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Highlighting international projects in the CV

CV international projects internship
New answer on Apr 23, 2024
8 Answers
121 Views
Anonymous A asked on Apr 17, 2024

Hey,

When I did a consulting internship in Germany, I was on an international project with colleagues from all over Europe and the US. The project was with an US company and the scope of the project involved the US market.

Since international experience is an important requirement for a position in consulting (at least in Germany), I was thinking about highlighting such an international project in my CV.

Now my question is whether I should highlight it in my CV and if so, how best to include it so that it is clear that we really advised the US company (as well as only working with client stakeholders from the US) and not the German/European subsidiary?

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Gero
Expert
replied on Apr 17, 2024
Ex-BCG │200+ Interviews & Interview Coachings @ BCG │ 20+ candidates coached into MBB │WHU/LSE/Nova │ Teacher & Trainer

Hi there,

Great question and a valid concern. I frequently see candidates being rejected by top consulting firms in Germany due to a lack of international experience. I would share two pieces of advice:

1. It is a good idea to highlight the international aspect of the project. However, I would recommend against relying 100% on the project being counted as “international experience”. Depending on the company and who specifically is reviewing the CV, they might only check your actual work location and see if you have worked or lived abroad. To make sure, you might consider an internship or semester abroad if the project is your only international experience.

2. To emphasize the international aspect of the project, you could start your point with something along the lines of “working with global leadership…” or “working with global board of directors…”. You can also explicitely state “…on the US market…”. The precise wording depends on the specifics of your project of course.

I hope that could help!

Best,

Gero

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Hani
Expert
replied on Apr 18, 2024
Associate and All-star Interviewer at OW | Ex-S& | 5+ years in the Middle East |300+ Interviews | INSEAD MBA

Hello there,

Highlighting your international project experience on your CV is crucial, especially given the importance of such exposure in consulting roles!

The easy way to do it is to clearly state your and describe the project with emphasis on your direct consultancy for a US-based client focusing on the US market, detail your specific responsibilities, such as managing stakeholder interactions across the US, and the multicultural team dynamics, including colleagues from Europe and the US. 

Also important is to mention any significant project outcomes, such as improvements in market penetration if applicable, which demonstrate your impact and capability to work effectively in international settings. 

Hope this helps!

 

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Hagen
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 18, 2024
#1 Bain coach | >95% success rate | interviewer for 8+ years | mentor and coach for 7+ years

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

  • I would advise you to explicitly mention the international experience of this consulting internship in your resume when you talk about it. It may not carry much weight, e.g. because you have a considerable amount of international experience either way, but it certainly can't hurt to mention it.

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

 

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Dennis
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 18, 2024
Ex-Roland Berger|Project Manager and Recruiter|7+ years of consulting experience in USA and Europe

Hi there,

I wouldn't change your CV structure for this emphasis but just explicitly state your exposure to international (US) clients and stakeholders in your bullet description regarding this specific project.

Unless you traveled to the international client location or were actually based there for a while, it won't carry too much weight as international experience - but it certainly won't hurt. 

And if you did travel or spent time there, you have to be careful about broadcasting your “work experience” too unless you had a proper work visa for that time period. Otherwise it is illegal to work in the US (company events or short business meetings are exempt from that of course, but actual project delivery is not).

Best

 

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Alberto
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 23, 2024
Ex-McKinsey Associate Partner | +15 years in consulting | +200 McKinsey 1st & 2nd round interviews

Definitely include it in your CV. It will improve your profile.

Be very clear an direct on the project set up and your work location. Also include what you achieved in that project when you mention it in your CV.

Best,

Alberto

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Cristian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 17, 2024
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Well, just write it directly - say that this was a US company in industry X and mention that you were relocated there for the duration of the engagement. 

If you position it like that nobody is going to understand otherwise.

Best,
Cristian

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Francesco
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Content Creator
replied on Apr 18, 2024
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

1) My question is whether I should highlight it in my CV

I cannot see any problem with it. I agree with Gero they might just check where you are based though, so it might not have a lot of weight. 

2) If so, how best to include it so that it is clear that we really advised the US company

You can indicate that the company was based in the US – that should be sufficient.

Good luck!

Francesco

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Pedro
Expert
replied on Apr 23, 2024
Bain | Roland Berger | EY-Parthenon | Mentoring Approach | 30% off in April| Market Sizing | DARDEN MBA

Yes, you should highlight that. You include that information in one of the bullet points where you described what you did in your internship.

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Gero gave the best answer

Gero

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