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

Consulting cover letter

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.

Consulting cover letter example

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.

Consulting cover letter tips

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:

What consulting firms look for

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.

Related articles:

nighttime image of Boston skyscrapers

Hacking The Case Interview

Hacking the Case Interview

Consulting cover letter guide

Are you struggling to write your consulting cover letter? Don't worry, because we'll walk you through step-by-step how to write the perfect consulting cover letter that will capture the attention of the reader, tell your story, and help you land multiple consulting interviews.

In this article, we'll cover in detail:

  • What is a consulting cover letter?
  • What do recruiters look for in consulting cover letters?
  • How to write the best consulting cover letter
  • How to format your consulting cover letter
  • Consulting cover letter tips
  • What to do when consulting cover letters are optional

While you are preparing your cover letters, you should also be preparing for your consulting case interviews. You will need to ace every single case interview in order to land a consulting job offer.

If you’re looking for a step-by-step shortcut to learn case interviews quickly, enroll in our case interview course . These insider strategies from a former Bain interviewer helped 30,000+ land consulting offers while saving hundreds of hours of prep time.

What is a Consulting Cover Letter?

A consulting cover letter is a document that introduces yourself to a recruiter or resume reviewer. In addition to your resume, cover letters are another component of your application that consulting firms use to determine whether or not you should receive an interview.

Cover letters are a quick way to screen out weak candidates. A cover letter that is generic and filled with errors leaves a negative impression on readers. Poor cover letters signal a lack of interest in consulting, poor writing skills, and a lack of attention to detail.

However, cover letters are also an opportunity to distinguish yourself from other candidates. They can help get your foot into the door for a consulting job interview.

Through a cover letter, you can go beyond what is listed on your resume and provide further context and background on your work experiences. Additionally, you have the opportunity to tell readers who you are as a person, what your motivations are, and what makes you special.

Cover letters also give you an opportunity to explain potential red flags in your application or profile. Do you have a low GPA ? Do you have a long gap in your work history? You can use part of your cover letter to address these concerns.

Overall, if your resume is on the borderline between receiving an interview and not receiving an interview, your cover letter will be the deciding factor. Candidates that don’t have the strongest resumes benefit the most from having outstanding cover letters.

While your resume is the most important component in getting consulting job interviews, your cover letter can still make a meaningful and significant difference.

What do Recruiters Look for in Consulting Cover Letters?

Let’s put ourselves in the shoes of consulting recruiters. What would we want to see in a candidate’s cover letter?

Ideally, we would want to interview candidates that have the highest potential to become great consultants. In order to determine which candidates would make great future consultants, we need to look at their background and work experiences to determine if they have the right skills and qualities to succeed in consulting.

We would also want to interview candidates that are genuinely interested in a career in consulting. It is a huge waste of resources to interview candidates that applied last-minute because they are unsure of what kind of career they want to pursue.

Finally, we would only want to interview candidates that would likely accept a job offer if given one. Interviewing candidates that are applying to the firm as a backup choice is not ideal because it is a waste of resources since these candidates may not even accept the job offer if given one.

Therefore, recruiters look for three major things in consulting cover letters:  

  • Does the candidate have the skills, experiences, and background to become a great consultant?
  • Does the candidate understand consulting and what they are getting into?
  • Is the candidate genuinely interested in working for the firm?

To have an outstanding consulting cover letter, you will need to address all of these points and remove any doubt from the recruiter’s mind on whether you would be a great candidate to interview.

How to Write the Best Consulting Cover Letter

There are six components to a great consulting cover letter. We’ll go through each section and describe exactly how to best write each component.  

Opening paragraph

Three body paragraphs

Closing paragraph

This section of the cover letter is a formality. You’ll want to include the following information in the header section:  

  • Phone Number
  • Date you are sending the letter

Although your resume will already have this information, you want your cover letter to also have your contact information to make it as easy as possible for recruiters to contact you.

Keep the header short to give yourself more room to write your cover letter.

You should tailor your salutation to the consulting firm that you are applying for. Do not start your cover letter with “To whom it may concern.” This salutation is not personalized and feels cold.

Instead, identify which recruiter is the primary point of contact for you and address the cover letter to that recruiter and their team. If you can’t identify the head recruiter, address the cover letter to members of the consulting firm’s recruiting team.

Here are a few examples of salutations you can use:  

  • Dear [Recruiter] and members of the McKinsey recruiting team,
  • To [Recruiter] and the Bain recruiting team,
  • Dear members of the BCG recruiting team,

The first sentence of your opening paragraph should be a powerful statement that summarizes your areas of expertise and the number of years of experience. If you had to summarize your entire background and work experience into one sentence, what would it sound like?

This powerful opening sentence is used to grab the reader’s attention and introduce yourself in an impressive way.

The second sentence should state what specific role you are applying for at the consulting firm. Do your research to ensure that you are using the correct job title since many consulting firms have different job titles for similar positions.

For example, McKinsey’s entry level role is called “Business Analyst,” BCG’s entry level role is called “Associate,” and Bain’s entry level role is called “Associate Consultant.”

McKinsey’s post-MBA role is called “Associate” while BCG and Bain’s post-MBA role is called “Consultant.”

The next sentence should describe why you are interested in the consulting firm. Do your research on the consulting firm so that you are giving specific, compelling reasons why you are interested. You need to convince readers that their firm is your top choice.

Example : I am a marketing professional with four years of experience working on digital marketing projects that have generated over $100M in revenue at Amazon and Walmart. I am excited to be applying for McKinsey’s Associate position. I am attracted to McKinsey because of the firm’s leadership in their Marketing & Sales practice, unparalleled investment in mentoring and professional development, and commitment to delivering outstanding results to clients.

The next three body paragraphs should focus on why you would be a great fit for the consulting firm and what qualities you would bring to the firm. These body paragraphs should best highlight your qualities and experiences.

In order to tailor your cover letter to the specific consulting firm you are applying for, do research to identify what qualities each firm is looking for. Many firms explicitly state on their website the characteristics or things that they look for in candidates.

For example, McKinsey looks for leadership, entrepreneurial drive, personal impact, and problem solving. Bain looks for problem-solving skills, the ability to lead, results delivery, and passion.

Start this section of your consulting cover letter with a sentence that summarizes what three qualities you’ll be highlighting about yourself.

Examples include:

  • I believe I would be a great fit for McKinsey because I have an entrepreneurial drive, adaptable leadership style, and an aspiration to make a meaningful impact on the world.
  • If given the opportunity, I would bring to Bain my problem-solving skills, leadership, and passion.

In the following body paragraphs, go into more detail on each of these qualities or characteristics. The key is to show readers that you have these qualities, don’t just tell them.

Carefully pick what stories or experiences you want to share. Pick the stories and accomplishments that are the most impressive, impactful, and memorable.

Finally, keep your body paragraphs concise, which increases the likelihood that the reader will actually read through the full cover letter. You do not want to have three large, chunky paragraphs.

Below is an example of what a body paragraph could look like. You can start your body paragraph with the quality you are going to be talking about in bold to make it easier for readers to skim your cover letter.

Personal impact : While working at Amazon, I identified an opportunity to use customer data to determine if Amazon’s $50M investment in customer service initiatives generated positive returns on investment. I analyzed over 700K customer data points to create a model forecasting customer value. I collaborated with data science, customer experience, and finance teams to get their support and buy-in. In the end, I determined that Amazon’s investment had a negative 40% return on investment. I presented my findings to my thirty-person team and CFO and convinced them of my recommendation to stop the customer service initiatives. My work would save Amazon $50M per year moving forward.

The closing paragraph should be very short, typically just two sentences.

In the first sentence, you should reiterate that you would be a great fit for the consulting firm. In the second sentence, you want to thank the reader for their time and consideration.

Example : I believe that these qualities would make me a great fit for McKinsey. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Finish your cover letter with a professional closing phrase and your name. Appropriate closing phrases to use include:  

  • Best regards
  • Respectfully

How to format your Consulting Cover Letter

In addition to having great content in your consulting cover letter, you should also have great formatting. The goal in formatting your cover letter is to make it look professional and easy to read.

You want to make it as easy as possible for the reader to see that you are a great candidate to interview. Follow the formatting tips below:  

  • Keep your cover letter to one page : Your cover letter needs to be no more than one page. If your cover letter is longer, you will need to find ways to make it more concise. No one likes reading long cover letters, which is why almost all cover letters are kept to a single page.
  • Use 1-inch margins : Margins less than 1-inch make the text in your cover letter look cramped and small, which is not aesthetically pleasing. Using 1-inch margins ensures that you give yourself enough room to write, but also keeps enough white space around your text that makes it easier to read.
  • Use standard fonts : Use a font that readers are used to seeing that are easy to read. You cannot go wrong with using Times New Roman, Arial, Courier New, Calibri, or Verdana. These are standard, professional fonts that have been used for many years.
  • Use 12-point font : You don’t want readers to be straining their eyes while reviewing your consulting cover letter. Tiny font sizes make your cover letter difficult to read. Therefore, use a minimum 12-point font size.
  • Submit your cover letter in a PDF format : Submitting your cover letter in a PDF format ensures readers will be able to open your cover letter file and that there will be no formatting issues. People have different versions of different word processors, so submitting your cover letter as a word document may lead to incompatibility issues.

Consulting Cover Letter Tips

Below are eight of the best consulting cover letter tips to help give your cover letter an edge over other candidates.

If you are finding this consulting cover letter guide helpful, we also have a step-by-step guide to writing the perfect consulting resume .

Tip #1: Research the specific qualities that the consulting firm is looking for

In order to tailor your cover letter, research the specific qualities that the consulting firm is looking for. Many consulting firms explicitly state what qualities or characteristics they look for in candidates on their websites.

This not only demonstrates why you would be a great fit for the firm, but also demonstrates that you are highly interested in the firm because you took the time to research the qualities that they care most about.

Tip #2: Avoid simply repeating things on your resume

Many candidates make the mistake of simply repeating achievements and accomplishments from their resume on their cover letter. This is a wasted opportunity because recruiters and resume reviewers will be looking at your resume anyways.

Providing redundant information in your cover letter does not help strengthen your application.

The cover letter provides an opportunity to go beyond what is listed on your resume. You should take advantage of this by telling readers who you are as a person, what your motivations are, and what makes you special.

You can include points from your resume, but make sure you provide further context on your achievements and accomplishments so that readers can learn something new about you.

Tip #3: Don’t use generic cover letter templates

As a recruiter, there is nothing worse than reading a generic cover letter. Recruiters read thousands of cover letters each year. They know when a cover letter is written using a generic template without much thought.

Do not fall into the trap of using a generic cover letter template and then inserting the name of the consulting firm that you are applying for.

If you really want your cover letter to stand out, you’ll need to invest the time to write a cover letter specific to each consulting firm that you are applying for.

To test if your cover letter is generic, swap the name of the consulting firm for another consulting firm. If the cover letter still works and makes sense, your cover letter is likely too generic.

Tip #4: Pick your best stories and accomplishments

Cover letters are meant to be short and sweet. You won’t have enough space to write about all of your accomplishments and experiences.

Therefore, you should carefully pick what you share in your cover letter. Pick the stories and accomplishments that are the most impressive, impactful, and memorable.

Tip #5: Quantify your results and impact

Just as you would do in your resume, quantify your results and impact that you share in your cover letter. Consultants think in terms of numbers, so the more you can quantify your achievements, the more impressive and credible they will be.

If you improved something at work, how much did you improve it by? If you helped increase sales, how much did revenues increase? If a project you worked on performed well, how much better did it perform compared to benchmarks?

Tip #6: Keep your cover letter concise and punchy

Recruiters sometimes read hundreds of cover letters over just a couple of days. Reading cover letters is highly repetitive and recruiters have short attention spans.

Therefore, keep your cover letter concise and punchy to increase the likelihood that the reader will get through the entire cover letter.

How do you make your cover letter punchy?

First, try to reduce the number of words needed to tell a story or explain an accomplishment. Second, focus on sharing only the most impressive and unique stories and accomplishments. This will make your cover letter more interesting to read.

Tip #7: Mention current or former employees you have talked to

If you’ve spoken with employees of the consulting firm that you are applying to, mention this in your cover letter. It is a simple, but effective way to demonstrate that you are interested in the firm.

However, don’t just mention names for the sake of name dropping. Go deeper and explain what you talked with these employees about and what you learned about the firm from these conversations.

Doing this signals to recruiters that you are genuinely interested in the firm because you took the time to learn about what it is like to work at the firm and what makes the firm great.

Tip #8: Double check that you are addressing the right firm or person

Finally, double check or triple check that you are addressing the cover letter to the right consulting firm or person.

If you were a recruiter for McKinsey, how would you feel if a candidate submitted a cover letter that is addressed to BCG or Bain?

There are many stories of candidates with strong resumes and backgrounds getting their applications rejected because they accidentally forgot to change the consulting firm’s name on their cover letters. Don’t let this happen to you.

Ideally, you will be writing customized cover letters that are tailored to each firm, so you will not need to be replacing a consulting firm’s name for another firm’s name for your cover letters.

What to do when Consulting Cover Letters are Optional?

Some consulting firms, such as McKinsey, make their cover letter optional to make it easier for candidates to apply. If a cover letter is optional, what should you do?

If you have a strong resume, you likely won’t need to submit a cover letter in order to get an interview.

If you were previously rejected from the consulting firm, it may be beneficial to submit a cover letter in order to explain how you have improved and grown since your last application. You will need to convince recruiters why you are a great candidate to interview this time around.

Finally, if you have any red flags on your resume, such as a low GPA or a long gap in work history, it will be beneficial to submit a cover letter to explain these circumstances. You will need to remove any doubt from recruiters’ minds that these red flags do not reflect your quality as a candidate.

If you don’t fall into any of these categories, you should submit a cover letter if it adds incremental value to your application beyond what is listed on your resume. If you are just going to be submitting a generic cover letter, it may not help your application much.

However, if you are willing to take the time to research the consulting firm and write a customized cover letter, you should definitely do so. Outstanding cover letters can only help your overall application.

Land your Dream Consulting Job

Here are the resources we recommend to land your dream consulting job:

For help landing consulting interviews

  • Resume Review & Editing : Transform your resume into one that will get you multiple consulting interviews

For help passing case interviews

  • Comprehensive Case Interview Course (our #1 recommendation): The only resource you need. Whether you have no business background, rusty math skills, or are short on time, this step-by-step course will transform you into a top 1% caser that lands multiple consulting offers.
  • Case Interview Coaching : Personalized, one-on-one coaching with a former Bain interviewer.
  • Hacking the Case Interview Book   (available on Amazon): Perfect for beginners that are short on time. Transform yourself from a stressed-out case interview newbie to a confident intermediate in under a week. Some readers finish this book in a day and can already tackle tough cases.
  • The Ultimate Case Interview Workbook (available on Amazon): Perfect for intermediates struggling with frameworks, case math, or generating business insights. No need to find a case partner – these drills, practice problems, and full-length cases can all be done by yourself.

For help passing consulting behavioral & fit interviews

  • Behavioral & Fit Interview Course : Be prepared for 98% of behavioral and fit questions in just a few hours. We'll teach you exactly how to draft answers that will impress your interviewer.

Land Multiple Consulting Offers

Complete, step-by-step case interview course. 30,000+ happy customers.

A Consulting Cover Letter that Lands Interviews: Our Complete Guide

  • Last Updated January, 2024

Rebecca Smith-Allen

Former McKinsey Engagement Manager

The recruiting season is approaching fast, and there’s one thing you’ll need to get your foot in the door for an interview at a top-tier consulting firm: an impressive cover letter.

What should you talk about in your consulting cover letter?

How do you distinguish yourself from the tons of other candidates applying to Bain, BCG, McKinsey, and other top consulting firms this year?

If you’re asking yourself these questions, don’t worry! 

In this complete guide to writing a consulting cover letter, we’ll tell you exactly what points you need to address in your cover letter to put your best foot forward and land that interview.

We’ll discuss:

  • What a cover letter is
  • The RIGHT way to structure one
  • The Red Flags that get candidates rejected and how to overcome them
  • 5 Tips on writing an effective consulting cover letter

We’ll  also share:

  • 2 cover letter examples that landed candidates interviews at the top firms.

Let’s get started!

Consulting Cover Letter – Why It Matters

What is a consulting cover letter.

The consulting cover letter is a separate document from your resume; it puts the work experience you outline on your resume into context to show why you’re a great candidate.

The WRONG Way to Structure Your Management Consulting Cover Letter

Most of the Internet articles on writing a cover letter talk about structuring them with the following sections:

  • Why are you interested in consulting?
  • Why are you interested in the firm you’re applying to?
  • What makes you a good fit?

This is not the best way to approach writing your consulting cover letter. My Consulting Offer has helped hundreds of clients land interviews and get offers with top management consulting firms like BCG, Bain, and McKinsey.

We’ve even helped people who faced extra hurdles because they had low GPAs, majored in subjects other than economics or business, or attended non-core schools.

Our clients received interview invitations and job offers because our cover letter process works.

The RIGHT Way to Structure Your Management Consulting Cover Letter

Want to know the best way to structure a cover letter that has statistically been shown to get more interviews?

Watch this video before proceeding.

Now that you watched the video (Watch now if you haven’t yet because the impact of the rest of the article is only 10% of what it could be if you watch it). 

As you found in the video, the best  way to structure your cover letter is to Google the characteristics the consulting firm you want to work for seeks in consulting candidates and then show you have those characteristics .

Yes, you read that right. Go to the Bain Careers page and read about what they’re looking for in candidates. You’ll find it on this page . 

Every consulting firm has values they take very seriously, and that drive the candidates they target, so you will want to know what they are for each firm you apply to. 

As an example, Bain wants consultants with:

  • Problem-solving skills
  • The ability to lead
  • Results delivered

You will use each of these to develop a paragraph or section of your consulting cover letter.

For each, choose a specific time from your professional or personal experiences that shows you possess that characteristic. 

If you have more than one experience that shows you exemplifying a characteristic, pick the strongest example.

Then, create a story that briefly explains the context around your example, describes the action(s) you took, and shows concrete results. 

Quantify the results of your actions whenever possible.

  • Results delivered – When I took over as the leader of my sorority’s annual fundraising event for a local food bank, I wanted to make it even more successful than in prior years. Each year, we threw an event and asked people to bring packaged food products or a donation. I went beyond that by asking the college’s academic departments to collect donations from faculty and staff as well. Packaged goods contributions to the food bank increased by 50%, and financial donations increased by over 300%.

Proof the My Consulting Offer Cover Letter Structure Works

This strategy of showing how you’ve exemplified the characteristics the firm is looking for in applicants works particularly well if you are applying to management consulting firms from a non-traditional background. 

If you’re a student with a liberal arts major, in a non-MBA master’s degree or doctorate, or attending a non-core school, you should definitely use our approach. It shows the reader that you’d be an asset to their team and have what it takes to be a successful consultant at their firm. This makes them focus less on your non-traditional background.

One of our early clients was an undergraduate who’d spent his summers interning in Michelin-star restaurants in New York City because he aspired to run a Michelin-star restaurant as a career. 

He didn’t have high-level positions in these internships; he worked in the kitchens. He cut the tomatoes for the tomato soup and did similar food prep.

He wasn’t even in charge of making the tomato soup!

As graduation approached, he decided that while he knew all about the kitchen side of the restaurant business, he wanted to learn about running the front of the house. To do that, he looked into consulting jobs.

But he had no business experience.

In his cover letter, we developed stories about:

  • Managing the kitchen effectively, even on hectic Saturday nights
  • Managing chefs with many years more experience than he had himself
  • Landing jobs at top-rated restaurants by showing up at the restaurants before they opened and networking his way in with perseverance

These stories showed he had the leadership experience, people skills, and drive needed in consulting, things that wouldn’t have been clear from his resume alone.

Why My Consulting Offer’s Approach to Writing Consulting Cover Letters Is So Effective

My Consulting Offer’s approach highlights the characteristics consulting firms value in applicants to develop your cover letter.

  • You don’t need to explain “Why McKinsey/Bain/BCG?” because you’ve taken your bullet points from their firm career pages .
  • Your stories explain why you’re a good fit.
  • You can cover the question “Why consulting?” in just a sentence or 2 because you’ve demonstrated you understand what consulting firms look for in candidates through your stories. This question is especially important for applicants with non-traditional backgrounds or experienced hires. 

Just add a short opening, 1-2 sentences on “Why consulting?” and a short conclusion to these paragraphs, and your cover letter will be ready to submit. 

Mistakes People Make with Their Consulting Cover Letters that Lead to Rejection

There are red flags that can get applicants’ resumes placed in the “no” pile. These are:

  • A gap in their work history.

A low GPA  can be a problem because management consulting firms target people who can solve tough business problems. But if your GPA  is low due to extenuating circumstances, such as a problem with your own or a family member’s health, or if you needed to work many hours each week to finance your education, firms will often overlook this.

Small offices at top consulting firms often have a problem. People choose them because they think they’ll have a better shot at getting an offer from the firm. But later, these same people want to move to a different office, leaving that office understaffed. 

If you’re applying to an office because you genuinely want to live in that city, tell the recruiters why you want to live there (examples: near family, proximity to outdoor activities, etc.) They need to see that you are not planning to try to transfer to another office or they won’t want to invest in you.

If you have a gap in your work history, a consulting firm might think you were fired and had difficulty finding another job. If health or another issue was the cause of the gap in your work history, it’s important to explain that.

If you have any of these or other red flags in your consulting application, take the time to explain them in your cover letter so that they don’t derail you from getting an interview.

Writing Your Management Consulting Cover Letter – A Step-by-Step Guide

  • Opening – keep it short and sweet. Just introduce yourself and express interest in working for the firm you’re applying to, mentioning the specific position you want. Include your 1-2 sentences on “Why consulting?” here.
  • Central paragraph 1  – As explained above, find what the firm is looking for in consultants from their Careers page and dedicate one paragraph to each characteristic.
  • Central paragraph 2 – Create a story from your experience that shows you have that characteristic. You should include 3-4 stories in your cover letter.
  • Central paragraph 3 – Quantify results whenever possible.
  • Central paragraph 4 – Order these stories in the way that works to your advantage, with the strongest story first, the second-strongest last, and weaker (but still good) stories in the middle.
  • Address any red flags.
  • Express your interest again and close the letter.

That’s it! You now have an impressive cover letter.

5 Tips for Writing a Cover Letter that Lands the Interview

  • Tip #1 – Start with the characteristics valued by the consulting firm you’re most interested in. You should tailor the cover letter for each firm to the characteristics they list on their Career page. You’ll find, however, that you can re-use stories because all consulting firms value leadership, drive, teamwork, and creating impact.
  • Tips #2 – Pick the most compelling stories from your experience. You probably have multiple stories you could use for some values. Choose just one story. If in doubt, the one where you solved the biggest problem or where you had the biggest impact is probably the best. Don’t worry if you have another great story, you’ll get to talk about it in your consulting interviews.
  • Tips #3 – Quantify results wherever possible. Showing that you increased revenue/ attendance/ donations by x% quickly and effectively displays you can get things done. Same with cost reductions or reduced time/effort to get work done.
  • Tip #4 – Tighten your language to show your point as efficiently as possible. Never say more than you need to in order to make your point. Recruiters screen thousands of applications, and they appreciate communications that get right to the point. Consulting partners will also appreciate this skill once you’re on their team and drafting PowerPoint slides for client meetings. Keep your cover letter to one page. 
  • Tip #5 -Use Fiverr or another service to ensure you have no grammatical or spelling mistakes. You only get one chance to make a good impression. Don’t send out a letter with a big mistake, especially if you can prevent it with $5. 

Consulting Cover Letter Examples

The best way to get a sense of what an effective management cover letter looks like is to read one. 

We’ve got 2 examples of letters that helped My Consulting Offer clients land interviews: one from an undergraduate student’s application to McKinsey and one from an experienced-hire candidate’s application to Bain.

Successful Consulting Cover Letter Example 1

Undergraduate consulting cover letter example, why is this undergraduate consulting cover letter sample effective.

This consulting industry cover letter written by an undergraduate is effective because it addresses key characteristics that McKinsey looks for in their applicants, as you can see   on their careers page :

  • Personal impact
  • Entrepreneurial drive

While it only calls out 2 of the 4 characteristics McKinsey is looking for, entrepreneurial drive and problems solving, these stories also showcase the candidate’s personal impact. 

The 3rd characteristic the cover letter calls out, teamwork/ collaboration, is also highly valued by McKinsey and other consulting firms. 

The entrepreneurial drive paragraph is effective because it shows this candidate works hard and overcomes obstacles that would stand in the way of other candidates.

The problem-solving paragraph is effective because it shows the candidate’s structured approach to solving a problem. It also shows this approach worked.

The collaborative story works because it shows that this candidate was able to make strong personal connections from a very young age and that they respect people from all walks of life.

The candidate makes clear with his/her stories that they understand what McKinsey is looking for and that they’ve demonstrated those characteristics.

Successful Consulting Cover Letter Example 2

Experienced hire consulting cover letter example, why is this experienced hire consulting cover letter sample effective.

  • Problem-solving skills (addressed in Passion for Results and Lasting Impact.)
  • The ability to lead (addressed in all 3 stories.)
  • Results delivered (addressed in Passion for Results with quantified impact.)
  • Passion (addressed in Drive & Character)

Each of the 3 stories in this cover letter presents the applicant as someone who has the characteristics top management consulting firms look for. 

Moreover, the 3 stories together demonstrate that he or she has “the whole package.” He or she isn’t smart but a poor team player or good at problem-solving but lacking the passion needed to get things done in a difficult, real-world environment.

The fact that the applicant could speak to all of the things Bain looks for helped them land interviews and then offers with multiple top firms.

What About Firms Like McKinsey, Which Don’t Require a Cover Letter?

Some management consulting firms, such as McKinsey & Company, have made submitting a cover letter optional. 

Should you bother to spend the time to write one if they don’t seem to care?

If your resume clearly shows you are a good fit for the consulting firm,  you don’t need to submit a cover letter. Things that would make you look like a good fit include:

  • Attendance at or a degree from a core school where the firm recruits through on-campus interviews and hires consultants every year
  • An undergraduate degree in business or economics or an MBA
  • Leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills clearly demonstrated through work and volunteer experience on your resume

If your resume doesn’t clearly communicate that you’re a good fit for the management consulting industry and their firm, in particular, your application will be strengthened by including a cover letter. 

You should also submit a cover letter if you have been previously rejected from that firm so that they know you have taken steps to improve your application since last applying.

You’ll want to think about stories to use in your behavioral interviews   anyway, so if you’re unsure whether you need a cover letter, it’s safest to write one.

To see the power of an improved cover letter, watch this video on how My Consulting Offer helped Cynthia get invited for an interview at every consulting company she applied to.

Are you ready to write your management consulting cover letter?

We bet you are since you now know:

  • What a consulting cover letter is
  • The red flags that get candidates rejected and how to overcome them
  • Our 5 Tips on writing an effective consulting cover letter
  • Plus, you’ve seen 2 Consulting cover letter examples that worked

Still have questions?

If you have more questions about writing effective consulting cover letters, leave them in the comments below. One of My Consulting Offer’s former MBB recruiters will answer them.

Other people who were writing their cover letter found the following pages helpful:

  • Consulting Resumes
  • BCG Cover Letter
  • Consulting Networking
  • Case Interview Prep : The Ultimate Guide
  • Our List of  Top Consulting Firms and their company values
  • The Non-MBA Master’s Student’s Guide to Landing a Consulting Job

Do You Need Help Writing a Perfect Consulting Cover Letter?

Thanks for turning to My Consulting Offer for advice on writing your cover letter. We’ve helped over 700 people get offers in consulting and 89.6% of My Consulting Offer clients land  interviews and offers with a consulting firm. Most land more than one. We want you to get that opportunity to interview with McKinsey, Bain, BCG and other top firms!

For example, here is how we helped Tao land interviews at Bain, BCG, and McKinsey.

Join our FREE Webinar:

How 800+ candidates have landed consulting offers at mckinsey, bain and bcg, 2 thoughts on “everything you need to know about the consulting cover letter”.

Thank you Davis for this powerful tool you shared. Really, I havent thought of cover letters telling stories or narrating how you used the needed skills and the value you added using them in your past roles. No wonder I have been getting rejections based on my red flags – not having to work with the big 4s or having multinational experience. All these does not matter as long you can demonstrate the skill set you used to add value in your previous roles which must be inline with what the prospective role needs. I really aporeciate this exposure and I look forward to getting calls from recruiters going forward as I apply your strategy to my cover letters subsequently. Thanks a lot. Esther.

Hey, Esther, We’re so glad the tips we discussed about writing your consulting cover letter were helpful! Good luck in your job search!

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

© My CONSULTING Offer

We are excited to invite you to the online event.

Where should we send you the calendar invite and login information.

consulting associate cover letter

Consultant Cover Letter Example (w/ Templates & Tips for 2024)

Background Image

Navigating the competitive world of consulting job applications? You're not alone in feeling the weight of first impressions. 

You see, with dozens of applicants vying for the same role, it's easy to get lost in the pile. 

The trick to standing out? A powerful cover letter tailored just for consultants. 

The good news? We've got you covered. Dive into our comprehensive guide on crafting that perfect consultant cover letter for 2024. 

Here's what we're going to cover:

  • An Inspiring Cover Letter Example
  • 5 Steps to Writing a Great Consulting Cover Letter
  • 3 Essential Cover Letter Tips for Consultants

Ready to up your cover letter game and make a lasting impression? Let's dive in! 

Consulting Cover Letter Example

Consultant Cover Letter Example

5 Steps for the Perfect Consulting Cover Letter

Now that you've seen what a great cover letter looks like, you're all set to write your own . 

Ready to get started and craft that winning consulting cover letter? 

Let's do it!

#1. Put Contact Information in the Header

When crafting your consulting cover letter, begin with your contact details placed neatly in the header, just like on your resume .

Here's what to include:

  • Full Name. Always place your first and last name at the top of the page.
  • Professional Title. Ensure your professional title matches the specific consulting position you're seeking. E.g. if you’re applying for the role of “management consultant,” that should be your exact title, and not, for example, “consultant” or “business consultant.”
  • Email Address. Opt for a professional and straightforward email address, such as a combination of your first and last name. 
  • Phone Number. Include your phone number and make sure it’s typo-free.
  • Location. Typically, your city and state will suffice. In case you’re looking for a relocation, make sure to mention that.
  • Relevant Links. Optionally, you can include links to relevant websites or social media profiles. E.g. personal website, LinkedIn profile, etc.

Now, let's move on to the hiring manager's information:

  • Company Name. Clearly state the company to which you're applying.
  • Hiring Manager's Name. If possible, find the name of the hiring manager for the department you're interested in. Check the job posting, the company's website, or their LinkedIn page for this information.
  • Hiring Manager's Title. If you identify the hiring manager for the specific job posting, and they hold a departmental leadership role, use that title instead of "Hiring Manager."
  • Location. Provide the city and state or country, especially if the company operates globally. Optionally, include the exact company address for precision.

With these elements in place, your consulting cover letter will be poised for success. 

Want more examples of what an ideal cover letter looks like? Check out our article with 21+ other cover letter examples .

#2. Address the Hiring Manager

Once you've included all the relevant contact details , it's time to address your consulting cover letter to the person who will be reading it.

Avoid the generic "To Whom It May Concern" whenever possible.

The way you address your cover letter can make a positive impression on the hiring manager— if you get it right.

So, start with a bit of research. Go through the job posting, the company's website, or their LinkedIn profiles to identify the hiring manager for the consulting department you're interested in. 

Next, address them formally. Using Ms. or Mr. followed by their last name is a good practice. However, if you're unsure about their gender or marital status, using their full name works just as well. For example:

  • Dear Mr. Anderson,
  • Dear Taylor Anderson,

If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, then simply addressing them as “Dear Hiring Manager,” also works.

#3. Write an Eye-Catching Opening Statement

Hiring managers typically spend about seven seconds reviewing a candidate's application before deciding whether to continue reading.

So, making a strong first impression with your consulting cover letter is essential.

Your opening paragraph should introduce yourself and express your genuine interest in the consulting role.

Depending on your experience level, you can also begin your cover letter with a noteworthy achievement or highlight the skills that align with the role's requirements.

However, keep this paragraph concise. The goal is to spark the hiring manager's curiosity and encourage them to read the rest of your consultant cover letter.

#4. Use the Cover Letter Body for the Details

The body of your cover letter is where you really sell your application and convince the hiring manager that you’re a great fit for the job.

Avoid the temptation to simply rehash your consultant resume - the hiring manager already read through that.

Rather, use the body of your cover letter to talk about:

  • Your top achievements (in detail). Provide specific examples of significant accomplishments in your consulting career. Explain the challenges you faced, your role in resolving them, and the measurable outcomes or impact of your work.
  • Past industry experience. Discuss the industries you've worked in and the depth of your experience within those sectors. Highlight any specialized knowledge or insights you've gained that can benefit the employer.
  • Your top skills (that make you a great fit for the role). Showcase the skills that directly align with the consulting role you're applying for. Whether it's data analysis, project management, client relationship-building, or any other skill, provide concrete examples of how you've used these skills effectively to achieve results in previous consulting engagements.

#5. Wrap It Up and Sign It

After you’ve written your body section, the first thing you need to do is write a conclusion for your cover letter .

The conclusion is your opportunity to confidently reiterate why you're the perfect fit for the role. It goes something like this:

In conclusion, my extensive experience in the field of consulting, coupled with my proven track record of delivering successful projects and driving positive outcomes for clients, makes me an ideal candidate for this consulting role at MadeUpCompanyX.

Then, after your wrap-up, it's time for a call to action. Encourage the hiring manager to take that next step, whether it's discussing your application further or setting up an interview.

For example: 

I am eager to discuss in more detail how my skills and background can contribute to the success of your projects or clients at MadeUpCompanyX.

Last but not least, maintain a professional tone as you sign off. Choose an appropriate signature line, followed by your full name.

And finally, if you're looking for alternatives to the commonly used "Best regards," consider these options:

  • Kind regards,
  • Respectfully yours,
  • Thank you for your consideration.

consultant cover letter structure

10 Essential Consulting Cover Letter Tips

Finally, once you’re done with your cover letter, review our top cover letter tips to take your consulting cover letter from “good” to “great:”

  • Research the Company: Understand the firm's values, culture, and projects. This will allow you to tailor your letter specifically to the company and demonstrate your genuine interest in becoming a part of their team.
  • Start Strong: Begin with a compelling opening that grabs the reader's attention. Mention a recent company accomplishment and tie it to your excitement about the consultancy role.
  • Highlight Relevant Experience: Focus on past experiences that align with the consultancy role you're applying for. Discuss specific projects, the challenges you've faced, and the results you achieved.
  • Show Problem-Solving Abilities: Consulting is all about solving client problems. Provide examples of how you've approached complex issues in the past and the strategies you employed to resolve them.
  • Quantify Achievements: Use numbers wherever possible. Instead of saying "I helped increase sales," mention "I contributed to a 20% increase in sales over a 12-month period."
  • Demonstrate Soft Skills: While technical and analytical skills are crucial, soft skills like communication, teamwork, and adaptability are also highly valued in consulting. Use anecdotes or examples to highlight these.
  • Keep it Concise: Hiring managers often skim cover letters due to the volume they receive. Aim for a concise, one-page letter that gets straight to the point while effectively showcasing your value.
  • Customize for Each Application: Avoid using a generic cover letter for all applications. Each company and role may have unique requirements or values, so take the time to customize your letter for each position.
  • End with a Call to Action: Conclude your letter by expressing your eagerness for an interview. You might say something like, "I am excited about the opportunity to discuss how my expertise aligns with the needs of your team and would appreciate the chance to meet in person."
  • Proofread: Errors can make a poor impression and suggest a lack of attention to detail. Before sending, proofread your cover letter multiple times, or even consider having a colleague or professional review it.

consulting cover letter examples

Key Takeaways

Hopefully, this article taught you all you need to know in order to create an impressive consultant cover letter.

Before you go, here’s a quick summary of everything we’ve covered so far:

  • Always tailor your cover letter to the specific company and role, ensuring you address the hiring manager by name whenever possible.
  • The initial paragraphs should pique the reader's interest, highlighting alignment with the company's values and your enthusiasm for the role.
  • Use the cover letter's body to elaborate on unique achievements and experiences not just reiterated from your resume.
  • End your letter by confidently summarizing your suitability for the position and encouraging further discussion or an interview.
  • Proofread meticulously, maintain brevity, and customize your approach for each application to stand out in the competitive consulting industry.

cookies image

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

Associate Consultant Cover Letter Examples

A great associate consultant cover letter can help you stand out from the competition when applying for a job. Be sure to tailor your letter to the specific requirements listed in the job description, and highlight your most relevant or exceptional qualifications. The following associate consultant cover letter example can give you some ideas on how to write your own letter.

Associate Consultant Cover Letter Example

or download as PDF

Cover Letter Example (Text)

Kalisha Borschel

(694) 664-0164

[email protected]

Dear Ms. Tinucci,

I am writing to express my keen interest in the Associate Consultant position at Bain & Company, as advertised. With five years of comprehensive experience at Deloitte Consulting, I have honed my skills in delivering data-driven insights and strategic solutions to clients across various industries. My tenure at Deloitte has equipped me with a robust foundation in consulting, and I am eager to bring my expertise to the dynamic team at Bain.

Throughout my career, I have consistently demonstrated my ability to tackle complex challenges and drive meaningful change for my clients. My approach is rooted in a deep understanding of the business landscape and a commitment to delivering tailored, actionable strategies that align with client objectives. I have led cross-functional teams to success by fostering collaboration, encouraging innovative thinking, and maintaining a steadfast focus on achieving measurable results.

At Deloitte, I had the privilege of working on a range of projects, from operational improvements to market entry strategies. My experience includes conducting thorough market analyses, developing business models, and facilitating workshops to align leadership on key initiatives. I am particularly proud of a recent project where my recommendations led to a 20% increase in operational efficiency for a major retail client, directly impacting their bottom line.

I am drawn to Bain & Company's reputation for driving impact and its commitment to delivering sustainable results for clients. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team's success and to further develop my skills in a challenging and supportive environment. I am confident that my background, combined with my passion for consulting, makes me a strong candidate for the Associate Consultant role.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience and skills will be a valuable addition to Bain & Company.

Warm regards,

Related Cover Letter Examples

  • Associate Product Manager
  • Associate Project Manager
  • Associate Creative Director
  • Associate Brand Manager
  • Associate Marketing Manager
  • Associate Software Engineer

IMAGES

  1. Associate, Consulting Cover Letter

    consulting associate cover letter

  2. Consulting Associate Cover Letter

    consulting associate cover letter

  3. Consulting Associate Cover Letter

    consulting associate cover letter

  4. Associate Consultant Cover Letter Examples

    consulting associate cover letter

  5. Associate, Consulting Cover Letter

    consulting associate cover letter

  6. Associate Consultant Cover Letter Examples and Templates

    consulting associate cover letter

VIDEO

  1. Consulting Cover Letter Complete Guide

  2. Write a Consulting Cover Letter that WORKS!

  3. The Perfect Consulting Cover Letter

  4. How to write the perfect consulting cover letter?

  5. I applied to McKinsey with this Cover Letter

  6. Resume & Cover Letter that got me a job at a Big 4 Consulting (+ Tips)

COMMENTS

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

    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.

  2. Associate Consultant Cover Letter Example for 2024: Ultimate Guide

    A cover letter for an Associate Consultant serves as a crucial introduction to potential employers, showcasing not only the applicant's qualifications and relevant experience …

  3. Consulting Cover Letter: Step-By-Step Guide (2024)

    Learn how to create the best consulting cover letter to make your application stand out and land multiple consulting job interviews.

  4. Consulting Cover Letter: Ultimate Guide

    In this ultimate guide to the consulting cover letter, we're going to walk you through the elements of what makes a good cover letter, our best tips, share top mistakes to …

  5. Write a Management Consulting Cover Letter that Land …

    A strong consulting cover letter is key to landing interviews with McKinsey, Bain, & BCG. Here’s our guide + examples of winning cover letters

  6. Consultant Cover Letter Example (w/ Templates & Tips …

    We've got you covered. Dive into our comprehensive guide on crafting that perfect consultant cover letter for 2024. Here's what we're going to cover: An Inspiring Cover Letter Example; 5 Steps to Writing a Great …

  7. Consulting Cover Letter Example (+Skills List)

    Need a competitive edge for your consultant job application? Use our consulting cover letter sample and writing tips to help you put together the perfect job-winning cover letter.

  8. Associate Consultant Cover Letter Examples

    A great associate consultant cover letter can help you stand out from the competition when applying for a job. Be sure to tailor your letter to the specific requirements listed in the job description, and highlight your most relevant or …

  9. Consulting Cover Letter Guide

    Consulting Cover Letter Guide: comprehensive, step-by-step instructions with examples and free templates to help you land an interview at a top firm!