The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) receives thousands of resumes each year, but only a very small percentage are included on the short list. The abundant supply of applicants creates tough competition—a challenge you will face if you dream of breaking into this firm.

Below are some tips on how to craft a BCG resume that creates a positive impact on recruiters:

Think Before Writing

Some applicants get confused when crafting a resume because they skip the most important part—thinking. When you turn on the computer and begin writing, you won’t be able to properly summarize your qualifications if you haven’t done the following:

Without the information above, it’s impossible to create an effective resume structure that will catch the recruiter’s attention.

Look at Examples of Consulting Resumes

The Internet is a great resource of job application materials. If you are clueless on how to begin the resume writing process, refer to examples published on career websites. Read about the best practices for tailoring your BCG resume according to the job specifications and recommended formats and designs. Notice how achievements, skills, and qualifications are presented and follow the format.

However, never copy-paste a generic example into your resume. They may serve as a reference, but you have to write your own.based on your different competencies and credentials. If you commit this mistake, your resume will seem impersonal and won’t create an impact with the reader.

Attend BCG Resume Workshops

BCG representatives sometimes visit universities to conduct workshops. If they visit your school, take the time to attend and network with company officials. When BCG conducted a seminar with the Yale Graduate Student Consulting Club in April 2013, they discussed what they expect to read in resumes, walked through a sample resume, and presented good and bad examples. What strategies could be more practical than those presented by BCG employees themselves?

Integrate What BCG Looks for In Applicants

BCG prefers to hire candidates who possess the following qualities:

Your qualifications should be presented according to what BCG is looking for. If you were once a student officer, enumerate what you accomplished while in the position. If you conducted an intensive market research in your previous job, highlight this in your experience section because it indicates that you are curious, analytical, and capable of using objective judgment. If you once volunteered for a charitable activity or if you advocate for a good cause, emphasize this on your BCG resume.

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Have you been thinking about working at a top-tier consulting firm like McKinsey? What benefits would you get from your experience at this world-renowned organization? A career in management consultancy offers numerous opportunities and advantages. To help you answer the question, “Why work at McKinsey?” or at any other esteemed firm, we have provided some of the top benefits:

Diversity

In consulting, generally no two days are alike. Consultants help different organizations achieve, sustain, and regain their hold on their respective markets. They work with organizations from various sectors to explore growth opportunities, solve operational problems, and more. In other words, you’ll never get bored as there’s always a new challenge or issue to resolve. As a McKinsey consultant, you’ll be exposed to a diversity of situations and projects, which is one of the greatest benefits of working for a top firm.

Develop Strong Communication and Influencing Skills

Impressive analytical skills are not the only capabilities you can hone in your consulting career. As a consultant at a top firm, you’ll develop strong communication, presentation, and influencing skills. Consultants present their ideas to different types of people, and if you work at McKinsey, you’ll likely present to executives from global enterprises. In the process, a consultant gains confidence in communicating and presenting ideas.

Generous Compensation

Another good answer to the question, “Why work at McKinsey?” is the generous compensation. In general, consultants receive a more competitive pay rate than do full- time workers in other industries. Consultants have a very specific skill set, and big corporations are willing to pay a premium for the services of consultants who work at top-tier firms.

Development Opportunities

Another great benefit of working at McKinsey is the opportunity for growth and development. McKinsey is known to provide their consultants with extensive formal and informal mentoring. The firm often conducts reviews every six months or at the end of a consulting engagement, which help consultants improve their performance. In addition, McKinsey is also known to offer extensive career counseling to its consultants.

Networking Opportunities

Consultants from top firms work for multiple companies around the world. Working at  McKinsey will provide you access to a massive amount of information about the operations of numerous global companies. You’ll gain an exclusive understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the organizations you work for. And most importantly, you’ll have countless opportunities to build new contacts across different industries. This knowledge along with a quality network will be extremely helpful in your future job search or other business endeavor.

Knowledge Sharing

You might ask yourself, “Why work at McKinsey when there are so many other top-tier consulting firms?” McKinsey invests a good amount of money each year in a program called, “Knowledge, Development, and Dissemination.” This includes research, studies, and reports which provide deeper insights into the various industries and corporate functions they serve. As a consultant at a global firm, you’ll have access to these valuable materials, which will provide you with credible data you can use during client conversations and other relevant situations.

Develop a Specialization

Working at a world-renowned firm can help you discover which path suits your goals, background, and interests best. As a consultant, you’ll have the opportunity to choose whether you want to focus on a specific area of expertise or work on a variety of problems among numerous industries. Over time, many consultants develop an expertise in a particular industry or function. This provides another great answer to the question, “Why work at McKinsey”—to help transform and enhance your thought processes while serving a spectrum of global clients.

Global Leadership

At McKinsey, you can take advantage of a legacy of expertise. As a member of a leading management consulting firm, you’ll have many opportunities to work with some of the most successful and prominent leaders in the world. Immersing yourself in this type of  environment will help you imbibe their thoughts and actions. Working within their organizations will help accelerate your growth and advance your career.

Learning from the Best

If you work at a top consulting firm, you’ll benefit from learning from the best. You are likely to work alongside senior colleagues and other accomplished professionals. From them, you’ll be able to acquire feedback and advice on your performance. These experiences will help you succeed in leadership roles as well as help you build a personal network that will support you for the rest of your career.

Credibility

Perhaps one of the best answers to the question, “Why work at McKinsey?” is instant credibility. Having a name like McKinsey on your professional profile shouts credibility. It’s like getting into an Ivy League school: whether you’re searching for a job, locating startup investors, or looking for other business development opportunities, you’ll definitely benefit from this credential, which will follow you even after you leave the firm.

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The employment opportunities for an aspiring consultant are increasing as more and more organizations are becoming aware of the benefits of consulting. However, landing a job in this industry isn’t easy. You need to possess certain skills that go beyond technical abilities and effectively convey them in your resume.

To successfully convince your target firm that you’re the best candidate for the job, ensure that your application clearly establishes the qualities and skills listed below:

Business Judgment

Industry knowledge does count. In order to be considered for a consulting position, your application should demonstrate a thorough knowledge of strategic planning, market analysis, and other business processes. Top-tier firms also consider candidates with specific industry expertise, so ensure your consulting resume skills section provides solid proof of this.

Financial Skills

Business schools are known for providing a solid foundation of the essential financial skills; however, you will need to include more than your financial knowledge on your resume. As an aspiring consultant, you must establish your ability to precisely articulate how a specific strategy would save the client money and how a consulting engagement can benefit a company. It’s not just about creating assumptions and projections; you must be able to translate your financial expertise into practical and effective solutions.

Math Skills

One of the most important consulting resume capabilities is strong math skills. Actually it’s essential to the entire consulting application. The ability to calculate quickly and accurately in your head is extremely valuable in the consulting world. You need to show the recruiters that you’re comfortable with numbers as consultants deal with a massive amount of figures on a regular basis. You must display confidence in calculating numbers without having to rely on a calculator. If you pass the initial screening, be prepared to answer questions that will test your quantitative skills during the case interview, without the use of a calculator.

Problem-solving Skills

Consultants are problem solvers. That’s why it’s critical that you demonstrate this ability in your consulting resume skills section. Make sure the skills and extracurricular section of your resume include specific roles you have taken on that exhibit your competencies to devise efficient solutions.

Analytical and Creative Skills

A great management consultant must possess exceptional analytical and creative skills. There are times in which a consultant is required to develop out-of-the-box yet practical solutions. These skills go hand-in-hand with problem solving capabilities. As the daily tasks of a consultant revolve around gathering information, assessing the situation, and offering a solution, you need to prove that you have strong logical skills to implement sound solutions.

Leadership and People Skills

Proven leadership skills are also a necessary quality of successful consultants as they  deal with diverse individuals from different industries. It’s not enough that you know how to solve complex problems; top firms are looking for someone who can effectively handle interpersonal situations. Good consultants enjoy being around people and making strong connections with colleagues and clients. Ensure to include some of your activities or roles that will establish you as a personable leader in your consulting resume skills section.

Communication Skills

Your consulting resume skills should also include activities that will further establish your strong communication skills. Consultants are expected to be excellent communicators as they have to convey their strategic insights in a clear and concise manner. Actually, having a properly structured and well-written resume is solid proof of your communication ability, therefore you need to ensure it’s written perfectly.

Presentation Skills

This skill goes hand-in-hand with communication capabilities. You must be able to understand what a client needs, formulate a sound solution, and effectively present your findings and recommendations. Your resume should appear professional and well-structured as this will reflect your presentation skills. As an aspiring consultant, you must also be able to display that you’re comfortable with presenting to diverse clients  using the latest multimedia technology such as Powerpoint, particularly if you’re applying to top firms like Bain and McKinsey.

Idea-driven Personality

Consultants are hired to generate ideas. Their capital is not money but ideas and intellect. Thus, you need to demonstrate that you have genuine passion for generating fresh and creative solutions. Consultants are expected to find innovative ways of doing things.

Service-oriented

Consulting is considered a service industry, as consultants generally spend their time helping clients solve complex business problems. Good consultants are committed to meeting their clients’ needs, and top-tier firms look for this trait when hiring candidates. In order to benefit from the rewards of this career, personal excellence, intellectual leadership, and dedication are required. Being committed to affecting change is what makes consulting a fulfilling career path.

Consulting can be a very demanding job and it requires certain traits and skills to achieve  success in this field. If you are smart, friendly, and enjoy solving problems for others, you are likely to excel as a management consultant.

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So, you’ve been thinking about shifting careers. Don’t worry, this is normal. In fact, many people realize that what they truly want is different from what they are doing, among them are software engineers who flirt with the idea of becoming management consultants.

The prestige and competitive monetary compensation that the consulting industry offers is attractive for applicants from different backgrounds. The good news for engineering students and graduates is that many consulting firms consider hiring candidates with engineering backgrounds as long as they have the proven skills to perform the job well. In fact, top-tier firms like McKinsey and Bain have been noted for hiring engineering graduates in the last several years.

Concerns about Pursuing Consultancy

As you are planning to break into a different field, it is common for you to have concerns. The most typical of which are:

1. Insufficient business experience on your resume.
2. A lack of essential knowledge about the consulting industry.
3. Recruiters may assume you lack people skills as your primary strengths are  numbers and analytics.
4. No experience with case studies, which is an integral part of any consulting interview.

Why Consulting Firms Hire Applicants with Engineering Experience

Although it may not seem like a natural fit, most engineering students and graduates possess critical skills that are applicable in the consulting industry. This is why big firms consider engineering graduates as eligible candidates for management consulting positions. These skills include:

Tips for Engineers Who Want to Pursue Management Consulting

Here are some valuable tips to help you successfully break into business consulting:

These guidelines will help you succeed in your new career endeavor. Many engineers have already joined top-tier firms and found consultancy the perfect platform for leveraging their technical training and achieving professional and personal growth.

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Many aspiring consultants are obsessed with how their resumes should be formatted. An effective consulting resume format is an attribute of a credible resume. However, there is more to it than font size, columns, and margins; how you present your content is the most critical aspect of formatting your resume.

Many different resume formats will work for a consulting resume, but the most important thing to consider is how you can effectively highlight your major accomplishments. As an aspiring consultant, you need to ensure that the format of your application is focused on showcasing your relevant qualifications such as communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills. The format of your resume should also communicate your personal brand consistently.

In constructing your consulting resume format, you need to know what top-tier firms are looking for. Recruiters check your resume for the following:

Complete Contact Information

Make it easy for screeners to find your contact details by placing them at the top of the page,  right below your name.  Include all relevant details that your target employer will need: your complete name, home address, email address, and contact numbers. It is also suggested to include the URL to your online portfolio or website, if you have one. Also, use a larger font for your name, and most importantly, make sure that the contact details you provide are accurate and functional.

Education Details

When listing your educational achievements, start with your most recent accomplishment. It is not necessary to include your high school honors and awards. Consulting resume screeners usually look for three important elements in this section of your application.

1. Renowned academic institutions

Top consulting firms give preference to applicants who graduated from an Ivy League or prestigious university because these credentials impresses their clients. However, candidates who did not graduate from Harvard or other reputable institution do receive offers from top consulting firms. But if you got it, make sure you flaunt it, as it will definitely help your candidacy.

2. Great academic performance

Top-tier firms want to know how you did in school. In other words, they are interested in how smart you are. If you don’t include your GPA on your resume, the recruiter will either ask you for it or assume that your GPA is low and assess your application accordingly. It is also important that you explain the grading system your school used if it’s not standard. You don’t want your target firm to interpret your grades incorrectly, particularly if your marks were high. In addition, many firms will ask fresh graduates for their transcript in order to see which quantitative classes the applicant has taken.

3. Impressive standardized test scores

Many consulting firms also want to see your standardized test scores—SAT, LSAT, GRE, GMAT, and MCAT. They use this information to gauge your mathematical ability. And as you probably know, strong math skills are critical to becoming a good consultant. Moreover, great math skills have been linked to the ability to think logically and analytically. Top consulting firms favor candidates with high standardized test scores, and although it’s not necessary to have a perfect score, including your high scores will impress recruiters, whether you’re a fresh graduate or an experienced professional.

Professional Experience

When finalizing your consulting resume format, take into consideration that resume screeners are basically looking for two things: quantifiable achievements and recognizable employer names. Yes, they value big brand names. (Think of McKinsey, Bain, or Boston Consulting Group). With these two things in mind, you should list your work experience in the following manner:

Skills and Extracurricular Activities

When discussing your skills and extracurricular experience, make sure you emphasize the roles and activities that highlight your leadership, communication, and problem solving skills. Consulting firms are not just looking for smart candidates; they are after well-rounded and driven individuals.

General Formatting Tips

Here are more tips on finalizing your consulting resume format:

The best consulting resume format is one that is geared towards highlighting relevant details. Tailor your resume using the guidelines above and you’ll be sure to catch the eye of any consulting resume screener.

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After you write your cover letter and resume, you will need to review them. The competition among aspiring consultants is tough and the recruitment process is intense. You must ensure that your application is crafted to perfection.

You should never underestimate the power of a well-written and thoroughly reviewed resume. You need to edit your consulting resume with a fine-toothed comb before submitting it to your target firm. As hiring managers receive thousands of applications, yours needs to stand out among those of the other candidates’.

Review Your Application

The most challenging part of consulting resume editing is making it interesting enough to get you to the interview stage. As your resume and cover letter will allow recruiters to get a glimpse of who you are and what you have to offer, you need to make a lasting impression. Below are some tips on how you can review and edit your cover letter and resume.

Ask a Friend to Review Your Application

A trusted friend or colleague from your network can help you with consulting resume editing and ultimately increase the effectiveness of your application. Although you may have reviewed your resume a hundred times, a fresh set of eyes may catch a detrimental error. Ask someone who has editing experience or who works in the consulting industry.

Having someone else review your application is not only a good way to spot typos and grammar errors; it is likely that the person will have suggestions on how to rephrase your statements to make them more effective. Be open to their feedback and edit your resume based on their comments.

Ask a Professional to Review Your Application

Having professional consulting resume editing will give you an advantage over the competition. Applicants are inclined to highlight details that they feel are important, but   omit relevant qualifications which demonstrate their fit with the target firm.

Consulting firms receive thousands of applications. There is definitely no room for error. Candidates don’t always realize that they have made more mistakes than typos and grammatical errors such as failing to emphasize their consulting qualities, including irrelevant information, faulty structure, and an unprofessional design, to name a few.

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As consultants work with clients on projects, effective communication is the key to maintaining smooth relations. The manner in which a consultant communicates is essential in resolving differences and building trust. Ultimately, learning how to efficiently communicate with clients can foster an environment in which creative ideas, problem solving, and mutual respect can flourish.

Words and Phrases that Consultants Commonly Use

Consultants are known to use jargon or buzzwords when they talk with their clients. Here are some of the most frequently used terms in the industry:

Avoid Using Too Many Buzzwords

People in the consulting environment have such an extended vocabulary of jargon or buzzwords that what they intend to say becomes confusing. Although there are plenty of buzzwords in management consulting, they should not be used in client discussions. Most clients won’t understand industry jargon. One essential way to effectively communicate is to  create a common ground. You can do this if you present ideas and use terms that clients will understand.

Whenever you talk with your clients, ensure that they fully comprehend the situation and your recommendations. Make sure that you present your ideas in layman’s terms. Don’t inject your proposal with fancy words in an attempt to impress your clients—they won’t appreciate confusing concepts. Always take into consideration that they may not be familiar with the jargon you use when talking with your peers. Also, anticipate questions your client may have to help you effectively convey your ideas.

How to Effectively Communicate with Clients

Having the ability to effectively communicate with your clients is an important part of a successful consulting project. To avoid confusion, conflict, and inaccurate results, here are some guideline to clear and effective communication.

Be Courteous

Any client will appreciate being treated courteously. Courteous words and phrases, such as “please,” “thank you,” “you’re welcome,” “excuse me/pardon me,” “will you?” etc., should be a part of your vocabulary. Being courteous throughout your conversations will help build a rapport with your clients.

Be Open-minded

One essential skill of a successful consultant is the ability to listen. Remember, hearing is different from listening. Let your clients explain their thoughts. Do not interrupt them by saying, “I know.” This is extremely rude. Also, avoid being judgmental. Listening to their thoughts does not necessarily mean you agree with them. Just try to be as open-minded as possible. Show interest in what your client is saying. Smile, nod occasionally, and encourage the speaker to continue discussing his or her thoughts with small comments such as “yes” or “uh huh.”

Demonstrate Your Understanding

Any speaker likes to feel heard and understood. Ensure you demonstrate your understanding by asking relevant questions, summarizing the details of the discussion, and presenting important implications arising from the conversation. This will help build a deeper connection between you and your client. Your client will know if you’re just passively listening. Make your client feel that you are both on the same page, and demonstrate your understanding by being present “in the moment.”

Deliver Your Message Clearly

Always speak clearly and concisely. Express your ideas in a calm and confident manner. As much as possible, get straight to the point and refrain from being indecisive or condescending.

Avoid Fillers

Saying, “Ah” and “Um,” will not add value to your conversation. More importantly, do not use such expressions as they are associated with lack of preparation or indecision, which are not qualities of a good consultant.

Be Professional

Professionalism adds to the value of your skills. When communicating with your client via email, ensure to proofread the content prior to sending it and only use your business email address. When talking with them, make sure you speak articulately and knowledgeably. And whenever you have a scheduled meeting with your clients, take time to prepare an agenda outline—readiness means professionalism.

Ask for Feedback

Keep the lines of communication open. This will help you maintain long-term relationships with your clients. You can do this by asking them for their input or about how they feel about your service.

The success of a consulting project does not only rely on the consultant’s knowledge of business principles and strategies. Learning the art of effective client communication is also a critical aspect.

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Management consulting is once again a sought-after career option among recent graduates and experienced professionals. This practice of helping business organizations improve their productivity is increasingly becoming one of the most competitive industries to break into.

The high pressure environment of this field requires consultants to identify problems, provide practical recommendations, and implement change to help businesses improve their operations. Consultants are also expected to help new businesses become established in their respective sectors by providing corporate planning strategies and modifications.

With such enormous responsibilities on their shoulders, why would so many people want to pursue a career in management consulting? The push is due to the following benefits:

Exposure to Diverse Fields

One of the greatest benefits of being a consultant is the exposure to a wide range of industries and clients. You will never get bored as projects tend to vary with each client. This industry also offers a tremendous amount of career opportunities. Exposure to diverse  projects, roles, and industries will help those who are unsure about their career path determine which avenue they really want to pursue.

Continuous Learning

Because management consulting caters to all types of industries, you have an endless opportunity to learn new things. Consultants interact with different people from across a wide range of industries including company executives and established professionals. Working with these dominant and influential individuals will help you cultivate your own executive presence. Many agencies also provide international travel opportunities, which is a great way to learn about new cultures and countries.

The nature of the job itself is mentally stimulating, as consultants are continually analyzing existing business dilemmas and designing innovative modifications for company growth. This field is one of the few that offers the chance for constant learning and development.

Competitive and Accelerated Compensation Package

Many see management consulting as one of the most lucrative careers today. This is because the industry has traditionally provided its professionals with a competitive and accelerated compensation package. Many consultants in their early to mid-thirties enjoy six-figure salaries. Even talented fresh graduates can earn a decent amount of money in this industry.

Sense of Fulfillment

It’s not just about the money. Having the ability to make a major impact on the future success of an organization provides a strong sense of satisfaction and can likewise boost one’s confidence and sense of self. The entire process of developing a strategy and anticipating the results is really exciting. Those who have the passion to implement positive change will thrive in this field.

Freedom, Control, and Flexibility

This applies to independent consultants as they have the power to choose which clients to work with. Even if this industry can be stressful at times, independent consultants still have  complete control over their destinies.

Top-Notch Networks

The management consulting sector tends to attract top graduates and professionals. If you’re the kind of person who loves working with diverse and intelligent colleagues, then you can be easily lured to this career. Consultants always find themselves at the door of some of the largest and influential companies in the world.

There are hundreds and even thousands of powerful connections you can make through top consulting firms. And professionals in this field are generally more receptive to new hires seeking career assistance.

Many people are shifting to management consulting because of the numerous benefits it  offers. If you’re creative, innovative, and want a challenging yet rewarding role, you should definitely set your sights on this career.

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Consulting is considered a prestigious career by many business professionals because of its intellectual challenges and financial rewards. Although having prior experience can be an advantage, experience is not an essential requirement to landing a consulting job. However, you need to clearly demonstrate that you have the necessary skills to become a successful management consultant.

Excellent Academic Record

A high GPA is a strong indicator of your potential to add value to a consulting firm. Top-tier firms place a great deal of importance on an applicant’s outstanding academic background. And although possessing a business or finance related degree is a big plus, it is not as important as performance.

If you have an impressive GPA, then you have a better chance of being interviewed. You may also include your standardized test scores in your resume such as LSAT, MCAT, and SAT scores. HIgh marks on such tests demonstrate your strong theoretical skills, which is essential in consulting. Your educational background will help firms assess how equipped you are, even if you don’t have any consulting experience.

Craft an Effective Job Application

An excellent academic record is not enough; you will also need to write an equally impressive cover letter and resume in order to get an interview. Your consulting application should be able to demonstrate that you’re exactly what the firm is looking for. Make sure  that your resume and cover letter clearly exhibit your skills, achievements, and other qualifications significant to consulting. The most critical of these are:

Practice Case Interviews until You are Confident

The case interview is the most dreaded part of the consulting recruitment process. As you have little to no experience in this field, it is imperative that you take the time to practice as many cases as you can. Although there is no fixed amount of time, it is recommended to spend approximately three months preparing for this interview. Only you can actually determine how much time you need, based on your confidence level. It all boils down to your dedication and how much you really want the job.

There are plenty of available resources that can help you prepare. You can try the interactive case interviews provided by top-tier firms like McKinsey, Bain, and BCG. There are also many websites that offer practice case interviews that can help you formulate the right approach to strategy consulting.

It is recommended to practice with a friend, colleague, or professional. Conducting mock interviews will help you hone your critical thinking and communication skills. Simulating the interview will also help you learn how to effectively handle stress during the actual interview.

The Power of Networking

Networking plays a crucial role in management consulting and could be your key to success. Many aspiring consultants overlook this strategy, but at the end of the day, it’s all about connections. The number and quality of your professional network contacts can lead to a consulting job.

Your Goal

In regard to networking for consulting application purposes, your main goals are to be able to make a good impression on consultants who are associated with the recruiting process, collect valuable information about your target firm and its employees, and establish firm contacts who will provide you with relevant advice and potential references.

Your Means

There are many effective ways to harvest potential contacts. You can join industry organizations and attend functions and seminars to meet consultants or professionals who can offer referrals. Online networking through social media is also gaining popularity; take advantage of professional networking sites like LinkedIn and social sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, in order to make connections who will assist you with your career goals.

Although networking takes time, building strong relationships with key people in the consulting industry will definitely help you achieve your goal of landing a job in management consulting. Your contacts can provide you with valuable information about what you need to do to jump start your consulting career.

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It’s critical to prepare for the consulting recruiting process, particularly case interviews. This is how prospective firms really gauge your problem solving skills, strategic and critical thinking skills, as well as your business judgment and numerical reasoning.

Landing a consulting job at top-tier firms like McKinsey & Co., Bain & Co., and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) can be tough. The competition is steep, especially for undergrads. Compared to candidates from business schools, undergrads often lack  necessary credentials in their resume, particularly in regard to work and leadership experience. As employers will most likely rely on the applicant’s performance during the case interview to assess a candidate, intense preparation for undergrads is a must.

Undergrad consulting applicants are not the only candidates who need to diligently prepare. Every aspiring consultant should be properly equipped for a case interview as lack of practice is the most commonly cited reason for failure.

Positive Effects of Preparation

Sometimes aspiring consultants neglect the importance of due preparation, even if they are aware of the tough competition. Acing your case interview is crucial to breaking into management consulting. If you thoroughly prepare, your prospective firm will perceive you as an eligible candidate who possesses the capabilities required for the position.

Hard work is a must. Due preparation will hone the key skills needed to nail down the interview. Practice will help you learn how to break down a problem and identify contributing factors for evaluation, thus, enhancing your analytical skills.

Being familiar with various cases will also improve your ability to generate sound conclusions and practical recommendations, which establishes problem solving skills.

In addition, diligent preparation can help you learn how to clearly and confidently express your ideas under pressure. Thus, you’ll be able to demonstrate exceptional communication and stress management skills. You need to strengthen all of these abilities in order to be successful in a mentally-stimulating work environment.

Length of Preparation

There is no fixed amount of time when it comes to case interview preparation. As there is no required length of time, it really depends on your dedication. However, many consultants would recommend a preparation period of three months. Again, there is no specific formula; you just need to keep practicing until you feel confident that you are ready for the interview.

Tips on How to Prepare

Here are some strategies on how to do well during case interviews:

Start as Early as You Can

The earlier you start, the more cases you’ll be familiar with. To be successful in this field, you need to be disciplined and follow a proactive review schedule. If you postpone your preparation, you might find yourself cramming at the end. Never underestimate the power of early preparation.

Attend Consulting Case Interview Practice Sessions

For students, there are consulting clubs and career service centers that organize review sessions. Take advantage of these—visit your consulting club or career center to ask for additional review materials.

Master Consulting Frameworks

The time constraints may cause some anxiety. If the case seems ambiguous, you may be overwhelmed and confused with where to base your analysis. That’s why it’s helpful to master consulting frameworks that can guide you in finding the solution.

Make Use of Available Materials

There are plenty of study materials available on the Internet, although some sites require registration. Study different cases and explore situations which involve business aspects such as marketing, pricing, competition, product development, etc. You never know what type of problem you’ll be presented with during the interview, so it’s best to read and study a variety of cases. The key here is to answer the review questions before you read the given answer.

Try the Interactive Case Interviews of McKinsey, Bain, and BCG

In order to land a job with these top-tier firms, you should consider reviewing their interactive case interviews. Their websites provide practice case interviews that may help you understand how they handle their projects. Although they don’t provide actual client assignments, you’ll get a good grasp of their approach to strategy consulting and what to expect during the interview. However, there is often no time limit in these practice exercises, so you may want to time yourself while taking them.

Try Mock Interviews

The best way to practice critical thinking skills and communicating structured ideas is through mock interviews. Practicing by yourself is necessary to hone your skills, but conducting simulated interviews with a friend will provide you with valuable feedback. Remember to:

No matter what you aim for, preparation should be an integral part of your plan. And if you are aspiring to become the next management consultant at one of the three top-tier firms, you must spend time practicing case interviews.

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