Roast my resume

Would really appreciate if anyone could roast my CV to oblivion!

Looking to move to MBB/Tier 2 in London through the graduate programmes.

Currently work in a boutique that’s niched and well respected in the finance industry, but outside of that is not very well known

Have applied to M in the last cycle, with a solve score in the 10th decile but didn’t get invited to an interview with them or the other 2.

Any feedback to improve my chances would be really appreciated!
 

6 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some actionable tips to improve your CV and boost your chances for MBB or Tier 2 consulting roles in London:

1. Structure Your CV with a Clear Thesis

  • Your CV should tell a cohesive story. Highlight the boutique firm's niche and respected reputation in finance, but frame it in a way that demonstrates transferable skills relevant to consulting.
  • Example: If your boutique experience involved problem-solving, client interaction, or strategic thinking, emphasize these aspects prominently.

2. Quantify Your Achievements

  • Consulting firms love numbers. Replace vague descriptions with measurable outcomes. For instance:
    • Instead of "Worked on financial models," write "Developed financial models that improved client decision-making, leading to a 15% increase in efficiency."
    • Highlight any revenue impact, cost savings, or process improvements you contributed to.

3. Highlight Academic and Test Scores

  • If your academic performance is strong (e.g., GPA above 3.7/4.0 or equivalent), make sure it’s visible.
  • Your solve score in the 10th decile is impressive—mention it briefly in your CV or cover letter to showcase your analytical skills.

4. Tailor Your CV for Consulting

  • Consulting CVs should emphasize leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. Include examples of leading projects, managing teams, or solving complex problems.
  • Use action verbs like "led," "analyzed," "optimized," and "delivered."

5. Address the Lack of Brand Recognition

  • Since your boutique firm isn’t widely known, focus on the quality of your work and the caliber of clients or projects you’ve handled.
  • Example: "Advised on high-stakes financial transactions for top-tier clients in [specific industry]."

6. Extracurriculars and Leadership

  • If you have extracurricular activities or leadership roles, include them. MBB values well-rounded candidates who demonstrate initiative outside of work.

7. Polish the Presentation

  • Ensure your CV is one page, cleanly formatted, and free of errors.
  • Use consistent fonts, bullet points, and spacing to make it visually appealing.

8. Seek Professional Feedback

  • Consider using WSO’s resume review services or mock interviews to get tailored advice from professionals who’ve successfully navigated the MBB/Tier 2 recruiting process.

By implementing these strategies, you can significantly enhance your CV and improve your chances of landing interviews with MBB or Tier 2 firms. Good luck!

Sources: Case study interview for MBB consulting - 24 of my best tips on how to get in, Q&A: Strategy consulting Associate Partner offering career advice, Q&A - Left First Undergrad with Sub 2.0 GPA====>Booth MBA/"Tier 2" Consulting, Resume Guidelines from a WSO Drop Reviewer, Q&A 2.0: 3rd Year BA/A/AC At MBB Going To UMM/MF This Summer

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
Most Helpful

I gotta say... this may be one of the strongest resumes I've read in years. Your bullet points include the Task, Action and Result quite well. Your experiences are heavily aligned to strategy consulting and you've conveyed your experience well. 

I would say that beyond this point, it comes down to tactical changes. For instance, you may decide to reposition your bullet point to open with the impact instead of the task. The finaly one is to enusre you've touched on the full workflow for strategy consulting not highlighting just one skillset (like quantitative analysis, stakeholder management, crafting and delivering narratives for senior client personnel) and using the consulting toolkit in the How. 

As an example, "Drove $Xm in cost savings for US Tier 1 Bank's $XXbn platform through the use of quantitative modelling and proprietary benchmarking" 

I would also remove the Public State School content. Within US/Canada, the Post-Secondary education is typically not shown on the resume since it's irrelevant/not decision-useful. You attending a Target school is proof enough you did well in highschool.

Final critique, in my experience, including cumulative GPA can help stand out (if it's competitive) and in some cases, may be expected. I'm unsure of European norm, but I've typically seen it included either on a 4.0 scale or percentage within my experience. 

Beyond that, I would shift focus to the rest of the application (cover letter, networking, interview skillset, case interview preparation, etc.) to further strengthen your candidacy.

 

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