cv tips

Great question — and even from a non-typical background, you can absolutely stand out if your CV tells the right story in the right way. 

Here’s what I think MBB and other top firms typically look for in entry-level CVs:

1. Structured Thinking & Impact — Every bullet should follow the action → impact formula. Start with a strong verb (led, built, analyzed) and end with a quantifiable result (e.g., “Improved process speed by 25%” or “Built a tool used by 10+ team members”). Even if the role wasn’t “business-ish,” show how your work solved problems or made things better.
2. Analytical Rigor & Problem Solving — Highlight any experience where you worked with numbers, broke down complex issues, or made decisions with incomplete data — this signals “consulting DNA.”
3. Leadership & Ownership — MBB cares less about titles and more about initiative. Did you lead a student group, run a project solo, or drive something that wasn’t required of you? Include it, even if informal.
4. Prestige Markers or Differentiators — If you don’t come from a target school or traditional background, flag what makes you stand out: awards, ranked performance, selective programs, or anything with a competitive bar.

Final tip: keep it clean and one page max. Use professional formatting, and make every word earn its place.

Hope it helps!

Hi there,

For MBB and other top consulting firms, your CV should show impact, analytical strength and leadership potential — even if you come from a non-traditional background. They care less about where you started and more about the skills and results you demonstrate.

Here’s what to focus on:

• Academic performance – strong GPA, scholarships, or any top-tier university credentials
• Quantified impact – use numbers to show results (e.g. “Improved process efficiency by 15%,” “Managed €50k student project”)
• Analytical experience – any role or project where you analyzed data, solved problems or built insights
• Leadership & teamwork – initiatives, clubs, or projects where you led people or influenced outcomes
• Clarity & structure – one page, clean formatting, consistent bullet style, and results starting each line with action verbs

Optional extras that help:

• International exposure or mobility
• Fluency in multiple languages
• Technical familiarity (Excel, PowerPoint, basic analytics tools)

Happy to help you prep – feel free to reach out.

Best,
Evelina

From my BCG days, what really stands out on a CV for MBB and other top firms—especially for entry-level folks without the “classic” background—is how you show evidence of drive, impact, and leadership.

Highlight times you made things happen, led a team, solved a tough problem, or took initiative outside of class. Quantify your results wherever you can (“increased sales by X%,” “managed X volunteers,” etc.).

Don’t stress too much about not fitting the typical mold; show you’ve got what it takes to learn fast and add value. And keep it clean, clear, and sharp—recruiters love concise, results-focused bullet points!

Hi there,

Firms like MBB don’t expect entry-level candidates to have consulting experience; they look for potential. What really matters is showing that you’ve already done things that reflect how consultants think and work.

They look for three main things:

1. Evidence of problem solving: Times you analyzed a complex situation, made sense of data, or helped improve something, whether in university projects, internships, or personal initiatives.
2. Ownership and drive: Experiences where you took initiative, led a small team, or made an idea happen from start to finish.
3. Communication and structure: A CV that’s easy to follow, with clear bullet points showing impact (“increased X by Y%” works better than generic descriptions).

Even with a non-traditional background, what counts is that your story shows curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to deliver results: That’s what convinces recruiters you’ll learn fast and thrive in consulting.

Hi there,

You’ll want to show evidence of being an overachiever, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, impact-driven achievements, and leadership potential. Even if you come from a non-traditional background, focus on quantifiable results, structured thinking, and bullets for when you took initiative or ownership. Use a clear and concise format, with each bullet starting with an action verb and ending with measurable outcomes. Highlight experiences that show adaptability, teamwork, and drive.

Honestly, lots of things. 

And, honestly, it's also part of the accumulated experience that as coaches we help candidates with. 

But the main thing is to see that the candidate has shown a long-term interest in this field (consulting, problem-solving, business) and they have distinctive experiences in the past that signal they would do well on the job.

Best,
Cristian 

hi! 

MBB really looks for impact, clarity, and structured achievements, even for entry-level candidates from non-typical backgrounds. If you want, I’m happy to do a coaching session with you, I got invited to all firms and have a nice CV template that works well.

best,
Alessa :)