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What do top tier consulting firms look for in resumes?

Please explain the factors consulting firms look for in a resume from someone in college when deciding whether or not to call a candidate in for an interview. #resume #consulting

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CriticalMass’s Answer

Basically three things:



  1. Big brand name employers or schools

  2. Academic performance (GPA)

  3. Evidence of leadership and people management skills


1) Big Brand Name Employers or Schools

If you're an Associate making $150,o00 – $200,000 USD per year, your employer is probably billing you out to clients at $600,000 USD/year. That's $50,000 USD/month. The client is going to want to know what and who they are getting for that kind of money. When the answer is John or Jane Doe, who has a BS from Dartmouth, a MD from Yale and MBA from Harvard, clients respond with an "Oh wow… that's impressive" comment. It makes it easier to get new clients to say "yes". Now plenty of people get into the top firms (McKinsey included) that do NOT have such a perfect ivy pedigree… but if you got it, make sure it is OBVIOUS (it will help a lot).


Let me explain the thought process some of these biases. The thinking is that only super high achievers get into the top schools… and the top firms REALLY like hiring super high achievers. This is not to say that the firms do not hire from non-target schools (they do), but they assume the highest achievers from non-target schools will work really hard to contact the firm (generally via networking) — thus demonstrating their determination.


In addition, it is very expensive for the firms to do on campus recruiting. So they stick to schools where the offer rate vs. applicant ratio is high (high being defined as greater than 1%… For example, Stanford (undergrad) is a target school and my year 400 students applied for full time jobs, 6 offers were extended… and this was considered a very successful recruiting ratio by McKinsey).


As a point of reference, when I was recruited by McKinsey, I heard a rumor that the firm spent $100,000 USD in recruiting expense to hire ONE Business Analyst. This figure included all billable hours of interviewers and consultants who go to on campus recruiting events as well as "hard" costs for travel, renting conference rooms, hotels, etc…


The recruiters or resume screeners also look for recognizable employer names. It is easier to understand a candidate's accomplishment via the implied credibility of the employer name and it is also easier to convey to clients.


It is the same reason everyone wants to work for MBB – McKinsey, Bain or Boston Consulting Group — it implies something on your resume that stays with you forever. To this day, I am know as a Stanford Grad and an Ex-McKinsey "Guy". It is how I am introduced formally or informally when I give speeches. It stays with you for a very long time.


2) Academic Performance (GPA)

The top firms want to know if you are smart. It helps to put your GPA on your resume. If you do not, they will either 1) ask you for it anyways and write it by hand on your resume after you submit it, or 2) assume it is low and assess your resume accordingly. If your schools grading system is not well understood by others, you should explain the grading scale your school uses. Most US schools use a 4.0 GPA system – perfect marks is a 4.0 GPA out of a possible 4.0. If yours is different or you are applying from one country to an office in a different country, then you want to put on your resume some way for the reader to interpret your GPA (put your rank or put your %… like top 1% of class, something along those lines).


For applicants coming out of college, many firms will ask for your transcript to see your specific grades on specific classes. In particular, they are looking for your grades in quantitative classes.


3) Evidence of Leadership & People Skills

Being smart (factors #2 and #3 above) is not enough to do well as a consultant. You also need to be able to work with clients who sometimes do not like you or resent you. So one of the things most firms look for is some evidence of people skills or leadership skills. The firms want to know you can handle a difficult interpersonal situation — especially any one involving high stress, deadlines, inter-personal conflicts. You will get asked about these kinds of leadership scenarios in your interview. They also look for it in your resume and consulting cover letters too. If you have these experiences, PUT IT IN THE RESUME. It is a big mistake if you do not.


These experiences can include: Extra-curricular activities. Specific experiences at a particular job (especially people-skill type accomplishments that might not normally be valued by other employers in that industry, but would be valued by consulting firms.) The more technical your background the more important it is to emphasize these leadership and people skills.


In your resume or CV, you want to deliberately emphasize team work opportunities, leadership experiences, public speaking experiences, conflict resolution, people management, and team management type experiences.

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CareerVillage’s Answer

I would echo CriticalMass's answer. People at these firms are screening hundreds and hundreds of resumes. To do this efficiently, they are looking for a few key things:


1) Numbers: I think this is not only your GPA (top 1%, as close to 4.0 as possible, especially your departmental GPD), but also standardized test scores (e.g., SAT scores in top 95th percentile), and how you did on challenging courses. Recruiters are focused on specific schools so they also know what courses to look out for, e.g., CS 50 is difficult at Harvard yet you managed to get an A (this might compensate for you having a slightly lower overall GPA), Robert George’s "Constitutional Interpretation" is difficult at Princeton, etc.


2) Top schools and internships: Have you gone to a top undergraduate institutions? Have you done a junior summer internship at a prestigious / well-known firm?


3) Leadership initiative and team work: Have you led/initiated an effort? Have you had to work in teams? You should definitely have these experiences on your resume, but they'll also come in handy in the interviews.

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Rachel’s Answer

- Campus Involvement: multiple extra curricular activities with leadership experience
- GPA: employers look for students who challenge themselves with workload but also have balance to do well across all courses
- Work Experience: any relevant work experience that may give you professional and soft skills needed to succeed in the workplace
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Danielle’s Answer

In addition to everything mentioned in the other answers, try to include signs of problem solving ability in your resume and cover letters. Much of consulting is coming up with creative solutions to problems. Therefore, having sections of your application materials that emphasize your ability to think through problems and come up with solutions in addition to just demonstrating leadership can be helpful.
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Travis’s Answer

Do something outside the norm which will give you an opportunity to tell a story and differentiate yourself from future colleagues.
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Deepti’s Answer

Top-tier consulting firms are highly selective in their recruitment processes, focusing on a range of specific qualities and experiences that indicate potential success in the consulting field. When crafting a resume for such firms, it’s crucial to highlight certain attributes and experiences that align with the expectations of these prestigious organizations. Here’s what top-tier consulting firms typically look for in resumes:
1. Educational Background

Top Universities: Degrees from highly regarded universities are often sought after.
Relevant Field of Study: While consulting firms accept a variety of degrees, strong analytical fields such as business, economics, engineering, and sciences are particularly valued.
Academic Achievements: High GPA, honors, scholarships, or awards can significantly bolster a candidate’s appeal.

2. Work Experience

Relevant Industries: Experience in industries like finance, technology, healthcare, or any field relevant to the firm’s practice areas.
Impactful Roles: Positions where the candidate had significant impact, leadership roles, or drove measurable results.
Consulting Experience: Previous experience in consulting or similar roles that require problem-solving, client interaction, and project management is highly advantageous.

3. Skills

Analytical Skills: Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems and analyze quantitative and qualitative data.
Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SPSS, SQL) or industry-specific software.
Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, crucial for client interactions and internal collaboration.
Leadership and Teamwork: Evidence of leading projects or teams, and effectively working as part of a team.

4. Professional Achievements

Quantifiable Successes: Achievements that can be quantified or clearly demonstrated, such as cost savings, revenue growth, or efficiency improvements.
Awards and Recognitions: Any professional recognitions or awards that highlight expertise and competence.

5. Internships and Extracurricular Activities

Relevant Internships: Internships with consulting firms, major corporations, startups, or significant projects that demonstrate relevant skills.
Leadership in Activities: Active participation and leadership in extracurricular activities, particularly those that demonstrate initiative, leadership, and the ability to work collaboratively.

6. Global Exposure

International Experience: Experience working in or studying in different countries, which is valuable for global consulting firms dealing with international clients.
Language Skills: Proficiency in multiple languages can be a significant plus, especially for firms with a global footprint.

7. Personal Qualities

Adaptability: The ability to handle change and complexity, which is crucial in the fast-paced environment of consulting.
Resilience and Drive: Traits that show a candidate’s determination to achieve set goals despite challenges.
Curiosity and Learning: A demonstrated eagerness to learn and stay updated with industry and global economic trends.

8. Clarity and Precision

Well-Structured: A resume that is clearly structured, concise, and precisely tailored to the role.
Error-Free: Attention to detail reflected in a document free from grammatical errors and typos.

Formatting Tips

Professional and Clean Layout: Use a clean, professional layout that allows easy reading and highlights key information effectively.
Tailored Content: Customize the resume for each application, emphasizing the most relevant experiences and skills.

When preparing a resume for a top-tier consulting firm, it's essential to not only list experiences and skills but also to articulate the impact and results of your actions clearly and succinctly. Demonstrating a track record of success, a capability for leadership, and an aptitude for solving complex problems are key to making your resume stand out.
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Aishwarya’s Answer

Top-tier consulting firms prioritize several key elements in resumes to identify candidates suited for their demanding and dynamic work environment. They look for academic excellence, often preferring candidates with high GPA scores from prestigious universities and relevant degrees. Practical experience in consulting, finance, or specific industries, particularly roles that demonstrate leadership and significant project contributions, is highly valued. These firms also seek candidates with strong problem-solving and quantitative skills, as these are crucial for the analytical nature of consulting work. Demonstrating effective communication skills, both written and verbal, is essential, especially experiences involving client interactions or presentations. Additionally, international exposure and language skills are advantageous for working with a global client base. Firms appreciate resumes that highlight impactful achievements, quantified by results, rather than just listing tasks. Active involvement in extracurricular activities can also indicate valuable soft skills like teamwork and time management. Finally, a good fit with the firm’s culture and values is crucial, so tailoring some aspects of your resume to align with the firm's focus areas can be beneficial. Overall, these firms are looking for well-rounded candidates who not only show professional and academic prowess but also have the potential to lead, collaborate, and make significant contributions.
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