Consulting Resume Examples: 5 Best Samples & Why They Work

Have you lost hope of crafting the perfect consulting resume that showcases your expertise and drives the right kind of attention from business owners?

Have most of your previous resumes had little to no impact? Worry not, as you are not alone!

Many people struggle to craft a resume that accurately portrays their experience and knowledge in the business consulting arena.

This is mainly attributable to the competitive nature of the job market today, which demands more precise, convincing, and catchy resumes.

You must also describe how you fit into the specific requirements stated by the company you’re applying to.

To help you get an edge over your competition, we have collected five of the best examples of consulting resumes from renowned professionals in this field.

Each has its unique style and approach to showcasing one’s experience and accomplishments.

Consulting Resume Examples

There are various types of consulting jobs, and these examples will help you understand how to format your resume for each industry.

Whether consulting in the energy industry or helping businesses increase their profits, your consulting resume should present you as an expert who gets results.

Here are the best resumes for different experienced individuals who are applying for a consulting job:

Entry-Level Consulting Resume Example

If you’re just starting in the consulting industry, you want to craft a resume highlighting relevant portions of your job history.

You might not have worked as a consultant for other businesses, but having skills that show you can accomplish great things can make a company more likely to hire you to see how you can help.

Objective

Goal-oriented and knowledgeable entry-level consultant with problem-solving abilities in a business environment. Seeking to leverage my organization and communication skills to provide innovative solutions for businesses seeking assistance with streamlining operations.

Work Experience 1: Junior Consultant Assistant at City Bank, 2022 to Present

• Assists senior consultant with reports and administrative tasks.
• Compiles weekly financial reports.
• Manages five clients to assist the financial manager.
• Researches financial and investment options to best inform customers.
• Helps customers open checking and savings accounts.

Work Experience 2: Sales Clerk at City Department Store, 2015 to 2022

• Assisted an average of 150 customers daily while ensuring they got 100% satisfaction.
• Registered customers for store credit cards, achieving the highest rate of new members in the state.
• Trained 18 new employees on store policies and clerk duties.
• Thoroughly oversaw the sales floor, decreasing petty theft by 5% annually.
• Took inventory, reviewed merchandise, and restocked shelves as needed.

Project Experience

• Training City Department Store sales clerks as a consultant to improve theft rates, 2022 to present.
• Served as treasurer of City University’s chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Association’s honor society, 2020-2021.

Skills

• Client relations
• Conceptual and practical thinking
• Leadership
• Project management
• Staff training

Education

• University of California, Berkeley, CA – Bachelor of Communication, 2021
• The University of California, Berkeley, CA – Associate of Marketing, 2019

Licenses & Accreditations

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), 2021
• Certified Management Consultant (CMC), 2020

Why This Resume Works

This resume works because it clearly shows the applicant’s ability to work as a consultant. It details their experience in both consulting and retail, demonstrating their transferable skills and ability to learn new things quickly.

The applicant is also well-rounded, with a combination of experiences in management, communication, and finance. Finally, the applicant has a comprehensive list of skills, certifications, and education that show they are qualified to work in consulting.

Although the applicant is an entry-level consultant, the resume still presents them as a qualified and knowledgeable candidate. It shows they have the skills to succeed in consulting and the dedication to learn and grow in the field.

Consulting Manager Resume Example

A consulting manager comes to a business to help behind the scenes but can also interact with clients and serve as an employee.

Showing that you can solve problems and serve as a leader is crucial for this role.

Objective

Consulting manager with over a decade of experience in organizational management and client retention. Seeking a role at a company needing problem-solving and overall revitalization to grow my skill and improve the company’s operations.

Work Experience 1: Self Employed Business Consultant, 2021 to present

• Analyzes City Mart’s finances to reduce leftover inventory by 55%, increasing profits by $1M while lowering costs related to storage space.
• Creates customer feedback surveys for City Fitness Gym, getting 8,000 responses from 10,000 sent, then developing a plan to improve member retention by 50% over the next year.
• Collaborates with the City Library System to analyze circulation and visit numbers and plan a marketing approach to boost numbers by 35% over two years.
• Researches customer relationship management (CRM) software options for City Nonprofit, presenting the three best options and helping them transition to the new system within a month without losing any stakeholders or contacts in the process.
• Observes City Montessori School to assess the frequency of material use proportional to cost, finding ways to lower supply costs by $50,000 each academic year.

Work Experience 2: Consulting Manager at Business Success Firm, 2010 to 2021

• Performed data analysis relating to predicting small businesses’ success rates.
• Collaborated with owners to create business plans for ten startups every year.
• Lead weekly team meetings to delegate business operation tasks throughout a 15-person consulting team.
• Analyzed financial reports from ten businesses every month, ensuring they stayed on track and turned a profit.
• Mentored three consulting interns from City University’s College of Business every semester.

Project Experience

• Led a team of consultants in a comprehensive organizational restructuring project for a multinational corporation, thoroughly analyzing the company’s organizational structure and identifying inefficiencies and redundancies.
• Managed a cross-functional team in implementing a digital transformation strategy for a leading retail company, collaborating with stakeholders to define the vision, objectives, and roadmap for the digital transformation initiative.

Skills

• Communication
• Creativity
• Negotiation
• Problem-solving
• Risk management

Education

• University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC – Master’s of Economics, 2018
• The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS – Bachelor’s in Business Administration, 2009

Licenses & Accreditations

• Certified Business Analyst (CBA), 2020
• Project Management Professional (PMP), 2019

Why This Resume Works

This resume works because the applicant shows themselves as a well-rounded employee. They have a history of working as a consultant with a firm, learning the ropes over a decade while furthering their education and joining professional organizations.

With their experience, they could branch out as an independent contractor. In this role, they were able to secure several impressive consulting partnerships.

The ability to work as a freelancer shows that they’re not only a professional consultant but can also handle the inner workings of running a business.

This applicant must keep track of their finances and schedule as a self-employed consultant. They must contact potential clients and follow up to ensure they land the job.

They are doing the work of an entire company even though they work alone, so they’re a true professional who can handle any obstacle another business may face.

IT Consulting Resume Example

To work as an IT consultant, you’ll provide technical advice and troubleshooting for companies that don’t have a dedicated IT department.

You may research new software options for them and help implement the program into their daily workflow.

Here is a resume guide for this career position:

Objective

An IT consultant with experience in system administration and network analysis. Seeking to help businesses stay secure with software programs and network connectivity while eliminating downtime and lag impacting the bottom line.

Work Experience 1: IT Consultant at Education Network, Inc., 2020 to 2022

• Provided technical support to 200 users every quarter.
• Handled 100% of troubleshooting issues with hardware and software for two dedicated businesses in 2021.
• Researched network options for a startup, presented the findings, and helped them implement the new program with one month turnaround time.
• Installed new operating systems on 500 computers throughout City Library System.

Work Experience 2: Network Analyst at TechCo, 2015 to 2020

• Managed 50 vendor relationships to obtain discounted software licenses for clients.
• Updated credit card processing software for all cash registers at each of City Department Store’s ten branches.
• Compiled data from 100 clients to show TechCo’s effectiveness in time management.
• Automated payroll for City Nonprofit to cut operating expenses by $10,000 annually.

Project Experience

• Led a team of five consultants in successfully implementing a digital transformation initiative for a multinational manufacturing company with operations in over 20 countries.
• Conducted a comprehensive cybersecurity risk assessment for a mid-sized financial services firm to identify vulnerabilities and develop recommendations for mitigating potential threats.

Skills

• Analytics
• Conceptual and practical thinking
• Microsoft 365
• Project management
• Risk management

Education

• The University of Texas, Austin, TX – Master’s of Information Technology, 2020
• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX – Bachelor’s of Computer Science, 2016

Licenses & Accreditations

• ISO 9001 Quality Management Certification, 2019
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification, 2017

Why This Resume Works

This resume works because the applicant’s education shows they have a robust technology and computer background.

The degrees position them as someone who can troubleshoot any technical issue to ensure the business continues to run smoothly without interruptions or possible data breaches.

They have professional memberships that establish them as a reliable consultant while still focusing on the technical aspect of the field.

Any hiring manager would look at those qualifications and understand how this person is a professional that can make a difference in the business.

The resume also includes hard skills balanced with softer skills like conceptual and practical thinking. This shows versatility and ability to adapt to any work environment.

The ability to do hands-on work, manage other people, and solve technical issues also shows the hiring manager that this applicant would benefit the team.

Business Consulting Resume Example

A business consultant works with a company to increase their profitability and productivity. By streamlining the workflow, this consultant can find lost time and inefficient processes that cost the company money.

With those job duties, it’s essential to show that you can pay attention to detail, think critically, and provide solutions that bring everyone on board to reach the goal.

Here is a sample resume of how to showcase these skills and experiences in a precise and accurate manner:

Objective

Accomplished business consultant with deadline adherence and financial software experience. Seeking a role as a team manager at a company that needs to maximize workflow efficiency to lower costs.

Work Experience 1: Self-Employed Independent Consultant, 2018 to present

• Develops and maintains complex Microsoft Access databases for five local businesses.
• Creates an online training program for the new financial software City Nonprofit adopted, ensuring 100% employee compliance within three months of rollout.
• Analyzes City Nonprofit’s client relationship management (CRM) program to weed out inactive donors and increase quarterly donations by 15%.
• Completes data analysis and troubleshooting for City Bank, resulting in 25% less downtime from bank tellers due to financial software glitches and lags.
• Designs quarterly reports and financial presentations for City Community Center to show how they spent their grant money from the federal government.

Work Experience 2: Business Manager at Elderly Community Center Nonprofit, 2010 to 2018

• Lowered operating costs by 25% each quarter by using existing materials and decreasing supply orders to the necessities.
• Researched tracking software options to find an updated program that would decrease the loss of time as one shift clocked out and the next signed in.
• Trained caregivers on the new tracking software to ensure client data was confidential and protected by HIPAA.
• Compiled financial reports to show how membership dues benefited each client, resulting in a $10,000 annual increase in stakeholder donations.
• Analyzed annual reports from each department to ensure complete compliance with state regulations, finding inconsistencies and problem-solving to ensure the entire organization was on board and striving toward the same goal.

Project Experience

• Led a team of consultants in a business process optimization project for a global retail chain with operations in multiple countries and a diverse product portfolio.
• Provided business consulting services to a technology startup seeking to enter a new market and expand its customer base.

Skills

• Administration
• Communication
• Finance
• Marketing
• Time management

Education

• University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA – Master’s of Accounting, 2015
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC – Bachelor’s of Finance, 2009

Memberships, Licenses, & Accreditations

• Business Process Reengineering Certificate, 2013
• Data Analysis and Reporting Certificate, 2011

Why This Resume Works

This resume works because the applicant has degrees in fields that show they understand the bottom line of businesses: profits.

A finance and accounting background gives them the foundation to look at a business’s accounts and realize what needs to change to ensure they stay afloat.

The applicant’s licenses and accreditations show them as professionals who will adhere to best practices to remain in good standing.

Their experience working for businesses and nonprofits shows they understand various financial situations, including taxes and grant-related income.

The applicant also establishes themselves as a reliable business consultant by including statistics and company names in their work history.

With such a cohesive resume, it’s clear that this person can work in any field, consulting in a way that helps businesses improve their financial standings.

Strategy Consulting Resume Example

A strategy consultant will advise a business on the actions it should take to reach certain benchmarks.

On this type of resume, you’ll want to include specifics about what companies you worked with in the past and how you helped them achieve their goals.

Here is an ideal example for this position:

Objective

Strategy consultant with a background in startups and small businesses. Seeking to help new companies create compelling, achievable business maps for their first five years.

Work Experience 1: Business Strategy Consultant at Small Biz Org, 2018 to present

• Analyzes data to create quarterly reports for small business investors.
• Leads client meetings to ensure business owners participate in the entire planning process.
• Provides hands-on management for five startups annually.
• Saw an 80% success rate for small businesses within five years.
• Collect customers’ views on different services and their ideal package to help the company design its services as per the market.

Work Experience 2: Junior Strategy Consultant at City Consultation Firm, 2016 to 2018

• Assisted senior consultants with a caseload of ten clients annually.
• Increased client base by bringing on five new businesses within two years.
• Compiled financial data to create presentations for stakeholders.
• Contributed to client meetings by providing a background of business operations since the previous liaison.
• Reduced profit loss risk point by 5% in the first year and 7% in the consecutive years.

Project Experience

• Assisted a pharmaceutical company in developing a market entry strategy for a new therapeutic area and geographical market.
• Led a team of consultants in the development of a corporate strategy for a global technology company operating in the telecommunications sector.

Skills

• Analytics
• Client relations
• Negotiation
• Problem-solving
• Risk management

Education

• University of California, Los Angeles, CA – Master’s in Entrepreneurship from City University, 2018
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI – Bachelor’s in Marketing Management, 2015

Memberships, Licenses, & Accreditations

• Financial Modeling and Forecasting Certificate, 2020
• Organizational Development Certificate, 2017

Why This Resume Works

This resume works because the applicants highlight their knowledge of marketing and entrepreneurship. This can easily convince the hiring manager to call them up for an interview, as they are the main pillars of being a strategic consultant.

The resume also showcases that the applicant can think outside the box and develop innovative business solutions.

This gives the applicant an edge over their competition, as many employers seek candidates who can think outside the box and develop creative solutions.

The applicant also demonstrates that the applicant is a well-rounded individual with a combination of experiences in marketing, sales, communication, analytics, and project management.

Their organizational skills and capability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously make them great candidates for the role.

Common Skills & Action Verbs to Include on a Consulting Resume

You have limited space to spotlight all your skills and achievements on a consulting resume, so you should make the most of every word.

That’s why it is essential to know the most effective skills and action verbs that can be eye-catching to the hiring manager.

Here is an analysis of these skills and action verbs:

Common Skills for Consulting Resumes

Here are useful skills to include in your resume:

• Administration
• Analytics
• Business analysis
• Client relations
• Communication
• Conceptual and practical thinking
• Creativity
• Finance
• Leadership
• Marketing
• Negotiation
• Problem-solving
• Project management
• Risk management
• Time management
• Training

These skills can show the hiring manager you are experienced, knowledgeable, and ready to take on the challenging task.

Add specific skills from the job description to ensure the hiring manager or applicant tracking system sends your resume to the next round. You can also look back at your previous job for more keywords.

Common Action Verbs for Consulting Resumes

Here are helpful action verbs that are a must-use in your resume:

• Analyzed
• Created
• Developed
• Founded
• Implemented
• Initiated
• Managed
• Mentored
• Obtained
• Oversaw
• Redesigned
• Refined
• Solved
• Trained

Action verbs will help your resume seem more dynamic. Instead of a monotonous listing of all your consulting, action verbs show the hiring manager your passion for your work.

They’ll see you as someone who enthusiastically jumps into a project and initiates positive changes.

Tips for Writing a Better Consulting Resume

Reviewing examples of consulting resumes will help you create a solid document to apply for jobs. They give you a starting point and outline to follow when you create your resume.

The following tips will ensure your final document is professional, cohesive, and polished.

1. Be Specific

Companies hire consultants because they need an outsider’s perspective to ensure the business runs smoothly.

They want to see specific benchmarks of goals you accomplished with previous tasks. Instead of generalizing how you helped a company, use as many numbers, percentages, and statistics as possible.

This type of information jumps out to hiring managers and shows them how much of an asset you can be as a consultant. They’ll see how much you changed a company and want you to do the same for them.

2. Use Keywords

Applicant tracking systems automate the resume sorting process by scanning for keywords and rejecting documents that don’t meet the baseline criteria.

With that in mind, you want to use specific keywords to keep your resume in the game. Keywords will also stand out to hiring managers, so it’s better to include these keywords than not.

For example, if you want to consult on sustainability, use industry terms that show you know the field. Look at job descriptions and the company’s mission to ensure you use words that relate to their messaging and present you as the best applicant for the job.

3. Cast a Wide Net

While you can consult with businesses using your existing skills and work history, you might also have what a company needs for a full-time employee.

Applying to various jobs increases your chances of finding work. You can also use interviews as networking experiences.

Even if the hiring manager doesn’t offer you the job, they know you’re a consultant and may keep your contact information on file for future tasks.

4. Use LinkedIn Resume Posting for Reviews

In addition to submitting your application to open job listings, add the resume to LinkedIn. This step will ensure people looking for consultants can easily find your information. They’ll get to review your qualifications and contact you for specific roles.

5. Proofread

A consultant needs to pay attention to detail, so you should ensure there are no errors in your resume.

Read it over onscreen and print a copy to see if you notice any mistakes when you look at it from a different angle. You can also ask someone you trust to review the document and see if you missed any typos.

Along with proofreading, ensure the document has a clean, organized layout. Use a font that’s easy to read at a size that doesn’t look like you’re trying to cram in as much information as possible.

It’s best to be concise and pack a punch with every word instead of attempting to share your whole work history on a one-page document.

Frequently Asked Questions

With a perfect resume, getting a consulting job position should be hassle-free. However, there are still common questions that can trouble you.

Here are some of the frequently asked questions about consulting resumes:

Similar Resume Types to Reference

As a consultant, you have many skills that make you an appealing hire for different jobs. Check out these similar roles that may help you craft an outstanding resume.

• Project Manager Resume: Project managers have similar tasks to consultants, though they often work for a specific company as full-time employees. You may apply for some of these roles while crafting your consulting resume.
• Scrum Master Resume: A Scrum Master helps companies manage projects using Agile. If you have this experience, you can tweak your resume for these roles.
• Product Owner Resume: Product owners handle much stress as Scrum team members. If you love collaborating and solving problems, consider applying to related jobs.

These resumes can also help you differentiate the skills needed in the consulting career to ensure you ace your resume.

Wrapping Up

After seeing five different examples of consulting resumes, you should have a strong idea of making your document stand out from other applicants.

However, ensure you align your resume to the specific requirement given by the client to increase your interview call-up chances.

Sound off in the comments if this article helped you draft your resume, and share the post with anyone you know currently looking for consulting work.