1 page or 2 page CV?

CV
New answer on Nov 17, 2020
5 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Feb 26, 2018

How strict is this when they say one page? Which Consulting firms are strict with a one page policy? Which firms are more lenient and allow 2 pages?......Mainly interested in the ones which are well known eg BCG, AT Kearney, McKinsey, Bain, Monitor, Strategy&, Oliver Wyman, Roland Berger.

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Vlad
Expert
updated an answer on Feb 26, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

The general rule is to have more than one page once you have more than 10 years of experience.

Answering you concern in the comments - it is important although not a game changer. Noone will reject you purely based on the number of pages in a resume. Moreover in consulting resume screening is still manual, so it's not an automatic rejection criteria.

I would recommend in most cases use one page in the future!

Best!

(edited)

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Retired
Expert
replied on Feb 26, 2018
Former BCG interviewer

One page.

I can see the struggle if you are a scientist. The way this is usually resolved is that if you are a scientist with many publications, no need to include for consulting. You can synthesize the list with just the list of names of the journals/publications in which you were published and divide them in two bullets so that you can separate the ones for which you are first author from the ones in which you are a named author. At bottom of resume you can write that you are able to provide full reference upon request.

Andrea

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Anonymous replied on Mar 01, 2018

Unless you are a PhD, stick to one page. It's the modern, accepted approach and shows you know how to prioritize message.

Also, it's always better to have only A+ achievements on a CV than a few A+ mixed with a few B- achievements.

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B
Expert
updated an answer on Feb 26, 2018
NOT AVAILABLE

Hey anonymous,

My straightforward answer is 1 page (only in very exceptional circunstamces, like an experienced hire with loads of technical experience applying to a super specific role would be ok to go to 2 pages)

Best

Bruno

(edited)

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MA on Feb 26, 2018

Thanks for the feedback. I've had varying degrees of success. Tried 2 pges before and got through at McK, tried it for Roland Berger and was less successful. Tried 2 pages again with Bain recently, no reply yet. So a bit worried that'll be another rejection. Am going to try AT Kearney one pager this week, and I guess going forward I'll have to stick to one page. I'm just not sure whether it'll convey enough about me. Note: Am also applying to Middle East offices, not sure if that makes any difference?

(edited)

Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Nov 17, 2020
#1 Career Coach for Aspiring, Practicing & Ex-Consultants|The Only 360° Coach - Ex-Mckinsey, Certified Coach & Recruiter

Hi there,

If you have huge work experience, PhD or MBA, so you may have 2 pages of CV. If not, I recommend you write only 1 page.

Do you need any further help?

All the best,

GB

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Vlad gave the best answer

Vlad

McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
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