Management Consulting Career Guides

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Application

Bain Cover Letter Sample

Bain Resume Sample

Bain has been consistently ranked as #1 best consulting firm to work for. Since their reputation attracts plenty of competent applicants, you should put your best foot forward. Start by submitting a Bain cover letter that conveys your knowledge, skills and passion for consulting. Start building your career at Bain by crafting a superior Bain resume that details your relevant qualifications section per section. Remember that Bain uses a points system to objectively measure a candidate’s educational attainment, experience, skills and other activities.

Management Consulting Cover Letter Sample

Management Consulting Resume Sample

Many employers believe that a well-crafted cover letter decreases the chance of inviting an incompetent applicant for an interview. Given this fact, it’s recommended that you refer to surefire tips and concrete examples on how to write each paragraph of an outstanding cover letter. Your management consulting resume should contain relevant and structured information to get the attention of recruiters. This document represents who you are–your achievements, capabilities and career drive. If it only lists superficial facts, it suggests you can’t bring value to the firm.

McKinsey Cover Letter Sample

McKinsey Resume Sample

When writing a McKinsey cover letter, focus on highlighting experience and achievements that are relevant to any of the firm’s general qualifications: problem solving capability, sense of achievement, ability to create an impact, and leadership skill. McKinsey based their preliminary screening on resumes. Thus, if you’re planning to break into this firm, tailor your resume relative to their goals. Include quantified accomplishments and other substantial information that define your communication, leadership and problem solving skills.

Interviews

Best Ways to Practice Case Interviews

Case Interview Preparation

Management consulting firms conduct a case interview to determine if you’re capable of analyzing business issues and communicating your out-of-the-box ideas to clients and other team members. Since this interview is inevitable in this industry, learn the best ways to practice for it. Most aspiring consultants say that the case interview is the most daunting stage of the consulting recruitment process. They also add that sufficient preparation is the most effective key to acing a case interview. It may take much time, but it’s the best way to be equipped for the challenge.

Common Consulting Fit Interview Questions

Sample Business Case: Private Equity

Consulting firms conduct fit interviews to determine if the candidate can perform smoothly in their work environment. Since this is a major consideration, ensure you prep for this type of interview. Start by knowing and answering the common behavioral questions interviewers use. This sample business case gives you a mental picture on how to analyze and resolve a problem during a consulting interview. It revolves around a private equity firm that hires your advisory services to determine if acquiring a leading US crane manufacturer is a good investment.

Consulting Life and Career

Consulting Computer and Internet Skills

Exit Options for Management Consultants

Consultants need to acquire computer skills in order to improve their productivity and efficiency. They should be able to use task management tools, office applications, and data sharing software, among others. Those with inadequate computer skills often find themselves trailing behind. When consultants leave the industry, they bring with them meaningful experience that qualifies them for various roles. Some establish their own start-up companies while others pursue corporate or government roles. Getting an MBA degree is also an option for some professionals.

How to Shift Your Career to Management Consulting

Job Description for a Management Consultant

Is there a chance for professionals without a business or management educational background to land a job in the consulting industry? Yes, but these career shifters must double their effort to make up for their lack of substantial knowledge, skills and experience. Before applying for any consulting job, know what consultants do, how they work in a team, how they are compensated, and what criticisms they have to bear with. Adequate knowledge about the role lets you ponder if you fit the opening, and how far you’ll go in the industry.

Management Consulting Glossary

Management Consulting Work-Life Balance

Aspiring management consultants like you should start learning industry terms as soon as you realize your desire to pursue a career in McKinsey, Bain, BCG, or other firms. This allows you to blend in the work environment competently and understand your colleagues’ message accurately. Work-life imbalance has always been an issue in the consulting industry. The perks consultants enjoy come with disadvantages that result to burnout, lack of quality time with the family, and long work hours. There are, however, concrete ways for minimizing daily stress in the workplace.

MBA for a Management Consulting Career

Qualities of a Successful Management Consultant

MBA may not be a basic requirement to get a consulting job, but this degree can put you at an advantage. Getting an MBA degree allows you to deepen your business knowledge, enjoy a wider network, demand a higher salary, and strengthen your consulting skills. Consultants should possess excellent communication, logical thinking, teamwork, and interpersonal skills to be able to perform their duties satisfactorily. Moreover, they are expected to consistently deliver excellent work output since they represent their firm to their clients.

What Management Consultants Believe in

When You Should Quit Management Consulting

How do consultants generate creative solutions and practical recommendations for organizations? How come some employers prefer to hire them than to make use of internal staff for issue analysis? It must be the way consultants think and what they believe in. Despite the lavish perks management consultants enjoy, many still decide to quit their challenging and fulfilling job in search for better work schedule, quality time with the family, or other career opportunities. Know the detailed reasons for their resignation.