day 2: résumés, cover letters & linkedin profiles · pdf file......
TRANSCRIPT
2017 Consulting Summer Camp
Day 2: Résumés, Cover Letters
& LinkedIn Profiles
Summer Camp Agenda
Monday: The Landscape of Consulting
Tuesday: Résumés, Cover
Letters & LinkedIn Profiles Wednesday: The “Experience” Interview
Thursday: Case Interview Workshop
***Friday: Meet the Firms***Anderson Economic Group | Bain & Company | Boston
Consulting Group | Bronner Group | Chapin Hall | McKinsey
& Company | Navigant | West Monroe
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Session Overview
Part I: Introduction & Formatting
Part II: Résumé Content
Part III: Bullet Points: The Finer Details
Part IV: Resume Review Activity
Part V: Cover Letters
Part VI: LinkedIn Profiles
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Part I:
Introduction and
Formatting
Format: Fonts to Avoid
Arial
Times New Roman
CalibriCambria
Comic Sans
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Format: Fonts That Do Better
Serifs: Garamond
GeorgiaPalatino Linotype
Gotham Light/Bold
Helvetica Neue Light
Century GothicTrebuchet MS
Size: 11 - 12
Sans
Serif:
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Format: Margins of Error
.7’ – 1” all around for all docs
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Format that Aids Content2-line contacts
Education
Thesis?
GPA?
Study Abroad?
Headings
Bullets
Spacing
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Format that Aids Content
Vertical
Reverse
chronological
order in each
section
Under each
heading, most
relevant bullets
on top
• More bullets for
most recent
experiences,
fewer for past
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Format that Aids ContentHorizontal
Most important
information on
the left
Compound
bullets can get
lost
Strong action
verbs should
run down the
left-hand side:
• Managed
• Led
• Developed
• Communicated
• Mentored
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Part II: Résumé
Content
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What is the difference
between a C.V. and a
résumé?
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Curriculum Vitae Résumé
Length No page limit 1 PAGE
Scope Exhaustive summary Concise snapshot
Purpose Academic jobs Jobs outside research
Tailoring Somewhat tailored Acutely tailored
Summary Research-specific Can include
Publications Includes publications No publications
Bullet use Optional Yes
Brand Names & Pedigree
• Recognizable organizations lend credibility for consultants
• Universities
• Employers
• Clients/partners
• Assumption of vetting
• Human capital is what consulting companies sell to clients
• Snobbery exists
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Sections: Heading
Name at top, centered
Degree (if post-graduation)
Name slightly larger type (16 works well)
Contact info on one line to save space
UChicago email preferred (students)
Street address still appropriate
Work address acceptable
Communicates current location
Do not include apartment number
Personal website address (optional)
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Sections: Education
Top or bottom of page
Include only degree based programs
Awards/honors including brief explanation,
dollar amounts
GPA and GRE scores are appropriate for
many consulting firms
Relevant course work-3 max (ex: business
school classes)
Dissertation title/advisor (optional)
Study abroad experiences (optional)
This section should not exceed ¼ of page
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Sections: Experience
Tailored to each individual job
Can break up into more specific sectionso “Consulting Experience”
o “Research Experience”
o “Analytical Experience”
o “Management Experience”
o “Leadership Experience”
o “Additional Experience”
Includes graduate/postdoc experience (should
appear in both this and Education section)
Lead with name of employer/institution in bold
• “Teaching Experience” not always included
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Sections: Experience
Results-oriented experiences: Impact
Focus on innovation and creativity
Collaboration and teamwork
Analytical thinking and problem solving
Leadership and consistent involvement
Communication skills (oral and written)
Client service mentality
Demonstrate business acumen
Unique experiences that distinguish you
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Sections: Experience
Information must be properly balanced throughout
Most recent experience should have most detail
• Level of detail decreasing for experiences farther in past
• Exception for highly relevant experiences (consulting, business)
The proportion of information included for each
experience DOES NOT need to reflect work responsibilities
Actual Resume
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Diversify Competencies
Each bullet should represent a specific and unique
competency
Avoid redundancy: multiple bullets that only convey
technical ability are unnecessary
Think about what each bullet says about you and your
abilities
Sometimes minor responsibilities are highly relevant and
should be emphasized
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Transferrable Skills
• How does what you have done relate to the job of a
consultant?
• Scientists: think of the lab as a small business
enterprise
• Humanists/Social Scientists: think of your dissertation
research planning as project management
• Extracurricular activities show management and
leadership skills- treat these like other jobs
• Important skills: communication (oral and written),
teamwork, leadership, management, innovation,
administration, accounting, customer service,
organizational skills, general business acumen
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Avoid Technical Language
Keep reader’s attention by avoiding words that may be unfamiliar
Remember different audiences: HR personnel, MBAs, other ADPs
Demonstrate ability to explain things in broadly accessible way
Think about explaining the results of complex analysis to a client
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Describing Grad Experience
• Include as Education AND Experience
• Employer- The University of Chicago
• Department name (advisor’s name
usually not necessary)
• Common Titles
• Graduate Student Researcher
• Graduate Research Scholar
• Graduate Researcher
• Communication experience
• Teaching, seminars
• Conference presentations
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Include Publications?
Publications can demonstrate academic achievement
and reflect favorably
Not a CV: Do not include a complete list
Two ways to handle publications
1. Reference publications as outcomes in context of
bullet point in “Experience” section
Recommended for most applicants
2. Create short “Selected Publications” section (2 out
of x total)
Good for highly recognizable journals
Limit to 2 top publications
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Sections: Skills/Interests
Skills section - optional
Computer skills- highlight most
impressive, less common competencies
Language skills- fluent, conversational,
basic
Interests - optional
Chance to “humanize” yourself
Make these specific and unique
Use only when space allows
Can lead to interview conversation
One line maximum
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Part III: Bullet Points
The Finer Details
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Resume Bullet ConventionsStructure
Begin with strong action verb: led, analyzed, organized,
etc.
Implied first person, no pronouns
Technically fragments, not sentences: no periods at end
1 or 2 lines
Tense
Present tense for ongoing experiences
Past tense for past experiences
Best Practices
Avoid passive verbs: assisted, observed, helped,
participated
Try not to repeat same verbs
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P.P.I. MethodIdeal bullet: What you did, Why you did it, and So What?
Project
• Define the problem or question
• What did YOU SPECIFICALLY do to address this?
• Include technical competency if relevant
Purpose
• Key objective or mission must be clear
Impact
• Tangible outcome from your involvement
• Academic: publications, successful grant applications,
recognition in popular media
• Business-like: increased revenue, reduced costs,
optimized efficiency, innovation, sustained growth
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Be Specific/Include Quantities
Always Quantify when possible Dollar amounts - Grants and scholarships awarded, budgets managed
Percentage changes - Growth, cost reduction, measurable workflow efficiency
Number of People - Attendees at presentations, students in classes
Honors and Awards - Specify level of selectivity or prestige
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Specificity helps the reader contextualize your experiences
Less Specific… Developed new sequencing method
More Specific… Developed novel amino acid sequencing method using fluorescent-tagged
antibody arrays; published in Nature Methods
Coordinated team and produced analytical reports from database of over 40,000
people: resulted in 52% increase in customer engagement
Collaborated with 2 research groups at Harvard University to commercialize new
technology; filed patent application with U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Note: Fake science included for instructional purposes
Part IV: Resume
Review Activity
Part V:
Cover Letters
Expand on a few items in your resume
Discuss your motivation for seeking
employment in this field
Explain why you are a good fit for the
specific unit/team
Demonstrate written communication skills
Provides proof of legitimate interest in each
company
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Purpose of a Cover Letter
Cover Letter Basics
½ to ¾ of a page
Use examples with outcomes and avoid lists
Emphasize how you will help the company
Distinguish yourself by highlighting more than
one distinct competency
Consider including one example of an
accomplishment outside of research
Highlight leadership, communication, teamwork,
project management
Maintain a positive tone
Tailor to each company, unit, and job
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Tailoring
Do not submit the same cover letter for each job!
Research company and use language that
reflects how it describes itself and its mission
If you have time - try to speak with current or
former employees before applying to inform what
you write
Cite conversations with current or former
employees
Use the job description - that generic sounding
language about the company can help here!
Relate each example back to the company
Address actual recruiter/hiring manager by name
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Generic Cover LetterParagraph 1
Introduction
Specific reason(s) for interest in company• Conversations with current/past employees
• Info from website, publications, media, social media
Thesis: 2 distinct competencies, A & B
Paragraph 2
Example using competency A (research)
Relate example back to company and their research
Paragraph 3
Example using competency B (*non-research)
Relate example to different aspect of company
Paragraph 4
Thank you sentence - Look forward to interview
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Paragraph 1
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As a current PhD student at the University of Chicago with
experience in the field of monetary hygiene, I am applying for
the position of Sr. Money Launderer at Trustworthy Bank.
From my conversation with Tex E. Vader, Associate Director
of Cleanliness, I learned that Trustworthy not only launders
currency, but is developing a proprietary disinfectant to
create the world’s cleanliest money. Given my extensive
research on sanitary paper and my established record of
misdemeanor crime, I am confident I could quickly deliver
value for Trustworthy Bank and its clients.
Introduction
Specific reason(s) for interest in company• Conversations with current/past employees
Thesis: 2 distinct competencies, A & B
AB
Paragraph 2
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Restate Competency A
Example of applying Competency A
Link Competency explicitly to company/role
My doctoral research focused on ways to improve the
cleanliness of toilet paper. I sought to create a tissue that not
only cleaned but disinfected at the same time. By combining
household cleaners with industrial strength disinfectants, I
was able to create the first tissue that makes the skin 90%
more resistant to microbial infection than standard tissue. At
Trustworthy, I intend to use similarly innovative techniques to
maintain optimal money laundering conditions.
Paragraph 3
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Restate Competency B
Example of applying Competency B
Link Competency explicitly to company/role
Beyond my expertise in laundering, I also bring a uniquely
morally indifferent attitude that will serve Trustworthy
well. During my internship at the Maroon Bank, I routinely
embezzled office supplies. I amassed such a collection that
after one summer, I was able to sell it on eBay for $500.
This was enough to buy my first forgery kit. This
propensity toward white-collar crime will be an asset to
Trustworthy in its effort to defraud investors while also
providing them with the world’s cleanest currency.
Paragraph 4
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Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to
learning more about Trustworthy and elaborating on my
skills and experiences in an interview.
Thank you sentence - Look forward to interview
Formal Format
Their full
address
Date
Address it
to a real
person!
Physical
Signature
Your contact info
Part VI:
LinkedIn Profiles
Part VI Outline
Profile basics and
Making it stand out
Building relationships
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Turn off announcements
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Take control of privacy
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Take control of privacy
Avoid photos that are:• group shots (no friends)
• sexually suggestive (no cleavage)
• juvenile/cartoonish (no hello kitty)
• too personal (no babies)
• pretentious (no bling)
• too small, too large, too bizarre, too staged
http://www.stacyzapar.com/2011/06/oh-no-they-didnt-linkedin-avatars-gone.htmlgrad.uchicago.edu
Upload a professional photo
As you’re putting your profile
together…
–Revisit your goals
–Layer in keywords
–Strip out clutter
–Bring your personality
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Things to keep in mind
• LinkedIn is all about marketing
yourself
• What are your professional goals
as a future consultant?
• Turn those goals into keywords
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Revisit your goals
• Headlines are a key factor in
search results
o Should reflect your niche/speciality
• It’s fine to repeat in different
sections of your profile
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Keywords are…key!
Change your personal headline from
job title (default) to branding
statement
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Headline formula
• Innovative Entrepreneur | Middle Eastern Historian | Advocate for Immigrants
• Molecular biologist with a passion for neuroscience and cancer research; expertise in biopharmaceutical development
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Headline examples
• Social Scientist | Business
Strategist | PhD Candidate at
The University of Chicago
• Particle Physicist | Joint PhD at
UChicago and Fermilab |
Science Writer
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Headline examples
• Keep it simple
• Emphasize strengths
• Speak in first person
• Do some personal benchmarking with people who have the job you want
• Personal statement rather than your job description
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Next up: a summary
• Add in your personality! What do you love to do? What do you want to accomplish?
• Summary is a great space for this
• Also good in experience sections
• Keywords allow people to find you, but no one hires keywords
• They hire people
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Who are you?
“I’ve always been intrigued by the interplay between
business and research communities. This has driven me
to opportunities within the management consulting and
business strategy world. During my graduate studies,
I’ve taken on various leadership roles, including two
internships within the innovation center at my university,
coordinating institute-wide business of science events
for hundreds of people, and leading a local club
supporting entrepreneurial activities.
I strive to use analytical approaches to drive strategic
decision-making, and believe that the best results can
only be achieved by execution with a combination of in-
depth research and bringing teams/resources together.”(Modified) https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-templates-thatll-make-writing-the-perfect-linkedin-summary-a-breeze
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Strong summary
• A recognized expert in…
• Creative approaches to…
• Leadership abilities
gained through…
• Inventive approaches
such as…
• Collaborative team
member who…
• Transitioning to…
• Pursuing…
• Passionate about…
• Consistently earned
praise for…
• Effectively provide…
• Improved XYZ by…
• Special focus on…
• Enthusiasm for…
• Experience in
developing…
• Taken on…
• Built a new program
in…
• Established a new
model for…
• Can effectively work
in multidisciplinary
teams, evidenced by…
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Make your summary personal
and specific
• Analyzed, analysis
• Business development
• Client-driven management
• Coordinated
• Cross-functional team
• Efficiency improvement
• Implemented
• Increased or reduced
• Independent/ly
• Leadership development
• Lead, Led
• Manage/d
• Optimize/d
• Proposed
• Quantified
• Strategic, strategy, strategized
• Team, Teamwork
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Consulting keywords & verbs
• Keep relevant experiences
• What supports your professional
goals? What does not?
• For what doesn’t limit to job
title, company, and a very short
description
• Put experience into more business-
minded language
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Declutter
• Don’t pester
• Ask in person, if possible
• Offer to provide bullet points
• Supervisors’ recommendations
are usually most highly valued
• Recommend others, too
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Seek out recommendations
Hello Professor Brown,
As you know, I’m currently exploring career possibilities in management consulting. If you feel comfortable with it, I would greatly appreciate just a few short words of recommendation via LinkedIn when you have some downtime. In particular, I was hoping you could highlight my team and project management contributions to our recent collaboration on oncogenes and tumor suppressor gene regulation. I would be happy to forward you a few bullet points if it would help. No hard feelings if you feel we need more professional interaction to make this a possibility.
Thank you for your consideration and support, Joe Postdoc
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Make the request personal
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Recommendations
Workshop outline
Profile basics and Making it stand out
Building relationships
• Seek out alumni networks from
your undergrad college, graduate
school, and postdoc experiences
• Join UChicago groups: The
University of Chicago Alumni,
UChicago myCHOICE, University
of Chicago Postdoc Association
• Find professional societies
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Join groups on LinkedIn
Group Members
Big Four Consulting 380,000+
Strategy Consulting 195,000+
Environmental Consulting Professionals 90,000+
Business Consulting Group 59,000+
Social Media Marketing Consulting 46,000+
Management Consulting Jobs 74,000+
Life Sciences/Pharmaceuticals/Biotechnology
Consulting
4,000+
Financial Executive Way Forward – Leaders in
Banking, Consulting, IT, & Recruiting
144,000+
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Find specialty groups
• Ask and answer questions
• Listen first, then participate in
discussions
• Connect with others directly
• Learn about job opportunities
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Engage people in groups
Be helpful
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Hello Katrina,
I recently saw your posting on the Environmental Consulting Professionals LinkedIn group seeking input on a new approach to measuring lead levels in city water sources. A former colleague of mine, Jessica James, is an expert in this area and recently published a paper, “Lead testing in Flint, Michigan Years After Discovery” in Science 6 months ago:
[link]. If you think her input would be helpful, I’m happy to make an introduction.
Best, Natalie
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Offer to make a connection
1. Connect directly– Limited to 300 characters
– Customize so it isn’t spam!
2. Introduction– Find a common connection
– Strongest way to connect
3. InMails– Not accessible with free
account
– Unlimited characters
4. Messaging within a group– 15, 1:1 messages each month
Only capable
through
mobile app
right now
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Reaching out to connect
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“Get Introduced” App Feature
• Tailor your request; make it specific
• Use phrases that demonstrate you’ve done your homework:
“You mention...”
“I noticed that…”
“I’m curious about…”
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Strategically reach out
Hi, I’m a PhD candidate at University of Chicago and am looking to transition to a career in management consulting. Do you have some time to answer a few questions I have? Also, does your firm have any open positions for PhDs? Thanks, Alberto
Hi, I’m a PhD candidate at University of Chicago and am looking to transition to a career in management consulting. Do you have some time to answer a few questions I have? Also, does your firm have any open positions for Ph.D.s? Thanks, Alberto
Hello David, I noticed you received your PhD in social sciences from UChicago in 2015. I’m a 5th year psych graduate student exploring my career options and I recently read an article on management consulting [link] that sparked my interest. Since you’ve made the transition to a consulting so successfully, I was hoping I could take 30 minutes of your time, at your convenience, to ask you a few questions about your career path. Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you. Alberto
1. Have a reason to connect
2. Share what you have in common
3. Mention a mutual acquaintance
4. Don’t ask for a job on first contact
5. Congratulate and give recognition
Courtesy Careerealism.comgrad.uchicago.edu
When reaching out to
connect…
Add us on LinkedIn!
Advising Appointments:
Gradgargoyle.uchicago.edu