McKinsey, BCG, Bain RESUME CHECKLIST

Summary

In this humorous and informative video, Kim Tran, a former McKinsey consultant and founder of mconsultingprep.com, shares a checklist to ensure consulting resumes are perfect before submission. He emphasizes tailoring resumes for the industry, highlighting key achievements, and maintaining brevity and clarity. Kim also advises on avoiding common pitfalls like including personal information, using inappropriate formats, and making grammatical errors. His tips aim to guide job seekers to present themselves as well-rounded candidates fit for consulting roles.

Takeaways

• 🏀 The joke about Kim being a basketball player is a playful introduction to the actual subject of the script, which is about consulting resumes.
• 📑 The importance of having a resume specifically tailored for consulting applications is emphasized, highlighting the unique requirements of the industry.
• 🔍 The script stresses the need to focus on areas that consulting screeners pay the most attention to, such as the first bullets of recent jobs and GPA.
• 🎯 It's crucial to mention impressive and specific results in every bullet point, with a preference for brevity and clarity.
• 📏 The ideal bullet length is suggested to be 1.5 to 1.7 lines, equating to the information density of three to four spoken sentences.
• ❓ The script advises avoiding any language that might raise questions in the screener's mind, such as unclear achievements or jargon.
• 📞 Contact information must be clear and professional, avoiding informal or unprofessional formats.
• 🚫 The script strongly advises against including any religious, political, gender, or racial information, as well as photos, to maintain neutrality and avoid legal complications.
• 📄 The resume should be concise, fitting all relevant information onto one page, and avoiding any colors other than black and white for a professional look.
• 🔍 Spelling and grammatical mistakes are highlighted as automatic disqualifiers, emphasizing the need for thorough proofreading.
• 📝 Formatting consistency is crucial, with alignment and spacing needing to be checked to ensure a clean and professional appearance.
• 📈 The script suggests that a lower GPA can be mitigated by highlighting other impressive numbers and achievements, and advises on how to handle GPA disclosure strategically.

Q & A

Who is Kim Tran and what is the purpose of his video?

Kim Tran is a former McKinsey consultant and the founder of mconsultingprep.com. The purpose of his video is to provide a checklist and guidance on how to create a consulting resume that will not be rejected by management consulting firms.

What is the significance of the joke about Kim being a basketball player in the video?

The joke serves as an icebreaker and a metaphor for the importance of being prepared, as it humorously contrasts with the actual focus of the video, which is consulting resume preparation.

What is the primary advice Kim gives for a consulting resume?

The primary advice is to ensure the resume is absolutely ready before submission, tailored specifically for consulting applications, and highlights unique traits and qualifications relevant to the industry.

What is a 'heat map' in the context of the video?

In the context of the video, a 'heat map' refers to the areas of the resume that consulting screeners pay the most attention to, such as the first bullets of the most recent job or areas surrounding GPA.

Why is it important to mention impressive and specific results in every bullet point of the resume?

It is important because the resume is for a consulting job, and it is crucial to demonstrate an achievement-oriented mindset, showing the ability to deliver significant outcomes.

What is the ideal length for a bullet point in a consulting resume according to Kim?

The ideal length for a bullet point is 1.5 to 1.7 lines, which should carry the same information as three to four lines of spoken language.

Why should a resume avoid raising questions in the mind of the screener?

A resume should avoid raising questions to prevent confusion and ensure that the screener can quickly understand the candidate's achievements and qualifications without needing clarification.

What should the contact information on a resume include and why?

The contact information should include a phone number in an easy-to-read format, a professionally formatted email address, and a home address with the correct zip code. This is to ensure professionalism and ease of communication.

Why should a resume not contain any expressions of religious or political viewpoints?

A resume should not contain such expressions because it is a professional document, and neutrality is expected. Additionally, expressing viewpoints can lead to discrimination, which is prohibited in hiring decisions.

What is the recommended file format for submitting a consulting resume?

The recommended file format is PDF, as it ensures the resume maintains its formatting across different screens and printers, and it is the preferred format by most consulting firms.

How many times should one review their own resume before submission according to Kim?

Kim suggests reviewing the resume at least 20 times to ensure continuous improvement and to catch any potential errors or areas for enhancement.