Hi there,

First of all, it is great to see your persistence in getting into strategy consulting!

I think this is an interesting question that may be relevant for many people. I would be happy to share my thoughts on it:

• First of all, while it is a completely understandable gap in your resume, I would advise you not to proactively draw attention to it. Especially given it was not an intended gap (at least not of this length), representing it differently than it is might not be a good idea.
• Regarding your chances of passing the screening phase of the application process, I would highly advise you not to ponder on this aspect since you essentially no longer control it. Ensure that you hand in the best possible application, including polished application files and a strong referral, and see what the result will be.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there, 

In general, I wouldn't proactively attract attention to anything that you don't want to be discussed. 

Instead, spend your energy on:

1. Develop a great application package (strategy, CV, cover letter, referrals) that brings the best out of you. There is an amazing ROI to working with a coach on this. 

2. Think of how to tell your story to explain that gap in case you get asked. Here too, I'd focus on what you did do during that period, not on what you didn't. 

Sharing with you two guides here on how to maximize your chances through this recruitment process:

How to network and get referrals

How to get a job in consulting during an economic downturn

Best,
Cristian 

Hi there,

Please please do not include a career gap in your resume!

As a general rule, never bring attention to the thing that weakens you.

Please also don't do Q2. Nothing you can say will sound “better”. It'll all just sound like excuses.

The gap is from 2 years ago so should not be too big of a deal. It was also during covid. Employers understand (now, more than before) that life happens. A gap during covid is actually quite commonplace nowadays.

Just “slide” it under the rug and don't bring it up/mention it in writing or in your interview.

Be prepared to address it, but don't highlight it!

Make sure to network extensively and get a professional review of your resume to make sure you're optimizing your chances.

Good luck!

Q1) In your observation, should I proactively include that gap between my two employment periods and mention ‘Career gap’, and only clarify when asked on the interview, or should I just leave it as is, and clarify when asked on the interview?

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Given it is related to Master's less of a problem IMO - as Ian suggested, as for every job interview you will have in your life 

1) Be ready to address in a logical, honest and convincing way

2) Do not proactively gather attention on weaknesses

This advice is valid for other parts of consulting interview - including in the case part: never self-contradict, self-diminish, self-criticate: confidence even under “fire” is integral part of the job.

A caveat: the above does not include pivoting your hypothesis and proactively stating that, given new information you are “changing” the logical direction you are heading for

Q2) Should I volunteer additional information on my resumé? (The reason behind that gap: having resigned at employer ‘A’, I deliberately took some months off to prepare myself to be able to get into management consulting, as I was working in a completely different field before. It actually took me months to get an offer, and even with that offer, I could only start working almost half a year later - so we could see that 1 year as the price I paid for getting into a Tier-2 management consulting firm (from where I now want to step up to MBB).
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Good in principle as answer - only offer if asked for

Q3) Could the gap appearing in my CV reduce my chances of being invited to the first step of the application process?

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Follow e.g. Francesco detailed advice: overall polished CV, Cover Letter and REFERRALS are what increases your chances - the rest is NOT in your control

Hi there,

trust in the recruiting team to ‘connect the dots’ and see that you have started your master in the meantime. Half a year gap is nothing unusual and I would advise not to proactively bring it up. You should be able to talk about it if the interviewer brings it up.

Andreas