Resume structure
A consulting resume commonly includes education, professional experience, leadership or activities, and skills or interests. The layout should be easy to scan and consistent. Follow the office’s document requirements.
Impact bullets
A strong bullet states the problem, action, scale, and result. Quantify revenue, cost, time, users, accuracy, or scope when it clarifies impact. If the outcome is qualitative, describe the decision influenced or capability created.
Problem-solving evidence
Show how the candidate analyzed information, formed a recommendation, improved a process, designed a system, conducted research, or resolved ambiguity. The evidence can come from any field.
Leadership and influence
Consulting requires working through people without formal authority. Include examples of aligning stakeholders, resolving conflict, leading teams, persuading decision makers, and implementing change.
Technical experience
Data, engineering, design, medical, scientific, and other specialist skills are valuable when connected to decisions and outcomes. Avoid burying deep expertise under generic consulting language.
Cover letter
When requested, the letter should explain why the exact office and role, which experiences establish fit, and what contribution the candidate can make. It shouldn't repeat the resume line by line.
Academic information
Include degree, institution, dates, grades where appropriate, scholarships, and relevant distinctions. Requirements vary by country and career stage.
Interests
Specific genuine interests can create conversation and show dimension. They shouldn't occupy space needed for stronger evidence.
Review standard
Every major bullet should support a behavioral question. The candidate should know the context, personal action, result, and lesson. Remove claims that depend on adjectives rather than evidence.
Example impact bullet
Weak: “Worked on a team to improve operations.”
Stronger: “Mapped a 12-step claims process across four teams, identified two duplicate reviews, and supported a redesigned workflow that reduced median processing time by 18%.”
The stronger bullet shows scope, analysis, and outcome. The candidate should be able to explain how the measurement was made.
Cover-letter structure
A useful letter opens with the exact role and fit, provides two evidence paragraphs, and closes with the contribution and interest in the office. One paragraph can connect a past problem-solving experience; another can explain why the firm’s specific practice or work matches the candidate. Avoid broad flattery and copied mission statements.
International variations
CV length, photographs, grades, personal information, and cover-letter conventions differ by country. Follow the local posting and avoid importing one market’s convention without verification.