strategy consulting cover letter example

• The 1%: Conquer Your Consulting Case Interview
• Consulting Career Secrets
• Cover Letter & Resume
• McKinsey Solve Game (Imbellus)
• BCG Online Case (+ Pymetrics, Spark Hire)
• Bain Aptitude Tests (SOVA, Pymetrics, HireVue)
• Kearney Recruitment Test
• All-in-One Case Interview Preparation
• Industry Cheat Sheets
• Structuring & Brainstorming
• Data & Chart Interpretation
• Case Math Mastery
• McKinsey Interview Academy
• Brainteasers

How to Write the Perfect Consulting Cover Letter (McKinsey, BCG, Bain)

Last Updated on March 26, 2024

Crafting an exceptional consulting cover letter can significantly elevate your application in the highly competitive consulting industry. Statistics reveal a startling reality: only about 1-3% of applicants secure an offer from top-tier consulting firms like McKinsey , BCG , and Bain . This underscores the crucial role of a solid consulting job application strategy, particularly the cover letter and resume, in surpassing the initial screening phase, which is a great hurdle where up to 75% of hopefuls are filtered out.

Your journey through the rigorous consulting application process typically begins with networking and securing a referral. However, what truly sets your application apart is a well-structured, compelling consulting cover letter. This initial impression can be a decisive factor in advancing to the next stages, including aptitude tests and interviews.

How can you make sure to belong to the 25% that progress to the aptitude tests and interviews?

In this consulting firm application guide, we delve into the intricacies of crafting a cover letter that resonates with top consulting firms. We cover exactly that and answer all your questions related to:

• Why you should not underestimate the importance of the cover letter (but also not overestimate it)
• Structuring your cover letter for consulting firms
• Guidelines on what to include in a consulting firm application for a standout cover letter
• How you should design the cover letter
• What pitfalls and common mistakes you should avoid

The Purpose of Your Consulting Cover Letter

First things first. The cover letter is important but most sources overestimate its importance. If you were to rank it in order of importance for an interview invitation it would look like this:

• Resume . This is your gateway to the consulting world. Crafting a consulting resume showcasing your experiences and skills is essential for opening doors at prestigious firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain. It’s the first touchpoint that narrates your professional journey.
• Referrals . Networking for consulting jobs and leveraging referrals can significantly enhance your application. A robust network , comprising varied sources and higher-ups, lends credibility and warrants a more attentive review of your application. In certain cases, strong referrals can even balance out minor gaps in your resume.
• Cover letter. If recruiters spend 20 seconds per resume, how much time do you think they will spend on a 1-page wall of text? You guessed it…yet that is exactly the reason why you should put effort into the creation of it. You need to make sure that your story transpires within a short amount of time. Doubts from the resume can be eliminated, and stories and skills that are especially relevant can be highlighted.

Understanding the essential components of a consulting job application is crucial for success.

While the resume is a chronological display of your experience and skills, the cover letter tells a more personal story to answer three core questions:

• Personal Fit (Why are you a good candidate?): Highlight why you’re an ideal candidate, weaving in stories and skills that align with the consulting ethos.
• Passion for Consulting (Why do you want to work in consulting?): Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and articulate your understanding of its dynamics.
• Firm-Specific Aspirations (Why do you want to work for this firm?): Detail why you’re choosing a particular firm, aligning your career goals with their values and culture.

Lastly, the cover letter is your chance to demonstrate two meta-skills. It is more than just a narrative. It’s a testament to your ability to:

• Draft Professional Documents : Showcasing your skill in creating well-structured, formal documents.
• Communicate Effectively : The ability to convey your thoughts concisely and compellingly, in a manner that resonates with the consulting world’s preference for clarity and brevity.

Crafting a compelling consulting resume and cover letter is key. Get the help you need to transform your consulting application into a success.

Crafting the Ideal Structure and Content

How to stand out in the consulting job application process?

A standout consulting cover letter is a crucial component of your application, particularly for coveted roles at MBB ). In general, a cover letter needs to consist of three parts:

Introduction: A Compelling Opening (1 short paragraph)

• Purpose : Kickstart your cover letter with an engaging introduction that grabs the attention of recruiters or consultants.
• Key Elements : Clearly state the consulting role you’re targeting, the preferred office location, and any crucial networking references. This opening serves as a crucial first impression, setting the tone for your application.

Body: Demonstrating Fit and Passion (3 paragraphs)

• Your Candidacy : This is where you shine, linking your unique experiences and skills to the role’s requirements. Adopt a storytelling approach, sharing 2-4 impactful narratives that encompass both your educational and professional journeys. Focus on moments that define you as an outstanding candidate, like leading significant initiatives or unique personal achievements. This is the core of the cover letter and should link your personal experience and skills with the demands of the role. Move into storytelling mode and describe how different experiences prepared you for the role you are applying for. It is especially important in this highlight-reel to celebrate and quantify your successes. You need to make sure to incorporate stories that make you a memorable character (”Ah Sarah, she was the one biking through South America with a tent, raising money for charity.”).
• Your Drive for Consulting : Second, discuss why consulting is the best industry for you to work in. Connect your past experiences to the core competencies of consulting. Link your experience and skills to the type of work and qualities needed in consulting. This could include leadership roles, analytical projects, or impactful community work. Emphasize how these experiences align with the demanding yet rewarding nature of consulting, including aspects like diverse project work, talented and exceptional colleagues, steep learning curves, and early-career impact.
• Your Desire for MBB : Third, discuss why you want to work for the respective consulting firm. Tailor this section to the specific firm and highlight 2-4 aspects of the firm that resonate with you, such as their project diversity, professional development opportunities, or their esteemed reputation. Personalize this part by referencing any interactions or insights about the firm from your network or research.

Conclusion: A Strong Closure (1 short paragraph)

• Summarization : Conclude with a concise summary of your motivation and suitability for the role. Reaffirm your enthusiasm and readiness to contribute to the firm, keeping the tone professional and earnest.

Creating the Content for Your Cover Letter

When structuring your consulting cover letter, a strategic approach is to directly align it with the specific characteristics that your target firm values in candidates.

For instance, if you’re aiming for McKinsey, visit the values and purpose statement on their website to understand precisely what they seek in prospective consultants. McKinsey, like every consulting firm, has a set of core values driving their recruitment process, such as problem-solving skills, leadership abilities, a track record of delivering innovation, and a passion for the work.

In crafting your cover letter, it’s essential to weave the key attributes sought by your target consulting firm intelligently throughout the narrative. For instance, incorporating McKinsey cover letter tips can significantly improve your chances. Applying BCG application advice and tips for a successful BCG consulting application, each paragraph should be centered around a specific characteristic valued by Boston Consulting Group. Finally, adhering to the Bain cover letter structure and the best practices for Bain consulting cover letters is essential for crafting a standout consulting cover letter that grabs attention.

Identify moments from both your professional and personal life that vividly demonstrate these attributes, selecting the most compelling instance if you have several to choose from.

This table provides a more detailed overview of what each top consulting firm looks for in cover letters, along with tailored tips for success that reflect their unique values and expectations.

For each attribute, construct a narrative that outlines the context of the experience, your specific actions, and the measurable outcomes, ensuring to quantify these achievements when possible. This strategic approach seamlessly integrates the reasons why you are an ideal candidate for firms like McKinsey, Bain, or BCG, thereby eliminating the need for an explicit statement. Your stories will implicitly convey your suitability for the role. When addressing the question of “Why consulting?”, a brief mention suffices as your examples will have already demonstrated your comprehension of the consulting industry’s requisites.

This technique is particularly advantageous for those with unique backgrounds or for experienced professionals, as it distinctly showcases how their experiences align with the firm’s values and expectations.

Example of a Consulting Cover Letter

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I am writing to express my interest in the [specific consulting role] at McKinsey & Company in the [city] office. Having been referred by [Referral’s Name], a [Position] at your firm, I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to the innovative work McKinsey is known for.

My journey in consulting began unconventionally, as a leader in a non-profit organization, where I spearheaded a project to increase educational access in underprivileged areas. This experience, combined with my MBA from [University Name], has equipped me with a unique blend of grassroots-level impact understanding and strategic business acumen. Notably, leading a team to develop a sustainable funding model, we enhanced educational outreach by 150% within two years, demonstrating my ability to drive significant results in challenging environments. In my recent role at [Your Current/Previous Company], I navigated complex stakeholder environments to deliver a pivotal market expansion strategy, leading to a 30% increase in market share. This experience honed my analytical skills and ability to deliver actionable insights under pressure, qualities I understand are paramount at McKinsey.

The dynamic nature of consulting, with its diverse project work and intellectually stimulating environment, deeply resonates with me. The prospect of working alongside and learning from some of the brightest minds is particularly appealing, as is the opportunity to have a tangible impact early in my career. My experiences have prepared me to thrive in such a setting, where every day presents a new challenge and learning opportunity.

McKinsey’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions and its unparalleled professional development programs are key factors that draw me to your firm. The firm’s global impact and leadership in tackling complex business and societal challenges align perfectly with my professional goals and values.

In conclusion, I am excited about the possibility of joining McKinsey & Company and am confident in my ability to make a meaningful contribution. My background in leading impactful initiatives and delivering results in complex environments, coupled with my passion for continuous learning and growth, make me a well-suited candidate for the [specific role]. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experiences and skills align with McKinsey’s needs and ambitions.

[Your Name]

Formatting Your Consulting Cover Letter: A Professional Blueprint

A well-formatted cover letter not only reflects your professionalism but also your attention to detail – key traits in the consulting world. Here’s how to structure your letter to meet the industry’s standard formatting requirements:

• Header with Personal Information : At the top, include your name and address. This can be aligned to the left, right, or centered for a balanced look.
• Recipient’s Address : Directly below your information, list the recipient’s details on the left-hand side. This should include the name and address of the consulting firm or the specific individual you’re addressing.
• Date : Place the date on the right-hand side of the page. Remember to spell out the month for clarity (e.g., “1 April 2024” in the UK format or “April 1, 2024” in the US format).
• Reference Number (if applicable) : If your application has a specific reference number, include it on the left-hand side, such as “Ref: Job Application XYZ123”.
• Salutation : Begin your letter with a proper salutation, addressing the recipient respectfully.
• Closing : Conclude your letter with a formal sign-off like “Yours sincerely” (UK) or “Best regards”, “Sincerely”, or “Sincerely yours” (US).
• Signature : Below the closing, leave space for your handwritten signature, followed by your typed name.
• Enclosures : If you’re including additional documents, list them under “Enclosures:” at the bottom of the letter.
• Typography and Margins : Use a standard font size (12) and a professional font like Times New Roman. Maintain standard margins and avoid overcrowding the page to enhance readability.

Following these formatting guidelines, your cover letter will not only look professional but also demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively in a business environment, a critical skill in consulting. The cover letter is not the time for experiments and by sticking to the generally agreed upon guidelines, you will facilitate the work of the recruiters.

Essential Pitfalls to Avoid in Your Consulting Cover Letter

Crafting an impactful cover letter for a consulting role involves not just highlighting your strengths but also avoiding common mistakes. Here’s a checklist highlighting cover letter mistakes to avoid in consulting, ensuring you steer clear of common pitfalls:

• Avoid Introducing Unfamiliar Information : Ensure that every degree, job, or skill mentioned in your cover letter is also present in your resume. Consistency is key.
• Eliminate Redundant Information : Your cover letter should not merely repeat what’s in your resume. Instead, it should complement and expand upon it.
• Adhere to the One-Page Rule : A concise, one-page cover letter is a standard in the industry. Exceeding this length can diminish the impact of your message.
• Foster a Personal Connection : Strive to establish a personal link with the firm or the recruiter. Mention referrals or specific interactions with the firm or individuals to make your application more relatable.
• Back Up Your Claims : Any skill or achievement you mention should be substantiated with a relevant story or example. This adds credibility to your assertions.
• Relevance is Crucial : Focus on experiences and skills that are directly relevant to the consulting role. Irrelevant emphasis can dilute the strength of your application.
• Incorporate Storytelling : Use storytelling to vividly bring out your experiences and skills. This makes your application memorable and engaging.
• Customize for the Firm : Tailor your cover letter to reflect your knowledge of and alignment with the firm’s values, culture, and unique selling points (USP).
• Be Cautious with Templates : Avoid the blunder of using incorrect company names or information, a common mistake when using a generic template for multiple applications.
• Prioritize Proofreading : Grammar, spelling, and typographical errors can significantly undermine your professionalism. Meticulous proofreading is essential.

By diligently avoiding these common errors, you can ensure that your consulting cover letter not only showcases your qualifications but also demonstrates your attention to detail and your understanding of what makes a successful consulting application.

Crafting Your Consulting Cover Letter: A Step-by-Step Process

Creating a standout cover letter for a consulting position is a meticulous process that benefits from careful planning and thoughtful revision. Here’s a guide to crafting yours:

• Structure Planning : Begin by organizing the high-level structure of your cover letter. Use the recommended format of introduction, body, and conclusion to ensure a coherent flow.
• Detail Gathering : Compile all the necessary information you wish to include, such as specific names, references, dates, and pertinent anecdotes or experiences.
• Initial Drafting with Bullet Points : Start by writing a first draft in bullet points. This helps in laying out your ideas succinctly and focusing on key points without getting bogged down by details.
• Seek Initial Feedback : Share this bullet-point draft with a friend, mentor, or colleague. Constructive feedback at this early stage can be invaluable in shaping the direction and content of your cover letter.
• Expand to Full Paragraphs : Transform your bullet points into well-crafted paragraphs. This is where you begin to add depth to your narrative, ensuring each section flows logically into the next.
• Further Feedback and Refinement : Seek additional feedback on this more developed version. Use the insights gained to fine-tune your message, ensuring it aligns with the principles of effective, concise consulting communication.
• Consistency Check with Resume : Ensure that your cover letter complements your resume. It should add to, not repeat, what is in your resume, providing a fuller picture of your qualifications and fit for the role.
• Concise and Clear Writing : “Trim the fat” by eliminating unnecessary words or phrases. Aim for clarity and brevity in your sentences, ensuring each word adds value to your message.
• Formatting Adjustments : Fine-tune the formatting to adhere to professional standards – one page, legible font (like Times New Roman), appropriate font size (typically 12), and correct formalities (such as your name and address).
• Meticulous Proofreading : Use tools like MS Word for an initial grammar and spell check. Then, carefully proofread your cover letter multiple times. It’s also wise to have someone else review it, providing a fresh perspective on both content and form.

With this process, you can develop a compelling and polished consulting cover letter that effectively communicates your strengths and fit for the consulting role you are aspiring to.

Does McKinsey Require a Cover Letter?

How to write a cover letter for a McKinsey consulting position is one of the most common questions I receive.

When it comes to McKinsey & Company, the requirement for a cover letter in your application may not be as stringent as you might think. In most McKinsey offices worldwide, submitting a cover letter is an optional part of the application process. This means that including one does not significantly influence the overall assessment of your application.

However, this doesn’t imply that a cover letter is without merit. If you’ve already crafted a compelling cover letter for applications to other firms, it’s advisable to tailor it specifically for McKinsey. Adjust key details such as the referral source, the targeted office location, the role you’re applying for, and the company’s name. This personalized touch demonstrates your genuine interest in McKinsey and your attention to detail.

Additionally, it boils down to how well your resume speaks for itself. If your resume already paints a clear picture of you as a prime candidate for a firm like McKinsey, then a cover letter might not be necessary. Here are some key indicators that your resume is doing the talking for you:

• Outstanding Academic Record : A high GPA always catches the eye.
• Core School Credentials : Graduating from or attending a school regularly visited by the firm ( a target school ) for recruitment gives you an edge.
• Relevant Educational Background : Degrees like an undergrad in business or economics, or an MBA, align well with what consulting firms look for.
• Solid Evidence of Key Skills : If your resume vividly showcases your leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities through work and volunteer experiences, you’re on the right track.

However, if you feel your resume might leave some room for doubt about your suitability for the consulting world, or the firm specifically, then adding a cover letter can bolster your application. This is your chance to fill in any gaps and directly communicate why you’re a great fit for both the industry and the firm. Think of the cover letter as your personal advocate, underlining your potential and passion for the role.

It’s important to note, though, that the cover letter might not be a focal point during the interview stages. The consultants conducting your case interviews and Personal Experience Interviews (PEIs) typically do not review cover letters as part of their interview preparation. Therefore, while including a well-tailored cover letter can add a polished edge to your application, it’s unlikely to be a discussion point in your interviews.

Elevate Your Consulting Application with Our Expertise

Are you aiming for a breakthrough in your consulting career with firms like McKinsey, BCG, Bain or any other consulting firm? Our specialized cover letter and resume services are here to guide you through this critical phase. With our team’s background as former consultants and application screeners at McKinsey, we bring insider knowledge to your application process. We’ve scrutinized hundreds of applications, granting us unique insights into what truly makes a candidate stand out.

Tailored Guidance for Standout Applications

• Comprehensive Resources : Dive into our extensive guides and templates specifically designed for crafting the ideal consulting resume and cover letter. These resources are tailored to meet the expectations of the top consulting firms.
• In-Depth Exploration : We delve deeply into every facet of crafting a winning consulting resume and cover letter. Our materials provide you with the essential stories, phrases, and keywords that capture the attention of consulting recruiters.
• Efficiency in Preparation : Our ready-to-use samples and templates are designed not just for effectiveness but also to streamline your preparation process significantly.

Personalized Document Writing and Review

• Hand-Crafted Excellence : In addition to our guides and templates, we offer a personalized screening service. Here, we write, review, and fine-tune your resume and cover letter, ensuring they are tailored to perfection for your dream consulting role.
• Editing Services : Benefit from our editing services, where we refine your documents to align with the high standards of firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain. We focus on enhancing your story, ensuring your skills and experiences resonate with consulting recruiters.

Let us help you create application documents that not only meet the high standards of top consulting firms but also reflect your unique strengths and aspirations.

Consulting Cover Letter FAQ

Navigating the consulting application process can be daunting, especially when it comes to creating a cover letter that stands out to prestigious firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain. A well-crafted cover letter can significantly elevate your application, making you a memorable candidate. To help you on this journey, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions with concise answers to guide you in crafting an effective consulting cover letter.

What makes a consulting cover letter stand out to firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain? A cover letter that tells a compelling narrative, demonstrates your unique value, aligns with the firm’s values, and showcases your problem-solving and leadership abilities will stand out.

What are common pitfalls to avoid in a consulting cover letter? Avoid being vague, reiterating your resume, typos, and generic statements not tailored to the specific firm.

Can a strong cover letter compensate for gaps in my resume? Yes, a persuasive cover letter can highlight your strengths and contextualize any gaps, demonstrating your potential value to the firm.

How should I structure my cover letter for a consulting firm? Your cover letter should have a clear introduction, body paragraphs that detail your suitability for the role, and a concise conclusion.

What specific skills should I highlight in my consulting cover letter? Emphasize leadership, analytical abilities, problem-solving, teamwork, and any specific skills relevant to the consulting role.

How can I showcase my passion for consulting in my cover letter? Illustrate your enthusiasm through examples of past experiences, explaining why consulting excites you and how you’ve pursued this passion.

Is it necessary to customize my cover letter for each consulting firm? Absolutely, personalizing your cover letter for each firm shows you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in what makes each firm unique. Also, highlight contacts in the target firms you have interacted with.

What are the key differences between a resume and a cover letter for consulting jobs? A resume outlines your qualifications and experiences, while a cover letter provides a narrative that connects your background to the specific consulting role, demonstrating fit and passion.

Crafting a cover letter that addresses these aspects with clarity and confidence can make a significant difference in your application’s success. Your cover letter is not just a formality but a powerful tool to tell your story and express your enthusiasm for the consulting career path.

Join the Conversation

We hope this guide has illuminated the path to crafting your standout consulting cover letter, whether you’re aiming for McKinsey, BCG, Bain, or any other prestigious firm.

Do you have any questions about the application process, or would you like to share your own tips and experiences? Please, don’t hesitate to ask questions or leave your comments below.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Florian spent 5 years with McKinsey as a senior consultant. He is an experienced consulting interviewer and problem-solving coach, having interviewed 100s of candidates in real and mock interviews. He started StrategyCase.com to make top-tier consulting firms more accessible for top talent, using tailored and up-to-date know-how about their recruiting. He ranks as the most successful consulting case and fit interview coach, generating more than 500 offers with MBB, tier-2 firms, Big 4 consulting divisions, in-house consultancies, and boutique firms through direct coaching of his clients over the last 3.5 years. His books “The 1%: Conquer Your Consulting Case Interview” and “Consulting Career Secrets” are available via Amazon.

Most Popular Products

Search website

Strategycase.com.

© 2024 | Contact: +43 6706059449 | Mattiellistrasse 3/28, 1040 Vienna, Austria

• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Universities & consulting clubs
• American Express

Click on the image to learn more.

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%.

Join our FREE Webinar:

How 800+ candidates have landed consulting offers at mckinsey, bain, and bcg.

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.

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.

Professional Strategy Consultant Cover Letter Example for 2024

Read for inspiration or use it as a base to improve your own Strategy Consultant cover letter. Just replace personal information, company application data and achievements with your own.

Make your strategy consultant cover letter stand out

Writing a Strategy Consultant cover letter might feel like skating on thin ice – choosing between buzzwords mentioned in the job description and original content, while worrying about making even the slightest mistake.

And what can make this experience a bit more fun and exciting? You guessed it. Relying on expert advice and examples.

Luckily, we have you covered. Check out our tips on writing a memorable cover letter below.

So what does a good cover letter look like?

Well, it’s written in a tone of voice that matches the specific company’s culture, and it’s not just a long-form resume. It’s also focused on making the right impression.

We advise you to talk about your achievements, goals, and motivations, rather than just plainly listing your skills and experience. Try to tell a personal story.

And if that’s not enough, we have some additional pro tips for you.

Choose the right salutation and write a strong introduction."

Choosing the right salutation for your cover letter is crucial – after all, it’s the first thing the hiring manager will read.

For this reason, we’ve gathered several classic salutations. Note that some of them could be used even if you don't know the hiring manager's name.

• To the Human Resources Department,
• Dear [company name] Recruiter,
• Dear Angela Stone,
• To the Recruitment Team

You wonder what the key to good introductions is? (Moderate) Creativity!

You’ve probably heard that many people out there have started using phrases like “I found your job advert on platform X and decided to apply”, right?

And what’s wrong with such phrases, you may ask. They’re outdated and they definitely won't make you stand out, to say the least.

So go for something different. Begin your cover letter by sharing your excitement about the company, the position, and even the field.

Link your Strategy Consultant soft and hard skills to your achievements

While the resume is considered the best place to showcase your hard skills and achievements, the cover letter should tell a story and prove your enthusiasm for the field.

This is why we advise you to focus on soft skills and results. Think about all your soft skills and how they have helped you grow as a professional and crush your goals. Then turn this into your own very short success story.

Make sure to include some hard skills too, especially the ones listed as part of the requirements section of the job advert. This will guarantee that you pass applicant tracking systems (ATS) that screen applicant documents for keywords.

And remember – the cover letter should include new information without repeating your whole resume. It needs to offer additional value to the recruiter.

Show how passionate you are to join the company

Proving that you’re familiar with the company is a great way to win the recruiter’s heart. It shows that you’ve taken some time for research and that you’re attentive to detail.

What’s more, it will also help you find out the issues at hand. This way, you can link your own skills and qualifications to some potential challenges the company might have to deal with in the future.

Finish your cover letter with a call to action

While the introduction is the best way to make a good impression, using the right words to end your cover letter can help you get a callback.

Our advice is to make sure that your closing line matches the company culture. However, “Looking forward to hearing from you” and other traditional phrases are always a safe choice.

Cover letter examples by industry

• Business Intelligence
• Management Consultant
• Office Manager
• Tableau Business Analyst
• Account Director
• Business Analyst
• Business Development
• Business Development Manager
• Digital Director
• Director Of Business Development
• Vp Business Development
• General Manager
• Salesforce Business Analyst
• Department Head

Cover letters helped people get noticed

Updated for today’s recruitment standards

Worried your cover letter design is past the expiration date? We’ll help you craft a new one that leaves an impression and beats luck.

Daniel Pietersen

Senior customer support engineer.

" Enhancv gave me a sense of relief and a feeling of confidence when passing it along to a potential employer. "

Daniel Pietersen on using Enhancv

Check out more winning cover letter examples for inspiration

Learn from people who have succeeded in their job hunt.

• Ats Cover Letter
• Accounts Receivable Cover Letter
• Desktop Support Cover Letter
• Preschool Teacher Cover Letter
• Welder Cover Letter
• Personal Trainer Cover Letter
• Government Cover Letter
• Production Assistant Cover Letter
• Tutor Cover Letter
• Line Cook Cover Letter
• Therapist Cover Letter
• Architectural Designer Cover Letter

Land a job interview by pairing your Strategy Consultant cover letter with a great resume

Want to become the center of attention? Pair your cover letter with an eye-catching resume. Check out our Strategy Consultant resume examples and build yours in minutes.

Use templates that match in design to prove your strong attention to detail.

When Should You Include Your High School on Your Resume?

Overqualified for a job tips to overcome this hurdle, top questions you’ll be asked in a chief marketing officer interview, how to answer "how do you handle stress" in a job interview, how to answer the "what is your 30-60-90-day plan" interview question, what is a resume definition, structure, purpose, types & meaning.

• Create Resume
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Preferences
• Resume Examples
• Resume Templates
• AI Resume Builder
• Resume Summary Generator
• Resume Formats
• Resume Checker
• Resume Skills
• How to Write a Resume
• Modern Resume Templates
• Simple Resume Templates
• Cover Letter Builder
• Cover Letter Examples
• Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Formats
• How to Write a Cover Letter
• Resume Guides
• Cover Letter Guides
• Job Interview Guides
• Job Interview Questions
• Career Resources
• Meet our customers
• Career resources
• English (UK)
• French (FR)
• German (DE)
• Spanish (ES)
• Swedish (SE)

© 2024 . All rights reserved.

Made with love by people who care.

Strategy Consultant Cover Letter Examples

A great strategy 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 strategy consultant cover letter example can give you some ideas on how to write your own letter.

Cover Letter Example (Text)

Luz Kobashi

(461) 607-1141

[email protected]

Dear Colby Propper,

I am writing to express my interest in the Strategy Consultant position at McKinsey & Company, as advertised. Having honed my strategic planning and analytical skills at Boston Consulting Group over the past five years, I am excited about the opportunity to bring my expertise to your esteemed firm and contribute to the innovative solutions McKinsey is known for.

During my tenure at BCG, I had the privilege of working with a diverse portfolio of clients, helping them navigate complex business challenges and drive substantial growth. My approach has always been to dive deep into the data while maintaining a holistic view of the client's position within the industry. This dual focus has enabled me to identify key levers for growth and operational efficiency, resulting in actionable strategies that have delivered measurable results.

I have led cross-functional teams through the entire lifecycle of strategy development, from initial analysis to implementation. My commitment to collaborative problem-solving has not only ensured the success of the projects but has also enabled me to foster strong, trusting relationships with both my clients and team members. I am particularly proud of a recent project where my team and I supported a Fortune 500 company in restructuring their global supply chain, which led to a 20% reduction in costs and a significant improvement in their time-to-market.

McKinsey's reputation for driving innovation and its commitment to delivering unparalleled strategic advice is what draws me to this opportunity. I am eager to bring my background in strategic analysis and my proven track record of successful project management to your firm. I am confident that my experience aligns with the high standards of McKinsey and that I can be an asset to your team.

I am looking forward to the possibility of discussing how my experience at BCG and my strategic insight can translate into success for McKinsey & Company's clients. Thank you for considering my application. I am very enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to your team and am eager to bring my passion for strategic consulting to McKinsey.

Warm regards,

Related Cover Letter Examples

• Strategy Analyst
• Strategy Manager
• Chief Strategy Officer
• CRM Consultant
• Jewelry Consultant
• Lead Consultant

Resume Worded   |  Career Strategy

5 consultant cover letters.

Approved by real hiring managers, these Consultant cover letters have been proven to get people hired in 2024. A hiring manager explains why.

Table of contents

• Senior Consultant
• Strategy Consultant
• Alternative introductions for your cover letter
• Consultant resume examples

Consultant Cover Letter Example

Why this cover letter works in 2024, quantifiable achievement.

By highlighting a specific, quantifiable accomplishment, this sentence shows the value the candidate has brought to previous roles and demonstrates their potential impact at Unilever.

Industry Knowledge

This sentence emphasizes the candidate's well-rounded background in the consumer goods industry, showcasing their domain knowledge and making them a stronger fit for the role.

Passion for Change

Sharing a genuine passion for driving positive change, the candidate connects on a deeper level with Unilever's mission, showing they're not just applying to any company.

Gracious and Confident

Expressing gratitude for consideration while maintaining confidence in their qualifications strikes the perfect balance in the closing sentence, leaving a positive impression.

Showcase your accomplishments

It's crucial to highlight significant projects you've led that are relevant to the role you're seeking. In this case, improving efficiency at a previous job directly ties into the job description of a Consultant. By mentioning a specific quantitative achievement (increasing efficiency by 25%), you're demonstrating not only your capability, but also the impact you can deliver.

Detail your team leadership experience

As a Consultant, you'll likely be managing projects and potentially leading teams. Sharing concrete examples of when you've successfully done this in the past reassures me that you're capable of handling the responsibilities that come with the role. If I have no doubts about your leadership abilities, that's one less hurdle for you in the hiring process.

Showcase concrete achievements

In your cover letter, it's essential to go beyond generic statements about your abilities. By talking about a specific project where you increased operational efficiency by 30% in six months, you're showing your capability to yield quantifiable results. This gives recruiters solid evidence of your value, and makes clear what you could bring to the table.

Highlight relevant skills

When you mention your ability to see the bigger picture and keep an eye on the granular details, you are pinpointing a key skill for consultants. This skill isn't just important, it's crucial. Highlighting it shows you understand the role and have what it takes to succeed.

Align your values

When you talk about your belief in mentorship and lifelong learning, you're not just sharing personal values, you're aligning yourself with the company's culture. Showing this alignment signals to recruiters that you're not just qualified, but that you would fit in and be a valuable addition to the team.

Express genuine interest

By emphasizing your interest in McKinsey's focus on digital transformation, you're not just ticking a box. You're showing genuine interest in an area that's vital to the company, which tells me you're likely to stay engaged and motivated in your role.

Communicate confidence and ambition

Your closing sentence conveys confidence, ambition, and a clear sense of what you can offer. This leaves a strong impression and makes it clear that you're serious about contributing and growing within the firm.

Senior Consultant Cover Letter Example

Align your passions with the job.

It's refreshing to see candidates who are genuinely passionate about the work they do. When you make it clear that you're passionate about the same things the company values, it signals that you'll be a good cultural fit. This is especially important in a Senior Consultant role where you'll be interacting with various stakeholders and representing the company's brand and values.

Highlight major accomplishments

When you're gunning for a senior role, it's important to showcase significant achievements that align with the responsibilities of the job you're applying for. Providing a tangible metric of success (a 30% improvement in efficiency) from a past project not only demonstrates your ability to deliver results, but also gives me a sense of the scale and impact of your work.

Express eagerness for leadership

One thing that sets senior roles apart is the level of responsibility and leadership required. By expressing excitement about leading a team and leveraging your expertise to drive results, you're showing me you're ready to step up and take ownership, which is exactly what I need in a Senior Consultant.

Does writing cover letters feel pointless? Use our AI

Dear Job Seeker, Writing a great cover letter is tough and time-consuming. But every employer asks for one. And if you don't submit one, you'll look like you didn't put enough effort into your application. But here's the good news: our new AI tool can generate a winning cover letter for you in seconds, tailored to each job you apply for. No more staring at a blank page, wondering what to write. Imagine being able to apply to dozens of jobs in the time it used to take you to write one cover letter. With our tool, that's a reality. And more applications mean more chances of landing your dream job. Write me a cover letter It's helped thousands of people speed up their job search. The best part? It's free to try - your first cover letter is on us. Sincerely, The Resume Worded Team

Want to see how the cover letter generator works? See this 30 second video.

Strategy Consultant Cover Letter Example

Illustrate the broader impact of your work.

When you detail how your innovative thinking led to unprecedented growth, you paint a picture of your wider impact. This goes beyond the immediate task at hand and shows that you understand the broader significance of your role. This kind of strategic thinking is highly attractive to employers.

Connect with the company's mission

By expressing resonance with Deloitte's commitment to societal impact, you are showing a deeper connection with the company's mission. This not only shows that you're in tune with their values, but also that you're passionate about contributing to them.

Express eagerness to contribute

Your eagerness to bring your experience to a firm that leads in business innovation and societal impact shows your motivation. This is not just about getting a job, but about making a difference. This type of commitment will certainly make you stand out.

Identify with the company culture

When you mention the company's culture of mentorship and professional development, you are showing that you've done your homework. You're also signaling that you value growth and learning, traits that are highly prized in any industry.

Emphasize your alignment with the team's mission

Your closing statement is not just a hopeful sign-off, it's a powerful assertion of your alignment with the team's mission. This shows a level of commitment and ambition that goes beyond the typical job seeker.

Alternative Introductions

If you're struggling to start your cover letter, here are 6 different variations that have worked for others, along with why they worked. Use them as inspiration for your introductory paragraph.

Cover Letters For Jobs Similar To Consultant Roles

• Business Consultant Cover Letter Guide
• Consultant Cover Letter Guide
• IT Consultant Cover Letter Guide
• Leasing Consultant Cover Letter Guide
• Management Consultant Cover Letter Guide
• Marketing Consultant Cover Letter Guide
• Sales Consultant Cover Letter Guide

Other Other Cover Letters

• Business Owner Cover Letter Guide
• Correctional Officer Cover Letter Guide
• Demand Planning Manager Cover Letter Guide
• Executive Assistant Cover Letter Guide
• Operations Manager Cover Letter Guide
• Orientation Leader Cover Letter Guide
• Plant Manager Cover Letter Guide
• Production Planner Cover Letter Guide
• Recruiter Cover Letter Guide
• Recruiting Coordinator Cover Letter Guide
• Site Manager Cover Letter Guide
• Supply Chain Planner Cover Letter Guide
• Teacher Cover Letter Guide
• Vice President of Operations Cover Letter Guide

Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.

Privacy preference center

We care about your privacy

When you visit our website, we will use cookies to make sure you enjoy your stay. We respect your privacy and we’ll never share your resumes and cover letters with recruiters or job sites. On the other hand, we’re using several third party tools to help us run our website with all its functionality.

But what exactly are cookies? Cookies are small bits of information which get stored on your computer. This information usually isn’t enough to directly identify you, but it allows us to deliver a page tailored to your particular needs and preferences.

Because we really care about your right to privacy, we give you a lot of control over which cookies we use in your sessions. Click on the different category headings on the left to find out more, and change our default settings.

However, remember that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of our website. Finally, note that we’ll need to use a cookie to remember your cookie preferences.

Without these cookies our website wouldn’t function and they cannot be switched off. We need them to provide services that you’ve asked for.

Want an example? We use these cookies when you sign in to Kickresume. We also use them to remember things you’ve already done, like text you’ve entered into a registration form so it’ll be there when you go back to the page in the same session.

Thanks to these cookies, we can count visits and traffic sources to our pages. This allows us to measure and improve the performance of our website and provide you with content you’ll find interesting.

Performance cookies let us see which pages are the most and least popular, and how you and other visitors move around the site.

All information these cookies collect is aggregated (it’s a statistic) and therefore completely anonymous. If you don’t let us use these cookies, you’ll leave us in the dark a bit, as we won’t be able to give you the content you may like.

We use these cookies to uniquely identify your browser and internet device. Thanks to them, we and our partners can build a profile of your interests, and target you with discounts to our service and specialized content.

On the other hand, these cookies allow some companies target you with advertising on other sites. This is to provide you with advertising that you might find interesting, rather than with a series of irrelevant ads you don’t care about.

Strategic Manager Cover Letter Samples & Examples That Worked in 2024

Crafting a powerful strategy manager cover letter is crucial to making your mark in the corporate world. The success of a business often pivots on its underlying strategy, and as a strategy manager, you play a pivotal role in this process.

Get a step closer to securing this key role with our tips, real-world examples, and templates. Use these resources to compile a cover letter that not only showcases your key skills and achievements but also illustrates your readiness for the job.

Keep reading to learn:

• How to create a strategy manager cover letter header & headline
• Why you need to tailor the content of your strategy manager cover letter
• What information to include in your strategy manager introduction
• Ways to highlight your best professional skills & accomplishments
• How to effectively conclude your strategy manager cover letter
• Where to access the best job search resources for strategy managers

1. How to create a strategy manager cover letter header & headline

When writing a cover letter as a strategy manager, your first essential step is to create a well-formatted header and headline.

The cover letter header comes first and should include key identifying information, such as:

• Your name and professional title
• Your professional contact information
• The name of the company & department you are applying to
• The address of the company

Here is an example of a well-formatted strategy manager header

Mary Peters , Strategy Manager

(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/mary-peters

To: Bluepoint IT Solutions Strategic Development Department 1234 Street Address New York, NY 11201

Once you have created your header, you can move on to writing your cover letter headline . In this headline, you need to include a keyword related to the position, an eye-catching number or trigger word, a powerful adjective or verb, and a promise statement that tells the employer this letter is written specifically for them.

Here is an example of an effective strategy manager headline, followed by a quick explanation of its main components

My 3 Best Success Stories as a Strategy Manager & How I Can Achieve These Results at Your Business

Trigger Word/Number: 3 Success Stories Keyword: Strategy Manager Adjective/Verb: Best, Achieve Promise: Your Business

Still looking for a job?  These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.

Let your cover letter write itself — with AI!

2. why you need to tailor the content of your strategy manager cover letter.

To make your strategy manager cover letter stand out from the competition , you need to tailor the content to be as specific as possible to the job you are applying to.

Tailoring a cover letter in this way requires you to research the company thoroughly, looking for key details such as:

• What the company’s current strategy development looks like
• What the company looks for in employees (values, skills, etc.)
• Who at the company is responsible for reviewing applications

With this last piece of information, you can create a personalized greeting that addresses this specific person by name. Personalized greetings are highly beneficial, as they immediately reveal to the employer that you have taken the time to tailor your letter.

Here are 3 examples of personalized cover letter greetings

Dear Executive Manager Jack King,

• Dear Mr. Jack King,
• Dear Mr. Jack King & the Strategic Team,

3. What information to include in your strategy manager introduction

Your introduction is an extremely important component of your strategy manager cover letter, as it can be the deciding factor that determines if an employer continues reading.

To make your strategy manager introduction as compelling as possible, make sure to include:

• A brief overview of your professional history and years of experience
• Any relevant specializations you possess
• A mutual acquaintance (when possible)

Pro Tip: Mutual acquaintances establish immediate trust with an employer. If you need help expanding your professional network and gaining more mutual acquaintances to reference in your cover letters, try using LinkedIn to connect with relevant professionals, such as current employees or business associates.

Here is an example of a well-written strategy manager introduction

I am a strategy manager with more than 11 years of experience working in the technology industry. For the past 6 years, I have led a team of strategic consultants, providing our business clients with thorough strategic roadmaps and performance evaluations. My colleague, Ms. Kate Mills, is a professional associate of your company and strongly recommended I apply for this position given my relevant skills.

Find out your resume score!

4. Ways to highlight your best professional skills & accomplishments

After you have successfully written your introduction , the next step is to describe your most relevant skills, accomplishments, and qualifications as a strategy manager.

When describing these professional attributes, make sure the information you include is:

• Specific: When writing a cover letter, you want to avoid vagueness at all costs. For example, don’t just state what skills you possess, explain how those skills are useful for the position.
• Contextual: Describing skills and accomplishments effectively requires you to provide ample context to show an employer the full scope of your qualifications.
• Quantifiable: Whenever possible, use quantifiable information and data to describe your accomplishments. This helps show an employer the real-life value you have to offer.

Here are 6 great strategy management skills to describe in a cover letter

• Strategy formulation and development
• Environmental scanning
• Strategy implementations
• Performance and risk evaluations
• Setting business agendas
• Innovative problem-solving

Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a strategy manager cover letter

As the head strategy manager at [Former Employer], I was directly responsible for developing a new digital strategy to increase the company’s online presence and digital value. To meet this goal, I sourced and hired a software development provider as the company’s new digital business partner, raising shareholder interest by 35%.

5. How to effectively conclude your strategy manager cover letter

The fifth and final step to writing the best possible strategy manager cover letter is to craft an effective closing statement. This conclusion should include:

• An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
• An additional sentence stating you will follow up, including how you will contact them or how they can contact you
• A formal sign-off

Here is an example of an effective conclusion from a strategy manager cover letter

I am thrilled to be considered for this position and greatly look forward to hearing from you in the coming weeks. As I know you are busy, please feel free to contact me at your leisure at (123) 456-7890 any weekday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If I have not heard back by the 25th, I plan to reach back out at that time to follow up.

Appreciatively,

[Applicant Name]

If you have ever wondered how a cover letter differs from a resume,  this article will tell you everything about the key differences between the two .

6. Best job search resources for strategy managers

Plotting your next career move as a strategy manager can be quite a tactical mission. However, having a toolkit filled with valuable resources can make your job search efficient and focused. Here are some resources designed to bring you a step closer to your ideal role:

• Industry-specific job boards: Websites like eFinancialCareers  and  Ivy Exec  feature job postings in the management and corporate strategy realm, making them great platforms to explore.
• General job boards: Mainstream job sites such as Indeed , LinkedIn , and Glassdoor cast a wider net and can offer diverse opportunities across a range of industries. Narrow down search results by using the right keywords.
• Professional networking platforms: LinkedIn is a superb resource for networking with other strategy management professionals, following industry influencers, and participating in relevant groups. What's more, you can now turn your LinkedIn profile into a polished resume .
• Career consultants and headhunters: Specialized staffing agencies and executive search firms like Michael Page and Spencer Stuart might be the right source for higher-level strategy manager positions.
• Management & strategy associations: Joining professional organizations such as the International Association for Strategy Professionals  can bolster your network, update you on the latest trends, and even lead you to unexpected job opportunities.

Equip yourself with these resources and remember, even as the plotting begins, the cornerstone of your job search is a tailored and professional strategy manager resume.

Strategic Manager Cover Letter FAQ

Your strategy manager cover letter should highlight your strategic thinking and planning abilities, leadership skills, and your successful track record in previous roles. Include examples that clearly demonstrate how you've positively influenced business outcomes.

Always refer to the specific requirements listed in the job posting, and align your skills and experiences with them. Use the hiring manager's name if it's available, and mention the company by name along with any relevant recent news or achievements.

Your strategy manager cover letter should ideally be one page long. It's important to be detailed yet concise, emphasizing the most relevant and impressive aspects of your experience and skills.

While your cover letter should complement your resume, avoid providing duplicate information. Instead, use your cover letter to add context, provide additional detail, or share an anecdote that highlights your qualifications or achievements.

If you're less experienced, focus on relevant coursework, internships, or transferable skills that tie back to strategy management. Provide examples of how you've used strategy in past roles or projects, even if they weren't officially in a management capacity.

Julia Gergelova

Julia is a professional writer, translator and graphic designer. She holds degrees in translation and interpretation, and has international work experience from a number of different countries in Europe as well as China and Panama. Julia formerly taught academic writing and as a graphic designer contributed to outlets such as  The Business of Business . She has a passion for lifelong learning and good coffee.

All management cover letter examples

• Executive Manager
• Product Manager
• Project Manager
• Risk Manager

All strategic manager cover letter examples

Related strategic manager resume examples

Let your resume do the work.

Join 5,000,000 job seekers worldwide and get hired faster with your best resume yet.

Consulting Cover Letter Example

Cover letter examples, cover letter guidelines, how to format an consulting cover letter, cover letter header, cover letter header examples for consulting, how to make your cover letter header stand out:, cover letter greeting, cover letter greeting examples for consulting, best cover letter greetings:, cover letter introduction, cover letter intro examples for consulting, how to make your cover letter intro stand out:, cover letter body, cover letter body examples for consulting, how to make your cover letter body stand out:, cover letter closing, cover letter closing paragraph examples for consulting, how to close your cover letter in a memorable way:, pair your cover letter with a foundational resume, key cover letter faqs for consulting.

Start your consulting cover letter by addressing the hiring manager directly, if possible. If you don't know their name, use a professional greeting such as "Dear Hiring Manager". Then, introduce yourself and state the consulting position you're applying for. Mention where you found the job posting or who referred you, if applicable. Immediately express your enthusiasm for the role and briefly highlight your most relevant skills or experiences. This will grab the reader's attention and make them want to learn more about you. Remember, the opening of your cover letter sets the tone for the rest of the document, so it's important to make it engaging and tailored to the consulting industry.

The best way for consultings to end a cover letter is by summarizing their interest in the role, reiterating their qualifications, and expressing enthusiasm for a potential interview. A strong closing statement might be: "I am excited about the opportunity to bring my unique skills and experiences to your team and am confident that I can contribute to your company's success. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my application with you further." This ending is effective as it reaffirms the candidate's interest, highlights their confidence in their abilities, and proactively suggests the next step in the hiring process. Always remember to end with a professional sign-off like "Sincerely" or "Best regards," followed by your name.

Consultants should include the following elements in a cover letter: 1. Contact Information: At the top of the cover letter, consultants should include their full name, address, phone number, and email address. 2. Formal Salutation: Address the hiring manager or recruiter directly if possible. If their name is not available, use a formal greeting such as "Dear Hiring Manager." 3. Introduction: This section should briefly introduce who you are, the position you're applying for, and where you found the job listing. 4. Body of the Letter: This is where consultants should highlight their relevant skills, experiences, and achievements. It's important to provide specific examples that demonstrate how you've used your consulting skills in past roles. This could include problem-solving, strategic planning, project management, or communication skills. 5. Company Knowledge: Show that you've done your research about the company and express why you're interested in working there. This could include mentioning a recent project the company has worked on, their company values, or how you align with their mission. 6. Closing Paragraph: Reiterate your interest in the role and the value you can bring to the company. Also, mention your availability for an interview and your eagerness to further discuss your qualifications. 7. Professional Closing: End the letter professionally with a closing such as "Sincerely" or "Best regards," followed by your full name. 8. Postscript: This is optional, but a P.S. can be used to highlight a significant achievement or detail that can make you stand out. Remember, a cover letter should be tailored to each specific job application. It should not only show why you are a good fit for the role, but also why you are a good fit for the company.

Related Cover Letters for Consulting

Consulting cover letter.

Contractor Cover Letter

Controls Engineer Cover Letter

Corporate Strategy Cover Letter

Counselor Cover Letter

Strategy Consultant Cover Letter

Strategy Consulting Cover Letter

Strategy Manager Cover Letter

Related Resumes for Consulting

Consulting resume example.

Contractor Resume Example

Controls Engineer Resume Example

Corporate Strategy Resume Example

Counselor Resume Example

Strategy Consultant Resume Example

Strategy consulting resume example, strategy manager resume example, try our ai-powered resume builder.

• Industry Partners
• Aerospace & Automotive
• AI, Machine Learning, IoT & Data Science
• Biotechnology & Healthcare
• Building, Design & Construction
• Business, Management & Consulting
• Cybersecurity
• Electrical & Electronics
• Energy & Sustainability
• Entrepreneurship & Startup
• Government & Non-Profit
• Manufacturing & Materials
• Research & Academia
• Biomedical Engineering
• Computer Science & Engineering
• Electrical & Systems Engineering
• Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science
• Greater St. Louis Region
• Women & Engineering
• Multicultural
• Featured Jobs

Innovative Cover Letter Strategies for 2024

• Share This: Share Innovative Cover Letter Strategies for 2024 on Facebook Share Innovative Cover Letter Strategies for 2024 on LinkedIn Share Innovative Cover Letter Strategies for 2024 on X

By:  Aurora Nightly

Published: Mar 22, 2024

The importance of leveraging innovative cover letter strategies can’t be overstated. With the job market evolving rapidly, technology continuing to reshape recruitment processes, and competition growing fiercer by the day, students and professionals must adapt their approaches to cover letter writing to remain relevant and impactful.

Below, you’ll find various inventive techniques for approaching cover letters that will effectively showcase your skills, experiences, and unique value propositions to prospective employers.

Understanding ATS

First, it’s important to understand what Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are and how they’re used. The main goal of ATS is to streamline recruitment by scanning resumes and cover letters for relevant keywords and qualifications. So, to optimize your application’s chances getting noticed, you need to tailor your cover letter to align with ATS requirements. That involves incorporating industry-specific terms and highlighting relevant skills and experiences.

It’s also important to proper format your cover letters and make their content as clear as possible, which will improve readability for ATS (and for hiring managers). So, opt for a clean, easy-to-read layout that makes your content stand out. Use a standard font style and size, such as Arial or Times New Roman, to ensure readability across different devices and platforms. Next, maintain consistent formatting throughout your cover letter, including margins, spacing, and alignment. You can also use bullet points to highlight key achievements or qualifications for quick reference.

Personalizing and Customizing

Personalizing and customizing your cover letters significantly enhance your job application. Just like  you would  tailor your resume  to fit a specific job description, your cover letter should also be customized for each application. One way to do this is to address hiring managers by name and reference specific details about the company or the job position. This demonstrates your genuine interest and attention to detail. Also, consider mentioning recent company achievements, projects, or values that resonate with you. In addition, provide concrete examples, showcasing how your skills and experiences align with the job requirements. Finally, make sure to express your enthusiasm for this specific role.

Storytelling

Embracing a storytelling approach in your cover letter can elevate your job application to new heights. By weaving a narrative that showcases your professional journey and accomplishments, you engage hiring managers on a deeper level. Sharing anecdotes that highlight your skills, challenges, and significant achievements ill attract their attention and create a memorable impression.

Storytelling also allows you to compellingly convey your passion and enthusiasm for the role. And crafting a narrative-driven cover letter makes you more relatable and demonstrates your communication skills. Finally, sharing stories about your experiences can provide talking points for a  successful future interview , helping you articulate your qualifications more effectively.

Highlighting Achievements

Effectively showcasing your achievements and accomplishments in your cover letter can significantly boost your chances of landing the job. Highlighting quantifiable accomplishments demonstrates your tangible contributions and value to potential employers. So, strive to include specific examples and metrics to illustrate the impact of your work, such as increasing sales revenue by a certain percentage or completing projects ahead of schedule. Emphasizing your successful track record will capture hiring managers’ attention and differentiate yourself from other candidates. Moreover, showcasing your achievements reinforces your credibility and suitability for the role.

Adding Multimedia Elements

Exploring the integration of multimedia elements into your cover letter can provide a unique edge in today’s competitive job market. For example, consider incorporating links to your online portfolio or online videos that showcase your skills or achievements. However, you must ensure compatibility and professionalism when multimedia is included in your application. So, opt for formats that are widely accessible and easily viewed across different devices and platforms.

Demonstrating Industry Knowledge

Demonstrating industry knowledge in your cover letter is a great way to show potential employers that you’re informed and engaged. So, stay up to date on the latest trends, developments, and challenges in your field by regularly reading industry publications and following relevant blogs or forums. If it makes sense to, you might include specific examples of industry insights or trends in your cover letter, showcasing your understanding of the industry or role. You might also want to highlight any relevant certifications, courses, or workshops you’ve completed to demonstrate your commitment to staying informed. Finally, you could discuss how your knowledge can benefit the company, whether it’s by offering innovative solutions or adapting quickly to industry changes.

Originally published by The Vault .