Hey guys,
so I was a consultant but not for long (5months) and ever since I am applying for other positions but getting rejected mainly to the auto system. My question is: Is that due to the short consulting trip and if yes, is it advisable to delete that station?
Cheers
This is a very common concern — and in most cases, the 5 months alone are not the reason for automatic rejections.
ATS systems typically filter based on:
They usually don’t reject simply because something lasted 5 months.
Before deleting it, ask yourself:
1. Is it positioned well on your CV?
If it just shows “Consultant – 5 months” with vague bullets, it may raise questions. But if you clearly highlight impact, responsibilities, and skills, it can still add credibility.
2. What story does it tell?
Short tenures are fine if there’s a logical explanation (project-based role, strategic pivot, company situation, etc.). What hurts is inconsistency without context.
3. Would your profile look stronger without it?
In most cases, consulting experience — even short — strengthens a CV more than it weakens it.
Instead of deleting it, I would:
If rejections are happening instantly, it’s more likely a CV/keyword alignment issue rather than the short stint itself.
If you’d like, happy to give feedback on how to position it properly 🙂
Don't remove it. An unexplained gap looks worse than a short stint.
The real issue is how you're positioning it. If your resume just says "Consultant, 5 months" with no context, recruiters assume the worst. Show what you actually did. Projects, clients, skills. Make it look like a deliberate chapter, not a failed experiment.
If anyone asks, keep it simple. "The role wasn't the right fit for my long term goals, so I moved on early." Then pivot to what you want next. Don't over explain.
The auto rejections are probably not about the 5 months. ATS systems filter on keywords and job titles, not tenure. Make sure your resume matches the job descriptions you're applying to. Are you tailoring it for each role or sending the same version everywhere?
I'd bet the problem is in how your resume reads, not the 5 months on it.
Hi there,
A 5-month consulting stint is usually not what’s causing automatic rejections. Most ATS systems don’t reject based on tenure length — they filter based on keywords, formatting, and match to job description.
Deleting the role is generally not advisable, especially if it was legitimate experience. Instead, I’d suggest:
If you’re getting mostly automated rejections, it’s more likely a keyword alignment issue than the 5 months. You can also slightly reframe it as “Consultant” without overemphasizing duration, and focus on impact rather than timeline.
Happy to help you review your CV and improve ATS alignment if useful
Best
Evelina
That's a really frustrating spot to be in, and it's completely understandable to wonder if your short consulting stint is working against you. It's a question many candidates grapple with, especially when hitting the ATS wall.
Here's the reality: 5 months can be flagged by an ATS or a human reviewer as a potential concern around commitment or fit, leading to initial screening rejections. Consulting firms, in particular, invest heavily in training and are looking for candidates with a demonstrated ability to stick around for at least 1-2 years. However, deleting it isn't advisable. It creates an employment gap that's often harder to explain than a short tenure, and it could be seen as misrepresenting your experience if discovered.
Instead, focus on how you frame it. You were a consultant, which is a significant signal. Make sure your resume highlights specific transferable skills and project contributions from those 5 months. More importantly, leverage networking. A warm referral or a direct conversation with someone inside a firm can help contextualize your experience and bypass the initial, often unforgiving, automated screen. This allows you to explain your learning and career pivot proactively.
Hope it helps!
Hey!
Happy to have a look at your CV & CL in a coaching if that's an option- maybe that's the issue?
Alessa
Honestly, I would need more context than this to help you.
Based on what you're describing, I'm not sure why you would get rejected because you had a short stint in consulting.
If anything, that should help with you passing the screening because it demonstrates you've been exposed to consulting and even had the chance to build consulting skills.
I recommend you get a professional CV assessment to diagnose what's going on.
Best,
Cristian
