Community Forum
Ask anything about cases, applications and recruiting. Members and coaches answer.
How much should you tailor cover letters for McKinsey, BCG, and Bain?
- Cover Letter
Do people actually rewrite the whole cover letter for each MBB firm, or is it normal to keep most of it the same and change the firm-specific section? Trying not to make this a 10-hour exercise lol.
You do not need to reinvent the entire letter for each firm. Your core story, experiences, and reasons for consulting will naturally stay similar because they are about you.
What is the cleanest structure for a consulting cover letter?
- Cover Letter
I can write the content, but I am overthinking the structure. Is there a standard consulting cover letter format that works without sounding like a copy-paste template?
A simple structure works well: why this firm or office, why consulting and why you, then a short close. You do not need five separate sections or a creative opening to make the letter effective.
Do you actually need a cover letter for MBB applications?
- Cover Letter
I keep seeing mixed advice on cover letters. Some people say nobody reads them, others say skipping one looks lazy. If the application makes it optional, is there any real downside to not submitting one?
The first rule is to follow the application instructions for the specific office and role. If a cover letter is required, submit one. If it is optional, the decision becomes more about whether you have something useful to add.
What should actually go in an MBB cover letter?
- Cover Letter
If I only have a few paragraphs, what information is worth using the space on? I do not want to just rewrite my resume in sentence form.
Use the letter for information that benefits from context. That usually includes why the firm or office makes sense for you, one or two experiences that demonstrate relevant consulting skills, and a clear explanation of why you are making this career move.