Cover Letters Still Matter—Even If They’re Not Required
Harvard Business
MARCH 26, 2025
In a competitive job market, a great one can make all the difference.
The Importance of a Consulting Cover Letter
CaseInterview.com
AUGUST 15, 2019
As a former consulting resume and cover letter reader for McKinsey, and someone who has reviewed thousands of applications, I have noticed an interesting trend. Most cover letters stink, and many resumes emphasize the wrong things. Your Cover Letter Tips Got Me an LEK Offer . Here's why it works.
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LEK Interview Cover Letter
CaseInterview.com
OCTOBER 31, 2019
That was when I came across your site and sent you an email on how I should write my cover letter, which you kindly replied to as well. For you, I wanted to point out that recently, I revised and added new online tutorials and articles on how to write a consulting cover letter and what employers look for in a consulting resume.
Tips and Tricks: CVs, LinkedIn and cover letters
freshminds
OCTOBER 24, 2017
What does a good cover letter look like? What makes a good cover letter? Cover letters can be a difficult task. What should it cover? Be relevant - What follows your cover letter? So there is no need to cover all of your experience, that’s what your CV is for!
Rocking an IBM interview from a non-target school: Ashley’s story
Management Consulted
AUGUST 13, 2012
We started with a resume/cover letter edit, and later completed interview preparation. Ashley had a strong background – she had completed a number… Read Article. Ashley worked with us in the Fall of 2011 to break into consulting from a non-target school.
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Rocking an IBM interview from a non-target school: Ashley’s story
Management Consulted
AUGUST 13, 2012
We started with a resume/cover letter edit, and later completed interview preparation. Ashley had a strong background – she had completed a number… Read Article. Ashley worked with us in the Fall of 2011 to break into consulting from a non-target school.
Cover Letters 100
100 
5 reasons to sign up for a Management Consulting Bootcamp (registration now open!)
Management Consulted
JULY 8, 2013
For the low price of $575, each participant receives a complete resume / cover letter edit ($350), the MC Book Bundle ($195) and 8 hours of group instruction (priceless). We also get you started on a resume and cover letter edit completed by the MC team before the date of the Bootcamp. Read more about them here.
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Preparing for Your Consulting Application
Tom Spencer
FEBRUARY 17, 2018
The HR person will look at your Resume, Cover Letter, and Transcript and decide whether you are qualified to attend a first round interview. There are thousands of articles telling you, as an aspiring consultant, how to prepare your application. Craft exceptional application materials (Cover letter and Resume).
Welcome to new readers plus a few questions answered
Management Consulted
DECEMBER 27, 2008
For my new readers, here are some recommended and popular articles for you to browse: Management Consulting and the Consulting Industry 101. I’ve been helping friends/colleagues looking to enter management consulting for years with their resumes, cover letters, interviews, and questions. Check out his blog here.
Cover Letters 100
100 Case Interview Foundations: 6 Types of Case Interviews
Management Consulted
NOVEMBER 20, 2013
So, after writing the perfect resume and cover letter, and preparing at least 6 Hero Stories, it’s time to face the music. In our Consulting Interview Bible, we go into the differences in great detail – but that’s not the point of this article. Today, we focus on 6 types of case interviews. Want more help?
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Creating More Value Than You Capture
Tom Spencer
DECEMBER 30, 2017
For you, this may mean writing articles, creating a Youtube channel, or speaking at a TEDx event. Template Cover Letter. How to Create a Killer Cover Letter. With the arrival of the internet, we entered an age of hyper competition where firms (and individuals) are able to provide much more value than ever before.
Networking to Get McKinsey, Bain & BCG Offers
CaseInterview.com
MAY 9, 2019
What you have to realize about this role of reading consulting resumes and cover letters is this. Out of 400 applications, I would say about 350 of them were clear and obvious mail merge cover letters. --. But the second time I saw a letter that sounded like it, I start to get suspicious. It is a judgment decision.
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More on Networking to Get a Consulting Interview
CaseInterview.com
MAY 9, 2019
Then in your cover letter, you tell the reader how much networking you've done, who you have met, what you have discovered and why you like the firm (be specific). and this value is guaranteed in the sense that if you network enough and do what I indicated above, it will make your cover letter stand out.
Flip the Script: Six Steps to Reinvent Your Career
Tom Spencer
SEPTEMBER 27, 2024
In this short article, we’ll explore the six (6) essential steps that you can follow to help you navigate a successful career switch and achieve your professional goals. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your transferable skills and align them with the requirements of your target role.
Starting your Consulting Journey as a College Student
Tom Spencer
SEPTEMBER 10, 2022
If you are unsure of how and when to start your consulting journey as a student, this article will serve as a guide. Joining a consulting club can provide you with numerous benefits: networking, learning how to do a case study, assistance with resume and cover letter writing, and access to resources to prepare for interviews.
Understanding Firms’ Selection Criteria
Tom Spencer
FEBRUARY 10, 2018
I assume that you have carefully considered those four critical factors outlined in my first article and really committed to the management consulting position that you are targeting, since the consulting application process is probably one of the most time consuming and complicated job hunting experiences you will encounter. Let me repeat.
How to get a case interview
CaseInterview.com
JUNE 13, 2019
What you will learn: Learn how to market yourself through your resume and cover letter so that you will get the interview. Topics Covered: How to Write a Resume That Will Get You the Interview. How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You the Interview. How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You the Interview.
7 People who NEED to apply to McKinsey in the next 8 days
Management Consulted
JULY 10, 2016
We’re starting this article off assuming that you’ve already knocked some socks off during networking (see here ) and created a masterful resume and cover letter (see here ). But have no fear! MC is here to help you every step of the way. *We’re
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“A Friend of a Friend” Is No Longer the Best Way to Find a Job
Harvard Business
JUNE 2, 2017
Hiring managers face the same problem, having to sort through hundreds of applicants with the limited tools of application software, résumés, and cover letters.
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Facing Rejection from Consulting Firms
CaseInterview.com
MARCH 10, 2019
Either your academic credentials or work experiences were not impressive enough (by their standards) or your cover letter didn't stand out enough. The cover letter is very, very, very important. Did I mention the consulting cover letter is very important?
Writing the Perfect Consulting Resume: 4Tips toWriting Your Resume with an Example.
CaseInterview.com
APRIL 17, 2019
For almost any professional job, applicants are required to provide a resume and cover letter to demonstrate their qualifications. How to Write a Consulting Cover Letter. Your resume is one of the most important documents during the application process, as it acts as a summary of your education, experience, and skillset.
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Interview Preparation: Your Path to Success
Tom Spencer
SEPTEMBER 1, 2023
You can start by going through the company’s website, then expand to read other news articles, and key business reports published by the company. Moreover, gather and organize any necessary documents, such as copies of your resume, cover letter, and reference letters.
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How Stay-at-Home Parents Can Transition Back to Work
Harvard Business
APRIL 24, 2017
In your cover letter and interviews, be sure to cite any germane volunteer experience. Make sure you have a robust LinkedIn profile and consider using other public social media platforms, such as Twitter, to share posts regularly about your industry to show that you’ve kept pace with industry trends.
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Generalist vs Specialist Firm Interviews
Tom Spencer
MARCH 4, 2022
There is a lot to think about when preparing for consulting interviews , and you may want to check out some of our other blog posts and guides for preparing your resume , creating your cover letter , and improving your network. As an advanced degree student, I will share my experiences applying for jobs with an engineering Ph.D.
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How to Get Hired When AI Does the Screening
Harvard Business
FEBRUARY 19, 2025
Five ways to prepare for an AI-assisted hiring process—from resume to interview.
Resumes 208
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Joining a Management Consulting Firm as an Experienced Hire
Tom Spencer
DECEMBER 7, 2019
However, there aren’t a lot of sources out there that cover the non-traditional way and that is something you will learn about in this article. Note: if this is the only option, optimize your initial resume and cover letter and ideally have these reviewed by a consultant from the relevant firm.).
Case Interview Success Rates by Round
CaseInterview.com
MARCH 10, 2019
The first step in the application process where cuts are made would be the Consulting Resume and Cover Letter Screen. After the resume and cover letter review stage we move on to the rounds of interviews. This is a very good question and unfortunately the answer varies quite a bit. By the time you get to.
How to Get a McKinsey Interview Through Networking
CaseInterview.com
MAY 9, 2019
I had a great cover letter. I had a good enough resume + great cover letter + strong networking. Members get access to 6 hours of video tutorials on case interviews, the actual frameworks I used to pass my interviews, and over 500 articles on case interviews. I was the first to apply. I was recommended by an alum.
McKinsey 60
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How to Apply for a New Job After You’ve Been Fired
Harvard Business
DECEMBER 8, 2017
It’s unwise to omit your previous job from your CV and cover letter because you “don’t want to leave a gap” in your employment, says Lees. ” Your cover letter needn’t dwell on your prior job either, according to Fernández-Aráoz. In writing, focus on the positive.
Bridgespan Non-Profit Consulting Interviews and Culture
Management Consulted
DECEMBER 7, 2014
However, there are 2 exceptions: a focus on social impact in the fit interview, and the need to submit a essay with your application and cover letter. Bridgespan’s interview process is fairly straightforward and is pretty much the industry norm when it comes to interviewing with a consulting firm. That’s amazing, right?
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How to Find a New Job: An HBR Guide
Harvard Business
JANUARY 12, 2022
From updating your resume to acing the interview, we’ve got you covered.
Resumes 174
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From Bagging Groceries to $80k Consulting Offer
CaseInterview.com
SEPTEMBER 20, 2019
Your advice on cover letters, resumes, and case interviews gave me the edge I needed. After putting your advice into practice, I first saw interview requests, then final round interview requests, and now the offer letters are slowly trickling in.
Monitor Deloitte Consulting Interview Tips
CaseInterview.com
AUGUST 20, 2019
Applies to firms online, sends more cover letters with every rejection. I lived and breathed case study interview preparation articles, books, websites, and whatever I could get my hands on, practicing by myself (I would later find out about groups for PhD students interested in consulting -- useful for this purpose!!).
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3 ways to boost your online career profile
freshminds
FEBRUARY 16, 2017
Not so long ago, a stellar CV and considered cover letter would have been all that was needed to kick-start a fantastic career; but, for better or worse, technology has changed that forever. Look out for further Tips & Tricks articles or join the network for access to expert career advice.
BCG Offer vs. AT Kearney Offer
CaseInterview.com
NOVEMBER 7, 2019
For example, in every job I interviewed for following my departure from McKinsey, on average I submitted four or five resumes and cover letters to get the one job. Members get access to 6 hours of video tutorials on case interviews , the actual frameworks I used to pass my interviews, and over 500 articles on case interviews.
Improving Confidence
CaseInterview.com
NOVEMBER 26, 2019
Hint - I used the exact same principles I suggest you use when writing a strong cover letter or resume. Members get access to 6 hours of video tutorials on case interviews , the actual frameworks I used to pass my interviews, and over 500 articles on case interviews. Frankly, I still can't believe he said "yes.".
Using Case Interview Prep for Non-Consulting Offers
CaseInterview.com
NOVEMBER 13, 2019
I've been listening to your advice regarding the cover letter, and I knew I had to impress them to even get a chance of getting hired (more than 4 qualified people who were personally referred were previously turned down for this position within the past month).
Case Interview Advice from Another McKinsey New Hire
CaseInterview.com
NOVEMBER 6, 2019
CV/covering letter. He explained that many firms have a marking system with, say, five possible marks for academics, four possible marks for previous work experience, five for extra-curriculars and perhaps one or two for a sound covering letter. So it is much easier. End My Comment.
Prep Tips from McKinsey F1Y
CaseInterview.com
SEPTEMBER 26, 2019
I didn't write unique, custom-tailored or even interesting cover letters (seriously, if I had to read hundreds, I'd skip mine after the 5th word) 2. Members get access to 6 hours of video tutorials on case interviews , the actual frameworks I used to pass my interviews, and over 500 articles on case interviews.
McKinsey 40
40 Improve Your Resume by Turning Bullet Points into Stories
Harvard Business
MAY 4, 2016
Because this person took the time to carefully articulate his stories during his résumé and profile writing, he’s now ready for cover letters and interviews. And he closed his summary with an irresistible invitation to talk to him — to learn how he could help you, just as he helped other startups. Interviews.
Resumes 70
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Applying to McKinsey from a Non-Target School
CaseInterview.com
OCTOBER 31, 2019
In many respects, how you apply implies information to the firm about your skills over and above the content presented in your consulting resume and cover letter. Members get access to 6 hours of video tutorials on case interviews , the actual frameworks I used to pass my interviews, and over 500 articles on case interviews.
McKinsey 64
64 Personal Experience Interview - McKinsey PEI
CaseInterview.com
JUNE 18, 2019
in particular, Project ABC that you mentioned here on your resume or cover letter.". Members get access to 6 hours of video tutorials on case interviews , the actual frameworks I used to pass my interviews, and over 500 articles on case interviews. Question Format #1: "Tell me about what you did at XYZ company.
McKinsey 53
53 
McKinsey Experienced Hire Job Offers
CaseInterview.com
OCTOBER 31, 2019
Although I spent enormous time on my cover letter and CV I am sure that it would never be looked at or automatically filtered out (low GPA!) Members get access to 6 hours of video tutorials on case interviews , the actual frameworks I used to pass my interviews, and over 500 articles on case interviews.
McKinsey 40
40 F1Y Success Stories
CaseInterview.com
SEPTEMBER 26, 2019
I followed your advice for cover letter and resume writing to every last word by filling gaps in my analytical work experience, getting a brand name on the resume and communicating concisely with a large amount of purpose behind each sentence and word I wrote.
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