Career Check 求职日志Top 10 tips for management consulting cover letters that will land an interview
Cover Letter Tip 1: Opening Paragraph
Your opening paragraph should include:
The position you’re applying for.
Qualities that make you a good fit (e.g., leadership experience, analytical thinking skills).
Optional: very brief highlights on work experience.
Cover Letter Tip 2: Body Paragraphs
Your body paragraphs (no more than 2) should include:
Work highlights if not in the opening paragraph.
A section to describe one experience in detail (work, student group, etc).
Focus on the impact you had and the skills you learned that would make you a good consultant.
This should be your “star” experience and the one you want every reader to remember.
A section or paragraph on your interest in the job, your career goals, the research you’ve done to learn more about the firm.
Cover Letter Tip 3: Closing Paragraph
The closing paragraph should be brief and restate why you’d make a good consultant. Include your contact information here as well:
Please do not hesitate to contact me with further questions. I can be reached at (647) 888-8888 or via email at name@gmail.com.
Cover Letter Tip 4: Avoid Extensive Background
Avoid an elaborate discussion of your educational background. A sentence about your school and major should suffice.
It’s OK to expand this section if you have a very high GPA, nationally-recognized scholarships, and fellowships, etc.
Cover Letter Tip 5: Drop Names
It’s OK to drop names of current firm employees – but integrate them well.
Here’s a poor example:
I had a conversation with Amanda Dales, a current case team leader at Deloitte campus talke. I learned a lot from her about consulting and gained a deeper appreciation for the company.
Why is this a poor example? It doesn’t make a point. The interaction was generic, and it feels like a setup to name-drop.
Here’s a good example:
Deloitte is not only a prestigious firm, but one that really invests in the development of its consultants. My conversations with Amanda Dales, a current case team leader, reinforced my belief that this separates Deloitte from the other firms, and is my central reason for applying.
Cover Letter Tip 6: Use Anecdotes
Use anecdotes in consulting cover letters. Instead of saying “my past experiences have allowed me to become a strong leader of teams,” say this:
My projects at Oracle – where I led groups of up to 5 analysts on implementation projects – have made me a strong team leader and partner for my colleagues.
Cover Letter Tip 7: Current Contact Info
Include current contact information at the top. Don’t assume it’s unnecessary because the information is on your resume.