Consulting Tip #04: How to Craft a Winning Consultant CV 📝
Hi there,
The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect, reset, and set yourself up for success. Whether you’re looking to land new opportunities, grow your network, or simply showcase your expertise, there’s one tool you should never overlook: your CV.
When I landed my first consulting job, I thought my days of perfecting my CV were over. I couldn’t have been more wrong. As a consultant, your CV isn’t just for job hunting – it’s an ongoing tool that demonstrates your value to clients and helps you secure exciting projects.
This is why crafting and maintaining a great consultant CV is so important. I’ve even seen consultants with 20 years of IT experience who, on paper, looked like they’d barely started their careers. Don’t let that happen to you. A well-prepared CV can reflect your depth of experience, versatility, and value.
Here’s my take on how to create a consultant CV that gets results:
💼 Consulting Tip #04: Craft a Winning Consultant CV 📝
1. Start with a Clear Summary
Kick off with a concise summary of who you are, what you specialize in, and the value you bring. Add a one-sentence headline if your firm’s CV template allows.
Headline Example:
"Senior IT Architect specializing in digital transformations for the financial sector."
Summary Example:
"Experienced IT consultant with over 10 years of expertise in enterprise architecture and strategic IT solutions. Worked in 50+ projects across industries including finance, healthcare, and retail, delivering scalable systems that drive business outcomes."
Pro Tip: Quantify your experience wherever possible. Mention years of experience, number of clients, projects, industries, and relevant degrees and certifications to add credibility.
2. Highlight Achievements, Not Just Responsibilities
Clients want to see results. Instead of simply listing duties, focus on accomplishments.
Instead of:
"Worked in a project to develop a CRM solution for a client."
Write:
"Led the implementation of a CRM system for a Fortune 500 client, increasing customer retention by 25%."
Pro Tip: Use metrics like percentages, revenue growth, time saved, or client satisfaction to make your achievements stand out. Only include metrics you can substantiate.
3. Showcase Relevant Skills
Highlight your technical and soft skills that are most relevant to consulting.
Examples:
Technical Skills: Cloud technologies, enterprise architecture, agile methodologies
Soft Skills: Stakeholder management, problem-solving, team leadership, facilitation
Pro Tip: Group your skills under headings like "Technical Skills" and "Core Competencies" for clarity.
4. Include Certifications
Certifications validate your expertise and make your CV stand out.
Examples:
AWS Certified Solutions Architect
TOGAF Certified
Scrum Master Certification
Pro Tip: Place certifications under a dedicated heading to ensure they’re easily noticed.
5. Include Relevant Degrees
Your educational background matters, especially if you have advanced or specialized degrees.
Examples:
M.Sc. in Information Technology
Ph.D. in Information Management and Logistics with a focus on Enterprise Architecture
Pro Tip: Include coursework or research topics if they’re directly relevant to consulting.
6. Structure Your Experience
Organize your work history in reverse chronological order, grouped by employer. Include details on projects, clients (if permitted), and industries. If you have to choose, add more detail on recent or representative projects.
Pro Tip: Use bullet points starting with action verbs like "Led," "Developed," or "Delivered." Summarize older roles if you have a long work history, focusing on the most relevant highlights.
7. Showcase Example Projects
Even if you can’t list every project, highlight a few relevant and impactful examples.
Pro Tip: Detail the scope, your role, and the outcomes of each project.
8. Mention Client Names (When Appropriate)
Adding client names can boost credibility, but confidentiality is key. If unsure, consult your supervisor. If disclosing names isn’t possible, include industries instead (e.g., "Major telecom company").
9. Use a Suitable Title
Follow your firm’s guidelines for titles. Use the title that best aligns with the project (e.g., "Enterprise Architect") or your official title (e.g., "Senior Business Consultant").
10. Tailor for Each Opportunity
Every client and project is unique, so tailor your CV accordingly.
Pro Tip: At the very least, customize your headline and summary to align with the opportunity at hand.
11. Keep It Clean, Professional, and According to Standards
Your CV should be visually appealing, easy to read, and compliant with your firm’s template and guidelines.
Pro Tip: Include a professional photo, consistent formatting, and plenty of white space for readability.
💡 Why This Matters
Your consultant CV is a living document – a reflection of your experience, skills, and achievements. It’s not just a formality; it’s a vital tool for building trust and credibility with clients. By keeping it polished, detailed, and tailored, you’ll stand out and land the opportunities you want.
Preferably update your CV after every engagement – and make it available to others as instructed.
Need help with your CV?
Reply to this email with your questions, and I’ll share more tips in a future newsletter. Let’s make your CV your best asset in 2025!
Best regards,
Eetu Niemi
📚 Looking for More Inspiration?
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