Below is part 1 of the Top 10 consulting resume mistakes. Some are corollaries of my Top 10 consulting resume tips, but the majority are unique.
1. Inconsistent spaces and alignment in the resume
You don't want recruiters to say your resume is too full of text. Reviewers will lose attention - which is not good when yours is 1 of 250 in their pile.
One effective remedy is effective line spacing. Shrink and expand lines as needed (by manipulating font size).
A few areas where good spacing is critical:
-Between the section title (eg, "Professional experience") and the first description (eg, "Google internship")
-Between each experience within the category
-At the end of a description and the start of a new section
-At the page margins - nothing less than half an inch (vertically and horizontally)
Ignore it and your resume will be a sore sight for the eyes.
2. Insufficient numbers
Data and numbers are the most visible part of your resume - things like your GPA, quantitative results at work and extracurriculars.
Numbers help you do the following:
-Highlight key "takeaways" - you need at least 3 of these to land an interview
-Prevent your resume from suffering the "too full of text" disease
-Help your resume be more results-focused
3. Missing a hobbies and interests section
Use only one line, avoid generic hobby descriptions, don't put more than five.
4. Insignificant awards/scholarships/fellowships
Point 4 and Point 5 belong in the category of "too much low-value content in the section on education".
Unless it's a nationally or internationally recognized award, don't include it. If you do include it, explain exactly how selective it is.
5. Long coursework lists
It's great that you took "Technology Management". Only:
-No one knows what you learned
-No consultant cares about what you covered
-No reviewer will understand how that applies to your application
It's ok to list tough classes taken on your resume for interviews (eg, Econometrics 101, Linear Equations 202). But include them only if:
-It's clear what the course covers
-The topic of the course is quantitative and challenging
-You don't list more than 3-5 courses - 15246
1. Inconsistent spaces and alignment in the resume
You don't want recruiters to say your resume is too full of text. Reviewers will lose attention - which is not good when yours is 1 of 250 in their pile.
One effective remedy is effective line spacing. Shrink and expand lines as needed (by manipulating font size).
A few areas where good spacing is critical:
-Between the section title (eg, "Professional experience") and the first description (eg, "Google internship")
-Between each experience within the category
-At the end of a description and the start of a new section
-At the page margins - nothing less than half an inch (vertically and horizontally)
Ignore it and your resume will be a sore sight for the eyes.
2. Insufficient numbers
Data and numbers are the most visible part of your resume - things like your GPA, quantitative results at work and extracurriculars.
Numbers help you do the following:
-Highlight key "takeaways" - you need at least 3 of these to land an interview
-Prevent your resume from suffering the "too full of text" disease
-Help your resume be more results-focused
3. Missing a hobbies and interests section
Use only one line, avoid generic hobby descriptions, don't put more than five.
4. Insignificant awards/scholarships/fellowships
Point 4 and Point 5 belong in the category of "too much low-value content in the section on education".
Unless it's a nationally or internationally recognized award, don't include it. If you do include it, explain exactly how selective it is.
5. Long coursework lists
It's great that you took "Technology Management". Only:
-No one knows what you learned
-No consultant cares about what you covered
-No reviewer will understand how that applies to your application
It's ok to list tough classes taken on your resume for interviews (eg, Econometrics 101, Linear Equations 202). But include them only if:
-It's clear what the course covers
-The topic of the course is quantitative and challenging
-You don't list more than 3-5 courses - 15246
About the Author:
Management Consulted is a resource for future business consultants. Written by a former McKinsey consultant, it covers topics including recruiting, resumes, interviews, and case studies. Read the guide to consulting interview questions today!
