The Perfect Resume for Your Consulting Career

Your resume is typically your first introduction to a consulting firm — and in this field, it can be the key to securing an interview. Consulting firms look for precision, organization, and relevant expertise, so your resume needs to reflect these qualities. In this guide, we’ll show you how to craft a consulting-ready resume, emphasize the most important elements, and help you avoid common mistakes. Let’s get started!

Structuring Your Consulting Resume

A well-organized, easy-to-read resume is essential in consulting. Hiring managers in this field often skim through a large volume of resumes quickly, so make sure key information stands out. Aim to keep your resume concise — one page is ideal — and follow this structure:

1. Contact Details: Start with your contact info at the top so the company can reach you easily. Include your name, address, phone number, and email. If your LinkedIn profile is polished, adding a link can also be a good move.
2. Career Objectives (Optional): A short section about your career goals can show that you’re committed to a consulting career and outline what you aim to achieve. Only include this if it truly aligns with the role.
3. Educational Background: For recent graduates, this is a key area. List your degree, university, and any relevant courses, projects, or research. High grades, awards, or scholarships can also add weight here to demonstrate your dedication and performance.
4. Work Experience and Internships: Work experience is crucial in consulting—even internships or student jobs count. List relevant internships and part-time roles connected to consulting, business, or related fields. Briefly describe your main tasks and achievements. Leadership roles or involvement in student organizations can also be valuable here, showing your teamwork and leadership skills.
5. Skills and Qualifications: Consultants need a broad skill set. List both technical skills and soft skills. Mention languages if you speak more than one, as many consulting projects are international.
6. Additional Certifications: Add any relevant certifications you’ve earned, like project management or analytics tool qualifications. These show your willingness to learn and can set you apart from other candidates.
    

Templates for Your Consulting Resume

If you need a sample, check out our CV templates! They cover all essential sections, helping you create a professional resume with ease.

Essential Formatting Tips for Your CV

• Font and Size: Choose a readable, professional font like Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, or Times New Roman. A font size of 10–12 points for the main text and 14–16 for headings is a safe choice.
• Margins and Line Spacing: Use 1–2 cm margins for a neat look. A single or 1.15 line spacing keeps text compact but readable.
• Headings: Use clear headings like “Experience,” “Education,” or “Skills” to enhance structure and readability.
• Formatting: Bold key information, like job titles or degrees. Use italics sparingly, perhaps for dates or company names.
• Bullet Points: Use bullet points for listing tasks and achievements, making it easy to scan.
• File Format: Save your resume as a PDF to preserve formatting across devices.
• File Name: Name your file professionally, e.g., “Resume_Max_Mustermann.pdf.”

Consulting Resume Do’s and Don’ts

✔ Do’s:

• Clear and precise structure: Keep it clean, using clear headings for each section.
• List relevant experience: Focus on internships, jobs, or projects that highlight analytical, strategic, or leadership skills.
• Quantify achievements: Show what you’ve achieved with numbers (e.g., “increased sales by 20%”).
• List important hard skills: Mention data analysis, Excel, PowerPoint, SQL, relevant software, and project management skills.
• Be specific with soft skills: Mention skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, backed up with specific examples.
• Use bullet points, not long paragraphs: Keep descriptions short and to the point.

❌ Don’ts:

• Avoid irrelevant information: Leave out hobbies or unrelated part-time jobs.
• Skip long resumes: Keep it to one page. Consulting recruiters are busy, so stay concise.
• Avoid passive language: Use active verbs to present your experience confidently.
• No errors: Proofread your resume carefully for any mistakes.
• No creative layouts or unusual designs: Keep it professional and straightforward.

Common Questions About Consulting Resumes

Should I include a photo on my resume?

For international firms like MBB, photos aren’t common and can even be discouraged. Many global firms avoid photos to prevent discrimination, focusing solely on qualifications and experience instead.

What are the most important points for a consulting resume?

Focus on academic achievements, relevant work experience, and both analytical and communication skills. Don’t forget to showcase soft skills and what makes you unique!

What if I don’t have consulting experience yet?

Even without consulting experience, you can make your resume strong. Emphasize education, internships in other fields and soft skills like analytical thinking and teamwork. Relevant volunteer work or courses (e.g., data analysis) can show your interest in consulting.

What if my resume doesn’t fit on one page?

Focus on the most relevant experiences, skills, and achievements. Use a space-efficient font and concise descriptions. Summarize similar experiences and remove less relevant details to keep it clear and impactful.

How important are grades in consulting?

Grades are important, especially with top firms. They’re seen as an indicator of analytical skills and dedication. However, practical experience, soft skills, and strong interview performance also count, so a good academic record isn’t everything.

What format should I submit my documents in?

PDFs are preferred by most consulting firms, as they preserve formatting on all devices and come across as more professional.

Final Thoughts: Key Points for Your Consulting Resume

A great consulting resume is well-organized and highlights your qualifications clearly and concisely. Focus on relevant experience and additional certifications that set you apart. Keep it professional and error-free to maximize your chances of landing that interview and kickstarting your consulting career.

👉 Let a coach review your CV and get professional support to prepare optimally for your job interview! 🚀