complex. Therefore, it’s not the best option for smaller agencies. Keep in mind that you’ll need dedicated employees to implement and maintain Salesforce, so be ready to invest your time and resources to get the most out of it.

Salesforce is phenomenal software that drives every aspect of my business that I haven’t automated via Slack. However, what makes it so beautiful is dependent on its implementation and integration with other software. Poor implementation = poor experience.

Source: Reddit

HubSpot is a popular CRM tool for consulting businesses and other firms, and it includes marketing, sales, customer service, content management, and operations software.

• Email marketing
• AI-powered lead automation
• Prospecting & deal management
• Sales and marketing automation
• Marketing campaign management

Source: hubspot

Compared to Salesforce, HubSpot is usually recommended to smaller teams, as it can’t do everything SF can. However, it’s still a robust tool with a good user experience and capabilities for managing email campaigns and automating workflows.

I have used Hubspot for B2B sales and marketing for years. It’s pretty great what you can get for free. We’re moving to Salesforce (got acquired by a big fish) but Hubspot was solid.

Source: Reddit Additionally, HubSpot’s pricing is very flexible, as you can purchase either one of their Hubs individually or create your custom toolkit. Productive has a native HubSpot integration , so you can sync your deals, contacts, companies, and stages between the two tools.

ClickUp is a work management tool suitable for project management, IT, HR management, sales, and product development.

• Multiple project views
• Custom dashboards
• Agile management
• Time tracking
• Basic resource planning

source: clickup

ClickUp’s CRM features are light when it comes to managing the sales cycle. You can organize your pipeline, manage emails, organize accounts, and collaborate with clients. ClickUp is more suitable for supporting the project delivery process, but keep in mind that there are no integrated budgeting or invoicing capabilities, which also means that you can’t generate deal proposals. Some users also mention issues with bugs and platform performance; find out more in our detailed comparison of ClickUp vs Monday vs Asana .

5. Pipedrive

Pipedrive is a sales CRM software suitable for a variety of industries, including media, marketing, healthcare, manufacturing, and more.

• Email templates
• Marketing automation
• Lead management
• Contact management
• Marketing & sales analytics

source: pipedrive

Users praise Pipedrive for providing good value for money and being fairly easy to use and set up. However, others prefer more robust options for their sales and marketing projects , such as HubSpot:

Hubspot does all this, and unlike Pipedrive, all major prospecting tools (Zoom info, Apollo, etc.) integrate with Hubspot.

Source: reddit Additionally, keep in mind that there’s no native Xero integration; out of popular accounting software , only QuickBooks is available.

Zixflow, previously known as Sales Simplify, is a CRM system with automation and AI-driven capabilities.

• Automated engagement system
• Multi-channel marketing
• Email finder
• Workflow automation

source: zixflow

Zixflow is a lesser-known option in comparison to tools such as Salesforce or HubSpot, but it’s a highly praised software solution overall. Users state that:

I love the automation capabilities. We have about 40 – 50 workflows that send emails, move stages, create records and tasks, and a bunch of other things that we used to do manually.

Source: Capterra The most notable downside is similar to Pipedrive, and it’s that Zixflow doesn’t integrate with a lot of third-party apps. Additionally, a G2 review states that the email finder and validation feature doesn’t always work perfectly.

7. Honeybook

Honeybook is a clientflow management platform that helps business owners provide a good customer experience.

• Online proposal management
• Meetings scheduling
• Contract management
• Invoicing and payments

Automations

source: honeybook

User reviews state that Honeybook has some useful features, and it can be an especially good pick for smaller businesses or independent consultants:

One thing that HoneyBook does is help you with creating structure for your small business or freelancing gigs.

Source: Reddit However, some users find that Honeybook can be a bit too structured for their needs. Keep this in mind if your agency has specific workflows or you like to adjust them from client to client.

8. Freshsales

Freshsales is an AI-powered sales CRM for improved client communication and efficient sales sequences.

• Contact details management
• Sales pipeline
• Multi-channel support
• Sales AI and forecasting
• User permissions and access

source: freshsales

Users often pick Freshsales over its competition due to its pricing. It’s a good middle-of-the-road option for a consulting business that’s too big not to have a CRM but not big enough to spend resources on a complex option like HubSpot or Salesforce. However, many reviews mention issues with customer support, including the fact that it can be difficult to get in touch and that getting a response can take a while.

Zoho CRM is a solution with comprehensive features for a wide range of industries, company sizes, and roles.

• Sales AI and automation
• Omnichannel contact management
• No-code customization
• Sales process management

source: zoho

Like Freshsales, Zoho is a great solution for businesses that need a sales CRM but aren’t looking to invest long-term into a tool such as Salesforce.

I would say a common challenge with Zoho is sales enablement, it’s not easy to run prospecting cadences through it. If you’re looking for “Salesforce but cheaper and for small businesses”, Zoho’s the play. If you’re looking for a full stack customer facing platform that’s decent in every area, even outside of sales, HubSpot’s the play.

Source: Reddit You can consider either Zoho, Pipedrive, or Freshsales as a scaled-down option, depending on your preferences for the user interface. Productive is another great choice for integrated sales and agency management .

10. Microsoft Dynamics 365

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales is an AI-powered CRM solution in the Microsoft ecosystem.

• Pipeline management
• AI lead scoring
• Embedded dashboards
• Performance analysis and forecasting
• Sales action sequences

source: microsoft dynamics 365

The biggest benefit of using Dynamics 365 for sales is the seamless integration with tools from the Microsoft ecosystem, such as Outlook, Teams, and their reporting tool , Power BI. However, as an individual tool, some users find that the user interface is somewhat outdated and clunky. For example, in comparison to Zoho CRM:

Zoho CRM is better at the tasks I require. Easier to learn on the job. Zoho is quite simple to use, especially when compared to Microsoft Dynamics.

Source: Capterra Overall, if you’re planning to invest in multiple Microsoft tools, Dynamics 365 is a valid option.

How to Choose Your CRM Platform

While key features and pricing are important considerations, there are three other factors you should consider: usability, customer support, and scalability. Usability ensures that the software is easy to navigate and enjoyable to use. Even if your chosen platform is complex and more difficult to fully learn, responsive customer support, tutorials, and other learning materials should be available to encourage adoption and maximize ROI. Scalability is crucial as well, meaning the software is regularly updated with new features and improvements. This ensures your CRM can grow with your business, removing the need to switch platforms as your business expands. To assess these factors, take advantage of demos with sales teams or potential free trials. For insights into scalability and customer support, you can review feedback on comparison sites (such as Capterra or G2) and explore the vendor’s website for the latest updates or a product roadmap .

Conclusion: Best Consulting Firm CRMs

We’ve reviewed some of the top options for CRMs for consultants. To summarize, you can choose between complex options, such as HubSpot or Salesforce. Then, there are some alternatives that are more affordable and scaled down, such as Freshsales, Zoho, or Pipedrive. Or, you can choose Productive to bridge the gap between your sales processes and agency management. Productive’s CRM offers pipeline management, proposal/quote generation, team collaboration, and sales team scheduling, and later supports your projects with budgeting, tasks, and time tracking. Book a demo with Productive today to find out how it can support your consulting business. For more information, check out our guide to CRM software for agencies .

How can a consulting CRM improve client management and project delivery?

A consultant CRM streamlines the entire project workflow, from initial context to deliverables and invoicing. It helps sales teams track interactions, manage client relationships, and collaborate. Some useful features of CRM for consultants include automated reminders, task tracking, and real-time reporting.

How do you best set up your pipeline in a consulting CRM?

To set up your pipeline effectively, customize stages to reflect your consulting firm’s sales and project workflow. For example, you can set it up in six stages to reflect where they stand in your sales funnel, including lead, conversation, proposal, win, loss, and nurture. However you set it up, it’s important to clearly define each stage and set criteria for moving deals forward.

What are the common challenges in implementing a consulting CRM?

Common challenges include resistance to change, data migration issues, and lack of user adoption. Overcoming these requires a clear implementation plan and buy-in from all levels of your business. A user-friendly CRM with responsive customer support can also help mitigate these challenges.

What are the benefits of setting up a consulting CRM?

Implementing a consulting CRM leads to improved client relationship management, enhanced project tracking, and streamlined workflows. It boosts efficiency by automating repetitive tasks, ensures better collaboration, and provides valuable insights through reporting. Ultimately, a CRM helps consultants increase client satisfaction, close more deals, and grow their business through data-driven decision-making.

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