secrets of consulting resumes
DESCRIPTION
Two ex-McKinsey consultants share the secrets of writing a consulting resume. They emphasize that using words and language that map to business leadership and communication skills are keys to getting it right. This presentation includes expertly compiled lists of action verbs that will map to these critical competencies and help a candidate decide whether they have the experiences that consulting firms are searching for.TRANSCRIPT
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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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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
Ask about our resume
review service
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