Category: management consulting

Reader FAQ: The one-page resume rule, applying overseas, and why our phone number is unlisted

Today, we cover some fun (and serious) topics that we've received via email from readers and clients in the last few weeks. We knew that you might all benefit from…

Reader FAQ: From Big 4 to M/B/B and Transitioning from the Military to Consulting

You ask great questions (contact us if you have one that's burning), and we've quite frankly been lazy about sharing our answers with all of you. We won't promise that…

The thought of applying directly to the McKinsey New York office from Sydney never crossed my mind. Is this possible?

The broader question here is the feasibility of applying to international consulting offices. Short answer is possible but tough. Long answer is it comes down to a variety of factors…

Are there some firms that do their recruiting in Winter and Spring?

Most on-campus recruiting occurs in a concentrated time-frame (typically Fall for full-time, late-Fall and Winter for summer/internships). I do not have a specific breakdown of how firms recruit, but many…

Are thank you letters necessary?

While in finance, they can be optional - I'd strongly recommend writing one in consulting. Why? Because decision-making timeframes are typically longer in consulting; consultants have blackberries and continuous access…

After several years in finance, I’ve decided to transition into consulting. How do I start?

No direct experience here, but the parallel/experienced hire process is similar across professions. It's best to have "internal champions" - those within your target firm that forward your resume to…

I’m still too young to apply for management consulting jobs but want to get a head start. What types of jobs teach you the skills that will be helpful in consulting?

Anything business-oriented where you can show the following things: ability to manage people and teams; capacity to learn sophisticated concepts; ability to drive measurable impact in your team/group/division. The firm's…

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…