Naive, green PhD needs her dreams destroyed with crushing resume review

I just finished my PhD in biology in Germany and I'm looking into what options exist in industry. A friend who works in corporate strategy suggested strategy consulting would be a good entry point, and after doing some research, I'm intrigued. My native language isn't so useful, so I'm thinking about positions in the US or UK. This is supposed to be a proper industry resume, not an academic CV.

Looks like they're not letting me post images or links here, but I can shoot it over if you're willing to take a look. Be brutal.

 
Best Response

German offices are most advanced with their PhD hiring as far as I know, and your university will be better known. Within Germany, McKinsey, Bain and BCG do the most PhD hiring and are the most important players.

The firms I'd target in Germany, to spread my chances, are: McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Simon-Kucher, Roland Berger, Oliver Wyman, Strategy&

UK offices also hire PhD's, but most I've seen come from Oxbridge. You can reach out to recruiters though and see if you get any responses. Hiring is in the UK more formal and CV drops start around september usually, with interviews in November.

The firms I'd target in the UK are: McKinsey, Bain, BCG, LEK, OC&C, Strategy&, Oliver Wyman, ZS Associates

 

Thank you very much for the detailed answer. I forgot to mention that I am looking for positions in the US or UK because I am not a native German speaker. All of my work has been in English and my English should be up to the task but probably my German would not. Any advice taking this into account? And still interested on any possible advice on my resume.

 

The UK is is higher chance shot than the US for you. Maybe ask the German offices if you need to be able to communicate in German for a job there. I still think that's your ideal route. Transfer out after 1.5 years.

 

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