Consulting issue

Question

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

Answer 1

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:

Optimize your CV for ATS by mirroring keywords from the job description
Use standard section headers (Experience, Education, Skills)
Avoid graphics, tables, or complex formatting
Quantify impact clearly with action verbs
Make sure relevant tools, industries, and skills appear explicitly

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

Answer 2

Hey!

Happy to have a look at your CV & CL in a coaching if that's an option- maybe that's the issue?

Alessa

Answer 3

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!