Secrets of Consulting Resumes

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Secrets of Consulting Resumes

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is

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a career coaching boutique for aspiringstrategy consultants

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Start your consulting career with us at www.thecasecoach.com

Author Biographies

Nevin Kamath• Has trained hundreds of Ph.D., J.D, M.B.A., and M.D.

candidates for consulting roles• Professor of Business Communication at USC Marshall

School of Business• JD, Harvard Law School

Shrankhla Holecek• Reviewed hundreds of candidate resumes as an Engagement

Manager for McKinsey & Co, a global strategy consulting firm• MBA, UCLA Anderson School of Business

How does the resume screen work?

What does your resume reader want to know?

How do you write a standout resume?

What does a sample resume look like?

Secrets of Consulting Resumes

How does the consulting resume screening process work?

Final candidates selected for an interview

Decision meeting to compare

notes

Review by practice recruiter

Review by core

consultants

Submitted Resumes

Review by core

consultants

Review by core

consultants

Review by local

recruiter

Review by specialist recruiter

Review by local

recruiter

Review by practice recruiter

What does your resume reader want to know?

A. Does this applicant have the relevant business leadership skills?

i. Problem Solving

ii. Quantitative ability

iii. Creativity

B. Does this applicant possess the relevant communication skillset?

i. Can lead and/or work well in teams

ii. Can present their ideas effectively

iii. Can communicate sensitive matters with clients

C. Can we sell this applicant’s accomplishments to a client?

i. Measurable intellect – GPA, standardized test scores

ii. Unique accomplishments – Scholarships, Awards

How to write a standout consulting resume

Examine your experiences and

select those that are relevant to the field

of consulting

Describe those experiences with language that will

connect with a consultant (Look at

the Appendix)

Obtain feedback from someone in the

field

How to highlight your business leadership potential

When have you shown a rigorous problem solving orientation?Founded a nonprofit to address a societal issueCreated a software design toolInvented something new

Problem Solving

How can you demonstrate your creativity?Directed a playWrote a unique research thesisPhotographed an indigenous tribe

Creativity

Where have you shown a love of numbers and data? Oversaw the budget of a large student organizationAnalyzed and managed a large scientific data set

Quant/Data Skills

How to highlight your communication skills

Where have you led teams?Coordinated a student conferenceProduced a major campus eventChaired a committee

Leading Teams

How have you presented your ideas in a public way?Authored a research thesisPresented at a scientific conferenceDJ’d for a campus radio show

Presenting Your Ideas

Where have you handled sensitive communication matters?Arbitrated a dispute Interviewed major stakeholdersPersuaded advisors to join your board

Handling Sensitive

Communication

How to use language that will precisely demonstrate what you are trying to convey

analyzed diagnosed gathered organized

clarified evaluated identified researched

collected examined interpreted reviewed

compared experimented invented searched

conducted explored investigated solved

critiqued extracted located summarized

determined formulated measured surveyed

Problem Solving

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review service

administered balanced determined planned

adjusted budgeted developed prepared

allocated calculated estimated programmed

analyzed computed forecasted projected

appraised conserved managed reconciled

assessed corrected marketed reduced

audited corrected measured researched

Source: The University of Minnesota

Financial/Data Skills

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acted customized entertained instituted performed

adapted designed established integrated photographed

combined developed fashioned introduced planned

composed directed formulated invented revised

conceptualized displayed founded modeled revitalized

condensed drew illustrated modified shaped

created edited initiated originated solved

Source: The University of Minnesota

Creative Skills

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achieved converted executed managed recommended

administered coordinated expanded merged reduced

analyzed decided generated motivated reorganized

appointed delegated handled organized replaced

assigned developed headed hired originated restored

attained directed hosted overhauled scheduled

authorized eliminated improved oversaw secured

chaired emphasized incorporated pioneered selected

considered enforced increased planned streamlined

consolidated enhanced initiated presided strengthened

contracted established inspected prioritized supervised

controlled evaluated instituted produced surpassed

Source: The University of Minnesota

Leadership Skills

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addressed contacted elicited judged promoted

advertised conveyed enlisted lectured proposed

arbitrated convinced explained listened publicized

arranged corresponded expressed marketed reconciled

articulated debated formulated mediated recruited

authored defined furnished moderated referred

clarified described influenced negotiated reinforced

collaborated developed interacted observed reported

communicated directed interpreted outlined resolved

composed discussed interviewed participated responded

condensed drafted involved persuaded solicited

conferred edited joined presented specified

Source: The University of Minnesota

Communication Skills

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Client Resume Excerpts

Accomplishments from long time

ago can be taken out

Degree can go in the same line as dates

Focus work experience on the

more relevant qualities

Client Resume ExcerptsWith this client, we worked to illustrate her key skills as they map to consulting competencies

Drive and Accomplishments

Good team player

Leadership and strong

communications

Analytics, Problem Solving, Initiative

Final words of advice

• Approach the writing of your resume as a learning experience• Do you have all of the experiences that we’ve highlighted? If not, then go get them!

• Typos will knock you out early – don’t make any mistakes.

• Reviewers are looking for a reason to “reject” a resume – be extremely wary of incorrect formatting or length or typos

• Get feedback from at least two people before submitting your resume

• Word choice is critical.

• Use language that highlights the skills and abilities that consulting firms are looking for.

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Start your consulting career with us at www.thecasecoach.com