Did you know that more than 60% of applications for consulting positions are rejected during the initial CV screening? Top firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain (MBB) receive hundreds of applications and decide within seconds whether a CV makes it to the next round. This means your resume must be precise, well-structured, and persuasive to stand out from the crowd and secure an interview invitation.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to structure your consulting CV effectively, highlight relevant content, and avoid common mistakes, with practical examples, expert recommendations, and free templates. 📃
Many applicants use their standard CV when applying for consulting roles. That’s a mistake. A consulting CV differs significantly from traditional resumes used in other industries. While conventional CVs often focus on tasks and responsibilities (input), consulting recruiters expect a clear emphasis on results and impact (output).
For example, simply stating that you organized events doesn’t say much. It’s far more effective to show measurable outcomes, such as: “Organized five recruiting events with over 500 participants, resulting in three new corporate partnerships.” This precise, results-oriented language is typical for consulting resumes. A consulting CV is therefore much more than just a summary of your career history.
The following table highlights the key differences between a traditional CV and a consulting-specific one, illustrating why the latter must meet higher standards:
| Standard CV (Traditional) | Consulting CV (Specific) |
| Focus on tasks and responsibilities (Input) | Focus on results and impact (Output) |
| General wording (“Organized events”) | Precise, measurable statements (“Organized five recruiting events with 500+ participants, resulting in 3 new partnerships”) |
| Lists positions and duties | Demonstrates strategic thinking, work style, and value creation |
| Few numbers or outcomes | Strong emphasis on quantifiable achievements and impact |
| Serves as an overview of past roles | Designed to prove your fit for consulting |
A consulting CV must not only be convincing in content but also look professionally flawless in form. Recruiters pay close attention to structure, clarity, and precision, just as they do later in their project work.
Pay particular attention to the following points:
A successful consulting CV stands out not only through strong content but also through a clear and logical structure. Recruiters often spend only a few seconds on an initial screening, so your most important information must be immediately visible. A well-organized layout helps you present your academic and professional achievements effectively and pass the “scan test.”
At the very top, include your name, email address, and phone number. If you have a well-maintained LinkedIn profile, add the link. This makes it easy for recruiters to contact you quickly.
A short sentence about your career goals can show that you have made a deliberate decision to pursue consulting. Briefly explain what interests you most about the work or what kind of long-term contribution you aim to make. Only include this section if it truly fits you and the position.
List your degree, university, study period, and, if relevant, important courses, scholarships, or awards. If your GPA is 1.7 or better, you can mention it confidently. Otherwise, focus on other achievements or extracurriculars that demonstrate your commitment and motivation to perform.
Include your relevant positions with title, company, location, and dates. In two to four concise bullet points, describe what you achieved, ideally with measurable results. If you have limited experience, highlight your involvement in university clubs, projects, or volunteer work. For example:
Separate hard skills (e.g. Excel, PowerPoint, SQL, data analysis) from soft skills (e.g. teamwork, problem-solving, communication). Always back up your skills with examples to make them more credible. For languages, list your native language first, followed by English (with proficiency level) and then any additional languages.
Certificates or training in project management, data analytics, or software tools show that you are proactive about your professional development. They are not mandatory, but they can round out your profile and highlight your commitment to growth.
A consulting CV should show more than just positions and tasks. It should clearly demonstrate why you are suited for a career in consulting. Recruiters look for candidates who can think analytically, act solution-oriented, and take ownership. The best way to prove these abilities is through specific examples from your studies, internships, or projects.
These core competencies make all the difference:
You now know what makes a great consulting CV. It needs to be clearly structured, show concrete results, and meet formal standards. But how can you put all of this into practice? Where should you start, and what exactly should you pay attention to when writing?
In the following steps, we’ll show you in detail how to create an effective and professional CV. This will help you ensure that your document not only meets formal criteria but also truly impresses. 🙌
Recruiters at top consulting firms review applications in just a few seconds. Your CV must therefore highlight key details such as university, employers, and measurable achievements at first glance. Make sure your most important experiences and results stand out especially in the education and work experience sections.
Personal interests are less important but should still be thoughtfully written. Help recruiters recognize your qualifications immediately by presenting your main strengths clearly and concisely.
In the following example, different CV sections are color-coded to illustrate which areas recruiters look at first during the initial scan:
🔴 Red areas are reviewed first.
🟡 Yellow areas follow right after.
🟢 Green areas are checked next.
🔵 Blue areas are viewed last.
As you can see, the names of your universities and employers, along with key facts about your roles, are what recruiters notice first. These are followed by the subpoints in the Education and Experience sections, with the first bullet points receiving the most attention. Personal interests and leadership experience are reviewed last, though you should still take care to make them well written and relevant.
Before you start writing, gather all relevant documents such as reference letters, certificates, and transcripts. These help you provide credible and specific evidence of your achievements.
Focus on the key consulting skills mentioned earlier: analytical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, and entrepreneurial mindset. Avoid empty buzzwords and instead support your claims with measurable outcomes, for example, how you improved processes, reduced costs, or increased revenue.
Even if you don’t yet have extensive professional experience, you can still stand out through specific contributions in internships, student projects, or volunteer work. What matters most is not just what you did, but the impact you created. Numbers, context, and results make all the difference.
After completing the first two steps, you have everything you need to create your first draft. Simply follow the standard consulting CV structure, or choose one of our templates, download it, and fill it with your own content. Plan around two hours for this step.
Finally, have your CV carefully reviewed, ideally by friends, colleagues, or coaches. Send it as a PDF with a professional file name and make sure all information is accurate, complete, and clearly phrased. Clean formatting and a clear structure are essential to help you make it to the next stage of the application process.
👉 Take a look at our expert listing to find professionals who can give you feedback and help refine your CV.
To truly impress consulting firms, your CV must be clear, structured, and impactful. Here are the most important Do’s and Don’ts:
| ✔ Do’s | ✖ Don’ts |
| Stay structured: Use clear sections and concise headings. | Too many details: Leave out irrelevant hobbies or side jobs. |
| Show relevant experience: Focus on internships, projects, or jobs with analytical or strategic relevance. | Overly long CVs: Keep it to one page. Recruiters have limited time. |
| Quantify achievements: Include concrete numbers or results (e.g. “Improved efficiency by 15%”). | Vague language: Avoid passive or unclear verbs. |
| Highlight key skills: Excel, PowerPoint, SQL, data analysis, project management. | Typos and inaccuracies: Always proofread carefully. |
| Back up soft skills: Support teamwork and problem-solving with short examples. | Playful designs: Avoid unusual colors or fonts. |
| Keep it concise: Use bullet points instead of long text blocks. | Long paragraphs: Make your CV easy to scan quickly. |
To wrap things up, here are answers to some of the most common questions about consulting resumes:
At internationally oriented firms such as McKinsey, BCG, and Bain (MBB), photos are uncommon and generally not recommended. In Germany, including a photo is still accepted, but it’s by no means required. The reason is simple: many global companies aim to avoid discrimination and therefore exclude personal characteristics from the hiring process.
A CV without a photo allows recruiters to focus entirely on your qualifications and achievements, rather than your appearance.
👉 For more answers and helpful advice from our coaches, take a look at the following thread:
Place strong emphasis on your academic achievements, relevant practical experience, and your analytical as well as communication skills. In addition to these “typical” requirements, highlight what makes you unique as a person. Which soft skills set you apart? Which hobbies or volunteer activities have shaped you?
One more tip: clearly show the impact you made in your previous roles. Your achievements are the strongest proof of your suitability for consulting.
Even without direct consulting experience, you can still make your CV impactful. Compare your profile with the requirements of the position. Are your relevant skills clearly highlighted, or are there areas you could emphasize more?
Focus on your education, internships in other fields, and soft skills such as analytical thinking and teamwork. Volunteer work or relevant courses (for example, in data analysis) also demonstrate your interest in and preparation for consulting. This shows that you already possess the core qualifications needed, even without direct industry experience.
👉 Check out the related thread in the Consulting Q&A for more insights.
If your CV is longer than one page, focus on the most important and relevant positions, skills, and achievements for the role. Use a space-efficient, easy-to-read font in a moderate size, and keep your descriptions short and to the point. You can also combine similar experiences and remove less relevant details such as hobbies to save space. This ensures your CV remains clear and your key information is visible at a glance.
Grades play an important role in consulting, especially at the top firms. Many companies maintain high academic standards and view strong grades as an indicator of analytical ability, motivation, and discipline. Among the Big Three (McKinsey, BCG, and Bain) and other prestigious firms, excellent grades in relevant fields of study are often a prerequisite for entry.
However, grades are only one part of the overall picture. Practical experience, soft skills, extracurricular involvement (for example, in clubs, competitions, or projects), and strong interview performance are equally important. A consistently solid academic record can make your path into consulting easier, but you can also stand out with other qualifications, such as relevant work experience or unique strengths.
Most consulting firms prefer PDF files for applications. PDFs ensure that the layout and formatting of your documents remain consistent across all devices, regardless of the operating system or software used by the recipient. They also look more professional and minimize the risk of accidental changes to your CV or cover letter.
👉 Want to make sure your CV makes it to the interview stage? Have it reviewed by one of our experts, or start preparing for case interviews right away in the PrepLounge community!
A strong consulting CV is much more than a chronological list of your experiences. It is a strategic document that must quickly show you can think analytically, act entrepreneurially, and take ownership. Both content and structure matter: your CV should fit on one page, maintain a consistent format, and avoid any unnecessary design elements.
Most importantly, don’t just describe your experiences, back them up with concrete results. Numbers, measurable impact, and clear language make all the difference, whether in academic achievements, professional experience, or volunteer work. Every line should make it clear why you are the right fit for consulting.
Use your CV as a business card for your potential, and prepare professionally so that you can stand out with confidence throughout the application process.
