Resume Writing Tips for Strategy Consultant

Introduction

In the highly competitive field of strategy consulting, your resume is more than a list of job duties—it’s a strategic document that communicates your unique value to potential employers. Strategy consultants are expected to demonstrate analytical rigor, business acumen, and leadership qualities. Therefore, your resume must go beyond responsibilities to emphasize achievements, tangible results, and problem-solving capabilities. This blog offers ten detailed tips to write an optimized resume that will stand out to recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS), boosting your chances of landing your dream strategy consulting role.

1. Resume Summary

Your resume summary should be a concise, impactful snapshot of who you are as a strategy consultant. It should highlight your years of experience, key consulting skills, industry expertise, and noteworthy achievements. This section hooks the recruiter, encouraging them to read further.

Example: “Results-driven Strategy Consultant with 5+ years’ experience delivering growth strategies for Fortune 500 clients across healthcare and technology sectors. Expert in data-driven market analysis, operational improvement, and cross-functional leadership. Proven track record increasing client revenue by up to 15% annually through innovative strategic initiatives.”

2. Key Skills

Listing relevant key skills early on ensures your resume passes ATS keyword filters and quickly conveys your capabilities. For strategy consulting, highlight a mix of analytical, interpersonal, and technical skills.

• Strategic Planning
• Market Research & Analysis
• Financial Modeling
• Data Analytics
• Business Intelligence
• Client Relationship Management
• Project Management
• Competitive Analysis
• Problem Solving
• Presentation & Communication

3. Achievements vs. Responsibilities

Instead of merely stating your responsibilities, focus on achievements that demonstrate your impact. Use action verbs and quantify outcomes wherever possible.

Example bullet point: “Led a cross-functional team to design a go-to-market strategy that increased product adoption by 20% within six months, generating $3M additional revenue.”

4. Tailor to Job

Customize your resume for each job application. Analyze the job description for keywords, required skills, and company values, then mirror those terms to improve ATS ranking and relevance to the hiring manager.

5. Tools

• Microsoft Excel (advanced modeling)
• Tableau (data visualization)
• Power BI (business intelligence)
• SQL (data querying)
• Python (data analysis)
• SPSS or SAS (statistical analysis)
• Microsoft PowerPoint (presentations)
• Salesforce (CRM platforms)
• Jira / Asana (project management)
• Google Analytics (digital analytics)

6. Metrics

• Revenue growth percentage (e.g., increased client revenue by 15%)
• Cost reduction amount or percentage (e.g., reduced operational costs by $500K annually)
• Market share gained or expanded
• Duration and timeline improvements (e.g., decreased project delivery time by 25%)
• Client satisfaction scores or retention rates

7. Education

• MBA in Strategy, Top-tier Business School (include graduation year)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, or related field

8. Format

• Use clean, professional fonts (e.g., Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman) sized between 10-12pt.
• Use bullet points and plenty of white space to improve readability; limit the resume to two pages.

9. Concise

Be succinct but informative. Avoid jargon and fluff. Each bullet point should convey an outcome or skill clearly and quickly.

10. Bonus

• Include leadership roles or extracurriculars demonstrating initiative, such as leading a professional club or volunteering in a community project.
• Incorporate keywords from consulting frameworks or methodologies relevant to your experience, such as SWOT analysis, Porter’s Five Forces, or Lean Six Sigma.

Examples

• “Spearheaded a market entry strategy that led to partner acquisition worth $10M within the first year, surpassing forecasted targets by 30%.”
• “Managed stakeholder communications during a major restructuring project that improved employee retention rate by 12%.”

Conclusion

Your strategy consultant resume should be a powerful narrative that demonstrates your impact, analytical prowess, and leadership. Incorporating quantitative achievements, relevant skills, and tailoring each submission to the job will maximize your appeal to recruiters and ATS algorithms alike. Remember, clarity, relevance, and professionalism are key. Showcase your strategic mindset and capacity to solve complex business problems, and your resume will open doors to rewarding consulting opportunities.