CV REVIEW - How to get your CV right for high profile jobs (resume tips from Ex-McKinsey consultant)

[@FirmLearning]

Thanks to everyone who submitted a CV. Good news - I prepared a Consulting Interview Preparation Checklist that you can use to prepare for your next interview. You can download it here (yes, for free!): link.firmlearning.com/checklist

[@kawaii_hawaii222]

At the McKinsey website they talk about the resume, is that the exact same as a cover letter?

[@miteshjadhav]

This was by far the most exhaustive CV review I've come across. Thank you Firm Learning for the CV improvement inputs. I recommend it to anyone - Who is seeking a job OR is applying to a B-School.

[@FirmLearning]

Thank you Mitesh, always very much appreciate hearing that the videos are useful. Thanks for recommending! Best, Heinrich

[@bbman_01]

This is more something that's good to see in a CV rather than how to structure it. Examples of leadership are invaluable, but I think what's often not mentioned is having long term employment in even a part-time, boring and not relevant job can make a huge difference. The main feedback I was given when I was hired into my first professional job was, like everyone shortlisted (it was a lucrative position with a very good graduate salary) I had good grades and done internships which were effectively were unexeptional in the circumstance. The key thing that set me apart from the rest of the applicants was having 5 years of part time employment while studying as a sales assistant in a departement store. They felt it showed that I would commit to the position long term and showed self-discipline

[@arihantjain3975]

Great initiative Heinrich

[@FirmLearning]

Thanks!

[@onyinoyi_o]

Always amazing advice every single time, thank you Heinrich!

[@FirmLearning]

Thank you Anthonia, appreciate it!! Best, Heinrich

[@missmariemck]

Your videos are such high quality & so informative! Nicely done!

[@FirmLearning]

Thank you Rachel, very much appreciate your comment. Glad that you find it helpful! Best, Heinrich

[@Bharath_Kanmihalli]

Thank you very much, Heinrich. This video was super helpful! Looking forward to many such useful videos to start my Consulting career soon :D

[@FirmLearning]

Hi Bharath, thanks!! :) Will for sure continue creating videos. Best! Heinrich

[@tomb4540]

Thanks for the video. Not only did I find it helpful and entertaining, I also got visceral flashbacks to one of my first EMs (who also had a strong German accent) giving me pointed feedback on the formatting and alignment of my slides. Good times :-)

[@lolazhang1465]

All of your videos are super helpful and I appreciate your sharing of insights and technical skills. They are honesty and generous. I'd like to see a video about experienced hires in MBB and preparation. For example, from a boutique consulting firm to MBB, and/or working professionals from other fields to MBB.

[@FirmLearning]

Hi Cheung, thanks for your comment. Indeed an interesting video idea, might pick that up in the future! Best, Heinrich

[@vincentiuswidjaja4017]

Great video Heinrich ! gained a lot of valuable information thanks

[@FirmLearning]

Great to hear that - thank you so much! Best, Heinrich

[@mcdlr9197]

Really strong video. Loved the comparison of 4 CVs!

[@FirmLearning]

Thanks!! Best, H

[@ZenSocialKarma1]

Its very challenging. My resume is 4 pages long! That comes from having over 20 years of experience. I guess a good strategy would be to minimize the bullets of the earlier work. I will go back and review it again soon. Love your channel. Its amazing the content that you provide to your subscribers.

[@FirmLearning]

Hi, thanks for your comment! Can understand that it might be not always straightforward for more seasoned professionals. Would still recommend you to stick to 2 pages maximum. Best! Heinrich

[@whyhasgooglemessedwithmych1423]

@@FirmLearning Good advice, I will do that.

[@ntmuschel96]

Great video as always, thank you for your advice!

[@FirmLearning]

My pleasure! Best, H

[@riorin8829]

Hi Heinrich, would you mind making a video on how experience consulting professionals should write their resumes for external consulting careers? how many projects should we put in there? work experience highlighting impact while not disclosing any "detailed" information about clients that you've worked with in the past! Thanks,

[@razabadass]

Thank you for another excellent effort, video presentation and also CV related guidance! Appreciated you collecting the sample CVs from people and also having gone through some Q&As with them which got touched upon in the video here! Thank you Heinrich! Raza =)

[@FirmLearning]

Thank you! Might do a second edition in the future :) Best, Heinrich

[@razabadass]

@@FirmLearning =)

[@razabadass]

@@FirmLearning the idea of doing a second edition video could have quite a bit of merit potentially I reckon, fingers crossed Heinrich! Raza =)

[@AniketaSharmaFurtwangen]

Thank you for this video. It came just in time when I am editing my CV. It will be super grateful if you could review my CV as well in a week's time. Vielen dank, Aniketa Sharma

[@FirmLearning]

Hi Aniketa, thank you for watching! Sure thing feel free to shoot me a mail and I will have a look at it. Best, H

[@AniketaSharmaFurtwangen]

@@FirmLearning It took a while to get my CV in LaTeX. I have emailed you. Thank you so so much. Best, Ani

[@bu6587]

@@AniketaSharmaFurtwangen did he reviewed your CV?

[@AniketaSharmaFurtwangen]

@@bu6587 yes, he did and his feedback was really detailed and valuable.

[@MarkusF460]

Wow, that was really helpful, thank you!

[@FirmLearning]

Really glad it is helpful! Thanks Markus. Best, Heinrich

[@DA-eu9zm]

Hi Heinrich, what's your take on post MBB resume ? Would you simply : - list your engagements and expect people to know what it is about (e.g. Buyer due diligence - Large IT services company) or - still go into details (e.g. Modelled deal structuration to be accretive year1, identified 400M$ synergies and benchmarked potential alternative acquisition targets) Feels lengthy when you have more than 8 cases Thanks for the content !

[@FirmLearning]

Hi, would not list every single engagement but only the ones that are most relevant. Regarding required details, would probably do a mix of the two, e.g., "buyer due diligence, indentifying 400M synergies..." - do think that some quantifications are powerful, but not necessary to explain what a buyer due diligence is (of course might depend on the role you apply to). Best! Heinrich

[@indecentparodies]

I subbed and hope I will learn from your experience. ❤

[@JustAGuyAllDayAnyDay]

Amazing video. Maybe your best one in terms of value.

[@FirmLearning]

Thank you - appreciate it! Best, Heinrich

[@CyclingNick970]

dein Kanal ist wirklich sehr hilfreich. Vielen Dank Heinrich!

[@FirmLearning]

Freut mich sehr Nick, vielen lieben Dank! LG, Heinrich

[@timurburlaka]

Great video, Thank you!

[@FirmLearning]

Thank YOU for watching! Best, H

[@mcpeters515]

Thank You for your opinion, really helpful.

[@FirmLearning]

Thank YOU for watching. Much appreciated!! Best, Heinrich

[@NewDave94]

this was really good!

[@FirmLearning]

Thank you!! Best, H

[@Nonalcoholicdrink]

Hey Heinrich, thank you for the video. I am surprised that you suggest a one pager as an ideal cv format. I do not work in investment banking or consulting but i work in transaction services which is related to M&A. Do you recommend it here as well?

[@FirmLearning]

Hi, thanks for watching. Yes, I would recommend a one-pager format for M&A / TS applications. While a 2-pager CV will not be a K.O. criterion in Germany, I do believe that one-pagers are generally favored. Lots of success to you! Best, Heinrich

[@benedictus7081]

Hi Heinrich, first of all thank you for this valuable knowledge. However, in the case of experienced professionals, is extracurricular still a major thing to display, or should I better display notable projects that I lead during my career?

[@FirmLearning]

Hi, for experienced hires, extracurriculars are indeed less important than for new graduates. Best! Heinrich

[@Johmatri]

do you need to include high school degree with the grade if you already finished your bachelors and masters?

[@AkramBedouiEPT]

I'm really shocked to know that CV #3 is the perfect template while CV #2 layout is likely to be rejected ! I can't cope with it

[@FirmLearning]

Thank you for watching!

[@superfreiheit1]

I wonder why so many are obsess with the one page american kind of resume. Its very crowded and the understanding are bad. I like the first CV.

[@FirmLearning]

Thanks for sharing! For sure different valid perspectives out there on this topic. Best! H

[@oz7684]

Do you think a picture is helpful or should it be left out?

[@FirmLearning]

Hi! This depends on your geography. In countries like Germany, a picture will be appreciated. Best, Heinrich

[@jayantdhole]

valuable video thanks.

[@FirmLearning]

Thanks, appreciate it. Best! Heinrich

[@antonkallstrom4838]

Question: Is it a good idea to show my minor entrepreneurial ventures in my CV? My fear is that this will create a repulsive effect instead since there is a higher risk I may leave the firm eventually. (I had two entrepreneurial experiences; one during high school and one during bachelor studies )

[@FirmLearning]

Hi Anton, always depends what else you have to show. If you already have lots of awesome experiences on your CV, such a not so successful entrepreneurial venture will probably not help / potentially discount the stellar impression of the other points. Though if you are rather still at the start, surely better to include this than to have nothing to show :) All the best! Heinrich

[@robert.wegner]

1. Lebenslauf ohne Nachnamen (eingereicht?), aber die Publikation unzensiert drinstehen lassen. Ich habe kurz geschmunzelt.

[@FirmLearning]

;)

[@KleinmeisterPang]

great video and tips :-)

[@FirmLearning]

Glad that you enjoyed it!

[@qunyunli7235]

I am the chinese student who studied in FFM. As you said, we'd better make the CV in one slide. But because of german logic that we need to write personal experiences in chronological order, and there should be no vacancies in between. then my work-related experience happened many years ago which are quite quantified. So I am thinking if I can delete the work-unrelated experience which but happened recently. thank you for reading my long message. und ich danke Ihnen im Voraus.

[@FirmLearning]

Hi, if experience is not related to the position you apply to in any way then probably yes you can delete it. Though indeed you should make sure to not have huge gaps in your employment / educational journey. Best, Heinrich

[@AbhishekDasSangReal]

Hi Heinrich, I have followed your materials for some time now. This video along with other cover letters and interview prep videos have been really helpful. I am looking to transition to a sustainable energy-based consultancy forum within the Rhine region from an academic environment in the next few months. I would be really grateful if you can look over my CV and cover letter (you can make a new version of this video may be) before I apply. Please let me know and I will send it to you. Thanks Abhishek

[@FirmLearning]

Hi Abishek, thanks for your comment! I do occasional live streams on Twitch where I review CVs. If you would like to participate, please send me the CV to the e-mail specified on my "About" page. By doing that, you agree that I can review it live though (and potentially upload the video), please anonymize the CV so that no personal infos of yours are visible :) (name, phone number, address etc.) - Best! Heinrich

[@AbhishekDasSangReal]

@@FirmLearning Thanks Heinrich. I will do so 👍

[@ajb229]

A bit off topic but how do I know if it is worth getting an MBA and what are the best options to get an employer to fund it? Can you do a video on that?

[@FirmLearning]

Hi Alistair, check out the video I did on my INSEAD MBA to learn about why you might profit from doing an MBA. Employer funding is indeed an interesting topic as well. Most people who get it work for an employer who offer this as part of their general benefits program (most notably MBB firms). Might pick this up in detail on a future video. Best! Heinrich

[@marynaarabei4561]

I guess they don't use the ATS system in Europe or when you were applying cuz a lot of things you mentioned to leave out should stay for the machines to pass you to the HR

[@FirmLearning]

Hi Maryna, usually they have an online form where you insert the information that is relevant for ATS systems! Best, Heinrich

[@saleha.bahshwan4137]

Thank you this is very helpful.

[@FirmLearning]

Glad it was helpful!

[@marcosivorra2038]

Hello Heinrich, what do you think about the "profile" section? To give details about your motivation or ethics. Regards, Marcos.

[@FirmLearning]

Hi Marcos, which section exactly do you mean by "profile" section? Best! Heinrich

[@marcosivorra2038]

@@FirmLearning thanks for answering. I have been previously advised to add a section and name it "profile", "abridgement" or similar in which you state the main points of your CV in 2-3 lines and maybe give some information regarding your personality. Regards, Marcos.

[@herewegothen...2615]

Hey Heinrich, thanks for this helpful video! How would you include a gap year (travelling, volunteering in other countries or learning languages) in the CV? Should you mention what you did during this time or just leave it out completely?

[@FirmLearning]

Hi, if it is a full year with relevant things that you did in that time, I would indeed include it in the CV! Where exactly depends on the focus of the gap year (e.g., if it is heavy on internships, list it at Work Experience, more educational then under Education, or potentially also under Extracurriculars if it was more heavy on volunteering). Best! Heinrich

[@XavierVillafuerte]

Thanks Heinrich for your time sharing these tips. So sad I joined the channel on August and I could not apply for the CV review. Is there any way to get your valuable feedback on my CV in the future?

[@FirmLearning]

Hi Xavier, yes might do something similar again in the future :) Follow me on Instagram ( @firmlearning ) to stay up to date on announcements like this. Best, H

[@klaus3884]

Hallo Heinrich, vielen Dank für deine hilfreichen Videos. Da ich mich in Kürze auch für ein Praktikum im consulting bewerben werde, stellt sich mir di Frage, ob mein CV bei einer Bewerbung (McKinsey DE, RB) in Deutsch oder besser in Englisch sein sollte? Vielen Dank im Voraus. BG

[@FirmLearning]

In Deutschland wshl. Deutsch bevorzugt. Die meisten Beratungen sagen aber dass Englisch auch OK ist, denke es macht wirklich keinen relevanten Unterschied. LG!

[@mwlivingstoncolorado]

Wondering if you have thoughts on how you'd structure a resume for a more experienced candidate differently - meaning someone who has been in the business for several years and is going for an executive level role, and if at that level you agree with keeping it to only 1 page?

[@FirmLearning]

Hi Matthew, yes believe also for experienced hires, a one-pager format works. Would indeed focus even more on the "professional experience" part and shorten the "education" part to the essentials. Best, Heinrich

[@MH-qp4ic]

great video! thank you so much. do you think it would be OK for a one pager (similar to CV #3) to have an application photo in the top right corner if there is some space left? :) (for MBB applications in germany) or would you recommend to rather leave it out?

[@FirmLearning]

Hi, thanks for watching! Yes, a photo in the CV is ok, especially in Germany. You can indeed include it in the corner of the CV. Best! Heinrich

[@niloychakravorty3832]

Your videos are really helpful!

[@FirmLearning]

Thanks for watching Niloy! :) Best, Heinrich

[@ensv2260]

Hey Heinrich. I am currently in high school and started a small business with some friends of mine. Its a leadership thing because I am the „CEO“. I am not really sure where and how I should put this in my CV. The companies revenue was small and it seems a bit ridicilous to say that I am the „CEO“ of a team of 8 students. On the other hand I am very proud of this. Can you help me? Greetings from Switzerland

[@ensv2260]

Like is this considered extracurriculars? In a university application I‘d definetly put it as an extracurricular. Not sure about a CV for a job though, is it considered work experience? Thanks for your help

[@FirmLearning]

Hi, yes would likely include this in Extracurriculars! Would not call myself a CEO though ;) Rather call yourself "Founder" or something like this. Best, Heinrich

[@narutoforlive1]

Great video! Should I put university projects and cases where I worked for real companies in my CV?

[@FirmLearning]

Thanks! Not super prominently but in an "Other experiences / qualifications" type of section this would be fine! Best, Heinrich

[@lovinfx4893]

I am in my second semester of university and did 1 internship in a small consultancy (only 1 month) and I start to work for on of the big fours. I am currently redoing my CV. While I went to school I did multiple jobs. Should I drop them in my CV? My thought was that it shows I always worked as a kid. An answer would be great. Thanks!

[@FirmLearning]

Hi, thanks for your comment! In general yes, it is OK to have high school internships on the CV if you still are in the early stages of your studies. Would make sure to limit it to 3-5 internships though, at some point it becomes hard to follow. Over time, you should swap out the less impressive high school internships by new university internships. At the end of your studies you should usually not show high school internships anymore, unless you did something really impressive during that time. Best! Heinrich

[@lovinfx4893]

@@FirmLearning Thank you very much for your answer.

[@johnmctavish1021]

Hey Heinrich! Superb insights there. I have a small question - is it okay to use the symbols of email (Unicode U+2709) and telephone (Unicode U+260E) or should I just write "Email" and "Phone" as text? What's preferred? Thanks.

[@FirmLearning]

Hi John, this might be a question of personal taste. Though personally I would not use it, just writing it out will look a bit more conservative which is the look I would go for, especially when applying to consulting / banking etc. - Best! Heinrich

[@johnmctavish1021]

@@FirmLearning Thanks a lot Heinrich! Appreciate a lot. :)

[@gabrielandrade2561]

Can we add one last line of recommendations (for McKinsey or any other company)?

[@juditam369]

Question about the layout for the second CV - if you apply for a position in one of the big 4 BUT within their Marketing & eCommerce division, is it better to go the conservative or the creative route with the CV layout? Thank you.

[@FirmLearning]

Would probably still choose the conservative layout. Best! Heinrich

[@jazibjawaid9773]

I heard and have been told by many HR guys to go with Europass CV template. What about the applicant photo? Is it not necessary to also put your photo in your resume?

[@NiklasForsman1]

Hi Heinrich, thank you for an insightful video. I was wondering about your opinion on photos. They aren’t part of the traditional cv but seem to have become quite popular. Do you believe these have a positive effect or do you come of as unprofessional?

[@FirmLearning]

Hi Niklas, thanks for watching! Would make this dependent on the region and local customs. E.g., in Germany I would probably include a photo on the CV (unless instructed otherwise), in other countries this will not be necessary. Best! Heinrich

[@frida507]

Your name sounds Swedish... I think Sweden is similar to Germany when it comes to photo in the CV. I'm not in consulting but generally it seems to be regarded as a positive thing here. (In the USA and UK for example it may be perceived more negatively though, I think).

[@FirmLearning]

@@frida507 Agree!!

[@NiklasForsman1]

@@frida507 Thank you Frida. I’m part of the Swedish population in Finland. I would assume that it’s quite similar to Germany and Sweden when it comes to applying for work here.

[@frida507]

@@NiklasForsman1 I would think so too as we have similar culture. :)

[@rudela9900]

What if the job solicitation is 12 pages long, 6 of them are for minimum qualifications and duties. A one page cover letter and a puny resume enough? It goes without saying that this is a senior level position.

[@FirmLearning]

Hi, hard for me to imagine how such a job solicitation looks like. If this is really required then yes, do a second page with additional credentials you feel like you need to mention. Best, H

[@emzrahman6885]

Hi Heinrich can you share a video on how to prepare for the online assessments (Numerical, Reasoning, Inductive etc) for most graduate jobs. Would really appreciate it! Emdad

[@FirmLearning]

Hi Emdad, I am glad that you enjoyed it! There are plenty of very helpful prep sites for online assessments if you have a look online!

[@waynebruce24893]

Interesting that you said you want the CV to make the reader read every word of every line and be excited about it, and that #3 did that. #3 is the one I want to read the least. Maybe this is a cultural difference for the US?

[@FirmLearning]

Hi Bruce, maybe! Though would argue that this CV follows exactly the format relevant for "conservative" US industries like consulting or banking. Best! Heinrich

[@mmmmauz]

Hi Heinrich! What is your take on including photos in a CV?

[@FirmLearning]

Hi! In regions where this is still common practice (e.g., Germany), it does indeed make sense to include a photo. If you make a small picture, you can also include it on a one pager. Best! Heinrich

[@saimahesh9115]

Hi Heinrich, I like writing comprehensive Google reviews of places that I visit. Is it good to mention something like that on a CV? Or would it be a negative point?

[@FirmLearning]

Hi, not necessarily a negative point, but unless the position you apply to has something do to with online content creation (or something related), I would not include this on your CV. Lots of success to you! Best, Heinrich

[@saimahesh9115]

@@FirmLearning Thanks Heinrich!!

[@palek5792]

Hey Heinrich! Will I be at least able to apply for consulting jobs in MBBs after graduation from Master's in Management Studies from Boston University?

[@Sherkhan.Baimakhanov]

If I fit it on one page, the font size will be too small - 7 or 8. Is that okay?

[@FirmLearning]

Nah that is rather too small. Aim for 10. Best! H

[@SohanKumar-jl6be]

is it necessary to have a photo on cv/resume for consulting firms ...??

[@nikhildeokate]

Adding own photo and signature in resume is reccomended practice in Germany, but you have not included those in your own resume and also none of this resumes has it. So should I include photo and signare in Resume while applying to MBB?

[@FirmLearning]

Hi Nikhil! Yes indeed this is still common in Germany. Many employers provide online portals for the applications with distinct fields to upload a photo, in this case it is not necessarily required to include it on the CV as well. Otherwise yes, you can include it on the CV. Best! Heinrich

[@nikhildeokate]

@@FirmLearning Thank you very much for answering my question. In order to fit all content in single page, will you recommend to use Legal size pageinstead of standard A4 page in word?

[@azatique]

should i update my cv if i am re-applying to mbb after 1 year?

[@FirmLearning]

Hi Azat, yes guess lots of things happened in the year so please update :) Best, Heinrich

[@j.a.6866]

What does “CV” stand for?

[@FirmLearning]

"CV" stands for Curriculum Vitae and it is latin for 'course of life'. Thanks for watching!

[@mattyspaghetti449]

So do you think that McKinsey advised Purdue to discount CVS too much or too little for every oxycontin overdose? Asking for a friend. Thanks Heinrich !!

[@FirmLearning]

Hi Pierre-Stéphane, same as your other comment - do not know more about this than what is written in the news. Below an official statement from the firm, acknowledging that the work for Purdue fell short of firm standards. Best, H www.mckinsey.com/about-us/media/mckinsey-statement-on-its-past-work-with-purdue-pharma

[@mattyspaghetti449]

It is actually standard operating procedure for McKinsey to be a net negative for society. McKinsey went to Purdue in 2017 with a proposal to turbocharge oxycontin sales throughout the US. My brother died of an heroin overdose in 2018 after developing an addiction to oxy after he busted his knee playing around with his son in the backyard. "For evil to succeed requires good men to do nothing." While I am not accusing you of any wrong doing, I find it horrific that you put your skills, knowledge & education at the service of such an evil corporation. Props to you for actually answering.

[@simasyazana214]

hi H, i notice on the CV, there's no dot (ie '.') sign at each end of the sentences. should we not put dot at the each end?

[@FirmLearning]

Hi, indeed do not think it is necessary to include a dot at the end of a bullet point. Best, H

[@simasyazana214]

@@FirmLearning Thanks, H!

[@shubhinim4823]

If i send my CV to you, could you review it?

[@FirmLearning]

Hi Shubhi, hope all good! Sorry but do not do this anymore, my inbox got so flooded when I offered to do it in the beginning that it is just not possible for me to handle it timewise :( Hope you understand..Best! H

[@shubhinim4823]

No problem, i do get your point :)

[@evangelia-marilyngaitanis6315]

Hallo Heinrich, can you also check my CV please ;) cheers