How to Get a Consulting Internship: Essential Tips and Resources
Table of Contents
Embarking on the journey to secure a consulting internship can be daunting, but with the right advice and resources, it becomes an achievable goal. This blog is your go-to guide for securing a consulting internship. It covers everything from an introduction to consulting internships, essential resources for finding opportunities, and tailored resume and interview tips. Whether you’re a student or recent graduate, find the insights and tools you need to succeed in the competitive consulting field.
What is Consulting?
Consulting interns are frequently assigned with data collection or research for specific projects. To complete all assignments, you will work both collaboratively and independently. Consulting interns are also frequently responsible for presenting their findings and assisting their bosses with continuing issue.
Types of Consulting Jobs
Here are some types of consulting, each introduced with one sentence:
- Management Consulting: Advises organizations on improving overall performance through strategic and operational efficiencies.
- Financial Consulting: Provides expertise on financial planning, analysis, and strategies to improve financial health.
- IT Consulting: Helps businesses implement and optimize information technology systems to enhance operations and performance.
- Human Resources Consulting: Offers solutions for improving HR practices, including talent management, organizational structure, and employee engagement.
- Strategy Consulting: Focuses on high-level strategic decisions to drive business growth and competitive advantage.
- Operations Consulting: Works on optimizing internal processes and improving operational efficiency.
- Marketing Consulting: Assists companies in developing and executing effective marketing strategies to reach target audiences.
Majors Suitable for Consulting
- Several majors are particularly suitable for a career in consulting, each offering unique skills and knowledge that can be leveraged in this diverse field.
- Business Administration and Economics provide a strong foundation in business operations and market dynamics, while Finance equips individuals with financial analysis and management expertise.
- Engineering and Computer Science develop technical and problem-solving skills crucial for various consulting roles.
- Marketing focuses on market research and strategic planning, and Psychology offers insights into human behavior, valuable for organizational development.
- Mathematics and Statistics provide analytical and quantitative skills essential for data-driven decisions, while Environmental Science prepares students for sustainability and regulatory compliance consulting.
- Law major offers knowledge of legal principles, beneficial for compliance and regulatory consulting. Together, these majors form a comprehensive toolkit for aspiring consultants.
What Skills are Relevant for Consulting Interns?
- High attention to detail
- Good at strategizing and problem solving
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
- Background in finance and business
How to Write an Effective Resume
What is ATS？
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is computer software that human resource departments use to process the overwhelming number of applications they receive for job openings.
Here are some tips to make sure your resume can be read by an ATS:
- Use simple and clear language to avoid confusing the system.
- Stick to standard resume headers like “Education” and “Work Experience”. Avoid creative headers.
- Use common fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, or Helvetica for readability.
- Keep 1-inch margins on all sides to prevent your resume from looking crowded.
- Avoid unnecessary graphics or decorations, as they can confuse the ATS.
- Don’t use special characters or symbols that the system might not understand.
- Create your resume in a Word document to ensure it looks good and is easy for the ATS to read.
Follow Basic Formatting Requirements
Use a professional resume template to ensure your resume is neat and easy to read, effectively highlighting key information with clear headings, consistent formatting, and an organized structure.
Resume Formatting Rules
- Left-align the content.
- Use 1″ margins.
- Select a professional, easy-to-read font.
- Divide your information into clear sections.
- Set clear headers for each section.
- Use bullet points to explain your work experience.
- Keep your resume an appropriate length (one page for most candidates)
A resume should be concise, using bullet points and formatting to highlight key information, ensuring that recruiters can quickly understand your qualifications and achievements. Use formatting techniques such as bold, italics, or color to emphasize keywords and critical information, making them immediately noticeable during rapid scanning.
Demonstrate Your Fit for the Job
Provide a clear personal summary that outlines your resume, highlighting key points and skills directly related to the position, and emphasizing both technical and soft skills to show your alignment with the job requirements and your career aspirations.
Example
Proactive Consulting Intern with a proven ability to assist in the development and implementation of strategic business solutions that drive revenue growth and operational efficiency. My experience includes conducting comprehensive market research, competitor analysis, and risk management, leading to significant improvements in client performance and satisfaction. Eager to leverage my analytical skills and passion for problem-solving to contribute to the success of future consulting projects.
To ensure your resume meets the job requirements, tailor the content to the specific needs of the position, emphasize relevant achievements, use keywords from the job description for ATS optimization, and highlight experience in similar roles.
Employers value quantified achievements because they provide concrete evidence of your impact and abilities, which helps them better assess your potential performance in the new position.
Workload Achievements
Assisted in the development and implementation of a new business strategy for a major client, resulting in a 30% increase in their annual revenue.
Conducted comprehensive market research and data analysis to identify potential growth opportunities, leading to the acquisition of two new high-profile clients.
Collaborated with a team of consultants to streamline the client’s operational processes, reducing costs by 20% and improving overall efficiency.
Top Skills & Keywords for Consulting Intern Resumes:
Soft Skills
- Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Time Management and Organization
- Attention to Detail
- Research and Data Analysis
- Client Relationship Management
- Presentation and Public Speaking
- Critical Thinking and Decision Making
- Leadership and Project Management
- Professionalism and Ethical Conduct
Hard Skills
- Data Analysis and Interpretation
- Market Research and Competitive Analysis
- Financial Modeling and Analysis
- Business Strategy Development
- Project Management
- Presentation and Communication Skills
- Problem-solving and Critical Thinking
- Data Visualization and Reporting
- Process Improvement and Optimization
- Stakeholder Management
- Industry and Market Knowledge
- Business Case Development
How to Build Your Network and Connections
Linked Connection
- Even if you don’t have inside connections, LinkedIn is your secret weapon for tapping into the power of networking with the company’s own team.
- In the LinkedIn “People” section of the target company/industry, filter for positions of interest, preferably selecting alumni. Alumni are more inclined to offer assistance. Send a note to connect (briefly introducing yourself with your name, school, major, interests, and reason for contacting them).
- Up on receiving an invitation to connect: Express gratitude, provide another brief self-introduction, inquire about scheduling a brief coffee chat, and briefly outline areas of interest.
- Pre-chat preparation: Prepare a self-introduction; review the other person’s profile beforehand; prepare ten questions of interest (related to their profession or education).
- On the day of the chat: Enter the chat five minutes early, tidy up appearance, confirm questions to ask, then chat as if with a senior colleague! Exchange greetings, introduce yourself, and ask questions. Respond to their answers with your own thoughts and experiences for deeper engagement!
- At the end of the chat: Ask directly if they are willing to refer you; offer to provide your resume for them to learn more about you. Usually, they will agree at this point. It’s okay if they don’t. Regardless of the outcome, always express gratitude politely.
Offline Networking
- Participate in Offline Activities
Actively participate in school and industry offline events like job fairs and forums to understand industry trends and connect with experts.
- Volunteer at Industry Events
Volunteering at industry events demonstrates your enthusiasm and responsibility while providing valuable organizational skills and opportunities to network with industry veterans and potential employers.
- Attend Lectures and Seminars
Regularly attend lectures and seminars to gain industry insights, learn from experts, and network with speakers.
- Network During Other Internships
Utilize your internship to network with colleagues and supervisors, building professional relationships that can enhance your career development.
How to Stand Out in an Interview
Professional Behavior
First, present yourself as if you are already in the job. Treat the interview like a cosplay event where you play the role of a professional. Mimic the appearance and behavior of a workplace professional. Choosing appropriate formal attire is fundamental. When communicating with the interviewer, accurately expressing your thoughts, demonstrate the composure of someone with years of work experience.
Tips for Behavioral Interviews
With these kinds of questions, interviewers are usually trying to learn three things:
- They want to know how you behaved in a real-world situation.
- They want to understand the measurable value you added to that situation.
- They are trying to learn how you define something like “pressure at work”—a concept different people might interpret differently.
Success in a behavioral interview is all about preparation. There aren’t necessarily wrong answers. These questions are aimed at getting to know the real you. The important thing is to be honest and to practice structuring your responses in a way that communicates what you have to offer.
Here are some important tips to consider when preparing for your next behavioral interview:
- Review major projects you’ve worked on.
- Revisit previous job performance reviews.
- Make a list of your professional accomplishments.
- Use the STAR method to structure your response.
- Practice your interview responses aloud.
- Keep your answers under two minutes.
Showcase Your Extensive Experience
Even if you encounter work content during the interview that you haven’t experienced, don’t panic. Observe the work of others, learn from their experiences, and adapt these experiences as your own. For example, if a classmate mentioned a relevant technique or method in a school project, you can discuss your understanding of this topic during the interview and express your interest in learning and practicing it further.
What Questions Should You Ask at the End of the Interview?
At the end of the interview, if the candidate doesn’t have any questions to ask, he or she may appear to lack interest and initiative in the position or the company, and miss the opportunity to further demonstrate their curiosity and deepen the conversation.
What Can I Ask?
HR（ Generally for initial interviews）：The main understanding of the company’s basic situation, assessment standards, departmental situation and other issues, reflecting stability and intentionality.
- Could you describe the day-to-day responsibilities of this role?
- What is the company culture and core values like here?
- What are the key success metrics for this position?
Final Interview
Immediate Supervisors: mainly to understand the tasks of the position, the division of labor, and the problems of their own travel, reflecting professionalism and initiative
- How does the team typically collaborate on projects?
- Could you share some details about the current main projects the team is working on?
- How can I contribute most effectively in this role within the team?
Senior leaders: mainly understand the company’s development direction, departmental goals, personal improvement and other aspects of the problem, reflecting independent thinking and upward mobility
- What are some key goals or plans for the company in the coming years?
- How do you see this position contributing to the company’s long-term strategy?
- What support does the company offer for career development and growth?
Can’t Ask Anything
Questions that are too pointed or negative: For example, asking direct questions about why the company has a high turnover rate, internal conflicts, etc., may make the interview atmosphere awkward and affect the interviewer’s evaluation of the applicant’s attitude.
If you have any more interview questions, here’s a ChatGPT plugin I recommend: Interview Pro, It helps you excel in interviews across various job functions and levels.
How to Follow Up with HR on Interview Results
At different stages after the interview, you can follow specific scripts to inquire about the results from HR. Here are some recommended communication scripts to keep in mind:
On-site Inquiry Right After the Interview
“Thank you very much for the opportunity to interview with your company. It allowed me to showcase my abilities and learn more about your organization. I had a very pleasant conversation with the interviewer and look forward to the possibility of working together. Could you please let me know approximately how long it will take to finalize the interview results?”
Same Day as the Interview
Online Inquiry:
“Hello, I am *** who interviewed for the *** position this morning. Thank you very much for arranging this interview. During the interview, I felt the professionalism and rigor of your company and learned about the career prospects of the position, which align well with my career plans. I hope to have the opportunity to work with your company. Could you please let me know when the interview results are expected to be finalized? Thank you.”
Three Days After the Interview
Routine Inquiry:
“Hello, I am （name） who interviewed for the ** position on Tuesday. I had a very pleasant conversation with the interviewer, and I now have a clearer understanding of the company and the position. I am looking forward to the opportunity to join the company. Could you please let me know if the interview results have been finalized? Thank you.”
Advanced Inquiry:
“Hello, I was very pleased to attend the interview with your company last week. I would like to inquire if the interview results are available now. And then I have received several offers from other companies, but considering the prospects of the company and the position, your company is still my preferred choice. I look forward to your feedback. Thank you!”
Things to confirm after receiving an offer but before starting the job: Guide: Next Steps After You Got a Job Offer
How to Seek Professional Advice and Guidance
Job Postings and Other Career Informational Sites Relevant to the Field
Consulting Websites:
- Management Consulted: Provides resources for consulting case interviews, resume and cover letter reviews, and industry insights.
- Consulting.us: Offers news, reports, and career information specific to the consulting industry.
- Vault (by Firsthand): Features rankings, reviews, and career advice tailored to consulting.
Professional Organizations:
- Institute of Management Consultants USA (IMC USA): Provides certification, networking opportunities, and professional development for management consultants.
- Association of Management Consulting Firms (AMCF): Offers industry insights, events, and resources for consulting
Key information or knowledge for this field
- Many firms offer programs for specific populations as a way to explore the industry. These programs are typically short-term, conference-like events that include educational sessions and networking. In some cases, those accepted to these programs are offered interviews for future internships. Specifications for who can participate vary by firm.
- Several firms host undergraduate case competitions allowing the opportunity to practice case interviewing (or casing) firsthand. Check for the option to register as an individual or team with peers. Advance registration or application typically takes place winter/spring quarters.
- You can identify which firms are a good fit by attending events, reviewing firm websites and networking.
The questions “why consulting?” or “why this firm?” are very important to reflect upon prior to recruitment and be able to answer thoughtfully during the interview process. It is especially noteworthy that you should not have an answer that is generic such as “I like solving problems” and that does not center only around consulting serving as a “launching pad” or “training ground” for other jobs.
School Career Services Center Websites
Each school’s career center website offers a full range of career guidance that you can’t afford to miss!
Jobright will also become your partner on the path to finding an internship.
Embracing Growth and Seizing Opportunities
Getting a good consulting internship needs preparation and perseverance. Though the procedure can be difficult, the experience gained from some internships will offer you an excellent basis for launching a career in your desired area.