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Consulting Cover Letter: Expert Guide, Examples & Template

Your consulting takes companies to the next level. Now is the time to make your consulting cover letter do the same. Find out from this guide.

Roger Maftean, Ph.D
Roger Maftean, Ph.D
Career Expert at ResumeLab
Consulting Cover Letter: Expert Guide, Examples & Template

You’re the one who provides expert advice on a daily basis.  You’re a problem-solver and have uncanny analytical skills. It’s clear you’re perfect for the open consulting position with the skills you possess.

But—you need to match that perfection with an equally impressive consulting cover letter.

The problem? You can’t send in a mediocre one. To turn heads, it’s time to receive some consulting. And, you’re in the right place.

In this article, you’ll get:

  • Two consulting cover letters: for experienced and entry-level consultants.
  • Step-by-step tips on how to write a cover letter that will land you more interviews.
  • A template you can copy, adjust, and have ready in 15 minutes.

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Looking for a different cover letter example? See:

According to a LinkedIn study, consultants are among the most likely professionals to relocate for their career. If that's you, get ready now and check out our guide on writing a Cover Letter When Relocating

You need a better sense of what makes a consulting cover letter so great. Let’s read two consulting cover letter examples to find that out.

1. Consulting Cover Letter Examples

Let’s see how Chris, a consultant with some years of relevant professional experience, crafts a great sample consulting cover letter.

Chris is applying for a management consulting position which requires experience in analyzing data and providing strategic solutions in operation and business planning. Take a look at how Chris highlights his skills in his consulting cover letter to prove he’s the best candidate for the job:

Example #1: Mid-Level Candidate

Chris Bell

Phone: +1-312-322-7878

Email: chris.bell@gmail.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chris-bell

Twitter: twitter.com/murphy-chrisjbell

Chicago, August 5, 2019

Kyle Heansworth

Head of Customer Experience

Huron Consulting Group

550 W Van Buren St #1700

Chicago, IL 60607

Dear Kyle

As an long-term enthusiast of Huron Consulting Group’s industry-famous emphasis on providing data-driven business solutions, I was thrilled to see an opening for a Strategy Consultant with your company. With my 5+ years of experience in developing data-driven solutions to minimize risk for small and medium sized businesses, I am positive I can provide the best financial consulting for clients of Huron Consulting Group.

In the job listing, you state that you’re looking for a consultant skilled in data-driven problem solving and improving processes. In my current position with Catalyst Consulting Group, I was responsible for performing day-to-day management of assigned projects and managed portions of our larger business projects. I prepared weekly reports on project schedule, costs, and deliverables. My reports led to an increased profit of 200% in the first two months of a large project by identifying and implementing inventory and cost controls. I’m sure I will translate my experience into similar results for Huron Consulting Group.

I am enthralled with Huron Consulting Group’s ability to come up with sound, data-drive, solutions to some of your clients’ largest financial problems. Being part of your team and creating the industry best practice guidelines would be a dream opportunity for my career development.

Can we schedule a meeting or a call to discuss solutions for optimizing key processes for Huron Consulting Group’s largest clients?

Thank you,



Chris Bell

312-322-7878

chris.bell@gmail.com

Maybe you’re worried your cover letter won’t have the same impact? Does your lack of experience stop you from applying to your dream consulting job?

Don’t be discouraged. Your big career break is very much within your reach. You just need a consulting cover letter to make the hiring manager go: “The drive of this candidate reminds me of myself! I have to meet her. Get her an interview as soon as you can!

Stephanie has the drive. She’s applying for a Junior Consultant job that requires keen analytical and problem-solving skills. But, Stephanie hasn’t been in a consultant position before. However, she shows promise in her consultant cover letter by highlighting what skills will translate and make her a star employee.

Example #2: Entry-Level Candidate (No Experience)

consulting cover letter example

Text version

Stephanie Grobstein

402-333-7558

steph.anie.grobstein@google.com

linkedin.com/in/stephgrobstein

Washington, D.C., 5 August 2019

Lindsay Strohmer

Customer Service Team Leader

Booz Allen Hamilton

20 M St SE.

Washington, DC 20003

Dear Ms. Strohmer,

As a highly-motivated final-year college student with an attention to detail, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and a keen eye for data-driven solutions, I would like to apply for the position of Junior Consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton. I have been preparing to work as a consultant during my studies and believe your company offers the best opportunity for impact and growth.

In the job ad you posted on Indeed, you say you’re searching for candidates with the ability to design and implement solutions through management consulting capability pillars. During my studies, I interned at a local governmental office during my summer holidays as part of my public management thesis project. Over the course of four years, I helped initiate some critical organizational design and process improvement changes for the local governmental office to help deal with the overload of inquiries they dealt with each calendar year. It was interesting to see how different management consulting capability pillars can factor into the running of a public office.

In addition, I helped prepare and submit monthly reports monitoring the expenses of several local government projects. I also created PowerPoint presentations and other business documents to show local city council members and journalists. Although there were many times when the unexpected occurred during press meetings, I succeeded in providing accurate graphs and charts breaking down each project phase. I am positive this experience has prepared me for working in a similar Junior Consultant role at Booz Allen Hamilton.

I would value the opportunity to discuss your team’s objectives and show you how my dedication and attention to detail combined with a good knowledge of management practices can translate into consulting excellence for Booz Allen Hamilton.

Yours sincerely,

Stephanie Grobstein

402-333-7558

steph.anie.grobstein@google.com

Okay, so now you see what two perfect examples of consultant cover letters look like. Let’s make a consulting cover letter worthy of McKinsey by walking through all the steps together.

Haven't written your resume yet? See: Consulting Resume Example

2. How to Write a Cover Letter for Consulting Jobs Step by Step

Here are the key points for writing a job-winning consulting cover letter:

1. Format Your Consulting Cover Letter Properly

You want to make a great first impression with your cover letter. You know how much professionalism, attention to detail, and business etiquette matter in the consulting world. The same applies to your cover letter. 

Follow these key rules for formatting your cover letter:

  • Left-align all contents, don’t use justification.
  • Set 1-inch margins on all 4 sides.
  • Just like with your resume, pick a matching, elegant, readable font—use a classic: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana, Helvetica, Georgia.
  • Use 1.15 line spacing.
  • Keep it one page. Don’t let it spill over to the next. One page is the best length of a cover letter.

Expert Hint: PwC, one of the four leading consulting groups in the world, hires a new consultant every 8 minutes. All candidates have strong organizational skills. How do you make sure your application doesn’t land in the rejected pile right away? Show your strong sense of organization by formatting your job application documents.

2. Have Professional Cover Letter Header with Contact Information

There’s one takeaway for your cover letter header—make it identical to the one on your resume. Both headers should include your full name, followed by your job title, and contact details.

Below the header on your consulting cover letter, have the following: city, date, and the inside address of the hiring manager. Not sure about your design skills? Simply left-align all contents.

Consulting Cover Letter Header Template

[ Your Full Name]

[ Your Job Title ] (Optional)

[ Phone Number ]

[ Email Address ]

[ LinkedIn Profile ]

[ City and Date ]

[ Hiring Manager’s Full Name ]

[ Hiring Manager’s Position, e.g. Customer Service Team Leader ]

[ Company Name ]

[ Company Street Address ]

[ City and Zip Code ]

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

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Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

3. Introduce Yourself and Identify the Job to Which You’re Applying

You want to make sure the first paragraph of your consulting cover letter shows what the hiring manager reads is actually relevant to them.

Here’s the first step: address the hiring manager by name in your greeting. Find out who the hiring manager is with simple online research. If you can’t find the name, take initiative by calling the reception desk and ask.

Identify the job you’re applying for at the start of the cover letter. Explain in one to two sentences how your skills and experience make you a good fit. Use this template as a reference. Just fill in the blanks with your information.

Consulting Cover Letter Sample: Introduction

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name]:

As I came across the job listing for the position of Senior Consultant with [Target Company Name], I was ecstatic. As a consultant with [number of years] years of professional experience, highly skilled in [data analysis/critical thinking/problem solving/data visualization/time management] I’m sure I can help your team with the upcoming challenges.

Expert Hint: Want to get ahead of your competition and be a more valuable hire? Get certified! The most prestigious industry certifications are offered by the Institute of Management Consultants. The process takes roughly 3-5 months to complete and costs between $350 and $550, but guarantee a sky-high ROI.

4. Showcase Your Relevant Consultant Strengths

You need to refer to the requirements of the consultant job you’re targeting. Do this in the second paragraph of your consultant cover letter.

Your objective is to assure the hiring manager you’ll be successful at your new position. Go to the job description. Pick out a few of the key requirements. Link it to your past duties and achievements. Give examples. It’ll show you can handle any new challenges in your new role.

Cover Letter for a Consultant: Middle Paragraph

In your job listing, you call for a Consultant who is experienced in [refer to the requirements of the job]. At [Name of Your Current or Most Recent Company], I demonstrated [responsibilities, duties, or projects you’ve successfully completed, supported by metrics, if possible]. I am confident my skills and will translate into similar results for [Target Company Name].

Expert Hint: Global management consulting services market size is likely to reach $343.52 billion by 2025. Why is it such a growing industry? Because it helps businesses cut costs and improve their processes. If you can showcase any cost-saving solutions you implemented in your past jobs, make sure to mention them in your consulting cover letter!

5. Explain Why You Want In On This Consulting Job

You know the power of a compliment. Drop a few in the third paragraph.

Yes, you need to meet the business needs of your future employer. But you should also love what you’re doing. It’s something hiring managers look for in a candidate. Otherwise, you might want to leave the company during your onboarding process.

Let them know they are special. Show why you want this consulting job more than any other job out there. Need some help? Go with this template:

Consultant Cover Letter Example: Your Motivation

It’s rare to see a [Target Company Name] as yourself which focuses on using consulting activities to [something you genuinely admire about the company]. My professional beliefs align your values and mission perfectly. It would be an honor to join your team. I’m positive such a role would be the best opportunity to help me grow in my career and develop my key skills with providing excellent consulting services for [Target Company Name].

6. End With a Clear Call To Action And a Proper Sign-Off

To finish your cover letter, request an in-person meeting or a call. Affirm your offer. Tell them you’d love to meet and discuss ways you’ll help the company achieve its goals. Here’s a sample management consulting cover letter closing you can use as reference:

Sample Cover Letter for Consulting: Call to Action & Formal Closing

Can we schedule a call or a meeting to discuss how my skills can help [Target Company Name] achieve all your KPIs in the upcoming months?

Yours sincerely,

[Digital Copy of Your Handwritten Signature]

[Your Full Name]

[Phone Number]

[Email Address]

 

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Key Points

When writing a cover letter for consulting positions, you should:

  • Address the hiring manager directly in your cover letter.
  • Introduce yourself, confirm the position you’re applying and detail your key strengths in the introduction.
  • Show relevant achievements that match the requirements of the job and make an offer to help your target company with their challenges.
  • Tell them why you want to join the company.
  • Ask for a meeting or call to end your consulting cover letter.

Need more cover letter related resources? See:

Got any questions? Need further help with writing your covering letter for consulting jobs? Let me know in the comments, I’ll be more than happy to help!

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Roger Maftean, Ph.D
Written byRoger Maftean, Ph.D
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Roger is a career expert at ResumeLab. His goal is to promote the best job search strategies across online communities and publications. As a career advice writer, his goal is to help job candidates maximize their chances of landing the best jobs through expert knowledge driven by data. He also specializes in the psychological aspects of the workplace. Roger holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and Government, an M.A. in Philosophy, and focuses on helping people thrive in their professional lives through data-driven solutions.

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