McKinsey Cover Letter Sample

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resume or cv job application

If you are applying for a position at McKinsey, you will be competing with a large number of graduates and working professionals who are also interested in breaking into the firm. Therefore, you must be able to convince recruiters to invite you to an interview. This includes submitting a McKinsey cover letter that tells the story that you are a highly motivated and ambitious applicant with a great potential.

Remember, a resume only summarizes your skills and experience, but a cover letter tells the story about you: your career plans and the fit of consulting in these plans, your personality and your key accomplishments. You need to devote ample time to crafting your letter as it can help you stand out from the pool of highly qualified candidates.

Before Writing Your McKinsey Cover Letter

Before writing your McKinsey cover letter, you need to make a list of your qualifications and accomplishments that match the skills McKinsey seek in candidates. This will help you determine which information to include in the document. Use the table below for ideas and suggestions:

Problem-solving
  • Relevant coursework
  • Consulting experience (internship or professional)
  • Conducted researches
Achieving
  • Accomplishments in the classroom and previous jobs
  • Relevant awards and honors
Personal Impact
  • Exposure to different types of people
  • Volunteer projects worked on
  • Spoken and written languages
Leadership
  • Positions held in a community, organization, or school
  • Group projects

McKinsey Cover Letter Structure

The cover letter should contain three to five paragraphs and the information you present should be comprehensively written. If this document exceeds one page, recruiters will doubt your written communication skills, something all management consultants should possess.

Contact Information and Salutation

There’s only one thing you need to remember in this section: accuracy. Double check your contact information as the recruiters will use it to notify you about tests and interviews. Also, don’t forget to address the letter to the correct person and his or her position at the firm. Applicants often overlook these basic facts when writing cover letters. Committing these types of mistakes will hurt your application; recruiters will be disappointed that you omitted critical details.

Introduction

This section should be interesting enough to encourage the recruiters to read the rest of your McKinsey cover letter. It should contain your objectives, the specific job title you are interested in, and how you came across the opening. In order to convey your own voice, try the following strategies:

Networking Mention how a McKinsey employee has inspired you to pursue a career with the firm. However, do not namedrop just to get the recruiter’s attention; explain how the conversation moved or challenged you to pursue a consulting role.
Events Refer to an event, session, or any activity where you learned to appreciate the services and expertise of McKinsey. It can be an inspirational talk shared by a satisfied client or a lunch meeting with a key person in the industry.
Articles Cite a particular study or article written by McKinsey. State how it has motivated you to follow your management consulting dreams.

Here’s is an example of this section:

I have learned from James Peterson, one of your managing directors that you are looking for an operations consultant for your Chicago office. During our conversation after his presentation on business transformation strategies last month, he shared his experience in addressing inefficient processes, designing marketing models, and helping clients build new capabilities. The valuable information I learned from him has reinforced my passion for this field and my entrepreneurial spirit.

Here’s is another example:

I met John Johnson at a recruiting event and he discussed an opportunity to work with the Marketing and Sales Practice management team as a Digital Expert. When I researched the position, I came across your article, “Powering Growth through Digital Advantage.” After reading it, I was convinced that CEOs should shape their marketing and sales agenda according to how digital media has influenced consumer behavior. If given the opportunity, I would like to help organizations realize, develop, and implement their digital strategies.

Middle Paragraphs

Based on your list of qualifications, choose and highlight two or three skills or accomplishments that will push your application to the top of the pile. Select the ones that are most relevant to the position. If you are an experienced professional, focus on your quantitative achievements at your previous job. If you are a recent graduate, you can talk about your coursework, extracurricular activities, and internship program. The important thing is to establish a connection between the job and your competencies.

Here is an example of this section for experienced professionals:

My three-year experience as a director at an online marketing agency has prepared me for this client-oriented role. I have developed various digital marketing campaigns using a range of techniques such as Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Pay Per Click (PPC), social media advertisements, and paid searches. I also served as a marketing partner of Bangles, a startup company that sells women’s clothing and apparel online. Two months after implementing our marketing proposal, their monthly revenue increased by 25%.

Apart from my experience, my marketing degree from the University of Colorado has also prepared me for advanced business writing, conducting market research, and analyzing consumer behavior. I believe that my technical know-how, coupled with my substantial experience, will be my key to generating marketing strategies based on the industry’s best practices and customer experience. I am confident McKinsey & Company will find my contribution to the organization’s growth valuable.

Here is an example of this section for recent graduates:

During my three-month internship at Fast Investment Bank, I helped my team in providing financial services to companies and organizations. I analyzed an investment opportunity for a private equity fund within the wind turbine sector, leading to a critical investment decision. I also developed an Excel model for the valuation using both multiple and discounted cash flow methods. This model was used by the entire team.

In addition to my internship experience, I am a Finance major from the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado. My college curriculum has readied me for any challenges in business analysis, quantitative methods, and organizational behavior. Despite my responsibilities as a soccer club vice-president, I graduated with a 3.9 GPA. As evidenced by my excellent educational performance, I believe I will be able to adapt to the challenging demands of your organization.

In this section, you can also talk about your motivation for applying with the firm and personal interests. Make sure to present them in a manner that’s relevant to the desired position.

Closing Paragraph

The closing paragraph revolves around you as a person. Write about what you can contribute to the organization, your passion, personal values and skills. Finally, add one more sentence that indicates your high value. Avoid writing “If you have any questions about my application, please do not hesitate to contact me” as this creates no value. If recruiters find you suitable for the job, they will find a way to contact you.

Here’s an example of the closing paragraph:

I take pride in my innate leadership potential. When I was still in university, I was an officer of the consulting club for two consecutive years.  Furthermore, my former colleagues can attest to how I motivate other people to do their tasks, and involve everyone in working towards the common goal.

Looking forward to discuss the opportunities with you.

Signature

It’s essential to close your McKinsey cover letter in a professional manner. You may use the following closing examples:

  • Sincerely
  • Best regards
  • Respectfully
  • Yours truly
  • Most sincerely

Also, don’t forget to attach your signature in order to add sincerity to your McKinsey cover letter. If you’re uploading your letter on the Internet, consider creating a digital signature. Just sign a piece of clean, white paper, scan it, and crop the image down to the ideal size of your signature. This will help you stand out as a professional and technically-competent applicant.

Review Your Cover Letter

Before sending out your McKinsey cover letter, review its content and structure. If you know someone who is qualified and willing to check it for you, ask for his or her objective feedback. After reviewing the document, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Is the content relevant and interesting enough to pique the interest of the recruiter?
  • Does it convey the value I can contribute to the firm?
  • Are my ideas or qualifications presented in a smooth and comprehensible manner?
  • Does it look reader-friendly?
  • Is it free from spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors?

If you answered “yes” to all of these questions, you can submit your McKinsey cover letter with your resume and other required documents.

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McKinsey Resume Sample

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resume or cv job application

Like most companies, McKinsey & Company base their preliminary screening on the information they gather from the candidate’s resume. Hence, if you dream of breaking into this management consulting giant, make sure your McKinsey resume reflects your consulting capabilities.

What McKinsey Looks For

It has been stated on their website that the firm opts to hire candidates who are problem solvers, achievers, potential leaders, and capable of creating a personal impact on their clients. Fortunately, these qualities are categorized as soft skills, which implies that non-experienced applicants may actually have an edge as long as the four basic requirements are reflected in their activities and accomplishments.

Crafting Your McKinsey Resume

In general, the information you provide in your McKinsey resume should be divided into several sections. Determining what sections to include and how they should be arranged depends on your current career status. Remember the end goal—presenting your relevant qualifications in the most effective way.

Below, we have provided a McKinsey resume sample that you can use as a guide in crafting your document:

Personal Information

In this section, include the basic details McKinsey is interested in. These often include your name, complete home address, contact numbers, and email address. The tips below will help you exhibit your professionalism more effectively:

  • Add the URL to your portfolio or website if you think it will reinforce your qualifications.
  • Use a larger font for your name to facilitate the recruiter’s memory recall.
  • Don’t attach your headshot unless stated as one of the job application requirements.
  • Use a simple email address. Reserve your hilarious email addresses for your buddies.
  • Double check your contact numbers to ensure they are accurate and functional.

Check out these examples:

JANE MARSHALL
236 East Avenue, Miami, FL  23456 | (+145) 983-0980 | [email protected]
LILY NAYOR
56 Guava St., West Village, Toronto, ON 94034 | Mobile: +129-400-4560 | Home: +109-234-8709
[email protected] | http://lilynayor.com

Education

If you are a recent graduate, this section should follow your personal information. Your educational training at school will help recruiters assess how prepared you are for the consulting role. The knowledge you acquired from your professors and your involvement in various activities are the foundation of your future career.
Below are some ideas on which information to include:

  • State your highest level of education first.
  • Include the name of your university, your degree, the years you attended, and relevant coursework.
  • Include your GPA; SAT, GMAT, or LSAT scores; and other standardized tests you’ve taken.
  • List the awards or honors you received for your academic excellence or social involvement.
  • If you have an impressive transcript, attach a copy so McKinsey may view it.

Take a look at this example:

BS Business Administration, Oxford University, SYs 2008 – 2012

  • Coursework included macroeconomics, professional writing, statistics, technological transformations, organizational leadership, marketing principles, and business law.
  • Honors and Awards: Cum laude, Distinguished Achievement Undergraduate Award 2011
  • GPA: 3.7

Experienced candidates need not list educational details. You can simply include your degree and the name of your university as your work history will have greater significance for the screening committee.

Professional Experience

This section contains your previous position titles, role descriptions, and work-related achievements. It would be more effective if you emphasize the results and not the process in order to convey your tangible contribution to your previous employers. Apart from this, you may also describe any experience that will give the recruiter an idea of the value you can provide to the firm.  Here’s a good example:

Investment Analyst, Brick Financial Services, September 2007 to June 2012
Provided advisory services to companies and organizations to guide them in making decisions on mergers and acquisitions, stocks and bonds, and other financial opportunities.

  • Assessed business strategies of clients, including analysis of working capital, process workflows, and financial inefficiency and new business opportunities.
  • Created an M&A model to analyze the best and worst case scenarios. This model was used by senior bankers to negotiate a 5-10 % lower price for clients.
  • Headed the team in a $80M valuation of a company within airline services industry.

Here’s another example for additional reference:

Area Sales Manager, Computer Corp., March 2002 to August 2007
Coordinated the sales forecasting, planning, and budgeting processes used by all computer stores in the Baskerville area and ensured that quality and effective sales processes were implemented.

  • Exceeded annual sales goals by 6% in 2004, 11% in 2005, and 13% in 2006.
  • Oriented approximately 500 store managers and supervisors with sales goals and processes.
  • Analyzed and discussed monthly sales reports and recommendations during the monthly Board of Directors meeting.

If you have undergone an internship program, you can describe it in this section of your McKinsey resume. Here’s an example:

Research Assistant, Internship Program, Gibb Research Center, January to March 2002
Assisted the research team by reviewing related literature, designing frameworks, and collecting and analyzing data.

  • Recommended suitable techniques and methods to analyze quantitative data.
  • Created the survey questionnaire for a textile company as part of a study on their target market for their new product.
  • Wrote an article for publication in a national newspaper based on the research methods, results, and analysis.

Extracurricular Activities

If you are a recent graduate, you can also add a section for your extracurricular activities, especially if they indicate the qualities McKinsey looks for in applicants. However, if you already have professional experience, this section is unnecessary.
In this section of your McKinsey resume, you can highlight any of the following:

Leadership Experience Were you the secretary of the consulting club, a member of the student body organization, or the head of a school publication? Your leadership roles will prove you are capable of handling consulting responsibilities and managing people.
Writing Skills If you have written articles for your school magazine or publication, include this experience as well. This will give you an edge over the other applicants as management consultants write reports and recommendations for their clients.
Athletics Everyone appreciates teamwork and self-discipline. These qualities are developed and enhanced through participating in sports.
Volunteer Work Your passion to help others without getting anything in return is an indicator of your commitment. Those who succeed in management consulting must be committed and dedicated in order to survive the long work hours.

Here’s an example for this section:

  • Associate Editor, Joy Publication, SY 2011 – 2012: Ensured that news and feature article writers submitted high quality and original content; rewrote some articles to improve quality and style.
  • Soccer Team Player, SYs 2009 – 2010: Won 2nd prize in the regional soccer competition in 2009 and 1st prize in 2010.
  • Vice-president, Storytelling Circle, SYs 2010 – 2011: Organized five storytelling activities in orphanages and children’s hospitals.

Additional Skills and Interests

If you have other qualifications for the vacant position, include this section in your McKinsey resume. Examples for this section include:

Programming languages Indicate the languages you have learned to build an app or website. This tells the recruiters you have the ability to logically analyze a problem or an issue.
Foreign Languages Enumerate the foreign languages you can use to communicate with overseas clients. McKinsey consultants travel to various cities and countries, so speaking another language will serve as an advantage.
Personal Interests List three exciting hobbies or interests that relate to the consulting role. Reading comic books may be fun, but it doesn’t significantly contribute to your career.
Involvement in Professional Groups Being a member of an association of management consultants or other professional groups implies you keep yourself abreast with the new trends and issues in the industry.

Here’s an example for this section:

  • Programming languages: PHP, HTML, and CSS
  • Foreign languages: English (mother tongue), Spanish (conversational), and Chinese (conversational)
  • Personal interests: Mountain climbing, reading self-help books, and landscape photography

Keywords

Recruiters don’t always have much time to review your McKinsey resume. They receive so many applications for a single vacancy that they speed-read your document. Despite the short time they spend on your application, they still manage to shortlist applicants for testing or interviews. Those included on the list almost always submit a McKinsey resume that contains critical keywords.

You must know some words or phrases that will capture the attention of the recruiters. For example, analysis, business judgment, problem-solving, and leadership are five of the terms recruiters look for in your application. This, however, isn’t enough as each position requires a certain level of technical expertise. If you want to be a digital expert, include some online marketing and social media terms. If you aim to become a specialist in lean construction, include words such as contracting, procurement, design optimization, and industrial engineering. Read the job advertisement and research the position carefully in order to identify your own keywords.

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How to Get a Job at BCG

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Boston Consulting Group

The Boston Consulting Group is a respected leader in the management consulting industry. It was founded as a one man show by Bruce Henderson, a graduate of Harvard Business School. The company has grown through the decades by advancing unique concepts and extending its services to various parts of the world.

If you want to get a job at BCG, here are some pointers:

How and When to Apply

Your cover letter and resume are vital documents that will help you get a job at BCG. Applications for various positions in all BCG offices are accepted online. They will automatically be sent to the target offices for further assessment. University and business school students may submit their cover letter and resume to a designated representative as scheduled. Firm representatives visit select schools so stay abreast of all career-related activities.

Case Interviews

BCG conducts two case interview rounds with three separate interviews in the first round and another two in the second. Interviewers utilize problems that are based on the projects BCG’s professional consultants have worked on. The purpose of using practical scenarios is two-fold: to give you a glimpse of what BCG consultants deal with on a daily basis and to give the interviewers a valid basis for deciding whether you will be a good fit with the company.

If you are competent enough to be called in for an interview, remember the tips below to help you crack the case and consequently, get a job at BCG:

Practice BCG provides a few practice cases on their website. Review them, get an understanding of the problem presented, and take note of how the ideal answers are presented. Sufficient practice will make you more familiar with the process and boost your confidence.
Frameworks and Concepts Using a structure to analyze the business problem is helpful because it allows you to identify the main factors involved and develop an approach to resolving it. Though not always applicable, it is a good idea to remember concepts (growth-share matrix, experience curve, and advantage matrix) BCG is known for and use them whenever possible.
Demeanor During the interview, make sure you appear professional and confident. The thought of being assessed for a management consulting position at BCG seems daunting, but you should always keep your composure. Be mindful of your gestures and facial expressions because they convey nonverbal messages.

Networking Strategy

Establishing connections is an effective way to get a job at BCG. Your contacts are aware of your qualifications and can easily recommend you for any BCG job opening if you have proven you are prepared for the role. Below are a couple of tips for building your professional circle:

Clubs and Organizations Joining groups lets you meet people with the same interests and goals. When you participate in group activities, you give yourself an avenue to showcase your abilities. Those who witness your skills and appreciate your personality will be able to refer you to someone connected with BCG.
Social Media Social media is the modern method of interacting with BCG consultants. For instance, on Twitter, you can follow professional BCG consultants and start exchanging micro-blogs. On LinkedIn, you can join professional groups and participate in discussions.

Learn More

For additional tips on how to get a job at BCG, download this management consulting guide. It describes the general process most management consulting firms use in screening and hiring candidates and outlines what qualities firms look for in applicants. A case interview script is also provided in order for you to picture out what it is like in the actual interview.

Reference

How to Get a Job at Bain & Company

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Bain

Just like any other renowned management consulting firm, you need to work your fingers to the bone to get a job at Bain. The selection process is tough—a typical Bain office usually receives thousands of job applications and only a small percentage of candidates are invited to interview.

This fact can be discouraging, but if you’re determined to work in the management consulting industry, consider the following tips:

Never Miss Bain School Visits

Bain visits approximately 900 universities located around the world each year. Recruiters usually arrange the event with the career office of each school. Consult with your coordinator about upcoming visits or search for your university on Bain’s campus recruitment web page. Campus visits are a perfect opportunity for you to gain information about Bain’s operations, culture, and values from an insider’s point of view. You will also have the chance to network with professional experts who can provide valuable feedback on how to get a job at Bain.

For Bain reps, this is a perfect time to spot prospective consultants. When attending these events, rehearse your elevator pitch ahead of time and come up with sensible questions; a recruiter remembers someone who practices the art of inquisition. As Voltaire said, “It is better to judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.”

Understand the Recruitment Process

Generally, those who get a job at Bain are individuals who have excellent problem solving, teamwork, and leadership skills. An applicant’s passion to make a difference is also essential as unmotivated candidates will never survive in the field of management consulting.

Bain considers the level of the applicants who are interested in breaking into the firm. Their website clearly outlines the requirements, expectations, and interview process for undergraduates, MBA candidates, and experienced professionals. Each level has a different set of documents to submit in the online application. The interview process may also differ but it’s usually a mix of the applicant’s qualifications and case interview performance.

Prepare for the Case Interview

In order to get a job at Bain, you should pass the case interview, a classic tool used to gauge your ability to resolve problems. The interview allows you to apply your critical thinking and creativity to a realistic situation. The interviewer will provide you with slides describing the scenario; you will then have a set amount of time to review the information and write your recommendations.

After you have formulated your answer, you will have a chance to present your solutions. Interviewers might challenge your ideas in order to determine if you can handle a client situation. Be sure that you are flexible, quick, and open-minded. Be calm, pragmatic, and concise in communicating your ideas. There’s no right answer for the case presented. You will be judged on whether you arrived at a solution in a logical manner.

Expect to have a few case interview rounds. As expected, there will also be a fit interview where the recruiter will ask about your experience, education, and values.

How to Craft a McKinsey Cover Letter

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cover letter

Consider your McKinsey cover letter as a marketing document that will help you land a job with the firm. In order for your cover letter to stand out with recruiters, it should contain professional language and correct grammar in conveying your relevant qualifications.

Numerous graduates and professionals vie for a position at McKinsey because it is one of the most reputable global consulting firms in the world. Therefore, it is essential that you are able to communicate your value in your cover letter in order to convince the recruiters that you deserve to be interviewed. Here are some questions to guide you in crafting a McKinsey cover letter:

What Do You Know about McKinsey?

In order for a building to be unshakable, it must have a strong foundation. The same thing goes for your McKinsey cover letter. Your foundation is your knowledge of the industry and the company. Conduct research on the firm’s goals and expertise by reading its website, attending its events, networking with its employees, and following its social media profiles. Read stories about the firm’s successful research projects and strategies they have developed for clients. With the information you gather, you will be able to answer the next question.

What Qualities Do You Possess that McKinsey Will Find Interesting?

Your cover letter is not only a narration of your strengths and accomplishments; it must contain qualities that are relevant to McKinsey’s day-to-day operations. On their website, the firm states that they prefer applicants who are:

Problem-solvers Can you develop recommendations for solving urgent problems?
Achievers Can you make a positive and lasting impact on their clients?
Relationship Builders Can you establish trusting relationships with clients from a range of industries?
Leaders Can you effectively lead a team to work for a common goal?

If you have networked with McKinsey consultants, you may be able to add more specific qualities to the list. However, regardless of the number of qualities McKinsey is looking for, the most important question is, “Which ones do you possess?” The answer to this question will guide you in choosing information that will move your cover letter to the top of the pile.

How Should You Structure Your McKinsey Cover Letter?

After you thoroughly research the firm and reflect upon your skills, you can begin structuring your cover letter. Use the table below as your guide:

First Paragraph Explain how you came across the vacancy. Did you read the advertisement on an online job board, or were you informed by one of their former clients? If you want to mention the name of a consultant who has motivated you to pursue a career at McKinsey, this is where it should be stated.
Middle Paragraphs Summarize your experience and highlight a couple of qualifications that are interesting not to you, but to the firm. It was mentioned above that McKinsey prefers leaders, so if you’re a recent graduate who held a leadership position in a school sponsored club or organization, emphasize the experience in this section.If you are not new to consulting, you can share how your previous jobs have developed your problem solving and analytical thinking skills. If you are a working professional who shifted from a very different industry, explain your motivation for the career change, then focus on your soft skills that are applicable to your future consulting role.
Final Paragraph Indicate what you expect from the firm. You can say you will follow up after a couple of weeks or that you expect to be scheduled for an interview within the month. Also, don’t forget to express your gratitude to the hiring committee for considering your application.

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BCG Case Interview

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Case Interview

The BCG case interview process usually consists of three parts: The first part concentrates on your personal background; the second revolves around business cases; and the final part provides you with the opportunity to ask questions about the management consulting giant.

In most cases, BCG applicants spend a few months getting ready for the second part (business cases). This is where your analytical thinking, communication skills, and business knowledge are measured, so the results have a significant bearing on the final hiring decision of the firm. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to prepare for this challenge; some of which are listed below:

Review Practice Cases

Chris Bradford’s historical novel, The Way of the Warrior, says that tomorrow’s victory is today’s practice. You cannot impress the interviewer if you don’t apply this message in your preparation and practice resolving various business cases. To attain success, you should be familiar with real-life business problems in marketing, human resources, strategy, merger and acquisitions, product development, branding, and other areas of BCG consultant expertise.

Apply Consulting Frameworks

Frameworks such as Porter’s Five Forces, Growth-Share Matrix, and the DICE structure help you organize your answers. The problem that will be presented to you may be vague, or you might be given too much information to process within the time restraints. The frameworks will help you determine the necessary steps to take in order to arrive at a sound conclusion. However, during the actual BCG case interview, don’t stick to the frameworks you’ve practiced or learned at school. At times, they may seem relevant but not applicable to the case. Feel free to combine ideas and think outside the box.

Try BCG’s Interactive Online Case

As part of your preparation for the BCG case interview, try the firm’s interactive online case. It illustrates how its consultants handle client assignments. Moreover, it guides you in analyzing facts to come up with sensible recommendations. It consists of four steps:

Step 1 Framing the assignment Based on your understanding of the problem, you will be asked to identify the main topics for further investigation.
Step 2 Investigating and analyzing You will be taught how to ask questions and gather the information you need for analysis.
Step 3 Making your recommendation You will learn to integrate the information you’ve gathered and highlight your main findings in your presentation.
Step 4 Feedback You will receive feedback about your recommendation.

Rehearse with a Friend

Find time to rehearse with a friend or preferably someone who is familiar with the BCG case interview process. This is an excellent way to build your confidence and convey your ideas effectively. Your interview buddy can also provide objective feedback on your logical thinking skills, how you assemble important details, and your verbal and non-verbal messages. You may learn a lot on your own, but a well-known idiom insists that two heads are better than one.

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Seven Recommended Books for Management Consultants

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Management Consulting Publications

Aspiring consultants continually develop their consulting skills in order to gain an edge over the other candidates during the application process. One proven strategy they utilize is reading highly recommended books written by experts.

Here are the reasons why reading recommended books prepares you for a management consulting position:

Vocabulary Reading enhances your vocabulary, thereby improving your written communication skills. As you know, consultants regularly write reports, presentations, and correspondence. A flair for the written word is essential.
Comprehension The more books you read books, the more accustomed you will become to the various concepts and ideas. This is crucial in the management consulting industry as experts often deal with extensive surveys, research, and documentations.
Creativity Reading enhances a person’s creativity, another valuable attribute required in the industry. Consultants have to approach each project from various perspectives and incorporate creativity in their output.
Critical Thinking Reading concepts becomes more interesting if you analyze the information. Do you agree with the concept? Is there a theory that rejects the assumption? What did you learn? When you ask yourself these questions, you develop your reasoning ability, the most vital attribute consultants should possess.

We have compiled a list of recommended books which contain valuable information about how you can succeed in the management consulting industry:

#1: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

In this book, author Stephen Covey guides the reader on how to incorporate values such as self-improvement, productivity, teamwork, and determination. This book has been read by aspiring consultants throughout the world and will help you develop an optimistic outlook and practice proactive habits in your everyday life. Covey provides anecdotes that will inspire you  to bring out your personal and professional effectiveness.

View Book on Amazon

#2: Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office

Author Lois Frankel wrote this book to empower women and help them succeed in the corporate world. It enumerates the detrimental behaviors women have unconsciously developed during their childhood. Frankel introduces effective ways of overcoming these roadblocks to success. By applying her strategies, you increase your chances of finding viable career opportunities.

View Book on Amazon

#3: Influence

“How will you convince a person to say ‘yes’?” is the question author Robert Cialdini addresses  in this book. Cialdini believes that persuasion is a science, not an art and introduces six principles of persuasion: reciprocity, scarcity, authority, commitment, liking, and social proof. Based on his intensive and rigorous research on what motivates people to make changes, he wrote this book not only for marketers but for everyone working towards personal change and success in their lives.

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#4: Getting Things Done

This is one of the most recommended books on improving productivity. David Allen, a management consultant, has written this with the premise that productivity and the ability to relax are direct proportional variables. He provides insights on how to attain efficiency, tips for strategically focusing your energy, and techniques to complete tasks on time.

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#5: Purple Cow

Seth Godin used a metaphor for the title in order to summarize the main message of his book—be remarkably different. He asserts that your product should have a unique factor for it to be marketable, interesting, and popular among consumers. He encourages readers to emulate organizations that consistently launch incredible products.

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#6: Valuation: Measuring and Managing the Value of Companies

In this book, McKinsey & Company provide updated and practical ideas on how to create, manage, and measure an organization’s value. Case studies are provided to illustrate how to apply the techniques and principles. Students who are interested in business and entrepreneurship will find the expert advice of managers and investors useful in understanding the industry.

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#7: How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships

In this book, author Leil Lowndes shares some tips for effectively communicating with others. She provides ideas on how to make a positive impression and establish rapport during the first meeting and techniques on how to project confidence, be credible, and take advantage of your body language. This is a good read for people who need to improve their social skills.

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Management Consulting Firms in Canada

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Consulting Firms

Management consulting refers to the industry that provides guidance to businesses and organizations in developing strategies to improve critical areas of their enterprise such as marketing, operations, pricing, and human resources.

Two prominent consulting firms in Canada are listed below:

OPTIMUS | SBR’s

The consultants at OPTIMUS | SBR’s have provided custom recommendations to their clients in the areas of strategy, process improvement, resource augmentation, governance and leadership, project management, and research and analytics since 1979. They serve a diverse client base, the majority of which are leaders in the areas of financial services, energy, infrastructure, health care, and nonprofit and government agencies. In December 2012, the firm was acknowledged by Queen’s School of Business and Aeon Hewitt as one of “2013 Best Small & Medium Employers” in the country.

Stratnet

Located in Ontario, Stratnet is one of the consulting firms in Canada that provide services in the fields of strategic planning, enterprise management, information technology, and program management to both the public and private sectors. For every project, their professional consultants aim to provide exceptional service that generates relevant, necessary, and practical improvements. Stratnet employees are trained to be client-focused, team-oriented, commercially-driven, ethical, and excel in what they do. They keep their interaction with their clients simple but informative.

Additional Consulting Firms in Canada

Listed below are the other management consulting firms in Canada:

Item Firm Headquarter
1 A.T. Kearney Illinois, USA
2 Accenture Illinois, USA
3 Alexander Proudfoot Illinois, USA
4 Alvarez and Marshal New York, USA
5 Atkins Global Surrey, United Kingdom
6 Aon Consulting Illinois, USA
7 Archstone Consulting Connecticut, USA
8 Bain & Company Massachusetts, USA
9 Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Massachusetts, USA
10 BPI group Illinois, USA
11 CapGemini Paris, France
12 CCS Fundraising California, USA
13 Cognizant New Jersey, USA
14 Corporate Executive Board Virginia, USA
15 Deloitte Consulting New York, USA
16 Everest Group Texas, USA
17 Ernst & Young London, England
18 Forum Massachusetts, USA
19 Frost & Sullivan California, USA
20 FTI Consulting Florida, USA
21 Gallup Consulting Nebraska, USA
22 Greenwich Associates Connecticut, USA
23 Hay Group Pennsylvania, USA
24 ICF International Virginia, USA
25 IMS Health IMS Health
26 Infosys Consulting Karnataka, India
27 KPMG Consulting Amstelveen, Netherlands
28 Kurt Salmon New York, USA
29 McKinsey & Company New York, USA
30 Mercer Consulting New York, USA
31 NERA Economic Consulting New York, USA
32 Oliver Wyman New York, USA
33 PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) London, United Kingdom
34 SAP Consulting Virginia, USA
35 Tata Consulting Services Mumbai, India

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Why Is Procrastination a Problem for Aspiring Consultants?

Written by . Posted in Consulting Industry

Check list with red mark

The answer to this question seems obvious: You waste time that you could have been spending on activities that create more value. For someone who wants to pursue a career in management consulting, this habit is a deal breaker. Clients expect professional consultants to be efficient and timely deliver output.

Apart from the issue above, procrastination also leads to the following negative results:

Unconscious Habit You are probably not aware that you procrastinate. Many people unconsciously put off activities that they should or could be doing.
Lack of Focus Procrastination decreases your mental awareness and ability to focus.
Indecisiveness Your decision making and execution muscles become fatigued and it becomes harder for you to execute difficult decisions.
Unaccomplished Tasks The end-result is that you do not create the desired results that you want in your life, including your career.

Procrastination is an unhealthy habit and must be put to a stop; otherwise, you will ruin your career ambitions. Here are five steps to minimizing, if not eradicating, procrastination:

Step 1: Avoid Distractions

The primary sources of procrastination come from the outside and distract you from focusing on important tasks. In general, it’s information that you do not need at the present moment. Ask yourself this question: Is the information I am consuming right now necessary, or am I just making up excuses in order to put off what is really important?

Examples of distractions can include:

  • Emails;
  • Facebook, Twitter, and other social media;
  • Mainstream media; and
  • Unnecessary web-surfing.

One method you can employ to  stay focused is to use a service such as RescueTime to track how you spend time on your computer. You will be surprised at the results!

Step 2: Create an Actionable To-do List

Many people write very general items on their to-do lists like “arrange a dinner event” or “apply for the job”. We have made these mistakes ourselves. Including general items on your to-do list makes it easy to procrastinate. An item like “apply for the job” seems like a huge task and if you are the least bit tired, you will probably put it off.

What if the tasks on your to-do list were split into smaller, actionable items? Take a look at the following examples:

  • Research application deadline at XYZ Firm.
  • Decide if I will apply at other firms.
  • Call Jeanne and ask her to send me her cover letter.
  • Research the website of XYZ Firm for information about its company culture.
  • Write first draft of cover letter.
  • Review and edit the first draft of cover letter.
  • Send the cover letter.

Did you notice that these items are all actionable? “Apply for the job” can include thousands of different actions, but the items above are very precise. “Research application deadline at XYZ Firm” seems like an easy task to accomplish. Actually, all of these tasks individually seem like easy things to do. By compiling a list of actionable tasks, you will start executing them and gaining momentum. Consider using a task management system like Nirvana to keep your to-do lists simple.

Step 3: Do the Worst Things First

There are some things we just don’t like to do. But we feel great after they are out of the way. This habit might be the best of the five steps listed in this email. Begin every day by doing the one thing on your list that you hate. Get it done and enjoy the rest of your day!

Step 4: Exercise Your Execution Muscle

You have removed the distractions, made an actionable to-do list, and are beginning your day by completing the tasks you hate doing. Still, you might experience procrastination and hesitation from time to time. It takes some time to strengthen your decision making and execution muscles. It’s like any other sport— you need to practice and practice to improve.

Our advice is that you focus on executing the important tasks, and whenever there is any hesitation or fear of failure, ask yourself “what is the worst that can happen?” Things are usually never as bad as they seem.

Step 5: Take a Break!

Don’t allow time and task management to control your life. Taking a break and doing things you enjoy is the best motivation for being productive.

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Booz Cover Letter

Written by . Posted in Cover Letter

Business man letter signature

Booz & Company, one of the prestigious consulting firms, offers a stimulating and fulfilling work environment. If you pass the screening process, you will be surrounded by people who will intellectually challenge you, enhance your skills and inspire you to reach your ambitions.

But how do you beat competent candidates who aspire to join one of Booz’ 58 offices spread throughout 33 countries? How do you prove you have the ability to advise top organizations, businesses, and governments? How do you craft a cover letter that summarizes your credentials and proves you will be an asset to the management consulting firm? Below are some tips on how to sell yourself:

Personalize Your Cover Letter

Recruiters have gone over thousands of cover letters during their career; only those which are well-written and customized usually merit their time and effort. To make this possible, ensure that your letter conveys the following:

Opening Explain how you learned about the vacancy.
Experience or Education If you’re a working professional, elaborate your expertise, summarize your work experience and highlight your most relevant accomplishment. If you’re a recent graduate, explain how your academic background prepared you for this industry.
Motivation Include why you are interested in breaking into management consulting.
Closing Thank the recruiter for considering your qualifications. Further, state that you wish to be interviewed or you will follow up the status of your application in two weeks.

You can also insert the following keyword phrases in your cover letter:

  • Strong analytical skills;
  • Desire to make a difference;
  • Excellent academic record from an outstanding academic institution;
  • International work experience;
  • Business-level fluency in the language of the target location; and
  • Willingness to adapt to the culture of Booz.

Customizing your Booz cover letter is the best way to demonstrate your sincerity, interest, and company knowledge. Focusing on your achievements alone, without considering Booz’ priorities is pointless because the document won’t reflect how you can contribute to the growth and success of the firm.

Include the Right Information

Your cover letter and resume have different purposes—that’s why the former must not be a repetition of the latter. Your cover letter can include the following:

  • Summarize your expertise and experience in a few sentences;
  • Elaborate on an achievement that proves your marketing brand;
  • Explain your motivation for applying at Booz;
  • Express what you expect from the recruiting team; and
  • Clarify obvious working gaps or any information that may bring up questions about your resume.

Your cover letter’s main goal is to persuade the screening team to review your resume in detail.

Mention a Consultant’s Name

Applicants who have networked have an edge over the competition. If you have interacted with a Booz consultant in a school or social event, mention that person in the letter and how the encounter inspired you to pursue a job with the firm. This unique and interesting experience tells the screening committee you’ve taken your research one step further.

Proofread Your Cover Letter

Before submitting your Booz cover letter, review it thoroughly and correct any grammar and spelling errors. Check the content as well to ensure that the aforementioned pointers are integrated in the message. Evaluate the language you used; it should be professional enough to convey your capabilities and credibility. You can approach a friend or a professional to help you with proofreading for objective feedback.

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