victor cheng consulting cover letter

Consulting Cover Letter Tips, Hacks, Requirements & Examples

By: Author Will Bennett

Posted on Last updated: February 22, 2023

If you’re applying for consulting positions at prestigious firms like McKinsey, Bain & BCG, then you may be wondering how to write a consulting cover letter.

The best consulting cover letters connect your past experiences with the values of the company you’re applying to. The general format is to have an opening, 3 or 4 key paragraphs where you connect the company’s values to your own experience and a close.

But the devil is in the details. So let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

How To Write A Cover Letter For Consulting

A surefire way to write your consulting cover letter is to Google the values of your target firm and then use those values to show that your personality and past experience make you a perfect fit.

To do this, you’ll need to:

1. Google the name of the company you’re applying to (Example: Bain) and the word “values”. The top result will normally be a page on that company’s website where they list out their company values.

2. Jot down their top 3 to 4 company values.

3. Add each value to your cover letter as a bolded bullet point and, right after (or under) it, tell a to-the-point story of how you delivered on exactly that value.

4. Add an opening paragraph that expresses your interest in the company. Include one specific thing you like about that company. Be specific.

5. Add a closing that reiterates your interest.

And that’s it. This formula has helped consultants across the world land that coveted interview.

Tip: If you don’t find a “values” page in your initial Google search, try clicking around the company’s website until you find their recruitment page . There’s a good chance that they’ll list what they’re looking for on this page. Use those to craft your bullet-points.

Do Cover Letters Matter For Consulting?

MBB (McKinsey, Bain, BCG) companies have made cover letters optional. If you have a great GPA and graduated from an Ivy League school, and your resume doesn’t have any “red flags”, then you might get away with not having a cover letter.

As a general rule, cover letters help consultants get interviews. Your cover letter is your opportunity to tell the story that your resume can’t. A good cover letter can turn a mediocre application into an interview.

Keep in mind that, every day, consultants turn boring facts into convincing stories. It’s not enough to have the facts (your resume). You have to know how to turn the bland into the compelling. And if you can’t do that in your resume, then a consultancy might wonder if you can do it at all.

How Long Should My Consulting Cover Letter Be?

Recruiters for top consulting firms sift through hundreds of applications every day . So how long should your cover letter be?

Your consulting cover letter should be about a page long. You’ll want to write it to be long enough to be compelling but short enough to skim in a few seconds.

Your ability to sell yourself in a single page will be an important deciding factor on your suitability for the position you’re applying for.

Do McKinsey, Bain & BCG Require A Cover Letter?

McKinsey, Bain & BCG all state on their websites that they don’t require a cover letter but, keep in mind, a good cover letter could strengthen your application.

This is particularly important if you have any work gaps in your resume, or any red flags (like a low GPA).

How Do I Write A Cover Letter For McKinsey, Bain & BCG?

Writing a cover letter for McKinsey, Bain & BCG is pretty much the same across all 3 firms.

In all cases, you want to have a short opening paragraph, 3-5 paragraphs highlighting your strengths and how they’re linked to the company’s values, and a short closing paragraph. Focus on good, succinct storytelling while delivering specific numbers on the outcomes you’ve achieved.

What Should A Cover Letter For McKinsey, Bain & BCG Include?

According to Victor Cheng (author, ex-consultant & ex-recruiter for multiple top consulting firms), these are the 5 things recruiters look for:

1. Well-known employers or schools.

2. academic performance., 3. high test results in math., 4. proof of leadership and people skills., 5. notable achievements in your career (relative to the length of your career)..

Let’s look at each.

The company you end up working for has to sell you to their clients. If you’ve graduated from a top school, that’s an easy sell. If you’ve worked for a top firm, that’s an easy sell.

If you haven’t worked for a top firm, then you have to focus that much more on the other 4 criteria. (Or you need to get on an unpaid internship ASAP!)

Always put your GPA in your CV. If you don’t, they’ll ask for it anyway and write it in. A 3.5 GPA is like the bare minimum and recruiters and firms won’t really bother with you if you don’t seem smart.

Being good at Math is strongly linked to doing well at logical and analytics tasks. You don’t need a perfect score but higher is definitely better.

Being smart isn’t enough. You need to know how to work with people who may or may not dislike you. Your personality can’t get in the way of a client getting the results they want or need.

So you have to demonstrate times in the past where you were faced with a difficult situation and your people skills are what saved the day.

Focus on outcomes, not just responsibilities. Use numbers where possible. And focus on what’s relevant.

And balance it all against the time you spent working or studying. You don’t want to be the person who spent a few years at a firm or studying and did nothing outside of the ordinary. Every candidate studied. Every candidate worked. Focus on what you achieved that few (or no) other people achieved.

If you follow these tips, you’ll be miles ahead of your fellow candidates.

For more consulting career advice , click here.

Will Bennett is a Cambridge graduate. He worked as a Consultant and Senior Consultant at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in London. Will is the Founder of The Cambridge Consultant.

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Victor Cheng Look Over My Shoulder (LOMS) - Program Review

• Last Updated January, 2022

Former Manager, McKinsey

What Does the Victor Cheng Look Over My Shoulder (LOMS) Program Include?

Other products that can help you master consulting case interviews, what are the pros of the look over my shoulder program, my consulting offer’s bootcamp program, what are the cons of the victor cheng loms program, my consulting offer’s free “pass the case interview” video series.

One of the oldest and best-known programs covering consulting case interview prep is the Victor Cheng Look Over My Shoulder Program. Of course, nothing good comes free.

So, is it worth the price?

In this article we’ll give you the pros and cons of the Look Over My Shoulder (LOMS) program and tell you about other programs that can teach you to case as well, if not better, than Victor Cheng’s; which could potentially provide you with better value for your money. 

Let’s get started!

The Victor Cheng LOMS Program has evolved over the years. But at its core, it remains an audio podcast resource meant to provide aspiring consultants a sense of what it will take to pass case interviews and get into their dream firms.

The audio podcast resource is aptly named Look Over My Shoulder (LOMS), as it allows you to listen in on case interviews conducted by Victor Cheng, a former McKinsey consultant who has extensive experience both preparing for case interviews and conducting the actual case interviews.

The podcast itself consists of 8 cases provided to different caliber candidates, resulting in 20 hours’ worth of audio recordings and equivalent transcripts. This translates to roughly ~2.5 hours worth of material per case.

The length of time is because of the following:

• Each case is given to three different candidates, to better illustrate the difference in style and allow for more opportunities to see what good casing looks like.
• Beyond the actual interview, Victor Cheng also provides detailed commentary on every mistake made by the candidate and what they should have done instead.

Aside from the podcast resource, Victor Cheng also offers additional resources for an additional fee. These resources include:

• Cover Letter Toolkit
• Resume Toolkit
• Comprehensive Guide to Case Math
• Mental Math
• Case Interview Coaching Session
• Guide to Personal Experience Interview Toolkit

Now that you have a good idea of the Victor Cheng LOMS program, let’s discuss the pros and cons you should be aware of.

Nail the case & fit interview with strategies from former MBB Interviewers that have helped 89.6% of our clients pass the case interview.

1. Exposure to Good Quality Cases

As mentioned, the Look Over My Shoulder Program offers 8 cases for your reference. These cases cover a variety of industries, including retailing, commodities manufacturing, and logistics.

A good mix of problems are also covered, taking into account the case types candidates most often come across in actual case interviews, such as profitability improvements, revenue growth, market entry, and mergers & acquisition.

For a beginner caser with zero background on what to expect from case interviews, exposure to this set of solid cases provides an advantage since it allows you to focus on high-probability scenarios you yourself might face in an actual interview.

2. Exposure to Thoughtful Feedback Distinguishing Between Good & Distinctive Casing

Victor Cheng is a highly reputable case interview author, coach, and workshop leader. So there is value in hearing his “voice over” commentary for each case interview, as he provides on-the-spot feedback the exact second someone gets it right or wrong, and what else they could have done to make it better.

This type of commentary is invaluable especially if you’re starting out and are unsure on what “distinctive” casing looks like.

3. Unlimited and Convenient Access to the Program

Unlike certain programs, the Victor Cheng LOMS Program is yours forever.

Upon purchase, the program is delivered digitally and users can start using the program immediately. Once you have access to the program, you can download all the files and transcripts, so you have offline access.

Likewise, because of its audio podcast format, it makes it incredibly convenient to listen and learn on the go whether you’re driving to work or walking home.

You can rewind and re-listen to each case multiple times, and really internalize best practices covered or errors to avoid as many times as you want.

1. Heavy Emphasis on Passive Learning Versus Active Learning

There is no doubt that listening to other people doing case interviews provides greater familiarity on the structure and format of a case interview. 

However, without active practice, you don’t actually get the chance to put into action the knowledge you’ve learned. Studies show that learning from your own mistakes first-hand results in deeper insight versus those obtained through pure listening. 

The consensus is clear: Simply listening to the Look Over My Shoulder podcast isn’t enough to prepare YOU for a real case interview encounter. Good quality live practice and implementing constructive feedback obtained are the key to becoming a distinctive caser.

2. The Look Over My Shoulder Program Does Not Provide a Curriculum for Learning

What you hear is what you get. As a resource, this audio podcast is great for you to get a sense of what a case interview is like, and the right or wrong approach taken by the candidate within the context of the case they’re tackling.

While you can come up with pretty good casing tips from the podcast, there is no clear curriculum for teaching you what steps to do and what specific skills to learn (e.g. exhibit reading, maths, brainstorming, market sizing) in order to really ace a case.

Likewise, if you’re coming from a non-business background, simply using the Victor Cheng Look Over My Shoulder program will not be enough to get you up-to-speed on the core business concepts you should be familiar with, such as basic business terminologies or knowledge of different industry business models.

3. It does not cover all interview formats

The two most common case formats are the candidate-led case format (most common, utilized by BCG and Bain) and interviewer-led / command-and-control case formats (utilized by McKinsey).

The Look Over My Shoulder (LOMS) program recognizes this, and it actually gives you the option to purchase:

However, these aren’t the only interview formats being utilized by consulting firms nowadays.

First off, the Personal Experience Interview (otherwise known as the Behavioral Interview ) is utilized by consulting firms to test whether or not you’d be a good cultural fit for the company. 

Victor Cheng does offer a Guide to Personal Experience Interview, but it is only included in the Ultimate Case Interview Program, which costs roughly ~3x the Full LOMS Package.

Second, more dynamic case formats are starting to be adopted by consulting firms. These include written cases and panel interviews. While the basic problem solving toolkit remains the same, additional skills are also being tested here and must be prepared for.

4. The Program Isn’t Updated Often

While it is certainly true that the value any user attains is largely dependent on the amount of time spent practicing and learning from their mistakes, we also recognize that the consulting landscape is continually reinventing itself and the way it recruits top talents.

For example, many consulting companies are now utilizing Online Tests and Games (e.g. BCG Pymetrics Test, Bain Online Assessment, McKinsey Problem Solving Game) to quickly screen candidates as step one of the interview screening process. 

As such, while the Look Over My Shoulder program certainly covers the more traditional aspects of the case interview, it may not be wholly relevant for the newer formats and tests that are coming out today.

5. The Audio Format May Not Be for Everyone

Depending on preference and learning style, the audio format may not be the best learning format for everyone. Some people learn better visually, and may easily get distracted from a purely audio learning experience.

At the end of the day, Victor Cheng’s Look Over My Shoulder Program remains a good resource for case preparation, especially for beginners who are starting out in their casing journey.

However, it is certainly not a comprehensive resource as evidenced by the concerns highlighted above. Keeping that in mind, what other resources can you actually take advantage of?

Here at My Consulting Offer, we recognize that getting into consulting requires concerted effort and investment on your part. So to help you along, we want to make sure you have access to the best and most comprehensive resource available – namely the My Consulting Offer’s Consulting Bootcamp .

This Bootcamp makes use of a proven, step-by-step system, built by our team of global ex-McK/BCG/Bain recruiters and consultants, and utilized by thousands of applicants before you who now have added consulting to their resume.

Purchasing the MCO Get Into Consulting Bootcamp will give you access to the following:

• 14-value packed training modules (16+ hours of video lessons) ranging from recruiting to interviewing to preparing for consulting life once you get the offer.
• Exclusive access to our Facebook community.
• Masters of Casing: Live mock cases to showcase average versus distinctive casing in practice.
• Consulting Industry Guides: Industry cheat sheets from Private Equity to Aerospace Defense, which will get you up-to-speed quickly.
• “Think Like a Consultant” Homework and Drills.

Because we have so many materials on offer, which we update regularly, there is no expiration date to the MCO Bootcamp. Our goal is to provide you with the best value for your money.

How is the My Consulting Offer “Get Into Consulting Bootcamp” Different from LOMS?

1. one-stop resource useful for everyone, regardless of background or location.

It is important to note that the MCO Bootcamp was built as a resource for ALL consulting applicants, whether you are:

• Applying for generalist vs specialized consulting
• Going through campus recruiting vs experienced hire recruiting
• Applying for different locations across the globe

As such, MCO Bootcamp provides a clear step-by-step curriculum that is meant to walk you through:

• How to get an interview, including crafting a winning resume and networking into an interview.
• How to prepare for the case interview, broken down by case type and key skill areas tested.
• How to prepare for the behavioral interview, broken down by the most common themes asked.
• How to wow from Day 1 at your new job.

Our track record speaks for itself. 85% of our clients receive an offer at their dream firms. Our client base is not just people with top GPAs at Ivy League Schools. We prove that you can get a job in consulting even if you attend a non-target school, have a low GPA (e.g., 2.9), are a Ph.D candidate, are an MBA candidate, or are already working and want to switch to the consulting industry.

2. Heavy Emphasis on Active Learning vs. Passive Learning

Here at MCO, we believe that quality practice is key.

Beyond the comprehensive curriculum, purchasing MCO Bootcamp also gives you access to resume and cover letter templates, industry guide cheat sheets, proprietary homework and exercises for each critical skill area. All of these are meant as a resource for you to apply what you’ve learned in the video modules, so you can quickly build up the required skillset to ace your application and interviews.

Equally important, you’ll get access to our exclusive MCO community ensures you can easily find case partners of similar caliber and commitment as you. Nothing beats end-to-end case and behavioral practice with live partners.

Last but definitely not least, our team frequently checks and responds to questions about the course material, so all queries are answered in a timely manner.  

 3. Our Program Is Updated for Each Hiring Cycle

We recognize that the consulting landscape is continuously changing. We review, update, and expand our offerings to ensure relevance. We can do this because we keep in touch with clients who are now in consulting, recruiters at the firms we help our clients get roles with, and other public and internal updates.

Case in point, our Bootcamp has had new content releases every year since it was created. When there are changes in firms’ hiring plans or processes, you’ll know about it.

Regardless of your background or the consulting firm you’re trying to get into, we guarantee our Bootcamp can help.

Interested to know more? Click here.

If your budget is tight, you may also consider our free “Pass the Case Interview” video series. In this 3-part training series, we cover tips on how to pass the case interview in a week, as well as our tried-and-tested approach to both the case interview and the behavioral interview.

Add your email here to gain instant access.

In this article, we’ve covered:

• The pros of the Victor Cheng Look Over My Shoulder program,
• Cons of the LOMS program, and 
• Alternative Case Interview Prep programs that can provide more bang for your buck.

——————-

Still have questions?

If you have more questions about consulting interview prep programs, leave them in the comments below. One of My Consulting Offer’s case coaches will answer them.

Other people prepping for consulting case interviews found the following pages helpful:

• Our Ultimate Guide to Case Interview Prep ,
• My Consulting Offer’s Case Interview Prep Bootcamp , and
• MCO’s Free Consulting Case Workshop Video .

Help with Consulting Interview Prep

Thanks for turning to My Consulting Offer for advice on case interview preparation. My Consulting Offer has helped almost 85% of the people we’ve worked with to get a job in management consulting. We want you to be successful in your consulting interviews too. For example, here is how Suhani was able to get her offer from McKinsey.

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3 Top Strategies to Master the Case Interview in Under a Week

We are sharing our powerful strategies to pass the case interview even if you have no business background, zero casing experience, or only have a week to prepare.

No thanks, I don't want free strategies to get into consulting.

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Victor Cheng LOMS: Is It the Ultimate Guide to Case Interviews?

Discover the ultimate guide to acing case interviews with Victor Cheng's LOMS program.

Posted May 18, 2023

Diverse Pathways: Breaking into MBB + Beyond

Thursday, april 18.

11:00 PM UTC · 60 minutes

Table of Contents

Case interviews are a crucial part of consulting recruitment, and mastering them can often make or break your chances of landing a job at a top consulting firm. This is where Victor Cheng LOMS (Look Over My Shoulder) comes in. It is a popular case interview preparation guide that has garnered a lot of attention in the consulting industry. In this article, we'll explore everything you need to know about Victor Cheng LOMS, from its history to real-life success stories of candidates who used it to ace their case interviews.

Understanding the Importance of Case Interviews in Consulting

Before delving into the specifics of Victor Cheng LOMS, it's crucial to understand why case interviews are so essential in consulting recruitment. Consulting firms use case interviews to assess a candidate's ability to analyze complex business problems, think critically, and communicate effectively. Considering that consulting involves solving a range of real-world business problems, case interviews are a great way to evaluate potential consultants' problem-solving skills and ensure their suitability for the job. The better you get at case interviews, the greater your chances of securing a consulting job offer.

Moreover, case interviews also test a candidate's ability to work under pressure and manage their time effectively. In a typical case interview, candidates are given a limited amount of time to analyze a complex business problem, develop a solution, and present their findings to the interviewer. This simulates the fast-paced and high-pressure environment that consultants often work in, making it a crucial skill to demonstrate during the interview process.

Finally, case interviews also provide candidates with an opportunity to showcase their creativity and innovation. Consulting firms are always looking for new and innovative solutions to complex business problems, and case interviews allow candidates to demonstrate their ability to think outside the box and come up with unique solutions. This is particularly important in today's rapidly changing business landscape, where companies need to be agile and adaptable to stay ahead of the competition.

What is Victor Cheng LOMS?

Victor Cheng LOMS is an audio-based case interview preparation guide that offers candidates a behind-the-scenes look at how real case interviews are conducted. The program features 6 hours of audio recordings of Victor Cheng, a former McKinsey consultant and a well-known figure in the consulting industry, providing commentary and insights on how to tackle case interviews. The guide also comes with a comprehensive set of case interview videos, transcripts, and written materials. It promises to help candidates develop the critical skills needed to master case interviews and secure top consulting jobs.

One of the unique features of Victor Cheng LOMS is that it provides candidates with the opportunity to practice their case interview skills through interactive exercises. These exercises simulate real case interviews and allow candidates to receive feedback on their performance. This hands-on approach to learning is highly effective in helping candidates build confidence and improve their problem-solving abilities. Additionally, the program offers personalized coaching and support to help candidates identify their strengths and weaknesses and develop a customized study plan. Overall, Victor Cheng LOMS is a comprehensive and effective tool for anyone looking to excel in case interviews and land their dream consulting job.

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The History and Development of Victor Cheng LOMS

Victor Cheng LOMS was developed by Victor Cheng, a former consultant at McKinsey & Company, one of the world's leading consulting firms. After leaving McKinsey, Cheng founded his consulting practice and started coaching candidates on how to crack case interviews. Based on his experiences coaching candidates, he developed Victor Cheng LOMS to help others prepare for case interviews and maximize their chances of success. Since its launch, the program has gained immense popularity and has been used by thousands of candidates globally.

Victor Cheng LOMS is a comprehensive program that includes video lessons, audio recordings, and written materials. The program covers a wide range of topics, including case interview frameworks, problem-solving techniques, and communication skills. The materials are designed to be easy to understand and follow, even for those who have no prior experience with case interviews.

In addition to the program itself, Victor Cheng also offers one-on-one coaching services to help candidates prepare for their interviews. The coaching sessions are tailored to each candidate's specific needs and provide personalized feedback and guidance. Many candidates have found the coaching sessions to be extremely helpful in improving their performance and confidence during case interviews.

Who is Victor Cheng and Why Should You Trust His Methods?

Victor Cheng is a renowned figure in the consulting industry. He is a former McKinsey consultant, an author of several case interview prep books, and a coach to thousands of candidates over the years. Cheng's insights and techniques have been widely praised for their effectiveness in helping candidates crack case interviews. His approach emphasizes the importance of developing a structured problem-solving framework and leveraging your business intuition to derive insights and recommendations. Cheng's track record of success in coaching candidates, combined with his vast experience and reputation in the industry, make his methods trustworthy.

In addition to his consulting and coaching work, Victor Cheng is also a sought-after speaker and thought leader in the industry. He has delivered keynote speeches and workshops at top universities and business schools around the world, including Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton. Cheng's ability to distill complex business concepts into simple, actionable frameworks has made him a popular speaker among students and professionals alike.

Furthermore, Victor Cheng is known for his commitment to giving back to the community. He has donated a portion of his book sales to various charities and non-profit organizations, including Room to Read and the American Red Cross. Cheng's dedication to social responsibility and philanthropy has earned him respect and admiration from his peers and followers.

How to Use Victor Cheng LOMS to Ace Your Case Interviews

Using Victor Cheng LOMS effectively involves developing a structured approach to the program. It's recommended that you start by listening to the audio recordings and taking notes on Cheng's commentary and insights on how to approach case interviews. Next, you should watch the video case interviews, tackle them at your own pace, and practice your problem-solving skills consistently. Finally, you should review your progress and assess areas where you need to improve over time. By following this approach, you can significantly improve your case interview skills and increase your chances of success during consulting recruitment.

Another important aspect of using Victor Cheng LOMS is to practice with a partner or a group. This will help you simulate a real case interview scenario and receive feedback on your performance. You can also learn from your peers and observe their problem-solving techniques, which can be helpful in expanding your own problem-solving skills.

It's also important to note that Victor Cheng LOMS is not a substitute for actual case interview practice. While the program can provide you with valuable insights and techniques, it's crucial to practice with real case interviews to gain experience and confidence. You can find case interview partners through networking events, consulting clubs, or online forums.

The Pros and Cons of Using Victor Cheng LOMS for Case Interview Preparation

Like any case interview preparation guide, Victor Cheng LOMS has its pros and cons. On the positive side, the program provides candidates with a wealth of insights and techniques for cracking case interviews. The program is structured, well-organized, and features practical examples that make it easy to follow and apply. On the negative side, the program's audio format might not be ideal for everyone, and the program's pricing might be a bit steep for some. Furthermore, the program might not cover all types of case interviews or suit everyone's learning style.

One of the major advantages of Victor Cheng LOMS is that it offers a comprehensive approach to case interview preparation. The program covers all the essential aspects of case interviews, including problem-solving, communication, and analytical skills. Additionally, the program provides candidates with a range of frameworks and tools that can be applied to different types of case interviews. This makes it an excellent resource for candidates who want to develop a strong foundation in case interview skills.

However, one of the potential drawbacks of Victor Cheng LOMS is that it requires a significant time commitment. The program consists of multiple audio recordings, each of which can take several hours to complete. This means that candidates need to be willing to invest a considerable amount of time and effort into the program. Additionally, the program's audio format might not be suitable for candidates who prefer visual or interactive learning methods.

Comparing Victor Cheng LOMS with Other Case Interview Guides and Resources

There are multiple case interview preparation guides and resources available online. While Victor Cheng LOMS is considered one of the best case interview prep guides, it's worth exploring other resources to supplement your learning. For instance, other case interview books, such as Case In Point or Case Interview Secrets, might be more suited to your learning style or cover specific types of case interviews in more detail. Additionally, there are also many free resources available online, such as YouTube videos and case interview practice platforms, that can help you prepare for case interviews effectively.

Real-life Success Stories of Candidates Who Used Victor Cheng LOMS to Land Consulting Jobs

The proof of the pudding is in the eating, as they say, and this is true for case interview preparation guides. Fortunately, there are numerous success stories of candidates who used Victor Cheng LOMS to secure top consulting jobs. These candidates typically praise the program's structured approach, practical insights, and valuable tips for nailing case interviews. Overall, the program has garnered a lot of positive reviews from candidates who have used it to prepare for consulting recruitment.

Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Your Learning from Victor Cheng LOMS

Maximizing your learning from Victor Cheng LOMS involves consistent practice, critical thinking, and active engagement with the program's content. A few tips and tricks that can help you make the most of the program include practicing your problem-solving skills regularly, leveraging the program's transcripts and written content, and seeking feedback from others. It's also recommended that you supplement your learning with other case interview resources and practice platforms to ensure that you're fully prepared to tackle any case interviews that come your way.

In conclusion, Victor Cheng LOMS is an excellent case interview preparation guide that offers a comprehensive, structured approach to cracking case interviews. Its founder, Victor Cheng, has a well-established reputation in the consulting industry, and the program has helped many candidates land top consulting jobs. Whether you're an experienced candidate or a novice, Victor Cheng LOMS is worth considering as a part of your case interview preparation toolkit.

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Victor Cheng

Victor Cheng is the founder of  CaseInterview.com  which was founded in January, 2008 and is the longest running and most prominent blog on  the management consulting industry .

CaseInterview.com has had in its 13-year history 28 million visitors and currently has over 105,000 active members. In fact 9 out of 10 new hires at McKinsey, Bain and Boston Consulting Group are caseinterview.com students.

Victor is   a graduate of  Stanford University  with a degree in quantitative economics, he landed job offers at  McKinsey, Bain, Monitor (since acquired by Deloitte), LEK, AT Kearney, and Oliver Wyman . Out of 400 Stanford University applicants to McKinsey, he was one of 6 candidates who received an offer from McKinsey.

At McKinsey, Victor was ranked in the top 10% of consultants worldwide in his start class and served as a  resume screener  and case interviewer for the firm.

When not mentoring aspiring consultants from 100+ countries around the world, he serves as a strategic advisor to Inc. 500 CEOs. He has been featured as an business expert by the  Fox Business TV Network ,  MSNBC ,  TIME ,  The Wall Street Journal ,  The Harvard Business Review, Fortune Small Business, SmartMoney,  

He’s the author of  Case Interview Secrets:  A Former McKinsey Interviewer Reveals How to Get Multiple Job Offers in Consulting which to date has sold over 77,000 copies,  The Recession-Proof Business:  Lessons from the Greatest Recession Success Stories of All Time, and  Extreme Revenue Growth: Startup Secrets to Growing Your Sales from $1 Million to $25 Million in Any Industry. 

To get access to these free resources, just fill out the form below:

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Istanbul, Turkey

Warwick, United Kingdom

Sheffield, United Kingdom

Chicago, United States

Vancouver, Canada

Dallas, United States

Cape Town, South Africa

Nottingham, United Kingdom

Rome, Italy

Johannesburg, South Africa

London, United KIngdom

Tokyo, Japan

South Africa

New Jersey, United States

Up in the air

Tanzania, Africa

Bad Gastein, Austria

Sydney, Australia

Hofbräuhaus, Germany

Milwaukee, United States

Beijing, China

Vienna, Austria

Zermatt, Switzerland

American Airlines flight Boston-Chicago, United States

Washington, DC, United States

London, United Kingdom

San Francisco, United States

Kiev, Ukraine

Dublin, Ireland

Austin, United States

Dusseldorf, Germany

Niagara Falls, Canada/United States

Jerusalem, Israel

Dominican Republic

Edinburgh, Scotland

Derbyshire, United Kingdom

Laredo, United States

Soweto, South Africa

Budapest, Hungary

Casablanca, Morocco

Tallahassee, United States

Hong Kong, China

Milan, Italy

Panama Canal, Panama

Letchworth State Park, United States

American Airlines to Chicago, United States

Geelong Beach, Australia

Ithaca, United States

Philadelphia, United States

Shanghai, China

Boston, United States

Bretton Woods, United States

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Consulting cover letter guide (for McKinsey, BCG, Bain, etc.)

Today we’re going to explain everything you need to know about writing consulting cover letters.

We’ll start by reviewing an example cover letter that got interview invitations from ALL the MBB firms (McKinsey, BCG, and Bain). 

And then we’ll explain exactly how you should write your own cover letter to land consulting interviews. Here’s a full list of the topics in this guide:

• Example cover letter

How to write your consulting cover letter

Consulting cover letter tips.

• The skills consulting firms look for

Consulting cover letter screening process

• Get help with your cover letter

Let’s get to it! 

Click here for a consulting letter/resume review with an ex-MBB consultant

Example cover letter (which got interviews at mckinsey, bcg, and bain).

Below is an anonymised cover letter from a candidate who got interviews at McKinsey, BCG and Bain. So you can trust that this template works.

The image here highlights the different sections of the cover letter, but we’ll dive deeper into the text later, and you can also get a downloadable copy below.

Free download of the consulting cover letter example, here. 

In the next section, we’ll go step-by-step through each part of the cover letter and explain how to go about writing it. But before we dive in, please note the following points about the above template:

• A lot of people use this template. Get inspiration from it, but every sentence in your letter should be written from scratch.
• This cover letter might sound impressive. It's one of the best ones we’ve seen. But even if you have not achieved as much as this person, you can still get an interview.

With that said, let’s dig into the cover letter writing process!

As a starting point, this video provides a nice overview of the full writing process for a consulting cover letter. 

Now let’s break things down further.

1. Introduction

Example - Introduction

Mary Taylor - [email protected]

DD / MM / YYYY

Dear Sir / Madam,

I would like to apply for an Associate position at McKinsey in London.

This section is a formality. It should simply state the following information:

• Your name and email address. You can replace your email address with a postal address although those are not commonly used anymore.
• The date on which you are sending your letter
• The position, company, and office to which you are applying

Keep it short and sweet.

2. Why you? 

Example - Why you?

I started working as an Analyst at Big Finance in New York in September 2020 and was quickly promoted to Associate in a year and a half instead of the average four years. While at Big Finance, I advised a broad range of clients who constantly gave me positive feedback and regularly asked to work with me again. Before joining Big Finance, I graduated as the top student of my MEng in Chemical Engineering at Prestigious University in the UK. While studying, I received two competitive scholarships and awards. In addition, I developed my leadership skills as the President of the Prestigious University Consulting Club. High energy was essential to lead a team of 5 managing the club and growing the number of members by 20%.

This is your "GOLD MEDALS" section. It is the first section of your cover letter and therefore the most important one.

It should state the TOP 3 achievements of your life to date that are relevant to consulting. These achievements should be as unique and as memorable as possible. When your reviewer reads them they should think "Wow, that's impressive. I want to know more about this person."

To write this section you need to step back and ask yourself "What are the most impressive things I've done with my life so far?" This is not an easy question to answer. 

In our experience discussing this with a close friend can help. It's sometimes easier for them to quickly point out the impressive things you have done as they are an external observer.

In addition, notice how achievements are QUANTIFIED in the example above. Saying you have been promoted "in a year and a half instead of the average four years" is much more powerful than saying you have been promoted "quickly." You should quantify your achievements whenever possible.

This section is your chance to grab the reader's attention. If there's nothing impressive in it, they will stop reading and just scan the paragraphs. So don't miss your opportunity!

3. Why consulting?

Example - Why consulting?

There are several reasons why I want to pursue a consulting career. To start with, I know I will enjoy being a strategy consultant because I have already worked in a strategy team in the past. This was in summer 2019 when I was a Strategy Intern at Big Grocery Retailer in London. In addition, I think consulting is a unique opportunity to comprehensively learn about business management by working on a variety of company situations. Over the past two years, I have started building my business skills while advising clients on financial matters at Big Finance. I now look forward to learning more about companies’ management at McKinsey. Finally, I want to work in consulting because I truly enjoy interacting with clients. Throughout my work experiences I have built a successful track record of developing and maintaining relationships with clients including, for instance, the senior strategy team at Big Grocery Retailer.

Once you have convinced your reviewer that you have impressive achievements under your belt they'll be thinking: "Ok, this person is impressive. But do they REALLY want to be a consultant? Or are they just applying because they're not sure what to do with their career."

The third section of your letter should therefore answer the  "Why consulting?" question . But here is the thing about this question: There are some reasons to go into consulting that you should tell your reviewer about. And some reasons that you should really keep to yourself.

For instance, one of the mistakes candidates commonly make in their cover letter is to write something along the lines of "I'd like to spend 2 or 3 years in consulting to learn more about business in general and then decide what I want to do." This is a HUGE mistake. 

Consulting firms want to hire FUTURE PARTNERS. Not employees who will stay for a couple of years. You can watch the video below for more details about this.

The best approach for your "Why consulting?" section is to write about past experiences that really show you know what you are getting into. The perfect situation is if you have done an internship in consulting or in corporate strategy and have enjoyed it. If that's the case, this is the perfect section to write about it.

But even if you haven't done related internships, there are plenty of angles you can use to connect your past experiences to what you will do as a consultant. For instance:

• You might have enjoyed working with clients when you were in M&A or in Sales
• You might have enjoyed structuring and solving tough problems as an engineer

You should use these experiences to say that "working with clients" or "solving tough problems" is something you KNOW you enjoy doing; and you look forward to spending more time doing this as a consultant.

When they read this section, your reviewer should think: "Ok, this person is impressive AND they know what they are getting into."

4. Why McKinsey / BCG / Bain / Other?

Example - Why McKinsey?

McKinsey appeals to me for three reasons. To start with, the different people from the company I have met and worked with all told me they had truly enjoyed their time there. For the past two years, I have worked for Michael Smith, a former Engagement Manager from the London office, who now works for Big Finance. Additionally, I regularly read McKinsey’s reports on financial services and think the insights delivered by Sarah James and others in the Finance practice are truly superior to that of other consultancies. By joining McKinsey, I therefore think I would have an opportunity to work with and learn from the best consultants in the industry. Finally, the fact that McKinsey was selected by Finance Supercorp to shape its digital strategy also played an important role in my decision to apply. This was a first-of-its-kind contract in finance and it shows that while at McKinsey I could get the opportunity to work on truly unique projects.

If you have managed to convince your reviewer that you have an impressive background and that you really want to be a consultant, you have a VERY HIGH chance of getting an interview. 

The only question that's left for you to answer is: " Why McKinsey  / Why BCG? / Why Bain? "

Top consulting firms  have a lot in common. In most regions, they cover the same industries and work for similar clients. They also pay similar salaries, and the career path is more or less the same from firm to firm. So what should you write about in this section?

In our experience, the most efficient way to set yourself apart in this section is to write about three specific elements:

When you write "I've met with Michael Smith," or "I've read report X," or "I've heard about project Y," you are making an argument that's SPECIFIC enough for your reviewer to think: "Ok they've done their homework."

If you stay too GENERIC, your argument will be much less credible. For instance, writing something like "While at McKinsey, I'll be exposed to a broad range of industries which I'm excited about" is a weak argument because you could swap McKinsey for BCG or Bain in that sentence.

In fact, this is the ultimate test. If you can swap McKinsey with another name in your "Why McKinsey?" section you are not being specific enough. You need to work on your paragraph again and mention SPECIFIC people, reports, or projects that you find interesting.

5. Conclusion

Example - Conclusion

For all these reasons, I am very enthusiastic about the chance to work at McKinsey. I am available for an interview at any time and look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Mary Taylor

The last section of the cover letter is a formality again. It should include the following elements:

• A sentence or two saying that you are enthusiastic and available for interviews at any time
• Your final signature

So how do you make it easy for your reviewer to put your cover letter on the "Accept" pile? We have put together the 10 tips below to make sure you can achieve this and avoid common mistakes.

Tip #1 Don't use a template letter

Writing cover letters is painful. But trust us, reading hundreds of them can be at least as painful. That's why you should make every effort to make your letter interesting and genuine. 

It's ok to get inspiration from templates such as the one we provide in this guide. But every sentence in your letter should be written from scratch.

Tip #2 Keep it to one page

One of the unwritten rules of consulting cover letters is that they should not be longer than one page. The trick to achieve this is to only select the MOST RELEVANT experiences from your  resume  and to summarise them. 

The points you decide to highlight should clearly demonstrate that you would make a great consultant.

Tip #3 Standard format and font

It's tempting to use an eye-catching font and format. But that's actually a bad idea. You only risk your interviewer thinking: "I've never seen this font, it looks really weird. Who is this person?" Your cover letter should stand out because of its content, NOT because of its format.

Tip #4 Not the time to be shy

Your cover letter is not the time to be shy. If you went to Harvard and have three Olympic medals, now is the time to say it! Most of us don't, and that's fine. But the point is that you should really push yourself to bring your most impressive accomplishments forward.

Tip #5 Network, network, network

This might sound surprising, but a big part of the cover letter is  how much networking you have done . Having networked with people from the firm you are applying for pays dividends for multiple reasons. 

First, they might recommend you to the HR team. But most importantly, these people will give you insight into what makes their firm UNIQUE. Then you can quote what you've heard in your cover letter (and name drop the person you heard it from) to show that you really understand the firm you are applying for.

Tip #6 Read, read, read

Unfortunately, networking is not always easy or possible. In these cases, your second best option is to read as much as you can on the firms you are applying for. You should read about the firm's projects, reports, and partners and find pieces of information you are really interested in. 

For instance, if you did your master thesis on electric vehicles, try to find who works in this area at the firm and what they have to say about it. And then mention what you have found in your cover letter.

Tip #7 One letter per firm

One question we often get is: "Should I write one letter per firm?" The answer is YES. But it's not as hard as it might sound. 

Every cover letter needs to answer three questions: Why you? Why consulting? And why this firm? The only paragraph you will need to change in every letter is the one about "Why this firm?" For each firm, you will have to do the networking and reading mentioned above.

Tip #8 Start writing early

Writing an outstanding cover letter is VERY HARD. Most candidates underestimate how much time it takes and start this process too late. You'll need to take a step back and reflect on everything you have done to date to highlight your most relevant experiences. 

This takes multiple iterations. Start early.

Tip #9 Get feedback

In our experience, great candidates all look for feedback and iterate on their cover letter until it's truly as good as it can get. It's a lot of work, but it's worth it.

It’s best to get feedback from peers or consultants. These people will be able to point out which parts of your letter they don't get or don't find impactful enough. If you’d like to have an expert review your cover letter, check out our team of  ex-consultant coaches .

Tip #10 Proofread multiple times

Finally, you should check and double check your letter for typos and grammar mistakes - multiple times. A cover letter is (not so secretly) a writing test and you should really treat it like one.

What consulting firms look for

To get multiple interviews at  top consulting firms , it’s extremely important to understand what those firms are actually looking for. 

The good news is that most of the leading consultancies are looking for basically the same skills. 

To illustrate this point, here’s what  McKinsey  and  Bain  say that they’re looking for in candidates, along with our own translation of what they mean:

There are also a few unofficial items that consulting firms will look for on your resume, and you can read about those in our  consulting resume guide .

Next, let’s talk about the typical cover letter screening process.

Screening process

Now let's talk about HOW your cover letter will be handled once you send it. Here's how it works.

Your application will be sent to a JUNIOR CONSULTANT who recently graduated from your University. They will score your documents based on a grid provided by the HR team. 

Consultants usually have to score 200 to 400 applications in about 2 weeks. And this is sometimes on TOP of their normal project. It's not uncommon for them to leave the job to the last minute and to have to do it on a Friday night just before the deadline.

Why is this important? The point we are trying to make is your application is part of 100 other applications. And the person who will review it will be tired by the time they get to your cover letter. If they don't understand something, they won't Google it. It's your job to make their job easy.

Why consultancies ask for a cover letter

There are two main reasons why consulting firms ask for cover letters.

First, partners bill several thousand dollars per day to their clients. The opportunity cost of interviewing you is HUGE for the firm. Put yourself in the shoes of a consultancy for a second. What are the top 3 questions you want to answer before investing money in interviewing a candidate?

• Have they demonstrated the skills needed to be a consultant?
• Do they know what consulting is and what they are getting into?
• Are they genuinely interested in working for our firm?

If you don't answer these three questions in a structured and impactful way, your chances of getting past the screening process are very low. This is why every cover letter should be structured as follows:

• Why consulting?
• Why this firm?

The second reason consulting firms ask for a cover letter is to test your writing skills. Consultants write all the time: emails, PowerPoints, Word documents, etc. They spend about 50% of their day writing. And a lot of the time their job is to summarise very large quantities of information in a succinct way.

This is exactly what you have to do in your cover letter. You have to a) look back on all your past experiences, b) select the relevant experiences to convince the reviewer that you are the right person for the job and c) summarise all these experiences in a way that's easy to read and digest.

Cover letters are a disguised writing test. Candidates who end up getting invited for interviews recognise this early on. Making a good impression on paper is way harder than making a good impression in person.

Are many candidates ready to invest HOURS in writing the perfect cover letter? No. That's the whole point. That's how you can set yourself apart. If you spend enough time making sure that your letter is as impactful as it can be, you stand very high chances of getting invited for interviews.

Another reason that it can help to have a cover letter is to explain anything on your resume that may look unusual to a reviewer, such as a time gap or a non-traditional background for consulting. 

Whatever your unique situation is, if you’re not confident in how your cover letter looks today, then we can help you. 

Get an Ex-MBB consultant to review your cover letter

The guide above, in addition to our guide on  consulting resumes , should go a long way in helping you craft documents that will get you interviews. 

But if you still feel you need additional help, we have a team of ex-MBB recruiters and interviewers who would be happy to provide feedback on your cover letter.

You’ll get feedback on how to immediately improve your cover letter, including what experience to focus on, how to optimise your phrasing, formatting, etc.

Start by browsing profiles for available coaches.

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Rebecca Geach