cover letter mckinsey sample

Consulting cover letter guide (for McKinsey, BCG, Bain, etc.)

Today we’re going to explain everything you need to know about writing consulting cover letters.

We’ll start by reviewing an example cover letter that got interview invitations from ALL the MBB firms (McKinsey, BCG, and Bain). 

And then we’ll explain exactly how you should write your own cover letter to land consulting interviews. Here’s a full list of the topics in this guide:

• Example cover letter

How to write your consulting cover letter

Consulting cover letter tips.

• The skills consulting firms look for

Consulting cover letter screening process

• Get help with your cover letter

Let’s get to it! 

Click here for a consulting letter/resume review with an ex-MBB consultant

Example cover letter (which got interviews at mckinsey, bcg, and bain).

Below is an anonymised cover letter from a candidate who got interviews at McKinsey, BCG and Bain. So you can trust that this template works.

The image here highlights the different sections of the cover letter, but we’ll dive deeper into the text later, and you can also get a downloadable copy below.

Free download of the consulting cover letter example, here. 

In the next section, we’ll go step-by-step through each part of the cover letter and explain how to go about writing it. But before we dive in, please note the following points about the above template:

• A lot of people use this template. Get inspiration from it, but every sentence in your letter should be written from scratch.
• This cover letter might sound impressive. It's one of the best ones we’ve seen. But even if you have not achieved as much as this person, you can still get an interview.

With that said, let’s dig into the cover letter writing process!

As a starting point, this video provides a nice overview of the full writing process for a consulting cover letter. 

Now let’s break things down further.

1. Introduction

Example - Introduction

Mary Taylor - [email protected]

DD / MM / YYYY

Dear Sir / Madam,

I would like to apply for an Associate position at McKinsey in London.

This section is a formality. It should simply state the following information:

• Your name and email address. You can replace your email address with a postal address although those are not commonly used anymore.
• The date on which you are sending your letter
• The position, company, and office to which you are applying

Keep it short and sweet.

2. Why you? 

Example - Why you?

I started working as an Analyst at Big Finance in New York in September 2020 and was quickly promoted to Associate in a year and a half instead of the average four years. While at Big Finance, I advised a broad range of clients who constantly gave me positive feedback and regularly asked to work with me again. Before joining Big Finance, I graduated as the top student of my MEng in Chemical Engineering at Prestigious University in the UK. While studying, I received two competitive scholarships and awards. In addition, I developed my leadership skills as the President of the Prestigious University Consulting Club. High energy was essential to lead a team of 5 managing the club and growing the number of members by 20%.

This is your "GOLD MEDALS" section. It is the first section of your cover letter and therefore the most important one.

It should state the TOP 3 achievements of your life to date that are relevant to consulting. These achievements should be as unique and as memorable as possible. When your reviewer reads them they should think "Wow, that's impressive. I want to know more about this person."

To write this section you need to step back and ask yourself "What are the most impressive things I've done with my life so far?" This is not an easy question to answer. 

In our experience discussing this with a close friend can help. It's sometimes easier for them to quickly point out the impressive things you have done as they are an external observer.

In addition, notice how achievements are QUANTIFIED in the example above. Saying you have been promoted "in a year and a half instead of the average four years" is much more powerful than saying you have been promoted "quickly." You should quantify your achievements whenever possible.

This section is your chance to grab the reader's attention. If there's nothing impressive in it, they will stop reading and just scan the paragraphs. So don't miss your opportunity!

3. Why consulting?

Example - Why consulting?

There are several reasons why I want to pursue a consulting career. To start with, I know I will enjoy being a strategy consultant because I have already worked in a strategy team in the past. This was in summer 2019 when I was a Strategy Intern at Big Grocery Retailer in London. In addition, I think consulting is a unique opportunity to comprehensively learn about business management by working on a variety of company situations. Over the past two years, I have started building my business skills while advising clients on financial matters at Big Finance. I now look forward to learning more about companies’ management at McKinsey. Finally, I want to work in consulting because I truly enjoy interacting with clients. Throughout my work experiences I have built a successful track record of developing and maintaining relationships with clients including, for instance, the senior strategy team at Big Grocery Retailer.

Once you have convinced your reviewer that you have impressive achievements under your belt they'll be thinking: "Ok, this person is impressive. But do they REALLY want to be a consultant? Or are they just applying because they're not sure what to do with their career."

The third section of your letter should therefore answer the  "Why consulting?" question . But here is the thing about this question: There are some reasons to go into consulting that you should tell your reviewer about. And some reasons that you should really keep to yourself.

For instance, one of the mistakes candidates commonly make in their cover letter is to write something along the lines of "I'd like to spend 2 or 3 years in consulting to learn more about business in general and then decide what I want to do." This is a HUGE mistake. 

Consulting firms want to hire FUTURE PARTNERS. Not employees who will stay for a couple of years. You can watch the video below for more details about this.

The best approach for your "Why consulting?" section is to write about past experiences that really show you know what you are getting into. The perfect situation is if you have done an internship in consulting or in corporate strategy and have enjoyed it. If that's the case, this is the perfect section to write about it.

But even if you haven't done related internships, there are plenty of angles you can use to connect your past experiences to what you will do as a consultant. For instance:

• You might have enjoyed working with clients when you were in M&A or in Sales
• You might have enjoyed structuring and solving tough problems as an engineer

You should use these experiences to say that "working with clients" or "solving tough problems" is something you KNOW you enjoy doing; and you look forward to spending more time doing this as a consultant.

When they read this section, your reviewer should think: "Ok, this person is impressive AND they know what they are getting into."

4. Why McKinsey / BCG / Bain / Other?

Example - Why McKinsey?

McKinsey appeals to me for three reasons. To start with, the different people from the company I have met and worked with all told me they had truly enjoyed their time there. For the past two years, I have worked for Michael Smith, a former Engagement Manager from the London office, who now works for Big Finance. Additionally, I regularly read McKinsey’s reports on financial services and think the insights delivered by Sarah James and others in the Finance practice are truly superior to that of other consultancies. By joining McKinsey, I therefore think I would have an opportunity to work with and learn from the best consultants in the industry. Finally, the fact that McKinsey was selected by Finance Supercorp to shape its digital strategy also played an important role in my decision to apply. This was a first-of-its-kind contract in finance and it shows that while at McKinsey I could get the opportunity to work on truly unique projects.

If you have managed to convince your reviewer that you have an impressive background and that you really want to be a consultant, you have a VERY HIGH chance of getting an interview. 

The only question that's left for you to answer is: " Why McKinsey  / Why BCG? / Why Bain? "

Top consulting firms  have a lot in common. In most regions, they cover the same industries and work for similar clients. They also pay similar salaries, and the career path is more or less the same from firm to firm. So what should you write about in this section?

In our experience, the most efficient way to set yourself apart in this section is to write about three specific elements:

When you write "I've met with Michael Smith," or "I've read report X," or "I've heard about project Y," you are making an argument that's SPECIFIC enough for your reviewer to think: "Ok they've done their homework."

If you stay too GENERIC, your argument will be much less credible. For instance, writing something like "While at McKinsey, I'll be exposed to a broad range of industries which I'm excited about" is a weak argument because you could swap McKinsey for BCG or Bain in that sentence.

In fact, this is the ultimate test. If you can swap McKinsey with another name in your "Why McKinsey?" section you are not being specific enough. You need to work on your paragraph again and mention SPECIFIC people, reports, or projects that you find interesting.

5. Conclusion

Example - Conclusion

For all these reasons, I am very enthusiastic about the chance to work at McKinsey. I am available for an interview at any time and look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Mary Taylor

The last section of the cover letter is a formality again. It should include the following elements:

• A sentence or two saying that you are enthusiastic and available for interviews at any time
• Your final signature

So how do you make it easy for your reviewer to put your cover letter on the "Accept" pile? We have put together the 10 tips below to make sure you can achieve this and avoid common mistakes.

Tip #1 Don't use a template letter

Writing cover letters is painful. But trust us, reading hundreds of them can be at least as painful. That's why you should make every effort to make your letter interesting and genuine. 

It's ok to get inspiration from templates such as the one we provide in this guide. But every sentence in your letter should be written from scratch.

Tip #2 Keep it to one page

One of the unwritten rules of consulting cover letters is that they should not be longer than one page. The trick to achieve this is to only select the MOST RELEVANT experiences from your  resume  and to summarise them. 

The points you decide to highlight should clearly demonstrate that you would make a great consultant.

Tip #3 Standard format and font

It's tempting to use an eye-catching font and format. But that's actually a bad idea. You only risk your interviewer thinking: "I've never seen this font, it looks really weird. Who is this person?" Your cover letter should stand out because of its content, NOT because of its format.

Tip #4 Not the time to be shy

Your cover letter is not the time to be shy. If you went to Harvard and have three Olympic medals, now is the time to say it! Most of us don't, and that's fine. But the point is that you should really push yourself to bring your most impressive accomplishments forward.

Tip #5 Network, network, network

This might sound surprising, but a big part of the cover letter is  how much networking you have done . Having networked with people from the firm you are applying for pays dividends for multiple reasons. 

First, they might recommend you to the HR team. But most importantly, these people will give you insight into what makes their firm UNIQUE. Then you can quote what you've heard in your cover letter (and name drop the person you heard it from) to show that you really understand the firm you are applying for.

Tip #6 Read, read, read

Unfortunately, networking is not always easy or possible. In these cases, your second best option is to read as much as you can on the firms you are applying for. You should read about the firm's projects, reports, and partners and find pieces of information you are really interested in. 

For instance, if you did your master thesis on electric vehicles, try to find who works in this area at the firm and what they have to say about it. And then mention what you have found in your cover letter.

Tip #7 One letter per firm

One question we often get is: "Should I write one letter per firm?" The answer is YES. But it's not as hard as it might sound. 

Every cover letter needs to answer three questions: Why you? Why consulting? And why this firm? The only paragraph you will need to change in every letter is the one about "Why this firm?" For each firm, you will have to do the networking and reading mentioned above.

Tip #8 Start writing early

Writing an outstanding cover letter is VERY HARD. Most candidates underestimate how much time it takes and start this process too late. You'll need to take a step back and reflect on everything you have done to date to highlight your most relevant experiences. 

This takes multiple iterations. Start early.

Tip #9 Get feedback

In our experience, great candidates all look for feedback and iterate on their cover letter until it's truly as good as it can get. It's a lot of work, but it's worth it.

It’s best to get feedback from peers or consultants. These people will be able to point out which parts of your letter they don't get or don't find impactful enough. If you’d like to have an expert review your cover letter, check out our team of  ex-consultant coaches .

Tip #10 Proofread multiple times

Finally, you should check and double check your letter for typos and grammar mistakes - multiple times. A cover letter is (not so secretly) a writing test and you should really treat it like one.

What consulting firms look for

To get multiple interviews at  top consulting firms , it’s extremely important to understand what those firms are actually looking for. 

The good news is that most of the leading consultancies are looking for basically the same skills. 

To illustrate this point, here’s what  McKinsey  and  Bain  say that they’re looking for in candidates, along with our own translation of what they mean:

There are also a few unofficial items that consulting firms will look for on your resume, and you can read about those in our  consulting resume guide .

Next, let’s talk about the typical cover letter screening process.

Screening process

Now let's talk about HOW your cover letter will be handled once you send it. Here's how it works.

Your application will be sent to a JUNIOR CONSULTANT who recently graduated from your University. They will score your documents based on a grid provided by the HR team. 

Consultants usually have to score 200 to 400 applications in about 2 weeks. And this is sometimes on TOP of their normal project. It's not uncommon for them to leave the job to the last minute and to have to do it on a Friday night just before the deadline.

Why is this important? The point we are trying to make is your application is part of 100 other applications. And the person who will review it will be tired by the time they get to your cover letter. If they don't understand something, they won't Google it. It's your job to make their job easy.

Why consultancies ask for a cover letter

There are two main reasons why consulting firms ask for cover letters.

First, partners bill several thousand dollars per day to their clients. The opportunity cost of interviewing you is HUGE for the firm. Put yourself in the shoes of a consultancy for a second. What are the top 3 questions you want to answer before investing money in interviewing a candidate?

• Have they demonstrated the skills needed to be a consultant?
• Do they know what consulting is and what they are getting into?
• Are they genuinely interested in working for our firm?

If you don't answer these three questions in a structured and impactful way, your chances of getting past the screening process are very low. This is why every cover letter should be structured as follows:

• Why consulting?
• Why this firm?

The second reason consulting firms ask for a cover letter is to test your writing skills. Consultants write all the time: emails, PowerPoints, Word documents, etc. They spend about 50% of their day writing. And a lot of the time their job is to summarise very large quantities of information in a succinct way.

This is exactly what you have to do in your cover letter. You have to a) look back on all your past experiences, b) select the relevant experiences to convince the reviewer that you are the right person for the job and c) summarise all these experiences in a way that's easy to read and digest.

Cover letters are a disguised writing test. Candidates who end up getting invited for interviews recognise this early on. Making a good impression on paper is way harder than making a good impression in person.

Are many candidates ready to invest HOURS in writing the perfect cover letter? No. That's the whole point. That's how you can set yourself apart. If you spend enough time making sure that your letter is as impactful as it can be, you stand very high chances of getting invited for interviews.

Another reason that it can help to have a cover letter is to explain anything on your resume that may look unusual to a reviewer, such as a time gap or a non-traditional background for consulting. 

Whatever your unique situation is, if you’re not confident in how your cover letter looks today, then we can help you. 

Get an Ex-MBB consultant to review your cover letter

The guide above, in addition to our guide on  consulting resumes , should go a long way in helping you craft documents that will get you interviews. 

But if you still feel you need additional help, we have a team of ex-MBB recruiters and interviewers who would be happy to provide feedback on your cover letter.

You’ll get feedback on how to immediately improve your cover letter, including what experience to focus on, how to optimise your phrasing, formatting, etc.

Start by browsing profiles for available coaches.

4 ways to start your McKinsey cover letter, according to recruiters and a former McKinsey manager

• A consulting job at McKinsey is hard to get but comes with a salary that can reach the high six figures. 
• Your cover letter is key to getting your foot in the door, recruiters and a former McKinsey manager said.
• They recommended demonstrating problem-solving skills and leadership abilities, and keeping your letter short.

McKinsey and Company is tough to break into but well worth the effort when it comes to salary. Partner salaries average more than $800,000 in total pay, according to job-review site Glassdoor.

One of your first chances to prove your value to this uber-competitive management consulting firm is through a cover letter. As stated on McKinsey's website : "Your application (i.e., cover letter, CV/resume) is our first and primary evidence of your written communication skills, so present it in a thoughtful and compelling manner."

While the company's website notes that a cover letter isn't required in an online application "unless you wish to alert [McKinsey] to an unusual circumstance or to provide information on a reapplication," recruiters emphasized that it's still an important part of the hiring process.

"McKinsey recruiters expect to see applicants with elite problem-solving and leadership abilities who can articulate their achievements, accomplishments, and diverse experiences concisely," said Caroline Stokes, the CEO of executive search and coaching firm  FORWARD , who has experience recruiting and coaching job seekers for many top firms, including McKinsey. "A person's leadership style and executive presence can be determined from this letter alone, so it needs to fully represent how the person would operate in this management consultancy environment with other high-performing talent and clients."

Portia Kibble Smith, an executive recruiter at  Karat  who has four decades of corporate experience and has placed many candidates at McKinsey, added: "The single biggest reason for a cover letter is that when I talk to hiring managers, they're probably reviewing each resume for 10 to 30 seconds. They're shuffling through them so quickly that you need some way to make the strongest part of your resume pop. That's what a cover letter is for." 

These experts and others shared their best tips for writing a letter that gets a hiring manager's attention.

Emphasize leadership, entrepreneurial drive, and passion for client-facing work

Smith said you should first make it clear that you're interested in working with clients — not just interested in working for McKinsey. 

"Demonstrate your passion for client-facing roles, and that you have the tools to hit the ground running on day one," Smith said.

Second, Smith pointed out that the cover letter is your opportunity to pull out the single-most impressive part of your resume and bring it to life. 

"Draw them in with a compelling story so they know your resume is worth more than half a minute of their time," she said. "One example of this is from a candidate that I helped place, who went into detail about their experience leading teams in the telecommunications industry and the value they helped create in a client-facing role."

Lastly, she advised not shying away from your background, but instead leaning into it. 

"If your MBA is from KU [University of Kansas] and not Harvard, the hiring manager already knows this, so there's no need to hide it," Smith said. "What opportunities did you have in Lawrence that may not have been available in Cambridge? Is there a unique perspective you're going to offer to the clients that they can't find anywhere else? That will get you noticed." 

Will Bachman spent four years at McKinsey after business school as an engagement manager, plus another year at the firm during his pre-MBA tenure. Within his management role, he was involved in recruiting for the firm — specifically vetting prospective MBA students and conducting interviews — before he left to cofound Umbrex , a global community connecting top-tier independent management consultants.

Bachman emphasized that McKinsey evaluates applicants on four dimensions: personal impact, entrepreneurial drive, problem-solving skills, and leadership abilities. As a result of this focus, he said that all successful candidates must meet the high bar on all four dimensions, and need to be absolutely distinctive on at least one of those four — which should come out in your cover letter.

"McKinsey consultants are taught to 'lead with the answer' when creating a presentation, and applicants ought to do the same in a cover letter, opening with a powerful anecdote that illustrates one of those four qualities where the candidate is most exceptional," Bachman said.

He also advised not diluting your message by trying to demonstrate competence on all four; instead, you should wow the reader with a story that shows how you are amazing on one of these dimensions.

(Finally, he shared that at McKinsey, the consultants like to capitalize the word "firm" when referring to "the Firm," so for extra credit, you can adopt that practice in your cover letter.)

Keep it short and don't just rehash your resume

Atta Tarki is founder and CEO of ECA , an executive search firm in which 10 out of their 11 managing directors are former consultants themselves with experience at McKinsey and other top consulting firms, and formerly spent six years as a management consultant at LEK Consulting . As such, Tarki works with hundreds of McKinsey consultants aiming to transition out of the firm a year, and has placed consultants with eight out of the top 10 strategy consulting firms.

Tarki advised focusing on something unique in your cover letter that's not in your resume to make your note stand out. 

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"Most cover letters are just checking the box and rehashing the resume," he said. "In the extremely rare event that someone looks at it, that [approach] won't help you, and instead it should try to highlight some of your hobbies or things that make you interesting as a person/for the role."  

Tarki added that in the age of Twitter, less is more, whether you're talking about your cover letter, resume, or other communications related to your McKinsey application. He also hammered the point that it's important to get the basics right when applying, such as keeping your emails to HR brief and professional, not having any typos in your cover letter or other parts of your application, and being very responsive when communicating with the firm. 

"Within hours is great and within the hour is excellent," Tarki said. "Within 24 hours is acceptable. Anything slower than that raises yellow flags."

He also emphasized making sure every single sentence in your application adds value. "Don't replace quality with quantity," he said.

These experts offered some examples of great cover letter lines

Bachman suggested that your cover letter to McKinsey could begin with something like this opener, which he wrote himself:

[Partner's first name],

I'm interested in joining the [name of practice] as an experienced hire.

Recognizing the value the Firm places on entrepreneurial drive, I thought I'd share the story of how I conceived of a new revenue stream for my current employer, developed the business case on my own time, managed to gain alignment among senior managers to approve funding, and then, as the head of this new service line, built a $50 million annual revenue business with a 22% EBITDA margin ...

Here's another example of an opening paragraph of the kinds of notes that stood out to him when vetting candidates:

Recognizing the value the Firm places on personal impact, I thought I'd share the story of how I built a nonprofit that has distributed a free interview suit and interview coaching to 3,000 low-income residents in my city ...

If you know a partner at the firm, then your cover letter should be addressed to that person. Bachman suggested that in this case, your cover letter could begin like this:

I've thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to get to know you and your colleagues over the past several months, and as we discussed at [venue] on [date], I'd like to be considered as a candidate to join the [name of practice] in the [desired city] office …

Smith also shared the following cover letter template that she uses to help her candidates craft their introductions to McKinsey:

Delivering exceptional results for clients isn't rocket science — it's a lot harder. 

It takes a genuine desire to understand a client's business and goals, from both a granular and big-picture perspective. It takes insight into the client's business trajectory, products, market trends, untapped opportunities, and competitors. It takes critical thinking, robust analytical skills, leadership, and a passion for strategic problem-solving. 

It takes someone who can partner with clients and colleagues to find innovative approaches to problems and work as a key member of the team to develop impactful recommendations. 

These are the things I truly enjoy doing. I use a systematic approach to problem solving that includes analyzing the issue, defining desired outcomes, asking the right questions, looking at the challenge from both creative and strategic viewpoints, and brainstorming in a team environment to form possible solutions. A brief example of my success in problem solving is [example, including results for company or clients].

As a recent graduate of [school] with a [degree] in [major], I am eager to work with an organization like McKinsey, where my education and experience in [area of experience] will add value to both clients and the firm. 

It would be a privilege to speak with you about a consulting role with McKinsey, my qualifications, and a potential match. My resume is attached for your review, and I look forward to the next steps in the selection process. Thank you for your consideration.

[Your name]

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McKinsey Cover Letter Example & How-To (2023 Guide)

Written by James Vandersmith

April 19, 2023.

If you’re looking to break into the top management consulting firms, this is the guide for you. Here, we share insider tips and tricks on how to craft a winning cover letter for McKinsey and increase your chances of success in the application process. From how to structure your cover letter and what words to use to highlighting key qualifications, we’ve got you covered. Follow these tips and tricks to create an impressive cover letter for McKinsey that will make the hiring manager take notice! Remember that your McKinsey consulting cover letter should be tailored specifically to the role at hand. Highlight why you are an ideal candidate for the particular job and explain why it is a great opportunity for you to develop your skill set. That way, you can increase your chances of success in the application process and land an offer from McKinsey!

Make Proper Grammar the Focal Point of your McKinsey Consulting Cover Letter.

First and foremost, it’s important to emphasize that proper grammar and formatted is key when submitting any professional document. Make sure that your writing follows all basic conventions of spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and clarity. If you’re unsure about how to construct a particular sentence or phrase, consider using the assistance of spell checkers or language tools on various online platforms.

Give Your McKinsey Cover Letter a Professional Salutation.

When you start your cover letter, make sure to greet the hiring manager in a professional way. Introduce yourself and explain why you are writing the cover letter – that is, what makes you an ideal candidate for the job position. Be sure to use language that is both positive and respectful. Don’t forget to close your letter with a polite and sincere salutation.

Utilize Your McKinsey Cover Letter to Emphasize Your Qualifications and Skills.

Your McKinsey consulting cover letter should be an opportunity to give the recruiter or hiring manager a brief overview of your qualifications and skills relevant to the job you’re applying for. If applicable, mention any previous work experience related to the job description. It is also important to briefly explain why you are interested in this particular role at McKinsey and how it can help you to develop your skill set.

Highlight Your Most Relevant Qualifications for the McKinsey Job Position.

In your cover letter, be sure to identify your background and qualifications that make you an ideal candidate for the job position at McKinsey. Make sure to mention any past experiences, skills, or education that are relevant to the position you are applying for.

Include Examples of Your Professional Experience Relevant to your McKinsey Cover Letter.

When it comes to writing a cover letter for McKinsey, it’s important to include examples of work experience relevant to the job role you are applying for. You can use specific projects, tasks or initiatives that you have carried out in the past as evidence of your skills and competencies. Doing so will help to demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the job position.

Showcase Your Passion in the McKinsey Cover Letter.

Don’t limit yourself to describing your technical aptitude or job-specific skills. Showcase your passion for the role in your McKinsey cover letter and demonstrate why you are a unique candidate that would be an asset to the team. Be sure to explain why you are excited about joining McKinsey and the value that you can bring to their organization.

Prove Yourself as the Right Fit for a Position at McKinsey.

Your McKinsey consulting cover letter should end with a strong conclusion that emphasizes why you are the right fit for the job. Explain what makes you stand out from other candidates and how your qualifications make you an ideal candidate for the role at hand.

Your Perfect McKinsey Cover Letter Should Be Laser-Focused.

Remember that your cover letter should be concise and focused on the job at hand. Keep it short; no more than three paragraphs. This is not the time for long-winded stories or descriptions of your past achievements; you should be focused on why you are the best person for this particular job at McKinsey.

End Your McKinsey Consulting Cover Letter on a Positive Note.

Make sure to end your cover letter for McKinsey on a positive note in order to leave the reader with an impression of you as an ideal candidate for the job role. Mention any additional information that is relevant to the position and thank the reader for their time.

Proofread Your Cover Letter Multiple Times.

Proofreading your cover letter for McKinsey is an essential part of the job application process. Have someone else proofread it to make sure there are no errors or typos. Make sure that you read it over several times yourself, too, in order to ensure that everything is perfect before submitting your final copy.

Close Your McKinsey Cover Letter with a Call to Action.

In conclusion, write an effective closing sentence on your cover letter that will encourage the hiring manager to contact you. You can include something along the lines of “I look forward to hearing from you soon and discussing how I can contribute to your team” or “Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any further questions about my qualifications for this role”.

The WRONG Way to Structure Your Management Consulting Cover Letter.

When creating your McKinsey cover letter, it is best to avoid common pitfalls. Don’t just copy and paste from a generic cover letter template or an example you find online. Rather, tailor your content to the specific job that you are applying for and make sure that all the information included in your letter is relevant. Similarly, be careful not to use overly flowery language or jargon; keep it professional.

The RIGHT Way to Structure Your Management Consulting Cover Letter.

Now that you know what not to do when constructing your McKinsey cover letter, let’s take a look at the right way to go about doing this. Begin by introducing yourself, followed by a brief overview of your qualifications and experience that make you the ideal candidate for the role. You can then move on to explain why you are passionate about this job at McKinsey and why you think it is a great opportunity for personal and professional growth.

Mistakes People Make with Their Consulting Cover Letter that Lead to Rejection.

Submitting a sloppy, unfocused cover letter with typos and poor grammar are all mistakes people make that lead to rejection. Avoid using flowery language or overly technical jargon; keep your writing concise and easy to understand. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from others before you submit your McKinsey consulting cover letter.

Sample Achievements for McKinsey Cover Letter.

When crafting a cover letter for McKinsey, it is important to include specific examples of your achievements that will showcase your skills and abilities. Here are some sample achievements you could include in your cover letter:

•Lead an interdisciplinary team of 8 experts to develop innovative solutions for a global retail chain

• Generated 20% increase in revenue for a healthcare technology company through the development and implementation of new marketing strategies

• Spearheaded an AI-driven customer experience improvement project that resulted in an 80% satisfaction rate

• Reduced operational costs by 25% through streamlining existing processes at a financial services organization.

McKinsey Cover Letter FAQs

Does mckinsey require cover letter.

Yes, McKinsey requires a cover letter to be submitted along with your resume and any other documents you are asked to provide. Your cover letter should introduce you, demonstrate why you are interested in the role, and emphasize why you think you’re the ideal candidate.

What format should I use for my McKinsey cover letter?

Your McKinsey cover letter should be formatted in an easy to read font such as Arial or Times New Roman, with a size of 11-12 points. Make sure you include plenty of white space and don’t use too many colors or graphics.

What mistakes should I avoid when writing my McKinsey cover letter?

When writing your McKinsey cover letter, make sure to avoid common mistakes such as including irrelevant information or typos. Don’t copy and paste from a generic cover letter template; tailor the content to the specific role you are applying for. Make sure all the information included in your letter is relevant and avoid using overly flowery language or jargon.

What do I write in a cover letter for McKinsey?

When writing a cover letter for McKinsey, you should include an introduction, overview of your qualifications, and explanation of why you are interested in the job. You can then discuss specific achievements that demonstrate your skills and abilities relevant to the role. Finally, make sure to provide contact information so they can reach out to you if needed.

What is an example of a good consulting cover letter?

A good consulting cover letter example would begin with an introduction that provides a short overview of your qualifications and experience. You can then discuss why you are interested in the role and excited to work at McKinsey. End your cover letter by discussing specific achievements that demonstrate your skills and abilities, as well as provide contact information for them to reach out if needed.

What GPA do you need for McKinsey?

McKinsey does not specify a minimum GPA requirement for applicants. That said, most successful candidates usually have a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

What should I wear to my McKinsey interview invitations?

When attending an in-person interview at McKinsey, you should dress professionally; this means wearing a suit, tie, and dress shoes. Avoid wearing too much jewelry and make sure your outfit is clean and wrinkle-free. Additionally, it’s important to make sure you look put together and presentable.

What are some tips for writing a successful McKinsey cover letter?

When crafting a successful McKinsey cover letter, it is important to showcase your qualifications and experience in a concise and clear manner. Make sure your cover letter includes relevant achievements and focus on the skills that make you stand out from other applicants. Additionally, it is important to demonstrate your genuine enthusiasm for the role and explain why you are interested in joining McKinsey. Finally, make sure to proofread your cover letter carefully before submitting.

McKinsey Cover Letter Example

Dear McKinsey Team,

I am writing to express my interest in the Consulting Analyst role at your firm. With a combination of relevant experience and a passion for problem solving, I believe I could be an asset to the team.

As a recent graduate from Stanford University, I have already developed strong analytical skills through coursework and practical application. My coursework focused on data analysis, business strategy, economics and accounting which gave me a strong foundation in consulting principles. Additionally, my internship at ABC Corporation exposed me to real-world problems which allowed me to further develop my analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities. The work I did there included developing client presentations that resulted in an 80% satisfaction rate as well as reducing operational costs by 15%.

I am inspired by the work McKinsey does, and I believe my skills can make a positive impact to your team. I am confident that I could provide valuable insights in the consulting projects you take on. In addition to my analytical capabilities, I have strong communication, project management, and problem-solving skills which have proven successful in previous roles.

Thank you for your time and consideration; please do not hesitate to contact me should you need any further information or be interested in discussing my qualifications further.

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Table of Contents

McKinsey cover letter examples

Did you know that McKinsey receives 200,000 applications a year from professionals who want to join the business?

That’s some pretty big competition.

So if you want to stand out and make it through to the interview stage, your application needs to be pretty spectacular.

Find out how to make an impression using our detailed guide and McKinsey cover letter examples below.

CV templates 

McKinsey cover letter example 1

McKinsey cover letter example 2

McKinsey cover letter example 3

The example cover letters here should give you a good general idea on how your McKinsey cover letter should be formatted and written.

The rest of this guide gives more specific guidance on how to create your own cover letter in this format, and even includes some templates you can copy and paste.

How to write a McKinsey cover letter

Here’s a simple process to write your own interview-winning cover letter.

Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message

When writing your McKinsey cover letter, it’s best to type the content into the body of your email (or the job site messaging system) and not to attach the cover letter as a separate document.

This ensures that your cover letter gets seen as soon as a recruiter or employer opens your message.

If you attach the cover letter as a document, you’re making the reader go through an unnecessary step of opening the document before reading it.

If it’s in the body of the message itself, it will be seen instantly, which hugely increases the chances of it being read.

Start with a friendly greeting

Start you cover letter with a greeting that is professional but friendly.

This will build rapport with the recruiter whilst showing your professionalism.

• Hi, hope you’re well
• Hi [insert recruiter name]
• Hi [insert department/team name]

Avoid overly formal greetings like “Dear sir/madam ” unless applying to very traditional companies.

How to find the contact’s name?

Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try these methods to find it.

• Check out the company website and look at their  About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.
• Head to LinkedIn , search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.

Identify the role you are applying for

After you have greeted the recruiter, it’s important to state the job you are applying to.

Recruiters are often managing multiple vacancies, so they need to know exactly which job you are referring to.

Be as specific as possible and use a reference number if you can find one.

Here are some examples you can use;

• I am interested in applying for the role of admin assistant with your organisation.
• I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 4057393)
• I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
• I saw your advertisement for a trainee project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.

See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles

Highlight your suitability

The bulk of your cover letter should be focused around highlighting your suitability for the job you are applying to.

Doing this will show the recruiter that you are suitable candidate and encourage them to open your CV.

The best way to do this, is by studying the job advert you are applying to, and find out what the most important skills and knowledge are.

Once you know the most important requirements, you then need to highlight your matching skills to the recruiter. In a few sentences, tell them exactly why you are a good fit for the job and what you can offer the company.

Keep it short and sharp

When sending a job application to a recruiter or hiring manager, it is important to remember that they will normally be very busy and pushed for time.

Therefore, you need to get you message across to them quickly (in a matter of seconds ideally). So, keep your cover letter short and to-the-point. A long waffling cover letter will overwhelm recruiters when they are running through hundreds of emails in there inbox, but a concise one will get their attention.

So, keep your cover letter to just a few sentences long, and save the extensive detail for your CV.

Sign off professionally

To round of your cover letter, add a professional signature to the bottom, giving recruiters your vital contact information.

This not only gives various means of contacting you, it also looks really professional and shows that you know how to communicate in the workplace.

Include the following points;

• A friendly sign off – e.g. “Warm regards”
• Your full name
• Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
• Email address
• Profession title
• Professional social network – e.g. LinkedIn

Here is an example signature;

Warm regards,

Gerald Baker Senior Accountant 07887500404 [email protected] LinkedIn

Quick tip : To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application email, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate document that you could copy in.

What to include in your McKinsey cover letter

Your McKinsey cover letter will be unique to your situation, but there are certain content guidelines you should stick to for best results.

To attract and entice recruiters, stick with the following key subjects in your cover letter – adapting them to fit your profession and target jobs.

• Your professional experience – Employers will be keen to know if your experience is suitable for the job you are applying to, so provide a good summary of it in your cover letter.
• Your qualifications and education – Highlight your most relevant and high-level of qualification, especially if they are essential to the job.
• The positive impact you have made – Employers love to hear about the benefits you can bring to them, so shout about anything impressive you have done, such as saving money or improving processes.
• Your reasons for leaving – Use a few words of your cover letter to explain why you are leaving your current job and ensure you avoid any negative reasons.
• Your availability – Let recruiters know when you can start a new job . Are you immediately available, or do you have a month notice period?

McKinsey cover letter templates

Copy and paste these McKinsey cover letter templates to get a head start on your own.

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Growth and Sales Associate position at McKinsey. With over 12 years of experience working in business development, I am confident in my ability to drive revenue growth and establish strategic partnerships.

During my tenure at Tanto, I led market research efforts that identified and pursued new revenue opportunities, resulting in a remarkable 19% increase in revenue through the acquisition of five new enterprise clients. Additionally, my implementation of a strategic-partner sales strategy contributed to a substantial 12% increase in the company’s average deal size. Furthermore, my ability to build and manage relationships with key stakeholders, as showcased in my work at Tanto and Crystal Consulting, has led to successful partnerships and a remarkable 30% increase in the sales pipeline. As a PMI-Certified Project Management Professional with a BSc in Finance, I possess excellent communication and negotiation skills, consistently exceeding KPIs.

I am eager to bring my expertise to McKinsey and contribute to the firm’s continued success. I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience to discuss how my skills align with the goals of the company.

Marco Terrano

Hey Michael,

I am thrilled to apply for the Management Consultant role at McKinsey. As a seasoned Business Consultant with a track record of delivering tangible improvements in the financial sector, my expertise in data-driven solutions and process enhancement sets me apart.

In my current role at Arcadia Business Solutions, I excel in analysing clients’ operations and devising risk management frameworks, reducing operational risk by 15% for a leading investment bank in 2019. Moreover, my strategic planning initiative boosted revenue by 10% over three years for a financial services firm. During my tenure at TRC Ltd, I collaborated with senior consultants on business planning and achieved a 20% sales increase through a successful product launch strategy for a healthcare company. As a certified Agile Practitioner and Business Analysis Professional, I possess strong project management and mentoring skills and, at Monzo, I employed Agile methodologies to provide valuable insights and foster efficient workflows while adapting products to customer needs.

I am eager to discuss how my expertise can fuel McKinsey’s success and an interview at your convenience would be highly appreciated.

Kind regards,

Mathilde DuPont

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to apply for the Automation Engineer position at McKinsey.

With 25+ years of experience as a detail-oriented Automation Tester, I possess a strong track record of optimising resources and streamlining performance testing strategies. At TechPro Lyd, I executed automated test scripts using Selenium WebDriver, Java, and TestNG, resulting in improved software stability and a 40% boost in application response time through a reverse-order performance testing strategy. During my tenure at KeyTech, I implemented an automated testing framework for mobile applications, reducing time-to-market for new features by 22%.

Throughout my career I regularly conducted end-to-end user testing, ensuring quality and timely delivery of the Product Development Life Cycle (PDLC). As an Agile Certified Practitioner, I am proficient in programming languages like Python, Java, Perl, and C#, and adept at using automation tools such as Jenkins, Maven, Docker, and Kubernetes.

I am available for an interview at your convenience to discuss how my skills can benefit McKinsey’s automation initiatives.

Nigel Sampson

Writing an impressive cover letter is a crucial step in landing a job at McKinsey, so taking the time to perfect it is well worth while.

By following the tips and examples above you will be able to create an eye-catching cover letter that will wow recruiters and ensure your CV gets read – leading to more job interviews for you.

Good luck with your job search!

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McKinsey Cover Letter Guide | Expert Tips & 5+ Sample Letters For Experienced & Freshers

Table of content: 

The secret to standing out in your mckinsey cover letter, make an impact & get noticed, mckinsey cover letter samples, mckinsey cover letter samples for different situations.

Whether from workplace roles or extracurricular activities ,  McKinsey & Company requires an excellent academic record, relevant experiences, and evidence of your leadership roles. Not only do you have to demonstrate an eye for detail and analytical skills, but you also need to showcase your interests in the company values, business, problem-solving, application of logic, and teamwork management throughout the screening process. The company recommends that you add your meaningful work experience which includes full-time jobs,  internships , and other services even if they are not directly related to the job you are applying to, to make a lasting impact amidst the candidate pool. 

Also read- Free sample cover letter for Goldman Sachs | Get that investment banking job now!

When submitting a job application at McKinsey remember to write from scratch. Don't copy and paste any other company’s name into your McKinsey cover letter or you risk a sure-fire rejection! This is not only the mark of an unsophisticated candidate but it shows how unprofessional you are willing to be, so go the extra mile to create something unique for each employer. Furthermore, make sure you only include relevant information; don't simply respond to firms that explicitly ask for applications on their website.

The interviewer will automatically lose interest in you if they feel that you are using them (regular boring cover letters) as a stepping stone. It is important to understand that McKinsey cover letters must be written specifically with them in mind. Faking this by writing the same old boilerplate cover letter over and over again does not show the firm that you respect them and gives the impression that all other firms are created equal when clearly they aren’t! Your cover letter shows your commitment to creativity so be sure to put your best foot forward. 

McKinsey & Company is one of the world's leading management consultancies - not to mention that it is one of the biggest consulting firms and talent incubators for excellent business opportunities as well. This prestigious firm has a stellar reputation and is known to attract the brightest minds from across the world. If you dream of working for a big name like this, then it's important that you do your research with absolute commitment.

When drafting your cover letter, start with your most basic information, then add on additional points relevant to this recruitment process, and only when all those key points are listed, start thinking about reflecting anything about McKinsey specifically. Make sure not to simply copy and paste an old cover letter  word-for-word into your new one; they'll know you're lazy if they read through your intern's CV and find the exact same wording!

The truth is that cover letters are no longer a standard requirement. The amount of information available via job sites and other social media channels has reduced the need for recruiters to require a formal, written explanation of why you are applying for a firm and a job.

However, the best cover letters explain not only why you want to work for that firm, but also why they want you to work for them. It provides authentic insights into the thoughts of a candidate. It makes them see how your skills, experience, and career goals are aligned with the role, and how you will add value to the role and the organization with your business skills. If you are applying for a job at McKinsey , it's important to start off by linking what you say about McKinsey and its role back to your own values, achievements, strengths, and experiences.

McKinsey states that the cover letter is a good place to draw attention to your auxiliary skill, relevant achievements and experience, and personal qualities that might have been neglected elsewhere in the application process.

Thus, to stand out from the crowd use strategies and tricks such as:

Tip #1 -  Start by identifying what character traits are cherished by the consulting firm you’re most interested in. You have to tailor your resume and cover letter for each firm. Use the characteristics they list on their career page, but don’t forget to be creative in how you express yourself.

Tip #2 - When you are interviewing for a marketing job, you need to recognize that the interviewer is looking for your value and what you can bring to the company. You need to ensure that you quantify your value as much as possible. Bring all your quantitative skills and digital strategies to the table.

Tip #3 -  Being a good writer is about more than being able to string words together. It’s also about knowing when to use words and when not to. This is a skill called 'economy of words' and it can make a huge difference in writing your cover letter, where you tell them why you are the perfect candidate for the job.

Tip #4 -  With high-level communication skills, you can connect to other people in a deep and meaningful way and help them find solutions to the challenges they face. A good communication skill set doesn’t just help you get a job because you’re desired by companies and recruiters, it also helps you become better at your career, whether you’re a new hire or an experienced professional.

Tip #5 -  In your cover letter, you should try to show that you are certain that this job is right for you. For example, use phrases like: 'You have a high-demand position' or 'This role is very much my style.' This approach is about selling yourself to the employer. In other words, you should show why this employer should interview you before anyone else.

Expert Hint: Interviewers are tired of hearing that "I'm a hard worker and have good problem-solving skills" or "I'm an excellent communicator." You can summarize these skills as 'able to follow instructions, flexible, and you’ve got an entrepreneurial spirit.'

Tip #6 -  Use The Business McKinsey Cover Letter Format. The length should be 1 page. Use the same font and style as your resume font. Pick one that is elegant but readable: Calibri, Cambria, Montserrat, etc. Always ‘Align Left’. Use 1.15 line spacing, and leave an empty line between every section and paragraph. Use at least a 1-inch margin on every side. Additionally, the McKinsey cover letter should be a formal cover letter - the use of informal language is not suggested.

Tip #7  - Be honest and transparent, there is no need for lying or exaggeration, and if it's caught that's the end of it. Avoid grammar mistakes and spelling mistakes. Your goal should be to highlight your unique selling point and show how you can help the client achieve their goals. Avoid using generic phrases and clichés. Instead, make sure that you focus on specific examples that demonstrate how you can solve problems. Showcase your ability to think outside the box. This relevant skill will help you reach the pinnacle of achievement while applying at McKinsey and Company.

Please find below a sample cover letter for a role with McKinsey:

Applicant's Name Number Date Recruiter's full name McKinsey & Company Middle East Dear Recruiter (first name), After talking to (Contact name), a current Mckinsey Consultant in New York - partaking in the Mckinsey Campus FAQ event I was provided great insight into consulting at McKinsey. He has provided me guidance on approaching case studies and shared with me what the culture at Mckinsey is like - an unrivaled environment for exceptional people. Currently I study at the London School of Economics and have applied for the junior associate role in city X. Having lived in the Middle East for the majority of my life, I can relate to its culture & norms and I look forward to hopefully pursuing this opportunity with Mckinsey. Completing 3 internships in private equity, investment banking, and corporate banking has provided me access to working with real clients and collaborating with team members for accomplishing collective goals. My internship with NatWest Group in London has opened my eyes to how services are executed for helping institutional clients meet their financial goals and this can be used to understand how consulting services can be used to help clients solve their business problems. These experiences have strengthened my interpersonal, communication, and team-working skills. Furthermore, my experience as a BCG Mentee provided me an insight into business and strategic issues and how consultants use their passion for problem-solving to help these clients tackle real-life business problems . I can use these experiences and insight into adding value to Mckinsey as a junior associate. Furthermore, I have demonstrated exceptional leadership acumen by being the president of 3 large societies. I also founded 180 Degrees Consulting Bristol, the newest branch of the world's largest student consultancy, aiming to help charities advance their social impact and make a positive effect make a positive difference in the world. Since the venture, my consultancy has worked with 15+ clients, 5+ corporate partners including firms such as Kearney & Accenture, provided 1000+ hours and f30,000+ of pro-bono advisory in its first starting year. This helped me get nominated for the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe Award and be awarded with the 'Top 100 Leaders in Education' award and the Bristol Outstanding Award ! The experiences have solidified my passion for consulting and have also provided me with the motivation to achieve tremendous results in every challenge I seek, which is an attitude I intend to carry forward to Mckinsey. Armed with several leadership roles and working successfully with clients from multiple continents, I have gained a brief exposure into some of the aspects that would make consulting the destined career for me, career I intend to pursue at Mckinsey in City X. Mckinsey's culture - entailing a single global partnership, united by strong values is the ideal environment that would allow me to feel valued whilst working with the industry's brightest people. As an advocate for creating large-scale impact, my purpose aligns perfectly with Mckinsey's : 'to help create positive, enduring change in the world'. I hope to pursue this purpose at the very firm that has installed this purpose deep in its roots. Thank you for taking out the time to read this letter.  Sincerely, Signature

The sample letter has been provided by Mohamed Suwaid, founder of Graduate Scope.

Consulting Cover Letter Sample 1: A strategy analyst with Work Experience

Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing to express my strong interest in the consultant role at McKinsey. With a background in business strategy and a passion for problem-solving, I believe I have the skills and experience necessary to make a significant impact at your firm. I am particularly drawn to McKinsey's reputation for excellence and its commitment to driving meaningful change for clients. In my previous role as a strategy analyst at XYZ Company, I had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects that required me to analyze complex business problems and develop innovative solutions. I was consistently praised for my ability to think critically and communicate effectively, both with clients and internal stakeholders. I am confident that these skills would translate well to the consultant role at McKinsey. I am also impressed by McKinsey's collaborative and inclusive culture. I thrive in team environments and enjoy working with diverse groups of people to achieve common goals. I believe that my strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships would make me a valuable asset to your team. Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further and learn more about the consultant role at McKinsey. I have attached my resume for your review. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, [Your Name]

Consulting Cover Letter Sample 2: Recent graduate with limited/no work experience

Dear McKinsey Recruitment Team, I am writing to apply for the consultant position at McKinsey. As a recent graduate with a degree in economics and a strong interest in business strategy, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the success of your firm. During my studies, I had the opportunity to work on several consulting projects as part of my coursework. These experiences allowed me to develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as a deep understanding of business strategy. I am confident that these skills, combined with my passion for driving change, would make me a valuable addition to the McKinsey team. I am particularly drawn to McKinsey's commitment to professional development and the opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients. I believe that the exposure to different industries and business challenges would provide me with a unique learning experience and allow me to continuously grow and develop as a consultant. In addition to my academic experience, I have also gained practical experience through internships at various organizations. These experiences have further honed my analytical skills and allowed me to apply my knowledge in real-world scenarios. I have consistently received positive feedback for my ability to work well in teams, adapt to new environments, and deliver high-quality results within tight deadlines. Furthermore, I am impressed by McKinsey's strong reputation for delivering impactful and sustainable solutions to its clients. I am confident that my strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, combined with my passion for making a difference, align well with McKinsey's values and approach to consulting. Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the possibility of joining the McKinsey team and contributing to the firm's continued success. I have attached my resume for your review and would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further. Sincerely, [Your Name]

Consulting Cover Letter Sample 3: For a role in a different location from where you currently live

Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing to express my interest in the consultant role at McKinsey & Company. With my MBA degree in Marketing and four years of experience, I believe I have the skills and qualifications necessary to contribute to the success of your organization. What sets me apart is my ability to adapt to new environments and thrive in challenging situations. Although I currently reside in [Current Location], I am excited about the opportunity to relocate for this role. I am confident that my exceptional leadership skills, as recognized in my previous job where I was awarded a 'Values Token', will enable me to make a significant impact in this new location. During my time in my previous role, I completed a course on the strategic approach to problem-solving, which has equipped me with the necessary tools to analyze complex business challenges and develop innovative solutions. I am confident that my strategic thinking and analytical skills will be valuable assets in delivering exceptional results for McKinsey's clients. Furthermore, my exceptional written and verbal communication skills have been instrumental in my success in previous roles. I am able to effectively communicate complex ideas and concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring alignment and understanding throughout the project lifecycle. I am impressed by McKinsey's reputation for excellence and its commitment to delivering impactful results for its clients. I am confident that my skills and experience make me a strong fit for your organization and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to McKinsey's continued success. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my qualifications further and the opportunity to contribute to McKinsey's mission. Please find attached my resume for your review. I am available at your convenience for an interview. Sincerely, [Your Name]

Consulting Cover Letter Sample 4: When there’s a significant gap in the resume

Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing to express my interest in the senior consultant role at McKinsey & Company. With my six years of overall experience and a degree in Economics Honours, I believe I am well-suited for this position and can contribute significantly to the success of the firm. While my resume may show a significant gap in my employment history, I want to assure you that this period was not wasted. During this time, I took the opportunity to pursue personal development and expand my skill set. I engaged in various professional development courses and workshops to enhance my knowledge in areas such as strategic thinking, project management, and leadership. This gap has allowed me to gain a fresh perspective and approach problem-solving with renewed creativity and adaptability. Having previously worked with a data analyst firm and a consulting firm, I have gained valuable experience in understanding complex business challenges and providing actionable solutions. My experience in these roles has honed my ability to analyze data, identify trends, and make informed recommendations. Additionally, I have developed strong communication and presentation skills, which are crucial for effectively conveying insights to clients and stakeholders. What sets McKinsey & Company apart for me is its purpose of creating positive, enduring change in the world. This purpose deeply resonates with my own values and aspirations. I am passionate about making a meaningful impact and driving change that improves the lives of individuals and communities. I believe that McKinsey's commitment to excellence, collaboration, and innovation aligns perfectly with my own approach to problem-solving and achieving long-lasting results. In conclusion, I am excited about the opportunity to join McKinsey & Company as a senior consultant. My diverse background, combined with my passion for creating positive change, makes me confident in my ability to contribute to the firm's success. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my skills and experiences can benefit McKinsey & Company further. Thank you for considering my application. Sincerely, [Your Name]

Confused about how to explain a gap in your resume? Find important tips here.

Consulting Cover Letter Sample 5: For an applicant from a non-traditional background

Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing to express my strong interest in the consultant role at McKinsey & Company. Although my prior work experience and educational qualifications may not align directly with the job role, I am passionate about the consulting industry and eager to leverage my transferable skills to contribute to the success of McKinsey. Throughout my career in the arts and humanities, I have developed a diverse skill set that I believe will be valuable in a consulting role. As an artist, I have honed my creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. These skills have allowed me to approach complex projects with a fresh perspective and find innovative solutions. Additionally, my experience in collaborating with diverse teams and managing multiple stakeholders has strengthened my interpersonal and communication skills. I am particularly drawn to McKinsey because of its commitment to helping colleagues build capabilities, develop leadership skills, and drive better outcomes. I strongly believe in continuous learning and personal growth, and I am excited about the opportunity to further develop my skills and expertise at McKinsey. I am confident that my ability to adapt quickly, think analytically, and communicate effectively will enable me to thrive in a fast-paced and challenging consulting environment. Furthermore, I greatly appreciate McKinsey's focus on physical and emotional well-being. I believe that a healthy work-life balance is essential for long-term success and fulfillment. The emphasis on employee well-being aligns perfectly with my own values and professional goals, and I am confident that McKinsey's supportive and inclusive culture will provide an environment where I can thrive both personally and professionally. Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to McKinsey's success and make a meaningful impact in the consulting industry. I have attached my resume for your review, and I would welcome the chance to discuss my qualifications further. Sincerely [Your name]

In the cover letter body, the content you write should be crisp and crunchy. The use of a proper cover letter header, cover letter templates, and cover letter format settings should be kept in mind while writing it. Cover letter intro plays a very important role in making an impression on the recruiter and that why's writing cover letters is an art in itself. Tell about your experience of leadership, impressive achievements, international experience, and other previous experience, and don't restrict yourself to your resume template. Be creative and communicative to set yourself apart from the thousands of applications sent. Don't make mistakes that you have in your previous cover letters and see yourself ace the hiring process - this shall be your ultimate achievement.

You might also be interested in reading:

• Cover Letter That Will Surely Get You Hired at JP Morgan! (With a Free Sample)
• Use this consulting cover letter to get hired at BCG (with a free sample)
• 21 points that can make your resume any HR's favourite
• How to write a finance cover letter for Morgan Stanley (with a free sample!)
• 9 Tips To Get AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification

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Tips for Advanced Professional Degree Candidates

Application and interview information, more than half our consultants have a doctorate, law, medical, or non-business master’s degree..

Working toward your advanced degree means you already have many of the skills and strengths you need to succeed here.

If you like the idea of a stimulating and challenging career alternative and an opportunity to work with highly motivated colleagues in a team-based environment, we encourage you to apply.

Application tips

The following general recommendations give a sense of how we assess candidates with Advanced Professional Degrees and provides suggestions for highlighting your accomplishments.

We review every application completely, so we encourage you to provide accurate and thorough information. There are no knockout factors, and you need not be distinctive on every dimension. You will be better served by providing all the information we ask for than by leaving out elements you feel are weak.

Your application (i.e., cover letter, CV/resume) is our first and primary evidence of your written communication skills, so present it in a thoughtful and compelling manner. Make it easy to identify distinctive elements.

Preparing your CV or resume

Preparing for the online application, preparing for interviews.

McKinsey Resume: Our Comprehensive Guide with Examples

• Last Updated July, 2023

Former UK-based McKinsey and Bain recruiter

The first step to landing a consulting job at McKinsey is crafting a compelling resume to set you apart from other candidates.

A McKinsey resume helps you tell your story and highlight your transferable skills and the impact of your achievements.

In this article, we’ll discuss:

• What makes a McKinsey resume different
• How to write a McKinsey resume
• An example of a successful McKinsey resume
• 4 common mistakes to avoid in a McKinsey resume

Let’s get started!

What Makes a McKinsey Resume Different

How to write a mckinsey resume, example of a successful mckinsey resume, 4 common mistakes to avoid in a mckinsey resume.

As one of the top consulting firms in the world, competition for a job at McKinsey is fierce, so your resume needs to stand out to secure an interview.

Understanding and prioritizing what’s important to McKinsey in the people they hire is the first step to landing your dream job.

Spend some time on their website, particularly in the careers section, where you’ll find lots of information about what they look for, skills consultants use daily, stories from current consultants, and how they review applications.

You need to demonstrate your fit with the firm, the role, and the value you will bring to enhance the projects you will be working on, showing that you’re worth one of those coveted interview spots.

Relevant Skills

A McKinsey resume should focus specifically on the skills relevant to consulting and the impact you’ve had during your education and work experiences. 

McKinsey wants to see that you are driven, have an entrepreneurial spirit, and have excellent communication skills. They also look for candidates with strong problem-solving, teamwork, analytical, and leadership skills.

Track Record of Success

A good McKinsey resume demonstrates a track record of these qualities. Telling McKinsey you have leadership skills isn’t enough. You have to show that you have the skills and how you’ve used them to bring value to your teams, projects, roles, or employers. 

Avoid listing your previous titles, tasks, and responsibilities, as this doesn’t help you stand out in a competitive applicant pool. Try to be very specific with quantifiable evidence. 

Example : Increased scholarship money raised by 30% by holding a parent-student relay race on Parent’s Weekend.

McKinsey also values a strong academic record. Although they don’t select applicants with specific degrees over others, some degrees may indicate that you have more relevant skills. So you’ll need to consider what skills are missing from your degree. 

For example, suppose you have a degree in a humanities subject. In that case, you may need to show where you’ve developed business problem-solving and analytical skills within other areas of your life. Our article on the best majors for consulting helps you understand more about how degree subjects are viewed by consulting firms and what you need to consider as you develop all sections of your resume.

Nail the case & fit interview with strategies from former MBB Interviewers that have helped 89.6% of our clients pass the case interview.

Presenting your experiences clearly and concisely is key to ensuring that recruiters don’t dismiss your consulting resume without reading a word. If the recruiter sees a complicated layout or illegible font, your resume will likely head straight to the “no pile.” It indicates that you don’t have a good grasp of the industry norms and didn’t put in effort for the application.

Break up your resume into sections such as education, professional experience, and additional information. Including a leadership section in your McKinsey resume is also good, as they value this skill.

Present your resume in reverse chronological order with your current activities, whether education or work experience, followed by your previous experiences. This helps the recruiter see how your skills and experiences have developed.

Use formatting that makes your resume effortless for the recruiter to read:

• Make the headings for each section stand out using a bold font or capitalization
• Avoid using color
• Select professional and easy-to-read fonts (such as Times Roman or Courier)
• Use bullet points to list your achievements 

And finally, get your resume proofread before you submit your application, as you don’t want a spelling error to be the reason you don’t get an interview. McKinsey is searching for the best to invite to interview, so attention to detail is vital, just as it will be when you’re a consultant working with a client.

Don’t be tempted to include everything you’ve ever done – this isn’t an autobiography. Prioritize your strongest achievements, the things you’ve done that set you apart from others with similar backgrounds. 

You need to ensure everything is tailored toward the McKinsey consulting role. Make a list of skills the firm looks for and check to ensure they’re all represented. If you’re worried about insufficient content, don’t be tempted to include irrelevant skills or information. Use every line in your resume wisely.

Focus on 3 to 5 bullet points that best represent your impact and the value you’ve brought to your team, project, role, or employer. Writing this way can sometimes feel uncomfortable, but this is not the time to be modest!

Use numbers to drive home your achievements in each bullet point. Not only does this clearly show the impact you’ve made, but it also demonstrates to the recruiter that you understand the nature of working in consulting and how evidence-based it is. 

In the education section, talk about clubs, societies, or teams you were involved in at school and university, particularly if you held leadership positions. McKinsey appreciates that you will likely have developed transferable skills from different parts of your life. This gives them a fuller picture of how you have done this, especially if you don’t have many years of work experience. Include any awards or recognitions you received while you were studying too. There’s no such thing as an overachiever at McKinsey!

Your professional experience section can include part-time and full-time roles, depending on where you are in your career. It’s great if you have some big brand names in your career history, as this makes it easier for the recruiter to understand more about your background quickly. If you haven’t, don’t worry! It’s more about what you did within your roles and not who you did it for. Sometimes it is easier to make an impact when you’re not just a tiny cog in a very large wheel.

You should include a leadership section, but it’s not always easy to create, particularly if you don’t have much work experience. Don’t just use this section for experiences you’re struggling to fit elsewhere.

You can also include volunteering roles and military service on your McKinsey resume. These can also help you demonstrate transferable skills, but make sure you apply the same principles as you have with your education and professional experiences, focusing on your achievements and impact.

Within the additional information section, it’s good to include some personal information, such as interesting hobbies, as it humanizes you and can provide a great conversation starter if you have something in common with an interviewer. Remember that interviewers want to see if you can pass the airport test, which is a way to gauge whether you are a likable, professional candidate and easy to talk to. Listing languages you’re proficient in and technical skills you possess to a competent level is also helpful to include in this section.

Your resume is your sales pitch, so it’s important to get it right to convince McKinsey that interviewing and hiring you is the right decision.

Let’s look at an example of a resume that landed a McKinsey interview and offer. As you read through, take note of the best practices.

Don’t have that much experience to put in your resume?

Don’t worry!

Not everyone does, expecially if you’re an undergrad. See our  Consulting Resumes article for more consulting resume examples.

1. Listing Your Experiences Without Quantifiable Impact

Avoid writing a list of your tasks and responsibilities. Focus on your impact, action, and achievements. You need to show why you are a better option to invite to interview than another candidate.

Good example : Achieved cost savings of $20K in recurring transportation costs by analyzing export schedule and consolidating over 100 orders.

Avoid this : Achieved cost savings by consolidating multiple orders.

As a student, knowing how to quantify your impact can be hard if you haven’t had much work experience. There are ways you can do this, even with your school and university experiences using measures like volume and frequency. Here are some examples to help you reflect on your impact:

• If you held a leadership role in a school club, how many events did you organize, and how many students attended the event? What was the budget you were managing?
• If you were on the school website team, how many articles did you review, or what was the impact of your writing?

2. Not Tailoring to McKinsey Skills

Ensure you are tailoring your resume to meet the role of a McKinsey consultant. If you don’t include relevant skills, they won’t be able to see that you can perform in the role.

Good example for leadership and analysis : Improved university enrollments by 7% by leading a team of 6 to analyze feedback and questions from previous events and running workshops specifically targeted to address them.

Avoid this : Improved university enrollments by running workshops for prospective students.

3. Leaving Out Extra-Curricular Activities

McKinsey loves to see what applicants have achieved outside of work and school. Do you coach kids in soccer? Do you volunteer at your local non-profit? Share what you like to do and what soft skills you’ve learned.

Example : Volunteered as a mentor at a local youth center and led workshops for underprivileged teenagers on financial literacy and leadership skills.

4. Poor Formatting

Attention to detail is important! Make sure you proofread your resume for formatting, spelling, and grammar mistakes before you submit your application.

Common formatting mistakes to watch out for include inconsistent bolding, misaligned text, and improper spacing.

– – – – – – –

In this article, we’ve covered:

• What is different about a McKinsey resume
• A guide on how to write a McKinsey resume
• A real example of a McKinsey resume from a successful application
• Top 5 common mistakes to avoid when writing a McKinsey resume

Still have questions?

If you have more questions about the McKinsey resume, leave them in the comments below. One of My Consulting Offer’s recruiters will answer them.

Other people prepping for how to write a McKinsey Resume found the following pages helpful:

• Consulting Cover Letters
• The Consulting Interview Process
• Consulting vs. Investment Banking
• McKinsey PEI Questions
• McKinsey Case Interview

Help with Your Consulting Application

Thanks for turning to My Consulting Offer for advice on cover letter and resume writing. My Consulting Offer has helped 89.6% of the people we’ve worked with to get a job in management consulting. We want you to be successful in your consulting interviews too. For example, here is how Cynthia was able to get her offer from McKinsey.

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3 Things Consulting Firms Actually Look for in Your Application

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McKinsey Cover Letter Sample

Written by . Posted in Cover Letter

If you are applying for a position at McKinsey, you will be competing with a large number of graduates and working professionals who are also interested in breaking into the firm. Therefore, you must be able to convince recruiters to invite you to an interview. This includes submitting a McKinsey cover letter that tells the story that you are a highly motivated and ambitious applicant with a great potential.

Remember, a resume only summarizes your skills and experience, but a cover letter tells the story about you: your career plans and the fit of consulting in these plans, your personality and your key accomplishments. You need to devote ample time to crafting your letter as it can help you stand out from the pool of highly qualified candidates.

Before Writing Your McKinsey Cover Letter

Before writing your McKinsey cover letter, you need to make a list of your qualifications and accomplishments that match the skills McKinsey seek in candidates. This will help you determine which information to include in the document. Use the table below for ideas and suggestions:

McKinsey Cover Letter Structure

The cover letter should contain three to five paragraphs and the information you present should be comprehensively written. If this document exceeds one page, recruiters will doubt your written communication skills, something all management consultants should possess.

Contact Information and Salutation

There’s only one thing you need to remember in this section: accuracy. Double check your contact information as the recruiters will use it to notify you about tests and interviews. Also, don’t forget to address the letter to the correct person and his or her position at the firm. Applicants often overlook these basic facts when writing cover letters. Committing these types of mistakes will hurt your application; recruiters will be disappointed that you omitted critical details.

Introduction

This section should be interesting enough to encourage the recruiters to read the rest of your McKinsey cover letter. It should contain your objectives, the specific job title you are interested in, and how you came across the opening. In order to convey your own voice, try the following strategies:

Here’s is an example of this section:

Here’s is another example:

Middle Paragraphs

Based on your list of qualifications, choose and highlight two or three skills or accomplishments that will push your application to the top of the pile. Select the ones that are most relevant to the position. If you are an experienced professional, focus on your quantitative achievements at your previous job. If you are a recent graduate, you can talk about your coursework, extracurricular activities, and internship program. The important thing is to establish a connection between the job and your competencies.

Here is an example of this section for experienced professionals:

My three-year experience as a director at an online marketing agency has prepared me for this client-oriented role. I have developed various digital marketing campaigns using a range of techniques such as Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Pay Per Click (PPC), social media advertisements, and paid searches. I also served as a marketing partner of Bangles, a startup company that sells women’s clothing and apparel online. Two months after implementing our marketing proposal, their monthly revenue increased by 25%.

Apart from my experience, my marketing degree from the University of Colorado has also prepared me for advanced business writing, conducting market research, and analyzing consumer behavior. I believe that my technical know-how, coupled with my substantial experience, will be my key to generating marketing strategies based on the industry’s best practices and customer experience. I am confident McKinsey & Company will find my contribution to the organization’s growth valuable.

Here is an example of this section for recent graduates:

During my three-month internship at Fast Investment Bank, I helped my team in providing financial services to companies and organizations. I analyzed an investment opportunity for a private equity fund within the wind turbine sector, leading to a critical investment decision. I also developed an Excel model for the valuation using both multiple and discounted cash flow methods. This model was used by the entire team.

In addition to my internship experience, I am a Finance major from the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado. My college curriculum has readied me for any challenges in business analysis, quantitative methods, and organizational behavior. Despite my responsibilities as a soccer club vice-president, I graduated with a 3.9 GPA. As evidenced by my excellent educational performance, I believe I will be able to adapt to the challenging demands of your organization.

In this section, you can also talk about your motivation for applying with the firm and personal interests. Make sure to present them in a manner that’s relevant to the desired position.

Closing Paragraph

The closing paragraph revolves around you as a person. Write about what you can contribute to the organization, your passion, personal values and skills. Finally, add one more sentence that indicates your high value. Avoid writing “If you have any questions about my application, please do not hesitate to contact me” as this creates no value. If recruiters find you suitable for the job, they will find a way to contact you.

Here’s an example of the closing paragraph:

I take pride in my innate leadership potential. When I was still in university, I was an officer of the consulting club for two consecutive years.  Furthermore, my former colleagues can attest to how I motivate other people to do their tasks, and involve everyone in working towards the common goal.

Looking forward to discuss the opportunities with you.

It’s essential to close your McKinsey cover letter in a professional manner. You may use the following closing examples:

• Best regards
• Respectfully
• Yours truly
• Most sincerely

Also, don’t forget to attach your signature in order to add sincerity to your McKinsey cover letter. If you’re uploading your letter on the Internet, consider creating a digital signature. Just sign a piece of clean, white paper, scan it, and crop the image down to the ideal size of your signature. This will help you stand out as a professional and technically-competent applicant.

Review Your Cover Letter

Before sending out your McKinsey cover letter, review its content and structure. If you know someone who is qualified and willing to check it for you, ask for his or her objective feedback. After reviewing the document, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the content relevant and interesting enough to pique the interest of the recruiter?
• Does it convey the value I can contribute to the firm?
• Are my ideas or qualifications presented in a smooth and comprehensible manner?
• Does it look reader-friendly?
• Is it free from spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors?

If you answered “yes” to all of these questions, you can submit your McKinsey cover letter with your resume and other required documents.

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Consulting Cover Letter: What You Actually Need to Know

The key to effective cover-letters is story-telling. Most people write cover letters like resumes, with cold, hard facts, and that’s the problem.

Cover letters are much more effective if they contain stories capturing the burning spirits of candidates. In this article, I’ll tell you how to install such stories seamlessly into your consulting cover letters, and land a case interview yourself.

Consulting cover letters – The basics

What are cover letters for.

Cover letters are documents accompanying resumes, to provide further insights into the qualities and motivations of a candidate, as well as portray who he/she is as a person .

In consulting cover letters, there are three essential qualities you must always display:

• Leadership skills:  the ability to influence people’s decisions.
• Achieving mindset : the continuous, relentless push for the best results.
• Analytical problem-solving:  the ability to solve problems in a structured, methodical manner.

Regarding motivations, there are two questions you need to answer:

• “Why consulting?”:  Do you really understand the consulting world, and how it fits with your long-term plans? Is there something unique in the consulting track to explain your choice?
• “Why this firm?”:  Out of all the consulting firms, why ours? There should be something uniquely attractive about this firm to you, isn’t there?

And last but not least, don’t forget to show that you have an interesting personality that fits with the firm’s culture.

Cover letters vs Resumes – What’s the difference?

Because so many candidates confuse between the two, then end up writing boring cover letters resembling “paragraph versions” of their resumes, I feed the need to differentiate.

There are four marked differences:

Cover letters go deep, resumes go wide

In cover letters, you should select one or a few most notable achievements, and describe them in detail to reflect your three defining aspects (values, competencies, motivations).

This stands in contrast with resumes, where you cram as many relevant achievements as possible into the space of one or two A4 pages.

Cover letters are “soft” stories, resumes are “hard” bullet lists

The content format of cover letters is much less defined, leaving room for a lot of creativity, unlike resumes which are almost always bullet lists of cold, hard facts.

Your goal as the candidate is to fully utilize that loosely-defined format and make your cover letter as attractive and memorable as possible.

Cover letters describe personality, resumes do not

A crucial role of the cover letter is to portray who you are as a person. Resumes don’t do that, they focus on your achievements.

Your personality does not only come directly through the contents, but also reflected in the style of the letter – so take time to make your cover letter more attractive, and you’ll make a better impression with the screener.

Cover letters touch on future plans, resume concerns mostly the past

In cover letters, you have to answer the motivation questions (why consulting, why this firm). In resumes, that aspect is barely mentioned.

The most credible answers to those questions connect the job with your future plans – as such, the cover letter is not confined to the past like resumes.

Understanding your audience

The vibe inside the screening room.

Busy, tiring, and boring – that’s the vibe inside the screening room.”

Picture this in your mind:

A junior consultant is in the office on a Friday night, going through hundreds of applications. He has to do this as a form of goodwill for the company, on top of his ongoing project.

Everyone’s application looks the same, following one set format; a somewhat extraordinary resume catches his attention, so he checks the cover letter to see if there’s anything interesting, only to be disappointed because the letter is an exact recital of the resume.

If you want to grab the screener’s attention and make memorable impressions, you have to break that negative vibe, using an unordinary cover letter.

Most cover letters are just listings of achievement and cliched motivation statements – they feel like unoriginal walls-of-text that offer nothing new – and that’s the exact reason why many screeners don’t like cover letters. Write an exciting story instead – the screener will love it.

Why they read your cover letter

There are two main reasons why the screener reads your consulting cover letter:

• He wants to know more about your motivations and personality because your resume is both impressive and interesting/unordinary at the same time.
• He wants to clarify some ambiguous points in your resume – this happens if you appear highly competent, but your writing is not clear enough.

In both cases, there’s no excuse to repeat your resume in a paragraph format and disappoint the screener. You have all the reasons in the world to present an attractive, detailed, focused narrative – tell a story and get your interview.

Both the background and the purpose of cover-letter-screening suggest that an innovative story-telling approach is much more beneficial than the common, formulaic, overly-formal cover letters.

Such an approach will definitely make your cover letter stand out from the heap of some 200 other applications. It helps you grab the screener’s attention, and impress him in a memorable way.

Additionally, it makes reading the cover letter easier and more enjoyable. The screener is already tired, so there’s no point in making his life harder.

Whatever the reason, as the cover letter is opened AFTER the resume, the implication is that you need to perfect your consulting resume first!

If you haven’t read it, here’s an A-to-Z guide to writing the perfect consulting resume , from a former McKinsey consultant and resume screener!

Consulting cover letter – Step-by-step guide

All these elements must be presented in a coherent storyline and concise language.

Keep in mind this is a consulting cover letter – as such, your story should be backed up by impactful, specific, verifiable results.

To write impressive, fact-based stories that demonstrate all three necessary aspects of the candidate, I advise you to follow these four steps:

Step 1 – Self-reflect for storylines

Search your memory for events, experiences, ideas… that can serve as a basic storyline – the backbone of your cover letter. For each storyline, consider the following six criteria :

• Uniqueness: The base story should be something unique to you. If it’s something common or universal, you won’t have the screener’s attention.
• Attractiveness: Your story should be attractive and entertaining – only then can you trigger the screener’s curiosity. Usually, it’s something “big” and impactful, but not controversial
• Positiveness: The story should have a positive “vibe” to it. If it’s something sad or negative, don’t include it in your cover letter.
• Qualities: All three consulting qualities (leadership, achieving, analytical problem-solving) should be illustrated in your story. Otherwise, consider that story irrelevant.
• Motivations: Your story should at least help explain why you’re applying, if not providing direct answers to that question. Firms don’t like to hire candidates without clear motivations.
• Personality: Make sure you exhibit a likable personality. On the other hand, if that story suggests negative traits (pessimism, short temper, cynicism, etc.) you have to modify it.

Let’s see if these storylines of my own could match the requirements:

“I escaped from a near-death experience during a paragliding session using my gliding skills.”

This is not something you hear every day, and near-death stories are often quite attractive, so you have those two boxes checked; and for now, there’s no sign of “bad” personality traits.

However, it’s a near-death experience, so it does have a negative vibe. Additionally, it shows neither consulting qualities nor relevant motivations.

=> This story only meets 3 out of 6 criteria. Out!

“I founded an entertainment business which attracted lots of attention, but ultimately failed.”

Not everyone is a startup entrepreneur, so this story does meet the “uniqueness” criterion. It’s relatively easy to draw attention with startup stories, and it’s easy to explain a consulting career choice from a former entrepreneur perspective, too. No negative personality trait is visible.

While being a business owner suggests some leadership and problem-solving experience, as well as an achieving mindset, a failure story like this might raise some questions on the “qualities” aspect; it also creates a negative vibe.

=> Overall, 4.5 to 5 out of 6. Not really the best storyline for a consulting cover letter, but usable with some modifications.

“I broke McKinsey’s code of conduct, convinced a client to pay their long-overdue service fees, and was celebrated for it.”

Is there anyone who doesn’t like those “breaking rules” stories? I’m quite confident this experience is quite unique and attractive. Because this is actual consulting work, it’s undoubtedly easy to point out all the important consulting qualities, as well as to provide a basis for my motivations.

However, this “breaking the rules” story may suggest rebellious tendencies, so if I’m going to use it I’ll again need some modifications.

=> This story scores 5.5 / 6. Quite good but I do need to be careful with it.

Step 2 - Add and classify details

Rack your memory and jot down everything related to your storyline; don’t worry about having too many details, you will be trimming the story later.

Pay special attention to the details best illustrating relevant qualities , motivations , and personality , because you will need to emphasize them.

Step 3 – Structure and enhance

Arrange the details of your story in a logical, intuitive structure; the most common method is:

1. Describe a notable, relevant experience using the problem-action-result structure to impress the interviewer with your qualities first.

2. Try to link it up with the present/future parts of your story (ideas, philosophies, plans) to explain your motivations.

Trim all non-essential and technical details, they do nothing but confuse the reader and bore them to death. Your story should be told in a way even your grandmother can understand.

Then, arrange and enhance the remaining details so that the story feels more dramatic, i.e the uniqueness and difficulty of the problem should be emphasized.

On a related note, consultants dislike lengthy cover letters – in fact, one A4 page is the maximum length – so there’s one more reason to start trimming.

Step 4 – Amplify consulting features

First, make all three key consulting traits stand out from your story – leadership, achieving mindset, and analytical problem-solving.

Then, make subtle references to consulting work using the industry’s terminology and concepts. Most screeners, being consultants themselves, will subconsciously appreciate this. However, avoid buzzwords and slangs found on the Internet, or you’ll appear superficial and unprofessional.

Consulting cover letter – Tips

To write the best cover letter, you must thoroughly understand the industry, its major firms, and even the very office you’re applying into.

To achieve such an understanding, there is quite a bit of research to do – and here are three tips for you to ease that process!

Tip 1: Networking

Successful networking goes a long way in the consulting recruitment process and in cover letters.

Firstly, management consulting firms are relatively publicity-shy, so having a connection within these firms allow you to gain very specific and authentic insights about the firm, the job, as well as the consulting world in general, helping you make better choices and deliver more convincing reasons.

Secondly, you may earn a referral ! The screening stage is harsh – it’s where most candidates are filtered out, both in absolute and proportional terms – and referrals help a great deal with that.

Remember to show your networking efforts by mentioning the names of consultants at the office you’re applying into, as well as their projects. The screener will know you really do care about the job, and you’ve done your homework.

Tip 2: Read consulting news

The websites of major consulting firms all have countless articles on current affairs as well as their own projects – read them frequently and regularly .

For one thing, those articles will deepen your understanding of management consultants and their work, helping you make better choices and explain them more effectively to the screener.

Additionally, reading consulting articles regularly will help you know more about the specific projects of each firm, which you can bring up in cover letters.

Tip 3: Build “cheat sheets”

A few ready-to-use “cheat sheets” containing all the important details on the consulting industry and major firms will significantly ease the writing process.

I recommend making three different groups of sheets – one for the consulting world in general, one for the firms, and the last one about the specific offices you’re applying into.

Be implicit and “smooth” when using these sheets. Make sure to sound as natural and seamless as possible when mentioning your references; avoid putting them at the focus of your sentences, but to use them as supplements to the main idea (e.g: I was awed by the network of experts supporting our project with McKinsey back in 2016).

Consulting cover letter – Visual format

Consulting cover letters are not the place for creative, colorful designs. Format your letters in a conservative, text-dense, black-and-white fashion – that’s how actual consultants do it.

One A4 page is the maximum length for consulting cover letters.

Inside the busy screening room, nobody has the time and energy to read a two-page worth of story, no matter how attractive it is.

If your cover letter exceeds that maximum length, trim away the less important details and shorten your expressions; you can also tweak your font size, spacing, and margins to squeeze the most content into one page.

Use formal, conservative fonts, such as Times New Roman, Calibri, Cambria, Garamond, etc.

Keep your font size at 10-12. Larger text tends to feel somewhat “messy”, and they’re space-consuming. Smaller text, on the other hand, feels difficult and tiring to read.

Additionally, the typeface in your cover letter should match that on the resume.

Spacing, margins, and alignment

Use spacings of 1.15 between lines and 1.50-2.00 between paragraphs. Consulting cover letters are quite text-dense, so it’s important to use these white spaces to ease the visual strain.

Always align your text on the left side. Left-aligning is the standard in the United States, where most major consulting firms are based; additionally, left-aligning keeps the horizontal spacing between words even, unlike justified where that spacing varies considerably between each line.

All four margins should be equal at 1 inch. That should keep your letter neat and tidy while maximizing the amount of text on one page.

Other reminders

If you know who’s screening, address them by name. Otherwise, generic salutations are fine.

I’ve come across pages claiming it’s no longer acceptable to write generic salutations (“ To whom it may concern ”); however, in consulting firms where the screening process is assigned to junior consultants on an availability basis, you don’t always know who’s reading your letter, so such salutations are okay.

On the other hand, if you happen to be applying into a small, new office, and your networking efforts are successful, you may know your screener. In that case, refer them by name for a greater impact.

Replacement test

If you can replace the industry and the firm in your letter with something similar and it still makes sense, your tailoring is not enough.

Your motivations should be based on unique and defining descriptions – for example, McKinsey having the largest support network for consultants, or Bain being the frattiest among MBB consulting firms.

Non-unique reasons, such as “prestigious brand name” or “interesting projects” can apply to basically every major consulting firm out there, so they’re not strong bases for your choices.

Maintain formality

Use formal language throughout, and keep standard your heading and salutation.

Show your uniqueness and creativity only through the main content sections. Other “procedural” parts of the cover letter should always remain formulaic – see the sample section.

The language in the main paragraph should also remain formal, i.e no slang, no contraction, no overuse of exclamations.

Avoid short-term motivations

Don’t say you’re in for a 2-year learning experience, or your application will be heading for the bin very, very quickly.

It’s costly to turn fresh graduates into effective consultants, so firms don’t want candidates who will bail out just after they’ve become useful. They want people who will stay in the firm for as long as they can – they want future partners.

You might include long-term plans concerning other industries, but don’t give the impression that you’re bailing out in a few years. If that’s your plan, don’t even mention it.

Proofread and edit

Writing cover letters should be a long process of continuous proofreading, feedback, and editing.

It’s best to find a former/working consultant or at least someone who’s knowledgeable about the industry to help you out. Consulting cover letters differ from normal ones quite considerably, so generic guidelines won’t be of much use.

It’s also very helpful to allow intervals of at least a few days between writing and proofreading sessions; you will find it easier to spot errors if you proofread with a “fresh” mind.

Try to avoid format, spelling, and grammar mistakes at all costs. In consulting cover letters, such mistakes are much less tolerated.

Cover letter file format

Always send your cover letters in the PDF format (most screeners expect you to do so).

This file format will make sure your cover letter appears the same on every computer, and it minimizes the damage that may occur in the file transfer process (by contrast, DOC files are vulnerable to numerous errors).

Depending on the computer, PDFs may look cleaner than DOCs – one possible bonus point for appearance.

Still not sure whether your cover letter is good enough? Book a meeting with former consultants. Our coaches will show you how to make your resume stand out among thousands of candidates. 

Cover letter example

Now that you’ve learned the secrets to the best story-telling cover letter, let’s have a little exercise and help the First President write one to McKinsey, shall we?

(The content in this sample letter is largely fictional for illustration purposes)

George Washington [email protected] Mount Vernon Plantation, Fairfax County, Virginia, U.S.A July 4, 1789

To whom it may concern,

My purpose in life is to liberate the American people and lead them to prosperity. The revolution of the Thirteen Colonies was up against the largest military force in the world – the British Empire – at a four-to-one disadvantage – few if any country had come up against such odds victoriously. And that was the situation I was in, as the leader of the revolution.

Under my lead, the revolutionaries mobilized internal support from 2.4 million soon-to-be American citizens and external support from allies in France. This support allowed us to remain operational even after severe defeats, which would otherwise put an end to the revolution. After six years, the Colonies came out victorious and was recognized as the new United States of America. War is over, so my new task is to steer the newfound States towards economic prosperity – and consulting experience at McKinsey will help a great deal with that.

I happen to also run a plantation business – Mount Vernon by name – which was McKinsey’s client during our expansion project in 1785. I was extremely impressed by the highly structured and data-based approach that McKinsey consultants took to deliver their solutions, and even more impressed by the incredible network of experts that was backing our project.

Through Ms. E.M – the Engagement Manager for our project from McKinsey’s DC Office – I came to be aware of the firm’s expertise in the public sector – which was recognized as being the overall best among major consulting firms.

And for that reason, I realized a consultant position at McKinsey DC will give me invaluable exposure in the public sector, both from its projects and its vicinity to the country’s capital.

I will be looking forward to speaking with you in person, about how I can put my experience as a former head-of-state and an entrepreneur to work at McKinsey.

Sincerely yours, George Washington

Scoring in the McKinsey PSG/Digital Assessment

The scoring mechanism in the McKinsey Digital Assessment

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Applications

Applying to mckinsey & company: cvs, cover letters and interviews.

Jacky Barrett

24 Nov 2023, 22:30

The McKinsey application process consist of a CV and optional covering letter online application, a problem solving assessment and typically two rounds of interviews.

What to include in your McKinsey CV | Your covering letter | McKinsey experience interview | McKinsey case interview

What recruiters want to see in your McKinsey CV

McKinsey & Company requires an excellent academic record and evidence of leadership, which may be from workplace roles or extracurricular activities. Successful applicants will demonstrate an aptitude for analytics, an interest in business with an entrepreneurial instinct, and an enjoyment of teamwork and problem-solving. McKinsey suggests that you include all work experience, such as full-time jobs and internships, even if they are not in a related field.

CVs for McKinsey should communicate more about your work experience than just the day-to-day responsibilities you performed: McKinsey is interested in ‘why your work mattered’ and the changes you brought about. The firm is looking for evidence of impact, leadership, entrepreneurship, problem solving and an overall orientation towards achievement. Draw attention to positions of leadership and teamwork, especially where they reveal initiative, entrepreneurship or extraordinary commitment. But do not simply describe them: make your achievements, and how they demonstrate your strengths, clear.

Extracurricular involvement and participation in activities outside of university bode well with McKinsey and should be detailed in a similar fashion to your work experience. Strive to provide examples of responsibility in your extracurricular activities and to quantify to the impact of your achievements wherever possible.

Always use language that is clear to any reader; for example, if you are describing your final year engineering project or your university air squadron activities then try to limit any specialist descriptions and technical jargon.

• Find more tips to help with consulting CVs for job-seeking graduates

Optional but recommended: your cover letter for McKinsey and how to pitch it

Unlike the CV, you are not required to submit a cover letter; however, you may find it a way to strengthen your application.

The essential point to remember is to write a unique cover letter for every employer you apply to. McKinsey expects to receive a cover letter that has been constructed with them, and no other firm, in mind – recruiters will be able to tell. Starting from fresh ensures that you will not copy and paste in any other firm’s name, and that everything you include will be relevant, considered and carefully targeted towards McKinsey & Company.

McKinsey has previously stated that the cover letter is a good place to draw attention to:

• Distinctive elements of your application – such as a role as president of a student society: were you elected in favour of other candidates? Has this given you experience of leadership? Of teamwork? Of delivering presentations? Of handling financial spreadsheets? Have you organised events, and on what scale?
• Details regarding a reapplication – such as why you are now a stronger candidate.
• An unusual situation – such as dates you will be unavailable for interview.

You can use your cover letter to demonstrate an understanding of the role of the business analyst at McKinsey & Company, which will involve interviewing clients, delivering presentations, conducting desk research, analysing data and building financial models.

It’s a good idea to spend a paragraph detailing exactly why you want to work for McKinsey & Company in particular . You might like to focus on what differentiates it as an employer by mentioning, for instance, its Global Connect initiative, that provides opportunities to find roles abroad in emerging markets; this suggests McKinsey is committed to global opportunities – does this suit your ambitions? The firm also emphasises that it encourages entrepreneurial spirit in its employers: if relevant, you could pick up on this in your covering letter. It is important not to focus on the benefits the company offers and talk instead about the firm’s values and work.

The best cover letters explain not only why you want to work for that firm, but also why they want you to work for them. Link what you say about McKinsey and its business analyst role back to your own values, achievements, strengths and experiences. Recruiters read hundreds of cover letters: make it easy for them to see why you are different.

• Discover more on what consulting employers look for in covering letters

McKinsey interviews

Applicants usually face two rounds of interviews at McKinsey preceded by the Solve gamified online assessment. Upon passing Solve – for which McKinsey states that there is no need to prepare ­(although you can find FAQs and an informational video for Solve on the McKinsey website) – applicants are invited to the first round of interviews.

The first round comprises two hour-long interviews; both include a case study and personal experience question. See below for more detail on case and experience interview questions.

Applicants successful at this stage are invited to a second and final round of interviews. The final interview round consists of three separate interviews (sometimes four) with more senior members of staff . It is a half-day assessment that follows a similar structure to the first round of interviews and features two hour-long case and experience interviews in addition to an advanced case interview.

McKinsey experience interview

This is a discussion of the candidate's CV, particularly extracurricular activities or work experience that showcase soft skills required of a consultant. Ultimately the interviewer is looking for someone who is client-safe. It's a good idea to watch the video on the firm's website which talks through what candidates can expect from each type of interview, and gives advice on the best way to approach the questions.

It is important to remember that a lot of the interview should form a two-way conversation. The interviewers want to connect with you so it is important to engage with them, allowing them to get to know you. McKinsey relies on behavioural questions to assess candidate-fit. Previous McKinsey experience interview questions are reported to include:

• Describe a situation when you had to deal with a difficult team member.
• In terms of culture and fit, what are the three most important aspects of an organisation to you?
• Name a time you resolved a conflict.
• Share an example of when you effectively worked with people from different backgrounds.
• Tell me about an experience not included on your resume that you are most proud of.
• What extracurricular experience are you most proud of?

McKinsey case interview

This discussion of a typical McKinsey business case doesn't require client knowledge. Instead it demands the application of logic, estimation and quantitative skills to identify and process relevant data and use it to solve a commercial problem – the sort of work a McKinsey business analyst does every day. You can try a few examples on the firm's website, which also provides examples of the best responses for each question, and read our advice on case study interviews . Previous McKinsey case questions are reported to include:

• What is the future value of an investment in building a hospital with 'x' capital and 'y' internal rate of return?
• Should company 'x' grow the business or cut costs?

Next: search relevant graduate jobs, schemes and internships

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ROUND OFF YOUR PREPARATION FOR MCKINSEY

Find extra help for online applications and interviews for graduate consulting roles here.

Get the insights and skills you need to shape your career journey with Pathways. We’ll show you exactly what goes into a convincing cover letter, so you can give yourself the best chance of getting to the next stage of the application process.

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Writing your MBB cover letter

Updated: Sep 17, 2020

MBB firms (McKinsey, BCG, Bain) usually require a cover letter. They’ll read it immediately after reading your CV, provided your CV has captured the recruiter’s attention. Whether you are writing a BCG, Bain or McKinsey cover letter, these tips all apply!

One page, font 11 minimum, 3-5 paragraphes.

Cover letters require some work. The single question that they should answer is: What makes you a good candidate for management consulting? Your job is to link your experience, passions and drive with what consulting firms are looking for in a candidate.

Depending on your profile, they’ll be looking for slightly different things:

The fresh-out-of-school candidate (undergrad and grad)

If you just graduated and don’t have at least 6 months of work experience yet, you won’t have much business experience to share. Still, there are a few things you can do to make your cover letter stand out to management consulting HR:

Show that you’re a team player: talk about projects, especially those where you had a leadership role. Summarize context, challenges, actions and impact of the 1-2 most impressive projects.

Tip: It’s best to structure your answers in a STAR framework. Learn more about the STAR framework and other in-depth interview tips in the ZeroToMBB book.

Show that you’re passionate and driven: demonstrate your ability to start and see personal projects through. Talk about your motivations, the challenges you faced and how you have overcome them. Nobody wants to work with a boring teammate, so this is the place to really talk about what excites you!

Show that you’re a problem solver: take examples of technical or team-related challenges that you faced and describe the strategies you put in place to solve them.

Show that you’re willing to learn and be flexible: management consultants can work for very diverse industries and functional sectors. They work hard, and they are always on the road. If you’ve specialized in a technical topic, talk about your learning journey and mention any awards and recognitions. Give examples of your ability to handle a high workload.

Why you want to work in consulting: if you don’t come from business school, it might be less obvious why you want to switch to consulting. Typical reasons include: broadening your horizons, working with diverse people, or exploring the world of business. Offices in different locations serve different industries, so search online for the industries linked to the office you’re applying to, and see if you have relevant experience in it.

The 5-years-of-experience and/or MBA candidate

If you have some work experience and want to move to consulting, or are graduating from your MBA, the bar for the cover letter is high. Here are some of the topics to cover:

Show that you’re a leader: show a track record of leadership positions, with high impact projects and large teams.

Show your expertise in a business topic: management consulting firms are craving candidates with strong industry or functional knowledge. This is your time to tell what you know from your previous work and link it to how this will be useful as a consultant. Look at what industries your office is focused on, and if there’s no match, broaden your search to a regional level.

Show your business acumen: managing clients, working internationally, building financial models, managing budgets, having a track record of business impact, all these examples show that you are an experienced professional that could be put in front of a client with confidence.

Show that you’re passionate and driven: demonstrate your ability to start and see personal projects through. Talk about your motivations, the challenges you faced and how you have overcome them. Nobody wants to work with a boring person so this is the place to really talk about what excites you!

Looking for more details on what makes a great cover letter for MBB? Read more in the ZeroToMBB book , filled with end-to-end tips on how to ace the interview and land the offer.

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Sample cover letter for Full Time position at Mckinsey & Co

Business analyst.

Ms. Cathy Recruiter

McKinsey & Company

10 Park Avenue South

City, State Zip Code

Dear Ms. Recruiter,

Mr. Frank Hurley suggested that I forward my resume to you for consideration. I am a senior at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Isenberg School of Management majoring in Finance with a minor in Economics with a 3.6 GPA. I am currently working as summer intern with Alternative Investments Group.

As Mr. Hurley may have mentioned, I am in the top 5% of my class at Isenberg, and I recently was elected president of Beta Gamma Sigma, National Business Honor Society. In both my academic and extracurricular activities, I have consistently demonstrated my capacity to make a positive impact, regardless of the situation. My analytical and personal skills are ideally suited to management consulting, and I am confident that would be an asset to McKinsey & Company.

I have extensive knowledge of business applications including Excel, Word and Access and have interpreted complex data for several honor classes as well as an independent study on global investment strategies. I believe my strengths in data analysis, analytical problem solving, and communication have prepared me for a successful career in investment banking.

I want to thank you in advance for your time and preference list consideration. You may contact me at

Mia Student