How to prepare your resume for strategy consulting

In consulting, your resume is the initial filter in the selection process for firms like McKinsey, Bain, and BCG. Its purpose is to demonstrate impact, clarity, and excellence in under a minute, distinguishing the candidates who advance to the interview stage from those who do not.

Out of every 100 applications, fewer than 10 advance to the interview stage. We'll guide you to ensure yours is one of them.

1. Why is the resume so important in consulting?

Your resume is more than just a document. It's your tool to stand out in a field where everyone has good grades and interesting experiences.

A consulting resume should:

• Be clear and structured
• Demonstrate impact, not just tasks
• Demonstrate that you can communicate with precision
• Reflect the values sought by top consulting firms

If you don't make a compelling case within 30 seconds, the process ends there.

2. What do consulting firms look for in your resume?

Top consulting firms look for five key elements:

• Academic excellence: grades, awards, master's degrees, double degrees, etc.
• Relevant or differentiating experience: internships, personal projects, self-initiated ventures.
• Structured thinking: demonstrated through analytical roles or organized leadership.
• Synthesis skills: clarity when communicating achievements and results.
• Quantifiable impact: figures, percentages, concrete results.

It's not enough to say 'I made an improvement to the process.' Say: 'I improved the process and reduced the delivery time by 25%.'

3. How to structure a consulting resume?

Clarity and professional formatting

Use bullet points (never long blocks of text). Leave white spaces. Use a professional font and avoid embellishments.

A visually clean resume conveys order and structured thinking.

Download our free CV templates

Achievements, not responsibilities

Instead of saying "Marketing Campaign Manager", say:

"I led an RRSS campaign that increased leads by 45% in 3 months."

Each line must answer:

• What did you do?
• What was the impact?
• Why does that make you a better candidate?

Strategic order

Prioritize what highlights you the most. If you interned at a Big Four firm, place it at the top. If your professional experience is limited but you have a strong project or relevant award, give it visibility.

Continuous review and improvement

Review your resume multiple times. Read each line aloud. Does it make sense? Is it concise? Does it reflect accomplishments or just describe tasks?

Don't rely solely on your own judgment. Compare with examples and use resources that have already been validated.

4. Your CV is your first challenge

The person reviewing your resume will spend less than a minute on it. Your job is to demonstrate that you can focus, prioritize, and communicate impact.

A well-crafted resume can open doors to any firm. A weak one closes them before you even start.

Access the comprehensive guide “Crack the Interview Process”

5. Common mistakes that will keep you out

• Unneeded two pages: For junior/middle roles, 1 page is the standard.
• Task-oriented bullets instead of impact-oriented bullets: avoid generic verbs without metrics.
• Overloaded designs: prioritize readability; don't saturate with content.
• Inconsistencies: dates, verbs, formats, and margins must be consistent.
• Lack of translation into English: always have an English version available, especially if you are applying to international firms.

6. Structure Template (1-page CV)

1. Header: Name, email, phone number, city, LinkedIn.
2. Education: Degrees/Masters, GPA (if notable), awards, relevant coursework.
3. Experience: 3–5 bullet points per role; action verbs + metric/result.
4. Projects/Achievements: pro-bono consulting, startups, competitions.
5. Skills: languages, tools (Excel, SQL, Power BI), certifications.
6. Interests: 2–3 specific interests (can start a conversation in interviews).

7. Mini-FAQ

Should it always be 1 page?
In most cases, yes; two pages only for senior profiles.

Should I include a photo?
Only if it is a local requirement and in a professional format.

Should I include my GPA?
Include it if it's high or provides positive context; if it doesn't add value, omit it.

Should I include soft skills?
Not as a separate category. Demonstrate these skills through concrete achievements.

What if I don't have any consulting experience?
Highlight what you do have: structure, leadership, impact, proactivity, and written clarity.

Can I include personal projects?
Yes. If well-presented, they can set you apart much more than less relevant internships.

8. Access resources and continue progressing

If you want to continue preparing for consulting, explore our comprehensive 7-step guide. You will find more tips on resume building, networking, case interviews, mental math, etc: