Month: May 2009

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Write a Management Consulting Resume from Scratch

The art of the Management consulting resume is a frequent topic here. For one, about 50% of reader emails are related to resumes. For two, you can't land a consulting…

I missed the summer recruiting cycle here at my university. What can I do now?

The short answer is that you've missed out on your best shot at consulting internships. Its worthwhile now to initiate contact with your school recruiting office, recruiters at consulting firms…

For companies like McKinsey, Bain, Booz, and BCG – are certain offices “easier” to recruit for?

This myth is partly true, partly false. It's partly true because selectivity varies by office at GMCs. Smaller offices may prefer a weaker candidate who ranks them #1 and has…

Since graduating from college/graduate school, I’ve worked in several jobs and have built a strong work resume. Unfortunately, my educational background is weak – I didn’t go to a “target school” and had a low GPA in my time. How much will this affect my chances?

I've received many people asking variations of this theme. Here's my advice: If you have strong work experience - world-class firms, multiple promotions, a record of accomplishment, leadership, and risk-taking…

I’m a senior in college and applying to consulting firms fulltime. Unfortunately, I have a really low SAT score from high school. Will this hurt my chances? Should I retake the SAT?

If your SAT score is below 1300, it could hurt depending on the firm. I would strongly recommend against retaking the SAT. There are better uses of your time. However,…

Why did you start this blog?

I've been helping prospective management consultants (friends, colleagues) for years with their resumes, cover letters, interviews, and recruiting questions. It's personally and professionally fulfilling for me. Given that experience (and…

Can you tell me more about your background and how you broke into management consulting?

See the About page for background info. I became a management consultant through the traditional recruiting process - extensive rounds of resume submissions and countless phone and in-person interviews. McKinsey…

How should I rank my office preferences?

Some applicants like to "game" the recruiting process, applying to less popular offices in thinking that the interview process will be easier. My answer: it depends on which consulting firm,…

What’s the difference between 1st and 2nd round interviews?

Both interview rounds will have fit interview and case interview components. The 1st rounds will likely be less challenging, with less senior consultants. The 2nd rounds will be much tougher,…

What are consulting firms looking for in fit interviews?

"Someone who I want to work with from 8am to 8pm" is how one McKinsey interviewer explained it to me. That means you are: A good communicator An effective hard-worker…

What if I make a mistake during a consulting case study?

It happens all the time. Admit your mistake ("Wait a minute, that doesn't seem right because..."). Take a second to regroup, and rewind to where you think the error started.…

I’m not getting any interview offers. How can I change that?

Listen to interviewer feedback! That is clue #1. If they don't provide it, actively follow-up with your interviewers. Fix what's wrong. If you're not getting interviews, your resume may be…