How to Write a Successful Consulting CV, with Tips

Key Sections to Include in your Consultant CV

The key sections of a CV for consulting jobs are the same as for any other role. The way you present these sections will likely depend on your experience levels. Working in the business sector, you should expect most employers to favour a traditional, reverse-chronological structure. This places the emphasis on your work history and gives you the chance to demonstrate your relevant experience. If, however, you’re a recent graduate or you don’t have much business experience, you could opt for a functional CV. This places your skills front and centre in your CV.

Whatever CV format you decide to use, the key sections to include in your consulting CV are:

CV header

In your CV header, add your first name and last name as a heading for the document, using a larger or different font. Including a CV headline under your name can provide a useful summary of your qualities that helps to draw the reader in. Add your email address, phone number and location. If you have one, add your LinkedIn profile, as employers are likely to look this up anyway, even if you don’t include it. Avoid adding any personal information, and don’t include a photo.

CV summary or objective

Your CV summary is your chance to grab the attention of the employer. Write a punchy, two or three sentence paragraph outlining your skills, experience and achievements, and highlighting what makes you a strong candidate. If you’re writing a CV objective, mention your career ambitions and your reasons for applying for the role.

Take a look at this example CV summary for a consultant job application:

Work experience

For most consultant job applications, your work experience section will be the most crucial part of your CV. A consultant’s reputation is built through their track record of success in different business environments, and delivering measurable results for various clients. It’s important to ensure your work experience section demonstrates these achievements and successes.

Present your relevant work experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role. Add your job title, the name of your employer, its location and the dates you worked there. For each role, add several bullet points outlining your achievements in the role. Use the job description as a guide for which skills, responsibilities and achievements to focus on.

Here’s a work experience entry from a consultant CV example:

Education

The importance of your education section will depend on the extent of your work experience. For junior consultants lacking relevant work experience, a more detailed education section might be required. This can be particularly effective if you have a degree or postgraduate qualification that’s relevant to consulting jobs, such as an MBA or a degree in business, finance, economics, law or engineering.

See below for an example of how to format your education section:

Skills

CV skills sections typically include a mix of hard or technical skills, and soft or transferable skills. For consultancy roles, a combination of both is critical. You won’t get very far with your job applications if you can only show technical skills without the human qualities necessary to build strong working relationships. On the other hand, you’ll also need a sound grasp of figures and business acumen. Consult the job description for a list of the skills required for the role, and make sure your skills section includes as many of these as possible.

Here are some example skills to consider adding to your CV:

• Data analysis
• Financial modelling
• Stakeholder engagement workshops
• Presentation skills
• Problem-solving
• Project planning
• Interpersonal skills
• Strategy development
• Market research
• Risk management
• Change implementation

Optional sections

You can use optional sections to help prove any other useful skills and experience beyond those gained in employment. Consider adding any certifications or training you’ve completed, relevant internships, any foreign languages (these can be useful for consultant jobs), hobbies and interests or volunteer work. Only add these if they directly answer one of the requirements set out in the job advert, that you haven’t already mentioned elsewhere in the document.

Key Tips for Writing a Consultant CV

These tips can help ensure your CV for consultant jobs makes a strong impression with employers:

• Select a suitable CV format: if you’re an experienced consultant, it’s probably best to choose a traditional reverse-chronological CV format, which will draw attention to your achievements in previous roles. If you’re a recent graduate looking for a first role in consulting, a functional CV format might work better. If you have some experience but also want to emphasise your skills, a hybrid format is a viable option.
• Tailor your CV: adapt your CV for every job application, paying attention to the job description and adding keywords to ensure your document fully reflects the requirements of the role. This will keep your CV fresh, while also increasing your chances of passing any ATS stage in the recruitment process.
• Quantify your achievements: throughout your CV, focus on quantifying your achievements rather than simply listing your responsibilities. Use data to demonstrate the positive influence you had on projects and with clients. This could include information on efficiency, monetary savings, increased productivity, improved profits or any key performance indicators or customer satisfaction scores.
• Use clear, simple language: avoid using business jargon wherever possible in your CV. Use clear, professional language and refrain from using clichés that might reduce the impact of your application or make it too similar to those of other candidates.
• Be concise: aim for a CV length of between one and two pages of A4 in a clear, readable font. Recruiters and hiring managers don’t typically spend long reading each CV they receive, so the more concise your application, the better.
• Use a professional CV design: an attractive, professional CV design can make your CV stand out in a crowded field of applicants. Use CVwizard’s online CV maker to quickly and easily produce a CV that incorporates subtle design features to set your application apart.

Key Takeaways for a Successful Consultant CV

Writing a winning consultant CV is a balancing act between producing a concise, compelling document while demonstrating your extensive experience and achievements. Always refer to the job description and make sure your application demonstrates the skills required for the role, but remember to be concise and avoid falling into the trap of using too much business jargon.

Using CVwizard’s CV templates can help your application to make a greater impact with employers. Sign up to access a wealth of tools and resources, including a library of useful articles, and follow the simple steps to creating your winning consultant CV today.