AMCF s University Program Webinar: Resume Writing for Management Consulting February 25, 2014
Questions Please type your questions using the chat function and we will address them in the order in which they are received. You can also send questions and queries to: info@amcf.org. 1
AMCF About AMCF The Association of Management Consulting Firms (AMCF) is the global trade organization representing the breadth and diversity of practice within the management consulting industry. AMCF is a vehicle for management consulting firms to speak with a collective voice and promote knowledge exchange and professional standards for the community of management consulting firms around the world. Our mission is to promote an environment which fosters the success of management consulting firms and the value they deliver to clients. 2
AMCF s University Program About CCC Consulting Career Connection (CCC) is an information hub and forum to learn, interact and collaborate. The program is tailored to meet the needs of students interested in pursuing a career in management consulting. CCC s objective is to build awareness of the industry as a desirable career choice while promoting the value proposition of management consulting. In addition to on-going webinars, www.consultingcareerconnection.com (&.org) is a community based platform full of blogs, answers to burning questions, tips and tricks, articles, interesting links and expert advice on how to prepare for and build a great career in management consulting. 3
www.consultingcareerconnection.com (&.org) 4
AMCF s University Program v Based on feedback from our network of career counselors, CCC will be a subscription-based model to include the following new offerings made available in Q1 2014.: Searchable database of firms: by geography, service line, size, hiring prerequisites and other criteria. Discussion forums with open and closed sessions for subscribers to engage with peers as well as consultants at various firms and levels within their organizations. Access to all webinars. Passes to the annual Talent Equation and Career Counselors Roundtable. Student Consulting Awards program. Richard Metzler Scholarship information and application. RESUME CONNECT: upload your resume or your school s resume book (for career counselors) Access to archives and CCC Thought Leadership v University subscriptions are annual (early-bird price $495) and provide these benefits for the entire student body.
Your presenters Shrankhla Holecek Reviewed hundreds of candidate resumes as an Engagement Manager for McKinsey & Co, a global strategy consulting firm Assisted dozens of MBA students prepare their resumes for entry into the field of consulting in her alma mater UCLA Anderson You can reach Shrankhla at shrankhla@thecasecoach.com Nevin Kamath Interviewed dozens of candidates as an Associate with McKinsey & Co, a global strategy consulting firm Teaches resume-writing strategies at the USC Marshall School of Business You can reach Nevin at nevkam@thecasecoach.com 6
Agenda Topic How does the resume screen work? Timing 5 mins What does your resume reader want to know? How do you write a standout resume? 5 mins 10 mins What does a sample resume look like? 10 mins Q&A 15 mins 7
How does the resume screening process work? All resumes submitted Review by key recruiter Review by key recruiter Review by core consultants Review by key recruiter Review by core consultants Review by key recruiter Review by core consultants Review by key recruiter Decision meeting to compare notes Interview candidates 8
What does your resume reader want to know? Will this applicant succeed as a consultant? A. Does this applicant have the relevant business leadership skills? i. Problem Solving ii. Quantitative ability iii. Creativity B. Does this applicant possess the relevant communication skillset? i. Can lead and/or work well in teams ii. Can present their ideas effectively iii. Can communicate sensitive matters with clients C. Can we sell this applicant s accomplishments to a client? i. Measurable intellect GPA, standardized test scores ii. Unique accomplishments Scholarships, Awards 9
How to write a standout consulting resume Examine your experiences and select those that are relevant to the field of consulting Describe those experiences with language that will connect with a consultant (Look at the Appendix) Obtain feedback from someone in the field Repeat 10
How to highlight your business leadership potential Problem Solving When have you shown a rigorous problem solving orientation? Devised a way to code a software feature Researched competitive offerings of investment funds Founded a nonprofit to address a societal issue Creativity Where have you shown your creativity? Directed a play Wrote a unique research thesis Photographed an indigenous tribe Designed the user experience of a mobile device app Quant/Data Skills Where have you shown a love of numbers and data? Oversaw the budget of a large student organization Analyzed and managed a large scientific data set Audited financial statements for a due diligence acquisition 11
How to highlight your communication repertoire Leading teams Where have you led teams? Coordinated a student conference Produced a major campus event Chaired a committee Supervised staff members Presenting your ideas How have you presented your ideas in a public way? Authored a research thesis Presented at a scientific conference DJ d for a campus radio show Delivered a presentation at a monthly meeting Handling sensitive communication Where have you handled sensitive communication matters? Arbitrated a dispute Interviewed major stakeholders Persuaded advisors to join your board Influenced clients to adopt a new perspective 12
How to use language that will precisely demonstrate what you are trying to convey Problem Solving For other examples please look at the Appendix analyzed diagnosed gathered organized clarified evaluated identified researched collected examined interpreted reviewed compared experimented invented searched conducted explored investigated solved critiqued extracted located summarized determined formulated measured surveyed Source: The University of Minnesota 13
Examples and Analysis (1/3) Maximizing real estate Degree can go in the same line as dates Accomplishments from long time ago can be taken out Focus work experience on the more relevant qualities 14
Examples and Analysis (2/3) Illustrating key skills Drive and Accomplishments Good team player Leadership and strong communications Analytics, Problem Solving, Initiative 15
Examples and Analysis (3/3) Other thoughts Showing progression in your career, and an increase in skills/ responsibilities is very important A typo WILL get your resume thrown out. Be sure to review your resume extensively before submission Focus on a few, engaging interests that are most meaningful to you 16
Final words of advice Approach the writing of your resume as a learning experience Do you have all of the experiences that we ve highlighted? If not, then go get them! Typos will knock you out early don t make any mistakes. Reviewers are looking for a reason to reject a resume be extremely wary of incorrect formatting or length or typos Get feedback from at least two people before submitting your resume Word choice is critical. Use language that highlights the skills and abilities that consulting firms are looking for. Read our Appendix for details! Use every resource you have available Use friends and mentors in the field of consulting Find friends and mentors in the field of consulting 17
Q&A 18
Appendix 19
Problem-Solving Skills analyzed diagnosed gathered organized clarified evaluated identified researched collected examined interpreted reviewed compared experimented invented searched conducted explored investigated solved critiqued extracted located summarized determined formulated measured surveyed Source: The University of Minnesota 20
Financial/Data Skills administered balanced determined planned adjusted budgeted developed prepared allocated calculated estimated programmed analyzed computed forecasted projected appraised conserved managed reconciled assessed corrected marketed reduced audited corrected measured researched Source: The University of Minnesota 21
Creative Skills acted customized entertained instituted performed adapted designed established integrated photographed combined developed fashioned introduced planned composed directed formulated invented revised conceptualized displayed founded modeled revitalized condensed drew illustrated modified shaped created edited initiated originated solved Source: The University of Minnesota 22
Leadership Skills achieved converted executed managed recommended administered coordinated expanded merged reduced analyzed decided generated motivated reorganized appointed delegated handled organized replaced assigned developed headed hired originated restored attained directed hosted overhauled scheduled authorized eliminated improved oversaw secured chaired emphasized incorporated pioneered selected considered enforced increased planned streamlined consolidated enhanced initiated presided strengthened contracted established inspected prioritized supervised controlled evaluated instituted produced surpassed Source: The University of Minnesota 23
Communication Skills addressed contacted elicited judged promoted advertised conveyed enlisted lectured proposed arbitrated convinced explained listened publicized arranged corresponded expressed marketed reconciled articulated debated formulated mediated recruited authored defined furnished moderated referred clarified described influenced negotiated reinforced collaborated developed interacted observed reported communicated directed interpreted outlined resolved composed discussed interviewed participated responded condensed drafted involved persuaded solicited conferred edited joined presented specified Source: The University of Minnesota 24