BCG Cover Letter: Our Step-by-Step Guide + Examples

  • Last Updated March, 2024

Former McKinsey and Bain recruiter

The most common question I was asked as a recruiter, and now as a recruiting coach, is “Do I need to write cover letters for my consulting applications?” This is usually followed up with “And do I need to tailor my cover letter for every firm?”

I think most people hope I’ll say no to both questions, as writing a cover letter can be pretty daunting, and tailoring it for every firm seems way too time-consuming to be worth the effort.

At My Consulting Offer, we’ve helped over 600 clients land offers with consulting firms. Our approach to how to write a great consulting cover letter has, for many, been a deciding factor in them landing interviews.

In this article, we’ll discuss:

  • What makes a great consulting cover letter.
  • How to tailor your consulting cover letter to what BCG is looking for – a step-by-step guide.
  • How BCG and other consulting firms review your cover letter.
  • A sample BCG cover letter that successfully landed an interview.
  • 5 tips for writing a BCG cover letter.

Let’s get started!

What Makes a Great Consulting Cover Letter

The consulting cover letter works alongside your resume to show the firms you’re applying to that you have the potential to be a great consultant.

Think of it as a flashy introductory accessory to your resume that highlights your most impressive and unique qualities, and grabs the reader’s attention so they’ll be excited to read your resume.

However, it’s important to get it right. 

A Strong Consulting Cover Letter: The Basics

As a recruiter, I saw way too many examples of applicants who had clearly not put any effort into their cover letter. Getting the basics right, such as ensuring the company name is correct, is essential (but not everyone gets that right). 

On the flip side, I received cover letters from applicants who were perhaps a little too eager to stand out. Poetry and “love letters” were not uncommon but a little ill-judged. The urge to be distinctive should not outweigh your consideration of the audience. Professionalism and appropriateness are key.

The consulting cover letter not only needs to have the impact required to engage the reader, it also needs to show them that you’ve done your research and thought about how you’re a great fit for consulting, and for their particular firm. It must also show how you’ll bring value to the role through your experiences and appetite to learn relevant skills.

You definitely can’t send the same cover letter to every consulting firm you’re applying to and assume that you’ll be successful. You’ve got to show each and every firm that you’re worth an interview.

That’s a lot to think about, right? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

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

A Strong Consulting Cover Letter: Stand Out from the Crowd

After you’ve got the basics right, you need to identify what the consulting firm you’re applying to is looking for. Consulting firms typically seek candidates with great problem-solving, analytical, creative thinking, communication, team working, and leadership skills. 

So how can you include these in your cover letter while also tailoring it to an individual firm?

We recommend you focus on the firms’ values. These are how consulting firms distinguish themselves from other consulting firms.

You can easily find out what a firm’s values are by either typing “[firm name] values” into your search engine or by visiting the firm’s career page where they typically list these and provide detail on what they mean.

Now think about your own professional and personal experiences. Focus on experiences that you are proud of, received great feedback on, or demonstrate how you overcame a particularly tough challenge. Give some context of the situation, the actions you took, and the outcome that was reached, quantifying the results where possible. Try to ensure they include at least one of the consulting skills mentioned above.

Once you’ve outlined a few stories, you can then see how they might fit with the values of the firms you’re applying to. You may need to tweak some slightly, but you’ll probably find it pretty easy to link your stories to each firm’s values. 

And you don’t necessarily need to address all of the values, particularly if a firm has more than four, as you don’t want your cover letter to be more than a page.

The additional benefit of approaching your cover letter in the way we recommend is that you don’t need to explain your “why” for each firm. It will be clear by how your experiences resonate with their specific values. This shows how you’re a great fit. 

You can find out more about writing consulting cover letters by reading A Consulting Cover Letter that Lands Interviews: Our Complete Guide . For this article, we’re going to break it down by focusing on just one firm – BCG.

Tailor Your BCG Cover Letter to What BCG is Looking for

Step 1: Find out who to address your cover letter to at BCG.

It may differ between offices, depending on size, but you can usually find the key recruiting contact on the career page or by searching on LinkedIn. It may be a recruiter who handles recruiting for your university across regional offices for instance, or perhaps a recruiter who manages experienced professional recruiting for the office you’re applying to. 

Addressing your cover letter to someone specific and relevant helps to show that you’ve done your research and that you care about the impression you’re making. Firms often display their key recruiting contacts on the careers pages of their websites. Alternatively, you could search LinkedIn for roles such as Talent Acquisition Manager, Recruiting Manager, or Senior Recruiter and then locate the relevant person who looks after either the stream you’re applying through (for instance, experienced professional, undergraduate) or the office they recruit for, which is usually detailed in their profile.

Step 2: Create your opening paragraph.

Keep it concise, ideally no more than four or five lines. Introduce yourself and express your interest in applying to BCG and the specific role you’re applying for, which will typically be Associate or Consultant but may be a more specialist role, for instance, within BCG Gamma. You may also want to write a short sentence on “ why consulting ” here. Talk about how your experiences resonate with their values and state specifically which ones.

You can find BCG’s values by Googling “BCG values” or by visiting their “ our people and culture ” page directly. This content gives you a really good feel for how having the right people and developing a unique culture is so important to BCG. 

Scroll down to where they talk about the values driving their culture. There’s a great mini slideshow of their values and what they mean. Here’s a snapshot:

  • Integrity – as an expression of courage and accountability
  • Diversity – of thought, expertise, experience, and background
  • Respect for the individual – as their capacity for desire and personal growth
  • Clients come first – we measure our success by our clients’ success
  • The strategic perspective – enabling clients to deliver superior results in a sustainable manner
  • Value delivered – in the form of tangible, positive, and lasting change
  • Partnerships – a long-term view guides BCG’s relationships both internally and with clients
  • Expanding the art of the possible – because the goal is not simply to apply best practice but to invent it
  • Social impact – make the world a better place

These values are created to be meaningful and inspiring, representing what BCG stands for, and making you want to be a part of BCG’s unique culture.

BCG has more stated values than most other firms, but this can actually make it easier as you can select the ones that resonate most with your own values and the stories you’ve written. I’d recommend choosing three or four, depending on the length of your stories.

Step 3: Organize your stories for the greatest impact.

Once you’ve chosen your stories to meet the values you’ve selected, list your strongest first and the weakest in the middle (although it should still be strong). List your stories in bullet point format and use the value as a heading.

Step 4: End your cover letter by reiterating your interest in BCG and how you appreciate their consideration. And don’t forget to sign off. Electronic signatures are the norm these days, just don’t use a script font here as this can look too artificial.

In addition to this publicly available information about what BCG looks for in its candidates, my colleague Valentin has written an article with the insider perspective on what’s important to BCG . This includes drive, a tailored approach, and the BCG attitude. Check it out to make your BCG cover letter to be extra special.

How BCG & Other Consulting Firms Review Your Cover Letter

As a recruiter for seven years with McKinsey and then a recruiting manager for nearly five years with Bain, both in London, I’ve read tens of thousands of resumes and accompanying cover letters. London is one of the most coveted offices, so applications came in thick and fast during recruiting season and continued throughout the whole year. 

I received cover letters from undergraduate students, postgraduate students, MBA students, and experienced professionals throughout my recruiting career, all eager to impress, but not always getting it right. 

I had letters consisting of just a few lines that didn’t tell me anything about the person, and others that provided their life story across multiple pages. Some were addressed to another company, others had lots of spelling mistakes or poor grammar. I’ve read very entertaining letters (although perhaps not always appropriate) as well as letters that were lacking in any engaging content at all.

The ones that grabbed my attention in a good way, were those that were concise, clearly laid out, showed me that the applicant had done their research on the company I worked for, demonstrated their unique qualities, and told me how they would be a great fit for us.

To make it easier for recruiters who read hundreds of cover letters every year, follow these basic principles. 

And to ensure your cover letter then stands out from the competition, I recommend you use My Consulting Offer’s approach. The more experienced a recruiter is, the easier it is for them to skim through cover letters, so you need to be able to impress them really quickly.

Successful BCG Cover Letter Samples

5 tips for writing a bcg cover letter that stands out.

  • Find out who at BCG will be reviewing your application and address your letter to them (and their team).
  • Research BCG’s values and select the 3 or 4 that resonate with you and your experiences.
  • Create or adapt your stories to fit the values you’ve chosen, focusing on specifics and structuring them so that they include the context, challenge, actions you took, and the results you reached.
  • Ensure you’re also demonstrating relevant skills in your stories such as problem-solving, leadership, and communication.
  • Get the basics right. Ensure you’re referring to BCG in your letter throughout, keep it to one page, use bullet points for ease of reading, and check for spelling and grammar errors.

In this article, we’ve covered:

  • What a consulting cover letter looks like
  • A step-by-step guide to how to tailor your cover letter to BCG
  • How recruiters at consulting firms review cover letters
  • A sample cover letters that landed our client an interview with BCG
  • Our top 5 tips for writing a successful BCG cover letter

Still have questions?

If you have more questions about the Boston Consulting Group cover letter, leave them in the comments below. One of My Consulting Offer’s recruiters will answer them.

Other people looking for advice on BCG cover letters found the following pages helpful:

  • Consulting Cover Letters
  • Consulting Resumes
  • Consulting Networking
  • BCG Recruiting
  • BCG Case Interview

Help With Your Consulting Application

Thanks for turning to My Consulting Offer for advice on case study interview prep. My Consulting Offer has helped 89.6% of the people we’ve worked with get a job in management consulting. We want you to be successful in your consulting interviews too. For example, here is how Afrah Arif was able to get her offer at Deloitte .

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

© My CONSULTING Offer

3 Things Consulting Firms Actually Look for in Your Application

We are sharing our powerful strategies to get your foot in the door, even if you have a low GPA, have little to no business experience, or study a non-business-related major.

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

We are excited to invite you to the online event., where should we send you the calendar invite and login information.

cover letter example bcg

consultingfact_logo

BCG Cover Letter

Written by . Posted in Cover Letter

cover letter

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has been recognized as one of the most prominent consulting firms in the world. Its prestige places it, along with McKinsey and Bain, in what’s known as the “Big Three” of the industry. Currently it has approximately 78 offices located in 43 countries across the world.

The firm recruits exceptional graduates and working professionals to join their team. They visit colleges and universities to find passionate individuals who are capable of developing recommendations after thoroughly analyzing a business case. Recruiters employ various tools for screening applicants, but the first document they check is your BCG cover letter .

If you’re in the process of crafting an impressive cover letter, here are some pointers to follow:

Research and Network

In order to write a letter that creates value to BCG, research the firm and network with people who are or were connected with the firm. The information you learn from the firm’s website, books, magazines, and employees will guide you in finalizing the content of your letter. A letter will only pique the interest of the recruiter if it’s customized to the company’s direction, goals. and needs.

Think of a Structure

Before you turn on your computer and start typing, think about how you will structure your BCG cover letter. To simplify things, follow this outline:

First Paragraph Explain how you came across the vacant position. State whether you read it in a newspaper or heard about it from a connection on LinkedIn.
Middle Paragraphs Summarize your qualifications for the position. You can state your total years of professional experience or highlight two or three accomplishments.
Last Paragraph State your expectations from the firm. Do you wish to be contacted for an interview via your mobile phone? Will you follow up after two weeks?

A cover letter must only contain relevant information. Remember, BCG receives numerous applications each year. Recruiters only have a short time to review your document so it must expertly convey your qualifications.

Mentioning the name of a key person in the management consulting firm or industry can make your cover letter unique. However, when you do this, explain how your encounter with the consultant has convinced you to pursue a career at BCG. Were you motivated by his or her description of the company’s culture and goals? Are you interested in the challenging working environment? Recruiters are interested in this type of information.

Explain Issues

If your work history listed on your resume has noticeable gaps, or if you are shifting careers, you should explain these issues in your BCG cover letter. Recruiters might question why you stopped working for a couple of years or why you decided to leave sales and pursue a career in management consulting. Your explanation will help recruiters understand where you came from and how you can contribute to their goals. Everything must be clear from the beginning; otherwise, you could be instantly rejected for the opening.

Proofread Your Letter

Review your cover letter a few times before you send it to BCG. Make sure the content is relevant, interesting, and substantial. Furthermore, it must be free from spelling, grammatical, and punctuation errors. Mistakes give recruiters the impression that you are not meticulous with details and/or you have poor communication skills. If you want objective feedback about your BCG cover letter, ask a friend for help or contact an expert.

You’ll need a well-crafted job application whether you’re seeking for a position as a teacher, engineer, or receptionist. The cover letter is a very useful document for this. You’ll have a far better chance of finding your dream job if you include a professional cover letter with your CV.

You Might Also Like...

  • Bain Cover Letter
  • Bain Cover Letter Sample
  • Best Practices for a Management Consulting Cover Letter
  • Booz Cover Letter
  • Consulting Cover Letter Examples
  • Consulting Cover Letter Outline
  • Consulting Cover Letter and Resume Tips
  • Consulting Firm Profile: Boston Consulting Group
  • Consulting Resume and Cover Letter Guide
  • How to Craft a McKinsey Cover Letter
  • Mistakes to Avoid in a Management Consulting Cover Letter

Trackback from your site.

Popular Searches

Your previous searches, recently visited pages.

Content added to Red Folder

Removed from Red Folder

How to write a killer cover letter

  • November 16, 2017

cover letter example bcg

Keith Bevans , the head of Bain & Company's global consultant recruiting, warned that a poor cover letter can hurt an applicant's chances of getting the job. "The cover letter becomes an important data point on how good they are at certain skills that might be relevant to the job they're applying for," he said.

“Why BCG?” interview question (with sample answer)

nighttime image of Boston skyscrapers

The question, “why this firm?” is guaranteed to come up at least once during your BCG consulting interviews. It is one of the most frequently asked fit questions, and also a topic you are expected to tackle in your consulting cover letter .

So it’s imperative that you come to the interviews having thought about why you want to work for BCG specifically, rather than its competitors. We’ve put together this guide to help you craft the perfect answer.

Our first tip: Focus on the office you’re applying to over the company as a whole.

  • Sample answer: Why do you want to work at BCG ?
  • How to prepare for your BCG interviews

1. Why BCG?

How should you respond to the Why BCG interview question? Do your research. Be specific about BCG and the exact office you want to join: network, talk about the office’s projects and industries, and go over BCG’s reports and intellectual capital that interest you the most.

To help you get started, we’ll list some unique facts about BCG versus other top consulting firms below. You can pick one of these facts to be a data point in your answer, or to simply inform yourself about what makes the company stand out.

As we mentioned before, it is also very important to bring up facts about the specific office you’re applying to join. BCG has offices in more than 100 cities and 50 countries, so won’t be able to go over every office here. But we’ll give you some tips on how to do your research and prepare your answer in sections 2 and 3.

Here are some facts that make BCG stand out:

  • BCG does consulting work across many sectors, but they have particular strengths in corporate development, innovation, and business growth. If those are sectors that interest you, and especially if you have previous experience in these areas, you should bring it up. 
  • In terms of organizational structure, BCG is known as the flatter and more collaborative firm out of the Big Three, with McKinsey known for a traditional structure and Bain falling somewhere in between the two. If you’ve worked in flat structures before and tend to succeed in that environment, you can talk about that with your interviewer
  • Out of the Big Three, BCG has the most robust Digital Ventures practice . If you have experience in digital ventures previously, or if it’s something that you’ve been wanting to work in, BCG would be a good place to do it.
  • BCG consistently trains and rewards top talent at the firm. One example of this is their BCG Fellows program. Leaders in the company are nominated to the fellowship and given multiple years to develop their own innovative idea that will create value for business leaders. If you’re inspired by that program, or by the work one of the Fellows has undertaken, this is a good time to mention it.

2. Sample answer: Why do you want to work at BCG?

Now that you’ve seen a few reasons that make BCG unique among the Big 3, let’s take a look at a full sample answer that uses some of these facts as well as details about a specific office. After this, we’ll go through a list of tips and tricks that will help you craft your own stellar answer.

Sample answer: Why BCG?

“BCG appeals to me for three reasons.

Firstly, I’ve spoken with multiple people from the firm, who’ve all told me they’ve enjoyed their time there—particularly Madhu Khatri, who was a project leader in Climate and Sustainability at the Boston office. She mentored me during my internship at BCG last summer and continued to stay in touch as I finished my MBA. 

Also, I have a particular affinity for BGC’s Boston office, which is why I’m applying to this one specifically. Of course, as the original location, that means that it is at the epicenter of BCG’s big ideas. In addition to that, I’ve been personally touched by the office’s community service culture, as I’ve made it a habit to volunteer in my community through non profit mentorship programs.

Finally, I regularly read BCG’s featured insights delivered by François Candelon, Shervin Khodabandeh, and others in digital technology and data. These insights are regularly superior to those of other consultancies. By joining BCG I therefore think I would have an opportunity to work with and learn from the best consultants in the industry.”

2.1 Tips to prepare your answer for “why BCG?”

As you create your own answer to this question, take a moment to consider why BCG interviewers ask it in the first place.

Interviewers ask questions like “why consulting?” and “why BCG ?” to test whether you’ve got the motivation to last in a fast-paced and high-stakes environment. If they sense that a candidate is not motivated enough, or has the wrong motivations (e.g. the high salary), then they’re unlikely to hire them.

Interviewers also want to know whether you’ve done your research. As you’ll be doing quite a bit of research and analysis on the job, showing a nuanced understanding of BCG in your answer is a good sign to the interviewer that you possess the right skills for the position.

Below are a few ways that you can show off these qualities in your answer, as well as common pitfalls that you should avoid.

How to answer “Why BCG?”

  • Network. Mention the people you have met from the office you are applying for. A surprisingly big part of answering the "Why this firm?" question is about networking . Your interviewer wants to know if you have done your homework and have talked to anyone from the office you are applying for, or at least from the firm in general.
  • Talk about the projects and industries that the office you will join focuses on. Having talked to a few people is not enough. Your interviewer also wants to know if you understand what type of projects the office you are joining works on. If you join the BCG New York office, for instance, you will likely work on financial services or media projects because these industries are big in the city. But if you want to work in oil and gas, New York is not the right destination; instead you should probably apply for Houston.
  • Mention the reports and other intellectual capital produced by the office you will join. Be aware of the recent reports published by the partners from the office you are trying to join (e.g. New York) and the practice you are interested in (e.g. Financial services). This will demonstrate to your interviewer that you have a genuine interest in a specific area that the office they belong to works on.
  • Make it personal : If you have any examples from your personal experience that tie in with this firm, now is a good time to bring them up.
  • Make it specific : Of course, your answer for “why this firm?” should be different with every company you’re interviewing with. Test out your answer by swapping another bank’s name with the one you’ve got in mind. If your answer could also apply to this other bank, then you need to fine tune it.
  • Rehearse your answer : Before the interview starts, you should already have your answer to this question prepared and ready to go. 

Now , take some time to review common mistakes that candidates make when answering this question.

Common pitfalls in answering “Why BCG?”

  • Answer is too broad : Simple answers such as “it would be a great opportunity to learn more,” “the people here are very smart and work hard,” or “the culture here is awesome,” won’t make the cut on their own (even if it’s true!). Interviewers have heard these responses many times before, so you’ll need to make it more personal and targeted.
  • Answer is too long : This question is frequently asked at the beginning of a longer interview round or during the initial screening process. In both cases, it’s important to answer quickly and concisely, so that the interviewer can understand your answer and have time for other questions. Aim for a roughly 1-minute response.
  • Answer lacks structure : Think of two or three reasons you’d like to work there, and describe each of them, one at a time. Otherwise, the interviewer will have difficulty following your train of thought, and you are more likely to ramble.

3. How to prepare for your BCG interviews

Of course, there are many aspects to prepare for in a BCG consulting interview in addition to the “why BCG ” interview question. To help you get ready for the interview process as a whole, we recommend that you complete the two steps below. 

3.1 Practice for every type of BCG interview question

BCG has many facets to its interview process, including case questions, fit/PEI questions, an online interview, and written cases. Here are overviews of each of these assessments:

  • Case questions
  • Fit / PEI questions
  • BCG Pymetrics test
  • Written cases

You will get a combination of Fit / PEI questions and case interview questions in ALL your interview rounds. Your interviewer will typically ask you one or two Fit / PEI questions (~10mins) and then move on to a case interview (~30 to 40mins).

In addition to fit and case questions, BCG also uses a pymetrics test, a 20-30 minute test that includes 12 games. Each game takes about 2-3 minutes to complete. This test is designed to test 70+ different social, emotional, and cognitive traits that can help determine whether or not you would be successful at BCG.

BCG also sometimes uses a written case in SECOND ROUND interviews. So far we have only heard of this being used in the US. For this written case, you will be given a set of documents, which you will use to answer case questions. You will then have 2 hours to answer these questions in the form of a 3 to 5 slide presentation, which you will have 15 minutes to present to your interviewer.

3.2 Practice with mock interviews

Finally, it’s time to try out your answer in an interview setting. A great place to start is to do mock interviews with friends or peers.

This will help you polish your answer, practice answering follow-up questions, and get used to case interviews. However, if your interview partner isn’t familiar with consulting interviews, then practicing with an ex-interviewer will give you an extra edge. 

If you know someone who runs interviews at BCG and other firms, then that’s amazing! They'll be a great person for you to practice with.

If not, we want to help you make these connections. That’s why we’ve created a coaching platform where you can find ex-interviewers from BCG to practice with. Learn more and start scheduling BCG mock interviews today .

Related articles:

Questions to ask at the end of a consulting interview

  • Knowledge Base
  • Free Resume Templates
  • Resume Builder
  • Resume Examples
  • Free Resume Review

Every year, more than 1 million candidates apply for a consulting role in McKinsey.

[ Click here to directly go to the Consulting cover letter sample ]

But only 10,000 people get the final offer. That’s a 1% success rate .

The top 3 consulting companies, McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, and Bain & Company , are some of the most selective companies when it comes to hiring.

Most people don’t know this, but they start their selection process by screening the cover letter and consulting resumes .

More than 80% of resumes and cover letters are rejected before the first screening. Less than 15% of candidates get called for interviews in the big three consulting firms.

So, if you think, " How do I become a consultant? How to write a consulting cover letter that gets me the consulting job?” - This blog is for you.

Consulting cover letters are very different from traditional cover letters for jobs. In this guide to writing a consulting cover letter, we’ll tell you everything you need to write on the consulting cover letter to stand out from your competitors.

In this blog, we will discuss:

  • What is a consulting cover letter?
  • What are the things recruiters look for in a cover cetter?
  • How to structure a consulting cover letter?
  • How to write an effective consulting cover letter?
  • 5 tips to write a stellar consulting cover letter
  • Consulting cover letter dample

We’ll also share five consulting cover letter examples to help you get an interview.

What Is a Consulting Cover Letter?

A consulting cover letter is an adjacent document with your consulting resume that helps you introduce your skills and accomplishments to the hiring managers.

It’s an essential part of your application, especially for big three consulting firms, because it’s easy for recruiters to quickly sort bad candidates based on the quality of a cover letter, lack of attention to detail, etc.

However, if done correctly, consulting cover letters is an excellent way to stand out from the crowd and get yourself a job interview.

You don’t have enough space to elaborate on your experiences on a resume. But with a cover letter, you can expand on your experiences and explain the reasons for some potential red flags on your resume.

Why do you have a job gap? Why do you have a low GPA? You can explain the reasons for that in the cover letter.

In short, your consulting cover letter is the deciding factor for getting a job in a big consulting company.

What Recruiters Look for in a Consulting Cover Letter?

The recruiters look for a candidate who has excellent communication and leadership skills. They look into the applicant's skills and experience to understand if they have the qualities to become a successful consultant.

Recruiters look for mainly four aspects from a consultant cover letter. These are:

  • Does the candidate have the relevant skills and experience required for the job?
  • Does the candidate have a clear idea of what the company does?
  • Is the candidate interested in working with the company?
  • Does the candidate have excellent communication skills?

element-of-consulting-cover-letter

If you want to create an outstanding consulting cover letter, you need to address all four points in your letter.

How to Structure a Management Consulting Cover Letter?

A perfect management consulting cover letter must have six distinct elements.

  • Opening Paragraph
  • Closing Paragraph
  • Your Signature

Consulting Cover Letter: Header

This is a mandatory part of any professional letter. The header section must include

  • Candidate’s name
  • Phone Number
  • Your Location

Even if your resume has all this information, you need to add these to your cover letter.

Salutation is an essential part of the consulting cover letter. Never start your cover letter with “To whom it may concern.” It will not get you the job.

Instead, find out who is the recruiter or hiring manager and address the cover letter directly to them.

If you don’t identify who the hiring manager is, you can address the letter to the recruitment team. For example:

Dear members of the BCG Recruitment Team, To Bain Recruitment Team,

Consulting Cover Letter: Opening Paragraph

The first sentence of your consulting cover letter is the perfect opportunity to hook the reader’s attention. And the second sentence should state the role you are applying for and how you learned about the position. The third sentence should describe why you are interested in the company you are applying for.

Do some initial research and craft a personalized and customized opening paragraph for the Consulting cover letter. If you can do that, you will improve your chance of getting shortlisted by 1000%.

Here is an example of the Opening Paragraph of a consulting cover letter:

I am a 4+ years experienced digital marketing professional working with top SaaS brands to help them generate $100M in sales year on year. I’m highly pleased to apply for the Associate Consultant position at McKinsey. I appreciate McKinsey’s leadership and sales practices to provide an outstanding experience to clients.

Consulting Cover Letter - Body

The consulting cover letter body part should explain your key accomplishments, experience, and why you are a good fit for the firm.

Don’t write a generic consulting cover letter body. Research the consulting firm, go to their website and understand the qualities they are looking for. After that, you can start creating the body of the consulting cover letter.

Below is a consulting cover letter example of the body paragraph:

body-of-consulting-cover-letter

Consulting Cover Letter- Closing Paragraph

The closing paragraph is where you place the call to action to encourage the recruiters to take action. It must be short and to the point.

Here’s an example of the Closing Paragraph of Consulting Cover Letter:

Closing-of-consulting-cover-letter

Consulting Cover Letter - Ending Signature

This is a formality for any type of professional letter. There are different types of closing signatures. Such as:

Thanking You Thanks and Regards Best Regards Sincerely Thank You

How to Write an Effective Consulting Cover Letter - Formatting

It’s not enough to have great content for the consulting cover letter; You need to format it professionally to get the most out of it.

Here are some formatting tips to help you create the consulting cover letter:

Keep it Under 1 Page:

The consulting cover letter should not be more than one page. Recruiters don’t have much time to give to one single candidate. And in this time, if you create a 2-page cover letter, the maximum chance is that recruiters will ignore your application.

Use 1-inch Margin:

A 1-inch margin is standard for any professional cover letter. A margin of less than 1 inch makes your cover letter look cramped. A 1-inch margin ensures enough whitespace to make the letter easily readable.

Use Professional Font:

Always use a professional font in the consulting cover letter. Some professional fonts are:

  • Times New Roman

Also, ensure to keep the font size to 12 points. It makes the cover letter very easy to read.

Save the Cover Letter in PDF

Make sure to submit the cover letter in PDF format. It ensures that your cover letter format is intact, no matter who views it.

10 Tips for Writing a Consulting Cover Letter

Writing a solid consulting cover letter allows you to present your candidacy to the hiring managers. Here is a list of tips for writing a stellar consulting cover letter.

1. Research the Company Requirements

Interviewing candidates is expensive; it takes time and money to get excellent people on board.

So, the company also wants to ensure that the candidate they are interviewing is interested in the job.

Therefore, consulting firms look for signs that:

  • You’ve researched the company
  • You have a proper motivation or reason for entering into consulting
  • You have a good answer to why you’re the right fit for the company
  • You have impeccable speaking and writing skills

Use your cover letter to showcase that you have all the signs that a consulting firm looks for in a candidate. This will set you apart from the rest of the candidates.

2. Link Cover Letter To Resume

Your cover letter should complement your resume and strengthen your candidacy.

Start the cover letter with unique experiences and skills to hook the recruiter’s interests.

In resumes, there is less space to explain anything to the recruiter. You can complement it by going into detail about your achievements and skills in the cover letter.

Here are some points consulting firms look for in a consulting cover letter:

  • Big brand name: If you are from a reputed university or worked with reputed brands
  • Good Academic Performance: 3.5+ GPA
  • Leadership experience and good communication skills
  • Excellent Analytical Skills
  • The ratio of your accomplishments and career year: the more experience you have, the more accomplishments you should get

3. Don’t Use a Standard Cover Letter Template

Writing a cover letter is difficult. It takes a lot of contemplating and self-reflection to make it right. You have to edit and rewrite the cover letter multiple times to make it interesting.

Some candidates try to use standardized cover letter templates to avoid the pain of writing a cover letter.

This is a big mistake, mainly if you apply to prestigious consulting firms. The recruiters in these organizations are experienced in identifying a standard cover letter.

Don’t write a consulting cover letter for the sake of it. Write the cover letter to make each sentence count and help you get closer to your dream job.

4. Use Evidence-based Storytelling

Everyone loves a good story. And in your cover letter as well, you should tell the story of your experience, don’t list down your skills and accomplishments without any context.

Demonstrate how various experiences have given you certain skills that nobody has.

For example, instead of saying you have led marketing campaigns in your past organizations, you can say that You’ve managed a marketing budget of $50,000 and coordinated with the content team to launch two successful campaigns and generated $5mn sales.

This is evidence-based storytelling, and this gives more context to the recruiter about your experience and helps them evaluate your skills.

5. Avoid Repeating Things on Your Cover Letter

Your cover letter and resume go hand in hand — they should complement each other, but they should not be the same.

You can reference elements of your resume but focus on aspects that aren't covered very well there or put a different spin on things, so it's still interesting for them to read about it again.

6. Pick Your Best Stories And Accomplishments

A cover letter is an opportunity to tell great stories from your work experience that are relevant to the consulting firm you're applying to.

If you have accomplishments, such as helping previous employers save money or increase profits, put these front and center where hiring managers won't miss them. Don't just list your skills — explain how they helped your previous employers meet their goals.

However, make sure to include only 2-3 such stories. And keep them short and crisp. Nobody has the time to read through a 2-page cover letter.

7. Quantify Your Results and Impact

Consulting firms want to know that you have the potential to deliver results for their clients — so make sure you mention how much impact or value you've created in past jobs or internships. For example: "I helped ABC Company reduce its customer service costs by 20%." Or: "I generated $100K in annual savings for XYZ Company through process improvement initiatives."

8. Keep Your Cover Letter Crisp

Many consulting firms get hundreds, if not thousands, of applications for each job opening. It's important to keep your cover letter as brief as possible so that recruiters don't lose interest.

Keep your cover letter to a maximum of one page. The most successful cover letters have three identifiable sections: who you are, why you are applying and why the firm should hire you. This can be covered in three paragraphs or about 300 words.

9. Namedrop Employees You Have Talked to

If there is someone at the firm who referred you or whom you have spoken to about this position, mention them by name in your cover letter, preferably in the first paragraph. This will help the reader to associate your application with that particular employee. It will also help if that person has put in a good word for you!

10. Double-check You're Addressing The Cover Letter Properly

Address the right firm. Take the time to research the firm and make sure your cover letter is addressed to the right person.

Most firms will have information on their websites about who is in charge of recruiting.

The more personal you can make the cover letter, the better for you.

Failing to address your cover letter correctly may be discarded without even being read.

Here’s a Management Consulting Cover Letter Sample For Your Reference:

Frequently asked questions:, do all consulting firms require cover letter.

Most consulting firms keep cover letters as an optional document. However, you must add your cover letter with your resume to distinguish yourself from other candidates. Writing a unique cover letter can help you stand out from the crowd.

What if The Cover Letters are Optional?

Consulting firms like McKinsey and BCG have made their cover letters optional.

It certainly helps the candidates with strong resumes to get out of the hassle of creating a cover letter. However, if you have some red flags on your resume, such as a low GPA or an employment gap, you should write a cover letter to explain these potential red flags to the recruiters and increase your chances of getting hired.

Key Takeaways

Writing a consulting cover letter doesn’t have to be complicated. Just remember the following tips:

  • Write a proper cover letter header and ensure that you are not making any mistakes in your contact information
  • Always start the cover letter with a proper and professional salutation
  • The first paragraph of the consulting cover letter should hook the recruiter to read the whole cover letter
  • In the second paragraph, explain your experiences and show why you are the perfect candidate for the job
  • Always end the consulting cover letter with a call to action

If you want to create a consulting cover letter, go to the Hiration Cover Letter Builder tool and pick from 20+ consulting cover letter templates to make an excellent one for yourself.

If you have further questions, reach out to us at [email protected] , and we will be happy to help you out.

cover letter example bcg

Share this blog

Subscribe to Free Resume Writing Blog by Hiration

Get the latest posts delivered right to your inbox

Stay up to date! Get all the latest & greatest posts delivered straight to your inbox

Is Your Resume ATS Friendly To Get Shortlisted?

Upload your resume for a free expert review.

cover letter example bcg

Sample cover letter for Full Time position at Boston Consulting Group

Dear Recruiting Manager:

I first learned of the Boston Consulting Group when I visited the Forbes website and read through the list of “Best Companies to Work for in 2015.” I immediately visited the company’s website only to find myself impressed by the values statement and approaches used sections. Rather than try to mold a client’s problems into an existing framework, BCG deconstructs the problem and finds solutions from the ground up. I have decided to apply for a position as a management consultant at BCG for its well-established reputation internationally and commitment to its nine values.

I believe that my professional experiences have prepared me for the detailed, analytical and interpersonal components of compliance. This past summer, I worked with McKesson Corporation as a Public Affairs intern. During this time, I was tasked with writing draft comment letters, as well as researching and analyzing policies that I later briefed to the public affairs team in the form of a memorandum. Also this summer, I interned with the nonprofit organization Enterprise for High School Students where I designed and analyzed a survey using Qualtrics that was administered to over 300 past participants to gauge the effectiveness of the program in several key areas. Additionally, in previous summers I served as a policy intern at San Francisco City Hall where I was tasked with researching existing policies in the city and working with legislative aides to identify ways to improve them. Also during this internship, I had to establish a task force of government agencies, contractors/developers, community stakeholders, and residents to resolve the issue of construction noise in the city. This required me to research city noise ordinances, identify possible places of conflict between these ordinances and the actions of contractors, and create a compromise between residents, contractors, and stakeholders.

I believe that in addition to my internship experiences and skillsets, I possess leadership skills from a variety of extracurricular activities as an undergraduate that will make me an asset to your company. My optimistic attitude, resourcefulness, detail oriented behavior and unwaivering determination are derived from a variety of life experiences and will be beneficial in the consulting setting.

I look forward to showing you my commitment and preparation to starting a career in management consulting with the Boston Consulting Group. 

S14E4: BCG cover letter - out of style or still required?

Send us a text

Cover letters may seem antiquated, but if you’re applying to Boston Consulting Group, you’ll need a killer cover letter to apply. BCG is one of many firms that still prefers a cover letter, so today we’ll walk through how to shine in your cover letter through the structure, content, and format. Lastly, we’ll mention a few cover letter pro tips as well as red flags to avoid at all costs. Relevant Links Get expert coaching to break into BCG by joining our premium case prep program - Black Belt Get a BCG resume & cover letter edit Free BCG cover letter guide

Connect With Management Consulted

  • Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights.
  • Schedule a free 15min consultation with a member of the Management Consulted team.
  • Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
  • Email our team ([email protected]) with any questions or feedback.

Information

  • Show Strategy Simplified
  • Frequency Updated twice weekly
  • Published 22 May 2024 at 10:00 UTC
  • Length 12 min
  • Rating Clean

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Apple Podcasts

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes and get the latest updates.

Africa, Middle East, and India

  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Burkina Faso
  • CĂŽte d’Ivoire
  • Congo, The Democratic Republic Of The
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Niger (English)
  • Congo, Republic of
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Sierra Leone
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania, United Republic Of
  • Turkmenistan
  • United Arab Emirates

Asia Pacific

  • Indonesia (English)
  • Lao People's Democratic Republic
  • Malaysia (English)
  • Micronesia, Federated States of
  • New Zealand
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Philippines
  • Solomon Islands
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • France (Français)
  • Deutschland
  • Luxembourg (English)
  • Moldova, Republic Of
  • North Macedonia
  • Portugal (PortuguĂȘs)
  • TĂŒrkiye (English)
  • United Kingdom

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina (Español)
  • Bolivia (Español)
  • Virgin Islands, British
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chile (Español)
  • Colombia (Español)
  • Costa Rica (Español)
  • RepĂșblica Dominicana
  • Ecuador (Español)
  • El Salvador (Español)
  • Guatemala (Español)
  • Honduras (Español)
  • Nicaragua (Español)
  • Paraguay (Español)
  • St. Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • St. Vincent and The Grenadines
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turks and Caicos
  • Uruguay (English)
  • Venezuela (Español)

The United States and Canada

  • Canada (English)
  • Canada (Français)
  • United States
  • Estados Unidos (Español MĂ©xico)
  • Ű§Ù„ÙˆÙ„Ű§ÙŠŰ§ŰȘ Ű§Ù„Ù…ŰȘŰ­ŰŻŰ©
  • États-Unis (Français France)
  • Estados Unidos (PortuguĂȘs Brasil)
  • çŸŽćœ‹ (çčé«”äž­æ–‡ć°çŁ)

Symbol Matches

Symbol starts with, company matches.

  • International
  • Switzerland

thanks for visiting cnnmoney.

We're no longer maintaining this page.

For the latest business news and markets data, please visit CNN Business

How to write a killer cover letter

Five steps to ace that job interview

Anyone who's ever applied for a job knows how stressful it can be. And for some, the hardest part is the cover letter.

It should be professional, but make you stand out. It should be short, but not too short.

While a cover letter can seem like a formality, it's an important first step in the process.

"It's your personal sales brochure," said James Innes, chairman of the James Innes Group and author of several career books. No wonder it's so daunting.

Here are a few tips to help you pen the cover letter most likely to get you hired.

Read the job posting closely

"The things that come at the top of the job description are the most important," said Martin Yate, career coach and bestselling author of the Knock 'Em Dead series.

To make sure you highlight the traits your potential employer really cares about, refer to the skills listed in the job posting to inform how you talk about yourself in your letter.

Yate suggested going a step further by reviewing job listings at several companies, and seeing if any skills or traits are repeated across an industry. "I would recommend collecting half a dozen job postings," he said. "Look at what they have in common."

Quality over quantity

When you're first looking for jobs, it can be tempting to send out a generic cover letter to as many employers as possible. But that doesn't work, Innes said. Recruiters can tell, and they don't like it.

Keith Bevans, head of Bain & Company's global consultant recruiting, warned that a poor cover letter can hurt an applicant's chances of getting the job. "The cover letter becomes an important data point on how good they are at certain skills that might be relevant to the job they're applying for," he said.

Related: How to answer the salary question during a job interview

Make a good first impression by ditching "to whom it may concern." Instead, look for the name of a hiring manager and address it to them. You should also try to find out a little bit about them, and say something nice about their achievements. "If you can flatter someone in the opening line and create a connection, you've got their attention," said Yate.

Tell a good story

Once you've determined what matters to employers, figure out what type of story you want to tell about yourself -- and be succinct.

"The best cover letters tend to be short and to the point," Bevans said. You don't want to repeat what's in your résumé.

Rather than telling employers what you think you're capable of, tell them what you've already achieved. "People are hired on credentials, not potential," said Yate. "We want to leave out things like 'I think I could do a great job.'" Offer specific, relevant examples, Innes added.

Related: What top employers look for in new college grads

Bevans noted that if you're going to use buzzy terms to describe yourself, you should be able to back them up. "A lot of students write cover letters that are like treasure maps with no treasure," he said. "If you say you're a good team player" you should have a specific example to back that up, said Bevans.

Stick to clean templates

Yate recommended using one of two possible cover letter formats. The first is a simple letter, made up of a few paragraphs and lasting no longer than a single page. First get your reader's attention with a personal reference, then name the position you're applying for. In the following paragraphs, lay out your relevant skills and experiences. Conclude by outlining an actionable next step. Rather than telling the reader you look forward to hearing from them, say you'll reach out by a certain date to follow up.

Executive Briefing

The second format is called an executive briefing . You still write a paragraph at the top explaining what you're applying for, and one at the bottom with a plan of action. But instead of writing out some paragraphs in between, set up two columns: One with a list of requirements pulled form the job posting, and one with a list of your corresponding skills and achievements. This format lets recruiters see clearly why your experience makes you a good fit for the job.

Check your work

"Presentation is important," said Innes. That means not only that your cover letter should be cleanly laid out, but also that your spelling and grammar have to be perfect.

"Recruiters sit and read through a lot of résumés," Innes said. "You become very good at spotting those errors." Chances are, he said, recruiters will just trash a cover letter with spelling or grammatical errors.

Personal Finance

Lendingtree paid partner, cnnmoney sponsors, smartasset paid partner.

  • These are your 3 financial advisors near you
  • This site finds and compares 3 financial advisors in your area
  • Check this off your list before retirement: talk to an advisor
  • Answer these questions to find the right financial advisor for you
  • Find CFPs in your area in 5 minutes

NextAdvisor Paid Partner

  • An Insane Card Offering 0% Interest Until Nearly 2020
  • Transferring Your Balance to a 14-Month 0% APR is Ingenious
  • The Top 7 Balance Transfer Credit Cards On The Market Today
  • Get $300 Back With This Outrageous New Credit Card

I reviewed 587 rĂ©sumĂ©s to help people who were laid off. Here are my best tips on how to build one that stands out — along with the best examples.

  • Eugene Hayden is a senior knowledge analyst at Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
  • He reviewed hundreds of rĂ©sumĂ©s in 49 hours to help people who were impacted by layoffs.
  • Hayden recommends following five rules to significantly increase your chances of landing your dream job.

Insider Today

A couple years ago in 2020, I organized a résumé marathon to help people impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The idea came to mind when I asked myself: How can I help young professionals and students in my network? What will be my direct and positive impact on someone's life?

I posted on LinkedIn : "Hey everyone, I want to do something amazing! I will review your résumé and provide feedback for free. This offer is limited, please submit your résumé via Google Forms within 24 hours and I will review them as soon as I can."

24 hours later, I got 587 résumés.

People from 30+ countries reached out to me, all with different backgrounds ranging from 0 - 28 years of experience. All dreamed of the same thing — a better career.

My average work week is usually 40-50 hours. At the time, in addition to my full-time job, I was working on my masters degree in engineering at University of Toronto. So, I briefly calculated that I'd at least 5 minutes to review each résumé and share my feedback. For 587 résumés that totals at least 49 hours of productive time, and the only way to fit this amount of time into my agenda was to cancel all my side activities on weekends.

My typical résumé review included three parts:

  • A 20-second look at the rĂ©sumĂ© (this is an amount of time that recruiters usually spend on each one)
  • A list of issues and inconsistencies that could be improved
  • Suggestions on how to further improve the rĂ©sumĂ© with examples and templates

I've personally created more than 480 versions of my own résumé for tech and management consulting companies, and I've learned many lessons. Some of these lessons helped me get offers from prestigious companies like Boston Consulting Group.

And so, after 49 hours of reviewing other peoples' résumés, here are my 5 rules and recommendations on how to make yours stand out.

1. Start with your contact details

We underestimate this part of the résumé, but this is what recruiters see first.

Related stories

Make it simple and straight to the point – add your phone number, email, LinkedIn, and location.

Don't use your full address or postal codes, show only city and state (or country, if applicable).

Don't use any images or icons, it's obvious that a number (000) 000-0000 is your cell phone and name@gmail is your email.

Line one — Full Name

Line two — A targeted role or domain of your expertise

Line three — Contact details (phone, email, one to two hyperlinks, location)

2. Write a brief summary statement.

Introduce yourself and tell me about your passion in three lines, no more. Here's an example:

After the summary statement, you should continue with your Professional Experience, not Skills. Put your Education on top for internships, otherwise move your education to the bottom.

3. Use active verbs describing achievements, not processes

Use these verbs: managed, led, spearheaded, cofounded, developed, created, implemented , etc. instead of passive verbs like monitored, analyzed, assisted, helped, etc.

Make your achievements measurable by using absolute values, percentages, dollars, and any other quantifiable information. Use these words to quantify your impact.

4. Integrate your tech skills into your experience (see my Business Insider article on how to do it)

Show only advanced skills and tools. Here's an example:

5. Add "Leadership Experience" or "Volunteer Experience" (if applicable)

Share more personal achievements, not titles or responsibilities.

If you need extra space, reduce the number of bullet points, but don't use another page if you have less than 50% of the text on it.

Your résumé should fit one page if you have less than 7-10 years of experience.

My rule of thumb: add one extra page for each seven to 10 years of experience. One applicant shared with me an 8-page résumé, and this is not what recruiters and hiring managers want to see.

Be considerate of the 20-second rule and their time. Recruiters are busy and, if you help them to review and understand your résumé faster, you'll win. Here's an example:

Here are more examples of good résumés:

1. for mba students, 2. for undergraduate and graduate students with < 3 years of experience, 3. for professionals (3-7 years of experience), 4. for professionals (7+ years of experience).

Overall, it was really eye-opening to see that 85% of résumés had the same type of mistakes, such as incorrect header formatting, missing contact details, and no summary statement.

I'm happy that I spent my free time helping people fix their résumés and hopefully land their dream jobs. In my mind, the hours spent were worthwhile.

Eugene Hayden is a senior knowledge analyst at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) where he spearheads initiatives on emerging tech and innovation on the Technology Advantage team.

Watch: Apple, Google, 23andMe, and others are fighting COVID-19, from wearables to faster CT scans to contact tracing

cover letter example bcg

  • Main content

Protect your data

This site uses cookies and related technologies for site operation, and analytics as described in our Privacy Policy . You may choose to consent to our use of these technologies, reject non-essential technologies, or further manage your preferences.

  • Resume and Cover Letter
  • Short Cover Letter Samples:...

Short Cover Letter Samples: Effective Examples for Job Applications

10 min read · Updated on September 11, 2024

Marsha Hebert

Sometimes, a short and simple cover letter is all you need.

Today's hiring managers are inundated with resumes and cover letters, making it an impossible task to read everything that comes across their desks. Because of this, you need to make a great first impression as quickly as possible. 

However, it can be a difficult task to condense years of experience, education, and career achievements into something concise. But you've come to the right place. Here, you'll find some short cover letter samples that will help you win the day. 

Less is more

A lot of job seekers fall into the trap of trying to fit everything they've ever done into their resume and cover letter under the false impression that will help them land an interview. Nothing could be further from the truth. 

The fact is, there isn't a hiring manager alive who is reading your resume and cover letter. Each document they get is quickly skimmed for pertinent information – details that prove the job seeker is the right person for the role they have open. 

This is where the concept of a short cover letter comes into play. Don't be confused, though. Short doesn't mean that it lacks value. The idea is, instead, to relay only what's most important to the hiring manager to ensure you land a coveted interview.

Related reading: What is the 6-second test?

Get their attention

The goal is to grab the hiring manager's attention within six seconds. Once they come across something they find interesting, they'll slow down and read what you've provided. When it comes to writing a cover letter that sings your praises in a clear and precise manner, it's best to follow an outline. 

Even in a short cover letter, structure is important as it makes it easy for the hiring manager to quickly find what they're looking for.

Start your letter with the hiring manager's name , if possible. You can use LinkedIn to try to find their name, or perhaps it's listed in the job description. If you absolutely can't find a person's name, then you can use a general greeting like “Dear Hiring Manager.” 

The opening paragraph

This is your first opportunity to hook the hiring manager into reading. State your value proposition and let them know why you feel you'd be a great fit for the role. Be specific and mention the position by name – this is part of what's called tailoring your cover letter . 

Try to avoid using redundant language. If you perform an online search for cover letter templates, it's a fair bet that most of them will start with some form of “I'm writing to express my interest in [job].” No kidding! There's no need to use “I'm writing to express my interest” because that's completely obvious.

Instead, use more impactful language like “My career is punctuated by the ability to lead companies through complex transformations to drive sustainable growth.” Here, you've immediately stated something of value that you bring to the table. 

The middle paragraph

Since your focus is on writing a short cover letter, you don't have a lot of space to go into great detail about your achievements. Therefore, you should find something in the job description the company is really keen on getting from a new hire. Match that thing with an achievement from your past and write a blurb about it. Always try to use metrics – numbers – to prove your point. 

For example, “In my previous role, I increased sales by 15% in just 6 months by building lasting relationships with executive decision-makers at client companies.” 

Alternative to using a middle paragraph

It might be easier to make your point and keep it short if you replace the middle paragraph with a series of bullet points to break down your accomplishments. Even if you do this, you still want to focus on the parts of your career history that are relevant to the job you're applying for. 

Bullet points keep things clear and readable, making it virtually impossible for a hiring manager to miss the point you're trying to make. Also, bullet points add white space which improves how easily someone can skim through what you've written. 

Case in point:

Sentence in paragraph form:  

“In my previous role as a Sales Manager, I led a team of 15 sales reps to increase revenue by 20% year over year.” 

Sentence in bullet form:

Led a team of 15  sales representatives

Increased team revenue by 20% annually

You've said the exact same thing in both instances, but you make your point way faster in the bullet format than in the paragraph form. 

The closing paragraph

Now, you express your enthusiasm for the role and the company – if you know enough about the company to be passionate about what they do. Don't forget to invite them to contact you and thank them for their time. Sign your name (or type your name) beneath this last paragraph. And, yes, it's okay to include your contact info on a line beneath your name. 

Related reading: How to Write Your Ideal Cover Letter Closing Statement

Short cover letter samples

The beauty of writing a short cover letter is that you can do so whether you're fresh out of college or have decades of experience under your belt. Though admittedly, it does get more difficult the longer your career. To give you some ideas of what yours could look like, here are some short cover letter samples for different roles and experience levels. 

Avoid copying and pasting these as your own because no two careers are alike, and your cover letter needs to be properly targeted to the job you want. But you can absolutely use them as inspiration for writing your own short cover letter. 

Entry-level short cover letter sample

First & Last Name

Bennington, NE 68007 | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected]

Marketing Assistant

Dear Mr. Richardson:

I've always been fascinated by what it takes for companies to connect with potential customers in a way that encourages sales. So, I went to school and obtained a Bachelor's degree in Marketing, where I developed a strong foundation in digital marketing, social media management, and content creation that I know will benefit [Company Name]'s team. 

One of my proudest moments came during an internship at Digital Horizons, where I partnered with the Social Media Manager to oversee campaigns and analyze audience engagement. I created a new strategy for Instagram that resulted in a 25% increase in followers within three months. This experience not only sharpened my ability to create compelling content but also taught me how to interpret analytics and adjust strategies to drive better engagement.

I may be new to the industry, but I'm ready to make an impact with [Company Name] in [insert a keyword from the job description]. Thank you for taking the time to review my candidacy. I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss how I can contribute to your team's success.

One of the reasons this short cover letter works is the conversational tone. Your cover letter doesn't have to use the same stuffy language that your resume does. When you write your cover letter like this, it feels more approachable and engaging. Other than the tone, this short cover letter instantly highlights your degree and talks about practical skills you've gained. Even though there's not a lot of experience to draw from, it's still possible to find a way to inject an achievement.  

Professional, experience-based short cover letter sample

Queen Creek, AZ 85142 | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected]

HR GENERALIST | ADMINISTRATIVE CULTURE LEADER

Dear Hiring Manager:

After leading HR operations across 7 locations in the Southwest and Pacific Northwest, I've developed an understanding of managing complex, multi-site HR functions while fostering a cohesive and positive work culture. My ability to drive continuous improvement in diverse environments will make me a great addition to [Company Name]'s team. 

It took me less than a year to transition from an administrative role into a leadership position in my last job, and since I'm a jump-in-with-both-feet type of person, I quickly founded and chaired a Culture Committee and led company-wide events. One such event was attended by over 300 people. In fact, it was so well-received that I earned leadership buy-in on additional programs that supported employee engagement and professional development, including a Rosetta Stone Language program. 

I am eager to bring my capabilities in motivating staff and managing change to your team, and I know that an employer/employee relationship will be a mutually beneficial endeavor. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss how my background aligns with your needs. I look forward to hearing back from you.

This short cover letter works because it gets to the point in just a few sentences. There are key accomplishments – like leading HR operations across multiple locations and founding new committees – and enough detail to make the point without overwhelming the reader. On top of that, the tone is engaging without being verbose. There's even a polite yet confident call to action at the end. 

Executive-level short cover letter sample

Orlando, FL | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected]

DIRECTOR: FRAUD OPERATIONS (AML/BSA/SAR/OFAC)

I would like to present 3 decades of experience in anti-money laundering and fraud prevention/management to you in response to the open [Job Title] at [Company Name].

If you're looking for someone to take the reins on innovating fraud prevention tactics and complying with the many regulations imposed on the banking industry while simultaneously leveraging transformational leadership as a member of the Board of Directors, then I'm your person. Not only have I restructured BSA and Fraud departments, but I've also implemented cutting-edge programs that automate reporting and compliance processes, saving upwards of $1.2M annually. Over the years, I've built a reputation as someone who can quickly solve complex problems, even if the answer involves building new programs. In fact, some of the programs I've built have won awards multiple years in a row. 

All of this is easily repeatable for [Company Name]'s team. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my background, skills, and achievements align with your team's needs.

Even at the executive level, this short cover letter works because it is bursting with value. It immediately zeros in on the amount of experience you have in a niche, highly regulated field and quickly talks about achievements. It also shows hiring managers that you're capable of leading both at the strategic and operational level by mentioning Board of Director experience. It may be written in a conversational tone, using phrases like “take the reins,” but it does so in a way that conveys confidence without sounding arrogant. 

Short is still impactful

As you write your short cover letter, remember the focus should be on clarity and professionalism while keeping it concise. It's easy to relay the value you can offer a new team without presenting a wall of text that is not only tedious to read but overwhelms the hiring manager into skipping your application altogether. Short doesn't mean less effective; it means more targeted. 

Did you know that TopResume can help you fine-tune your cover letter ? Since more than 50% of employers want to see a cover letter, you should think about getting one written that'll help you stand out from the crowd.

Recommended reading: 

Essential Cover Letter Elements for Job Success

The Right (and Wrong) Ways to Show Personality in Your Cover Letter

9 Cliches to Cut From Your Cover Letter Right Now

Related Articles:

How to Maximize Your Resume Action Words to Wow the Employer

Guide to Writing a Great Resume with No Work Experience

Resume Mistakes: Red Flags Employers Are Looking For

See how your resume stacks up.

Career Advice Newsletter

Our experts gather the best career & resume tips weekly. Delivered weekly, always free.

Thanks! Career advice is on its way.

Share this article:

Let's stay in touch.

Subscribe today to get job tips and career advice that will come in handy.

Your information is secure. Please read our privacy policy for more information.

IMAGES

  1. Cover letter to bcg Premium online custom paper service

    cover letter example bcg

  2. 6+ Consulting Cover Letter Examples (with In-Depth Guidance)

    cover letter example bcg

  3. BCG Cover Letter Guide with Actual Example

    cover letter example bcg

  4. BCG Cover Letter: Your Guide to Success

    cover letter example bcg

  5. Business Analyst Cover Letter Sample

    cover letter example bcg

  6. Free Cover Letter Examples for Job Seekers in 2020

    cover letter example bcg

VIDEO

  1. Alphabet Reverse toy (All Letter..) BUT THEY ALL PHONES FULL

  2. How to write a cover letter ? Cover letter kaise banai

  3. đŸ„‡ UpWork Cover Letter that WON a Job (Real-life example)

  4. University Applications: How to write your cover letter

  5. Create a cover letter that gets you hired as a fresh graduate

  6. 5 Major Skills You Need to Get into BCG, MckinseyđŸ€Ż (Ex-BCG)

COMMENTS

  1. BCG Cover Letter: Our Step-by-Step Guide + Examples

    BCG Cover Letter: Our Step-by-Step Guide + Examples. Write a BCG cover letter that sets your application apart from the competition! Tip: you can't just send the same letter to every consulting firm.

  2. BCG Cover Letter: Your Guide to Success

    BCG Cover Letter Example. Depending on your experience, your specific achievements will vary. Consider the following examples. Undergrad: ... Crafting the perfect BCG cover letter is a blend of putting your best foot forward, understanding BCG, and communicating your story. Remember that this is a screening exercise, so details matter and ...

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

    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 ...

  4. BCG Cover Letter

    Review your cover letter a few times before you send it to BCG. Make sure the content is relevant, interesting, and substantial. Furthermore, it must be free from spelling, grammatical, and punctuation errors. Mistakes give recruiters the impression that you are not meticulous with details and/or you have poor communication skills.

  5. How to write a killer cover letter

    "The cover letter becomes an important data point on how good they are at certain skills that might be relevant to the job they're applying for," he said. Keith Bevans, the head of Bain & Company's global consultant recruiting, warned that a poor cover letter can hurt an applicant's chances of getting the job. "The cover letter becomes an ...

  6. "Why BCG?" interview question (with sample answer)

    Your interviewer will typically ask you one or two Fit / PEI questions (~10mins) and then move on to a case interview (~30 to 40mins). In addition to fit and case questions, BCG also uses a pymetrics test, a 20-30 minute test that includes 12 games. Each game takes about 2-3 minutes to complete.

  7. BCG Resume: Tips, Template, & Mistakes To Avoid

    Resume + Cover Letter Edits. 2 Rounds of Edits each on 1 Resume and 1 Cover Letter; Digital pass: 24 templates; Learn More. $500. 3 Spots Remaining. Add to cart. Black Belt. ... BCG Resume Template. Even the best BCG sample resumes aren't a silver bullet. But at the same time, you don't necessarily have to start from scratch. ...

  8. How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job in Management Consulting

    They also provided cover letter samples for undergraduate, MBA, and experienced candidates. ... BCG is known for its emphasis on social impact projects and EY encourages applicants to highlight ...

  9. How to Submit a Great Internship Application

    Allow. Elina, a BCG recruitment manager, shares recommendations for students looking to intern at BCG and explains how to write a great internship application. Read on.

  10. Consulting Cover Letter That Lands Interviews: 2023 Guide

    For example: Dear members of the BCG Recruitment Team, To Bain Recruitment Team, ... Below is a consulting cover letter example of the body paragraph: Consulting Cover Letter- Closing Paragraph. The closing paragraph is where you place the call to action to encourage the recruiters to take action. It must be short and to the point.

  11. Crowdsourcing for Innovation and Insights from Millennials

    Sample cover letter for Full Time position at Boston Consulting Group. POSITION: ... BCG deconstructs the problem and finds solutions from the ground up. I have decided to apply for a position as a management consultant at BCG for its well-established reputation internationally and commitment to its nine values.

  12. BCG Cover Letter: 4 Templates and Email

    BCG Cover Letter: 4 Templates and Email. May 8, 2024 by Rahul Panchal. We are extremely careful about providing our readers with the content they need. These samples of BCG cover letters will surely help you. Make sure to insert your personal details at the required places. Letter Template: 1.

  13. Any tips for writing a BCG cover letter?

    3y. Put up a case study on BCG.. or be all praises for Mck and Bain!! Honestly no idea đŸ€“. Like. Reply. Share. Engineer 1. 3y. My (successful) cover letter was very standard—overview of my background; brief narrative about why I'd be a good fit/why I want to work at BCG.

  14. S14E4: BCG cover letter

    Strategy Simplified. Send us a Text Message.Cover letters may seem antiquated, but if you're applying to Boston Consulting Group, you'll need a killer cover letter to apply.BCG is one of many firms that still prefers a cover letter, so today we'll walk through how to shine in your cover letter through the structure, content, and format.

  15. Consulting Cover Letter Tips (and Template)

    This is a guide for writing a consulting cover letter. Learn how to craft a cover letter from practical tips and a free consulting cover letter template.

  16. PDF Cover Letter Writing

    the cover letter introduces you to potential employers and should always accompany a ... Sample Cover Letters Source: University Career Services 2012-2014 Career Guide. covr ... Associates work closely with BCG teams and the cli-ent organization as they conduct interviews, analyze data, communicate findings, and drive change. ...

  17. Answering FAQs about Careers at BCG

    We are here to answer the top 15 most frequently asked questions candidates have. Read more to learn!

  18. PDF BCG Advanced Degree Recruiting

    Apply online at apply.bcg.com with your CV and Cover Letter. For Germany, Austria and Switzerland, please include your transcripts. For the London office, applications which pass an initial review are sent an online numerical test to complete which is reviewed alongside each CV and Cover Letter. Please note, a high

  19. McKinsey Cover Letter Examples & Ready-To-Use Templates

    Check all our Resume Cover Letter Examples. 1. McKinsey Cover Letter Sample. If you have a boatload of consulting experience, you probably have the contacts and the know-how to get the position you want. You might have recruiters bugging you. You might even have the money to have someone write the letter for you.

  20. PDF BCG MBA RECRUITING 2020-2021

    Apply online at apply.bcg.com with your CV and cover letter and select up to three offices from our 90 locations, in order of preference. ESADE Recruiting timelines on-going, please check with local office for specific dates. IESE Full-Time Applications open from 20 July to 1 October 2020 ...

  21. How to write a killer cover letter

    The first is a simple letter, made up of a few paragraphs and lasting no longer than a single page. First get your reader's attention with a personal reference, then name the position you're ...

  22. A BCG Analyst Shares Best Tips on Writing an Effective Résumé

    Advertisement. And so, after 49 hours of reviewing other peoples' résumés, here are my 5 rules and recommendations on how to make yours stand out. 1. Start with your contact details. We ...

  23. PDF General Cover Letter Information

    BCG COVER LETTER GUIDE GENERAL COVER LETTER INFORMATION Cover letters should be clear, concise, and well-written. The cover letter should serve as a brief introduction to your resume; it should not simply reiterate the same information. Try to come up with some fresh material. For instance, if you plan to relocate, discuss the reason for your move.

  24. Short Cover Letter Samples: Effective Examples for Job Applications

    Avoid copying and pasting these as your own because no two careers are alike, and your cover letter needs to be properly targeted to the job you want. But you can absolutely use them as inspiration for writing your own short cover letter. Entry-level short cover letter sample. First & Last Name. Bennington, NE 68007 | (123) 456-7890 | email ...

  25. HR Assistant Cover Letter: Sample, Template & Guide

    Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter examples and create your cover letter here. One of our users, Nikos, had this to say: [I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff. See some of our other guides here: HR Cover Letter Examples; HR Generalist Cover Letter Examples

  26. Community Manager Resume Example (+ Job Description)

    Cover Letter Templates Find the perfect cover letter template. Cover Letter Examples See perfect cover letter samples that get jobs. Cover Letter Format Pick the right format for your situation. How to Write a Cover Letter Learn how to make a cover letter that gets interviews. Cover Letter Help Boost your chances of having your resume read with ...