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

Consulting cover letter

Today we’re going to explain everything you need to know about writing consulting cover letters.

We’ll start by reviewing an example cover letter that got interview invitations from ALL the MBB firms (McKinsey, BCG, and Bain). 

And then we’ll explain exactly how you should write your own cover letter to land consulting interviews. Here’s a full list of the topics in this guide:

  • Example cover letter

How to write your consulting cover letter

Consulting cover letter tips.

  • The skills consulting firms look for

Consulting cover letter screening process

  • Get help with your cover letter

Let’s get to it! 

Click here for a consulting letter/resume review with an ex-MBB consultant

Example cover letter (which got interviews at mckinsey, bcg, and bain).

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.

Consulting cover letter example

Free download of the consulting cover letter example, here. 

In the next section, we’ll go step-by-step through each part of the cover letter and explain how to go about writing it. But before we dive in, please note the following points about the above template:

  • A lot of people use this template. Get inspiration from it, but every sentence in your letter should be written from scratch.
  • This cover letter might sound impressive. It's one of the best ones we’ve seen. But even if you have not achieved as much as this person, you can still get an interview.

With that said, let’s dig into the cover letter writing process!

As a starting point, this video provides a nice overview of the full writing process for a consulting cover letter. 

Now let’s break things down further.

1. Introduction

Example - Introduction

Mary Taylor - [email protected]

DD / MM / YYYY

Dear Sir / Madam,

I would like to apply for an Associate position at McKinsey in London.

This section is a formality. It should simply state the following information:

  • Your name and email address. You can replace your email address with a postal address although those are not commonly used anymore.
  • The date on which you are sending your letter
  • The position, company, and office to which you are applying

Keep it short and sweet.

2. Why you? 

Example - Why you?

I started working as an Analyst at Big Finance in New York in September 2020 and was quickly promoted to Associate in a year and a half instead of the average four years. While at Big Finance, I advised a broad range of clients who constantly gave me positive feedback and regularly asked to work with me again. Before joining Big Finance, I graduated as the top student of my MEng in Chemical Engineering at Prestigious University in the UK. While studying, I received two competitive scholarships and awards. In addition, I developed my leadership skills as the President of the Prestigious University Consulting Club. High energy was essential to lead a team of 5 managing the club and growing the number of members by 20%.

This is your "GOLD MEDALS" section. It is the first section of your cover letter and therefore the most important one.

It should state the TOP 3 achievements of your life to date that are relevant to consulting. These achievements should be as unique and as memorable as possible. When your reviewer reads them they should think "Wow, that's impressive. I want to know more about this person."

To write this section you need to step back and ask yourself "What are the most impressive things I've done with my life so far?" This is not an easy question to answer. 

In our experience discussing this with a close friend can help. It's sometimes easier for them to quickly point out the impressive things you have done as they are an external observer.

In addition, notice how achievements are QUANTIFIED in the example above. Saying you have been promoted "in a year and a half instead of the average four years" is much more powerful than saying you have been promoted "quickly." You should quantify your achievements whenever possible.

This section is your chance to grab the reader's attention. If there's nothing impressive in it, they will stop reading and just scan the paragraphs. So don't miss your opportunity!

3. Why consulting?

Example - Why consulting?

There are several reasons why I want to pursue a consulting career. To start with, I know I will enjoy being a strategy consultant because I have already worked in a strategy team in the past. This was in summer 2019 when I was a Strategy Intern at Big Grocery Retailer in London. In addition, I think consulting is a unique opportunity to comprehensively learn about business management by working on a variety of company situations. Over the past two years, I have started building my business skills while advising clients on financial matters at Big Finance. I now look forward to learning more about companies’ management at McKinsey. Finally, I want to work in consulting because I truly enjoy interacting with clients. Throughout my work experiences I have built a successful track record of developing and maintaining relationships with clients including, for instance, the senior strategy team at Big Grocery Retailer.

Once you have convinced your reviewer that you have impressive achievements under your belt they'll be thinking: "Ok, this person is impressive. But do they REALLY want to be a consultant? Or are they just applying because they're not sure what to do with their career."

The third section of your letter should therefore answer the  "Why consulting?" question . But here is the thing about this question: There are some reasons to go into consulting that you should tell your reviewer about. And some reasons that you should really keep to yourself.

For instance, one of the mistakes candidates commonly make in their cover letter is to write something along the lines of "I'd like to spend 2 or 3 years in consulting to learn more about business in general and then decide what I want to do." This is a HUGE mistake. 

Consulting firms want to hire FUTURE PARTNERS. Not employees who will stay for a couple of years. You can watch the video below for more details about this.

The best approach for your "Why consulting?" section is to write about past experiences that really show you know what you are getting into. The perfect situation is if you have done an internship in consulting or in corporate strategy and have enjoyed it. If that's the case, this is the perfect section to write about it.

But even if you haven't done related internships, there are plenty of angles you can use to connect your past experiences to what you will do as a consultant. For instance:

  • You might have enjoyed working with clients when you were in M&A or in Sales
  • You might have enjoyed structuring and solving tough problems as an engineer

You should use these experiences to say that "working with clients" or "solving tough problems" is something you KNOW you enjoy doing; and you look forward to spending more time doing this as a consultant.

When they read this section, your reviewer should think: "Ok, this person is impressive AND they know what they are getting into."

4. Why McKinsey / BCG / Bain / Other?

Example - Why McKinsey?

McKinsey appeals to me for three reasons. To start with, the different people from the company I have met and worked with all told me they had truly enjoyed their time there. For the past two years, I have worked for Michael Smith, a former Engagement Manager from the London office, who now works for Big Finance. Additionally, I regularly read McKinsey’s reports on financial services and think the insights delivered by Sarah James and others in the Finance practice are truly superior to that of other consultancies. By joining McKinsey, I therefore think I would have an opportunity to work with and learn from the best consultants in the industry. Finally, the fact that McKinsey was selected by Finance Supercorp to shape its digital strategy also played an important role in my decision to apply. This was a first-of-its-kind contract in finance and it shows that while at McKinsey I could get the opportunity to work on truly unique projects.

If you have managed to convince your reviewer that you have an impressive background and that you really want to be a consultant, you have a VERY HIGH chance of getting an interview. 

The only question that's left for you to answer is: " Why McKinsey  / Why BCG? / Why Bain? "

Top consulting firms  have a lot in common. In most regions, they cover the same industries and work for similar clients. They also pay similar salaries, and the career path is more or less the same from firm to firm. So what should you write about in this section?

In our experience, the most efficient way to set yourself apart in this section is to write about three specific elements:

When you write "I've met with Michael Smith," or "I've read report X," or "I've heard about project Y," you are making an argument that's SPECIFIC enough for your reviewer to think: "Ok they've done their homework."

If you stay too GENERIC, your argument will be much less credible. For instance, writing something like "While at McKinsey, I'll be exposed to a broad range of industries which I'm excited about" is a weak argument because you could swap McKinsey for BCG or Bain in that sentence.

In fact, this is the ultimate test. If you can swap McKinsey with another name in your "Why McKinsey?" section you are not being specific enough. You need to work on your paragraph again and mention SPECIFIC people, reports, or projects that you find interesting.

5. Conclusion

Example - Conclusion

For all these reasons, I am very enthusiastic about the chance to work at McKinsey. I am available for an interview at any time and look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Mary Taylor

The last section of the cover letter is a formality again. It should include the following elements:

  • A sentence or two saying that you are enthusiastic and available for interviews at any time
  • Your final signature

So how do you make it easy for your reviewer to put your cover letter on the "Accept" pile? We have put together the 10 tips below to make sure you can achieve this and avoid common mistakes.

Consulting cover letter tips

Tip #1 Don't use a template letter

Writing cover letters is painful. But trust us, reading hundreds of them can be at least as painful. That's why you should make every effort to make your letter interesting and genuine. 

It's ok to get inspiration from templates such as the one we provide in this guide. But every sentence in your letter should be written from scratch.

Tip #2 Keep it to one page

One of the unwritten rules of consulting cover letters is that they should not be longer than one page. The trick to achieve this is to only select the MOST RELEVANT experiences from your  resume  and to summarise them. 

The points you decide to highlight should clearly demonstrate that you would make a great consultant.

Tip #3 Standard format and font

It's tempting to use an eye-catching font and format. But that's actually a bad idea. You only risk your interviewer thinking: "I've never seen this font, it looks really weird. Who is this person?" Your cover letter should stand out because of its content, NOT because of its format.

Tip #4 Not the time to be shy

Your cover letter is not the time to be shy. If you went to Harvard and have three Olympic medals, now is the time to say it! Most of us don't, and that's fine. But the point is that you should really push yourself to bring your most impressive accomplishments forward.

Tip #5 Network, network, network

This might sound surprising, but a big part of the cover letter is  how much networking you have done . Having networked with people from the firm you are applying for pays dividends for multiple reasons. 

First, they might recommend you to the HR team. But most importantly, these people will give you insight into what makes their firm UNIQUE. Then you can quote what you've heard in your cover letter (and name drop the person you heard it from) to show that you really understand the firm you are applying for.

Tip #6 Read, read, read

Unfortunately, networking is not always easy or possible. In these cases, your second best option is to read as much as you can on the firms you are applying for. You should read about the firm's projects, reports, and partners and find pieces of information you are really interested in. 

For instance, if you did your master thesis on electric vehicles, try to find who works in this area at the firm and what they have to say about it. And then mention what you have found in your cover letter.

Tip #7 One letter per firm

One question we often get is: "Should I write one letter per firm?" The answer is YES. But it's not as hard as it might sound. 

Every cover letter needs to answer three questions: Why you? Why consulting? And why this firm? The only paragraph you will need to change in every letter is the one about "Why this firm?" For each firm, you will have to do the networking and reading mentioned above.

Tip #8 Start writing early

Writing an outstanding cover letter is VERY HARD. Most candidates underestimate how much time it takes and start this process too late. You'll need to take a step back and reflect on everything you have done to date to highlight your most relevant experiences. 

This takes multiple iterations. Start early.

Tip #9 Get feedback

In our experience, great candidates all look for feedback and iterate on their cover letter until it's truly as good as it can get. It's a lot of work, but it's worth it.

It’s best to get feedback from peers or consultants. These people will be able to point out which parts of your letter they don't get or don't find impactful enough. If you’d like to have an expert review your cover letter, check out our team of  ex-consultant coaches .

Tip #10 Proofread multiple times

Finally, you should check and double check your letter for typos and grammar mistakes - multiple times. A cover letter is (not so secretly) a writing test and you should really treat it like one.

What consulting firms look for

To get multiple interviews at  top consulting firms , it’s extremely important to understand what those firms are actually looking for. 

The good news is that most of the leading consultancies are looking for basically the same skills. 

To illustrate this point, here’s what  McKinsey  and  Bain  say that they’re looking for in candidates, along with our own translation of what they mean:

What consulting firms look for

There are also a few unofficial items that consulting firms will look for on your resume, and you can read about those in our  consulting resume guide .

Next, let’s talk about the typical cover letter screening process.

Screening process

Now let's talk about HOW your cover letter will be handled once you send it. Here's how it works.

Your application will be sent to a JUNIOR CONSULTANT who recently graduated from your University. They will score your documents based on a grid provided by the HR team. 

Consultants usually have to score 200 to 400 applications in about 2 weeks. And this is sometimes on TOP of their normal project. It's not uncommon for them to leave the job to the last minute and to have to do it on a Friday night just before the deadline.

Why is this important? The point we are trying to make is your application is part of 100 other applications. And the person who will review it will be tired by the time they get to your cover letter. If they don't understand something, they won't Google it. It's your job to make their job easy.

Why consultancies ask for a cover letter

There are two main reasons why consulting firms ask for cover letters.

First, partners bill several thousand dollars per day to their clients. The opportunity cost of interviewing you is HUGE for the firm. Put yourself in the shoes of a consultancy for a second. What are the top 3 questions you want to answer before investing money in interviewing a candidate?

  • Have they demonstrated the skills needed to be a consultant?
  • Do they know what consulting is and what they are getting into?
  • Are they genuinely interested in working for our firm?

If you don't answer these three questions in a structured and impactful way, your chances of getting past the screening process are very low. This is why every cover letter should be structured as follows:

  • Why consulting?
  • Why this firm?

The second reason consulting firms ask for a cover letter is to test your writing skills. Consultants write all the time: emails, PowerPoints, Word documents, etc. They spend about 50% of their day writing. And a lot of the time their job is to summarise very large quantities of information in a succinct way.

This is exactly what you have to do in your cover letter. You have to a) look back on all your past experiences, b) select the relevant experiences to convince the reviewer that you are the right person for the job and c) summarise all these experiences in a way that's easy to read and digest.

Cover letters are a disguised writing test. Candidates who end up getting invited for interviews recognise this early on. Making a good impression on paper is way harder than making a good impression in person.

Are many candidates ready to invest HOURS in writing the perfect cover letter? No. That's the whole point. That's how you can set yourself apart. If you spend enough time making sure that your letter is as impactful as it can be, you stand very high chances of getting invited for interviews.

Another reason that it can help to have a cover letter is to explain anything on your resume that may look unusual to a reviewer, such as a time gap or a non-traditional background for consulting. 

Whatever your unique situation is, if you’re not confident in how your cover letter looks today, then we can help you. 

Get an Ex-MBB consultant to review your cover letter

The guide above, in addition to our guide on  consulting resumes , should go a long way in helping you craft documents that will get you interviews. 

But if you still feel you need additional help, we have a team of ex-MBB recruiters and interviewers who would be happy to provide feedback on your cover letter.

You’ll get feedback on how to immediately improve your cover letter, including what experience to focus on, how to optimise your phrasing, formatting, etc.

Start by browsing profiles for available coaches.

Interview coach and candidate conduct a video call

Consulting Cover Letter: What You Actually Need to Know

The key to effective cover-letters is story-telling. Most people write cover letters like resumes, with cold, hard facts, and that’s the problem.

Cover letters are much more effective if they contain stories capturing the burning spirits of candidates. In this article, I’ll tell you how to install such stories seamlessly into your consulting cover letters, and land a case interview yourself.

Consulting cover letters – The basics

What are cover letters for.

Cover letters are documents accompanying resumes, to provide further insights into the qualities and motivations of a candidate, as well as portray who he/she is as a person .

In consulting cover letters, there are three essential qualities you must always display:

  • Leadership skills:  the ability to influence people’s decisions.
  • Achieving mindset : the continuous, relentless push for the best results.
  • Analytical problem-solving:  the ability to solve problems in a structured, methodical manner.

Regarding motivations, there are two questions you need to answer:

  • “Why consulting?”:  Do you really understand the consulting world, and how it fits with your long-term plans? Is there something unique in the consulting track to explain your choice?
  • “Why this firm?”:  Out of all the consulting firms, why ours? There should be something uniquely attractive about this firm to you, isn’t there?

And last but not least, don’t forget to show that you have an interesting personality that fits with the firm’s culture.

Cover letters vs Resumes – What’s the difference?

Because so many candidates confuse between the two, then end up writing boring cover letters resembling “paragraph versions” of their resumes, I feed the need to differentiate.

There are four marked differences:

Cover letters go deep, resumes go wide

In cover letters, you should select one or a few most notable achievements, and describe them in detail to reflect your three defining aspects (values, competencies, motivations).

This stands in contrast with resumes, where you cram as many relevant achievements as possible into the space of one or two A4 pages.

Cover letters are “soft” stories, resumes are “hard” bullet lists

The content format of cover letters is much less defined, leaving room for a lot of creativity, unlike resumes which are almost always bullet lists of cold, hard facts.

Your goal as the candidate is to fully utilize that loosely-defined format and make your cover letter as attractive and memorable as possible.

Cover letters describe personality, resumes do not

A crucial role of the cover letter is to portray who you are as a person. Resumes don’t do that, they focus on your achievements.

Your personality does not only come directly through the contents, but also reflected in the style of the letter – so take time to make your cover letter more attractive, and you’ll make a better impression with the screener.

Cover letters touch on future plans, resume concerns mostly the past

In cover letters, you have to answer the motivation questions (why consulting, why this firm). In resumes, that aspect is barely mentioned.

The most credible answers to those questions connect the job with your future plans – as such, the cover letter is not confined to the past like resumes.

Understanding your audience

The vibe inside the screening room.

Busy, tiring, and boring – that’s the vibe inside the screening room.”

Picture this in your mind:

A junior consultant is in the office on a Friday night, going through hundreds of applications. He has to do this as a form of goodwill for the company, on top of his ongoing project.

Everyone’s application looks the same, following one set format; a somewhat extraordinary resume catches his attention, so he checks the cover letter to see if there’s anything interesting, only to be disappointed because the letter is an exact recital of the resume.

If you want to grab the screener’s attention and make memorable impressions, you have to break that negative vibe, using an unordinary cover letter.

Most cover letters are just listings of achievement and cliched motivation statements – they feel like unoriginal walls-of-text that offer nothing new – and that’s the exact reason why many screeners don’t like cover letters. Write an exciting story instead – the screener will love it.

Why they read your cover letter

There are two main reasons why the screener reads your consulting cover letter:

  • He wants to know more about your motivations and personality because your resume is both impressive and interesting/unordinary at the same time.
  • He wants to clarify some ambiguous points in your resume – this happens if you appear highly competent, but your writing is not clear enough.

In both cases, there’s no excuse to repeat your resume in a paragraph format and disappoint the screener. You have all the reasons in the world to present an attractive, detailed, focused narrative – tell a story and get your interview.

Both the background and the purpose of cover-letter-screening suggest that an innovative story-telling approach is much more beneficial than the common, formulaic, overly-formal cover letters.

Such an approach will definitely make your cover letter stand out from the heap of some 200 other applications. It helps you grab the screener’s attention, and impress him in a memorable way.

Additionally, it makes reading the cover letter easier and more enjoyable. The screener is already tired, so there’s no point in making his life harder.

Whatever the reason, as the cover letter is opened AFTER the resume, the implication is that you need to perfect your consulting resume first!

If you haven’t read it, here’s an A-to-Z guide to writing the perfect consulting resume , from a former McKinsey consultant and resume screener!

Consulting cover letter – Step-by-step guide

All these elements must be presented in a coherent storyline and concise language.

Keep in mind this is a consulting cover letter – as such, your story should be backed up by impactful, specific, verifiable results.

To write impressive, fact-based stories that demonstrate all three necessary aspects of the candidate, I advise you to follow these four steps:

Step 1 – Self-reflect for storylines

Search your memory for events, experiences, ideas… that can serve as a basic storyline – the backbone of your cover letter. For each storyline, consider the following six criteria :

  • Uniqueness: The base story should be something unique to you. If it’s something common or universal, you won’t have the screener’s attention.
  • Attractiveness: Your story should be attractive and entertaining – only then can you trigger the screener’s curiosity. Usually, it’s something “big” and impactful, but not controversial
  • Positiveness: The story should have a positive “vibe” to it. If it’s something sad or negative, don’t include it in your cover letter.
  • Qualities: All three consulting qualities (leadership, achieving, analytical problem-solving) should be illustrated in your story. Otherwise, consider that story irrelevant.
  • Motivations: Your story should at least help explain why you’re applying, if not providing direct answers to that question. Firms don’t like to hire candidates without clear motivations.
  • Personality: Make sure you exhibit a likable personality. On the other hand, if that story suggests negative traits (pessimism, short temper, cynicism, etc.) you have to modify it.

Let’s see if these storylines of my own could match the requirements:

“I escaped from a near-death experience during a paragliding session using my gliding skills.”

This is not something you hear every day, and near-death stories are often quite attractive, so you have those two boxes checked; and for now, there’s no sign of “bad” personality traits.

However, it’s a near-death experience, so it does have a negative vibe. Additionally, it shows neither consulting qualities nor relevant motivations.

=> This story only meets 3 out of 6 criteria. Out!

“I founded an entertainment business which attracted lots of attention, but ultimately failed.”

Not everyone is a startup entrepreneur, so this story does meet the “uniqueness” criterion. It’s relatively easy to draw attention with startup stories, and it’s easy to explain a consulting career choice from a former entrepreneur perspective, too. No negative personality trait is visible.

While being a business owner suggests some leadership and problem-solving experience, as well as an achieving mindset, a failure story like this might raise some questions on the “qualities” aspect; it also creates a negative vibe.

=> Overall, 4.5 to 5 out of 6. Not really the best storyline for a consulting cover letter, but usable with some modifications.

“I broke McKinsey’s code of conduct, convinced a client to pay their long-overdue service fees, and was celebrated for it.”

Is there anyone who doesn’t like those “breaking rules” stories? I’m quite confident this experience is quite unique and attractive. Because this is actual consulting work, it’s undoubtedly easy to point out all the important consulting qualities, as well as to provide a basis for my motivations.

However, this “breaking the rules” story may suggest rebellious tendencies, so if I’m going to use it I’ll again need some modifications.

=> This story scores 5.5 / 6. Quite good but I do need to be careful with it.

bain cover letter

Step 2 - Add and classify details

Rack your memory and jot down everything related to your storyline; don’t worry about having too many details, you will be trimming the story later.

Pay special attention to the details best illustrating relevant qualities , motivations , and personality , because you will need to emphasize them.

Step 3 – Structure and enhance

Arrange the details of your story in a logical, intuitive structure; the most common method is:

1. Describe a notable, relevant experience using the problem-action-result structure to impress the interviewer with your qualities first.

2. Try to link it up with the present/future parts of your story (ideas, philosophies, plans) to explain your motivations.

Trim all non-essential and technical details, they do nothing but confuse the reader and bore them to death. Your story should be told in a way even your grandmother can understand.

Then, arrange and enhance the remaining details so that the story feels more dramatic, i.e the uniqueness and difficulty of the problem should be emphasized.

On a related note, consultants dislike lengthy cover letters – in fact, one A4 page is the maximum length – so there’s one more reason to start trimming.

Step 4 – Amplify consulting features

First, make all three key consulting traits stand out from your story – leadership, achieving mindset, and analytical problem-solving.

Then, make subtle references to consulting work using the industry’s terminology and concepts. Most screeners, being consultants themselves, will subconsciously appreciate this. However, avoid buzzwords and slangs found on the Internet, or you’ll appear superficial and unprofessional.

Consulting cover letter – Tips

To write the best cover letter, you must thoroughly understand the industry, its major firms, and even the very office you’re applying into.

To achieve such an understanding, there is quite a bit of research to do – and here are three tips for you to ease that process!

Tip 1: Networking

Successful networking goes a long way in the consulting recruitment process and in cover letters.

Firstly, management consulting firms are relatively publicity-shy, so having a connection within these firms allow you to gain very specific and authentic insights about the firm, the job, as well as the consulting world in general, helping you make better choices and deliver more convincing reasons.

Secondly, you may earn a referral ! The screening stage is harsh – it’s where most candidates are filtered out, both in absolute and proportional terms – and referrals help a great deal with that.

Remember to show your networking efforts by mentioning the names of consultants at the office you’re applying into, as well as their projects. The screener will know you really do care about the job, and you’ve done your homework.

Tip 2: Read consulting news

The websites of major consulting firms all have countless articles on current affairs as well as their own projects – read them frequently and regularly .

For one thing, those articles will deepen your understanding of management consultants and their work, helping you make better choices and explain them more effectively to the screener.

Additionally, reading consulting articles regularly will help you know more about the specific projects of each firm, which you can bring up in cover letters.

Tip 3: Build “cheat sheets”

A few ready-to-use “cheat sheets” containing all the important details on the consulting industry and major firms will significantly ease the writing process.

I recommend making three different groups of sheets – one for the consulting world in general, one for the firms, and the last one about the specific offices you’re applying into.

Be implicit and “smooth” when using these sheets. Make sure to sound as natural and seamless as possible when mentioning your references; avoid putting them at the focus of your sentences, but to use them as supplements to the main idea (e.g: I was awed by the network of experts supporting our project with McKinsey back in 2016).

Consulting cover letter – Visual format

Consulting cover letters are not the place for creative, colorful designs. Format your letters in a conservative, text-dense, black-and-white fashion – that’s how actual consultants do it.

One A4 page is the maximum length for consulting cover letters.

Inside the busy screening room, nobody has the time and energy to read a two-page worth of story, no matter how attractive it is.

If your cover letter exceeds that maximum length, trim away the less important details and shorten your expressions; you can also tweak your font size, spacing, and margins to squeeze the most content into one page.

Use formal, conservative fonts, such as Times New Roman, Calibri, Cambria, Garamond, etc.

Keep your font size at 10-12. Larger text tends to feel somewhat “messy”, and they’re space-consuming. Smaller text, on the other hand, feels difficult and tiring to read.

Additionally, the typeface in your cover letter should match that on the resume.

Spacing, margins, and alignment

Use spacings of 1.15 between lines and 1.50-2.00 between paragraphs. Consulting cover letters are quite text-dense, so it’s important to use these white spaces to ease the visual strain.

Always align your text on the left side. Left-aligning is the standard in the United States, where most major consulting firms are based; additionally, left-aligning keeps the horizontal spacing between words even, unlike justified where that spacing varies considerably between each line.

All four margins should be equal at 1 inch. That should keep your letter neat and tidy while maximizing the amount of text on one page.

bain cover letter

Other reminders

If you know who’s screening, address them by name. Otherwise, generic salutations are fine.

I’ve come across pages claiming it’s no longer acceptable to write generic salutations (“ To whom it may concern ”); however, in consulting firms where the screening process is assigned to junior consultants on an availability basis, you don’t always know who’s reading your letter, so such salutations are okay.

On the other hand, if you happen to be applying into a small, new office, and your networking efforts are successful, you may know your screener. In that case, refer them by name for a greater impact.

Replacement test

If you can replace the industry and the firm in your letter with something similar and it still makes sense, your tailoring is not enough.

Your motivations should be based on unique and defining descriptions – for example, McKinsey having the largest support network for consultants, or Bain being the frattiest among MBB consulting firms.

Non-unique reasons, such as “prestigious brand name” or “interesting projects” can apply to basically every major consulting firm out there, so they’re not strong bases for your choices.

Maintain formality

Use formal language throughout, and keep standard your heading and salutation.

Show your uniqueness and creativity only through the main content sections. Other “procedural” parts of the cover letter should always remain formulaic – see the sample section.

The language in the main paragraph should also remain formal, i.e no slang, no contraction, no overuse of exclamations.

Avoid short-term motivations

Don’t say you’re in for a 2-year learning experience, or your application will be heading for the bin very, very quickly.

It’s costly to turn fresh graduates into effective consultants, so firms don’t want candidates who will bail out just after they’ve become useful. They want people who will stay in the firm for as long as they can – they want future partners.

You might include long-term plans concerning other industries, but don’t give the impression that you’re bailing out in a few years. If that’s your plan, don’t even mention it.

Proofread and edit

Writing cover letters should be a long process of continuous proofreading, feedback, and editing.

It’s best to find a former/working consultant or at least someone who’s knowledgeable about the industry to help you out. Consulting cover letters differ from normal ones quite considerably, so generic guidelines won’t be of much use.

It’s also very helpful to allow intervals of at least a few days between writing and proofreading sessions; you will find it easier to spot errors if you proofread with a “fresh” mind.

Try to avoid format, spelling, and grammar mistakes at all costs. In consulting cover letters, such mistakes are much less tolerated.

Cover letter file format

Always send your cover letters in the PDF format (most screeners expect you to do so).

This file format will make sure your cover letter appears the same on every computer, and it minimizes the damage that may occur in the file transfer process (by contrast, DOC files are vulnerable to numerous errors).

Depending on the computer, PDFs may look cleaner than DOCs – one possible bonus point for appearance.

Still not sure whether your cover letter is good enough? Book a meeting with former consultants. Our coaches will show you how to make your resume stand out among thousands of candidates. 

Cover letter example

Now that you’ve learned the secrets to the best story-telling cover letter, let’s have a little exercise and help the First President write one to McKinsey, shall we?

(The content in this sample letter is largely fictional for illustration purposes)

George Washington [email protected] Mount Vernon Plantation, Fairfax County, Virginia, U.S.A July 4, 1789

To whom it may concern,

My purpose in life is to liberate the American people and lead them to prosperity. The revolution of the Thirteen Colonies was up against the largest military force in the world – the British Empire – at a four-to-one disadvantage – few if any country had come up against such odds victoriously. And that was the situation I was in, as the leader of the revolution.

Under my lead, the revolutionaries mobilized internal support from 2.4 million soon-to-be American citizens and external support from allies in France. This support allowed us to remain operational even after severe defeats, which would otherwise put an end to the revolution. After six years, the Colonies came out victorious and was recognized as the new United States of America. War is over, so my new task is to steer the newfound States towards economic prosperity – and consulting experience at McKinsey will help a great deal with that.

I happen to also run a plantation business – Mount Vernon by name – which was McKinsey’s client during our expansion project in 1785. I was extremely impressed by the highly structured and data-based approach that McKinsey consultants took to deliver their solutions, and even more impressed by the incredible network of experts that was backing our project.

Through Ms. E.M – the Engagement Manager for our project from McKinsey’s DC Office – I came to be aware of the firm’s expertise in the public sector – which was recognized as being the overall best among major consulting firms.

And for that reason, I realized a consultant position at McKinsey DC will give me invaluable exposure in the public sector, both from its projects and its vicinity to the country’s capital.

I will be looking forward to speaking with you in person, about how I can put my experience as a former head-of-state and an entrepreneur to work at McKinsey.

Sincerely yours, George Washington

Scoring in the McKinsey PSG/Digital Assessment

The scoring mechanism in the McKinsey Digital Assessment

Related product

Thumbnail of Consulting Resume Toolkit

Consulting Resume Toolkit

Get the fundamental of crafting a "consulting-like" resume with the most powerful secret toolkit.

You can refer on guides, tips, examples & templates in this article to build a excellent resume rely on the necessary criteria of a Management Consulting Firms

In this article, we'll look into several ways to tailor a consulting resume to stand out among thousands of competitors and win your screener’s heart.

Great consulting resumes have 4 main sections: Education, Work Experience, Extracurricular Activities, & Others. All should be result-oriented and data-driven

consultingfact_logo

Bain Cover Letter

Written by . Posted in Cover Letter

resume or cv job application

Bain has been labeled as one of the most prestigious management consulting firms in the world. Its 5,000+ employees, located in 48 offices in 31 countries, are committed to helping startups and large companies attain maximum economic value. Its prestige attracts thousands of applicants each year, making the firm’s recruitment process highly intense.

The techniques below can help you craft a Bain cover letter that stands out among the other candidates.

Know What They Are Looking For

Bain’s recruiting materials state that they are looking for exceptional candidates who possess:

These prerequisites will guide you in customizing and finalizing the content of your Bain cover letter. Unique content expresses your sincere interest in the job and consequently helps you stand out among the other applicants.

Include Relevant Information

You may have a number of achievements but including everything is highly discouraged. Recruiters  spend less than 30 seconds per application, so every word in your one-page document must reflect what the firm needs.

The letter should answer the following questions:

Other Cover Letter Information

Your Bain cover letter should also explain potential issues recruiters may detect from your resume. For instance, if there is a major gap in your work history, you can explain your activities while you were unemployed. Did you leave your previous employer because you wanted to pursue a graduate degree or because your spouse was relocated to a different city? This is also applicable to those who wanted to shift into a management consulting career. Elaborate upon the reasons that influenced such a major decision and include the soft skills you possess which will enable you to carry out all consulting responsibilities.

After proofreading your cover letter, you can hand it to Bain representatives during job fairs or you can  upload it onto their website.

You Might Also Like...

  • BCG Cover Letter
  • Bain Cover Letter Sample
  • Booz Cover Letter
  • Consulting Cover Letter Examples
  • Consulting Cover Letter Outline
  • Consulting Cover Letter and Resume Tips
  • Consulting Firm Profile: Bain & Company
  • Consulting Resume Editing
  • How to Craft a McKinsey Cover Letter
  • Management Consulting Cover Letter Sample
  • McKinsey Cover Letter Sample
  • Mistakes to Avoid in a Management Consulting Cover Letter

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

The Bain BASE Scholar Internship – What It Is & How to Apply

  • Last Updated January, 2022

The consulting industry is trying to attract and train a more diverse set of future business leaders. One way Bain & Co. is helping increase the diversity of its consultants is through its BASE Scholar Program.

The BASE Scholar Program is open to individuals who are MBA fellows through “Management Leadership for Tomorrow” or “The Consortium.” 

Candidates must intend to start business school in the year of their application, identify as Black, Latinx, or Native American, and be interested in a consulting career at Bain. 

The Bain BASE Scholar Program provides both training and a glimpse into the day-to-day work of a consultant. It’s an excellent opportunity to further a career in the industry.

In this article, we’ll discuss:

  • What the Bain BASE Scholar internship is,
  • Key steps in applying to consulting positions, 
  • What the Bain BASE Scholar interview process looks like, plus top tips, and
  • Resources that can help you prepare for your BASE Scholar interview.

Let’s get started!

What Is the Bain BASE Scholar Program?

The Bain BASE Scholar program centers around a week-long summer “BASE Camp” designed to give attendees a feel for life as a Bain consultant. 

During that week, you’re assigned to a real-life in-flight case for a Bain client. Working with the rest of the Bain team, you’ll test your consulting skills and build your business experience. 

There’s also the chance to build your network and seek out mentors through training sessions and social events.

Those who excel during BASE camp will be offered the opportunity of a Bain internship the following summer.

How Does the Bain BASE Scholar Internship Differ From ExperienceBain?

ExperienceBain is a larger program open to all incoming MBA students heading to specific schools. It’s a virtual program run throughout the summer to help you build your skills and get clear on whether consulting’s the career for you. 

If you’re eligible, Bain encourages you to apply to both programs.

Tips for Creating Strong Applications for Consulting Positions Including Bain BASE

Consulting positions are competitive, so you want to put your best foot forward by creating a strong application. Start by creating a consulting resume and cover letter in support of your application. 

We’ve got 4 essential tips for acing the initial application:

  • Understand what’s required . Make sure you follow any application instructions carefully. It’s important to know what you need to fill in, where you need to send your application, and whether you should attach any additional information.
  • Do your research . Before you apply, make sure you understand Bain’s history, culture, clients, and the case types that the firm deals with. Research the traits they look for in successful consultants and tailor your application to showcase how you meet those traits. (There’s a link to the Bain website in our resources section below.)
  • Quality over quantity . Recruiters don’t need to know every tiny detail about everything you’ve ever been involved in. Draw attention to your most relevant achievements and those you’re most proud of.
  • Proofread your application . Take the time to read over your application and check for errors in spelling and grammar. Get a friend or coach to give it a once-over to make sure everything makes sense and is as clear and compelling as it can be.

If your application is successful, the next steps will include any, or all, of the following:

  • Pre-screening Tests
  • Behavioral/Fit Interviews
  • Case Interviews
  • Group Case Interviews
  • Assessment Days

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

What the Bain BASE Scholar Interview Process Looks Like

Candidates selected to interview for the BASE Scholar program will complete 2 short interviews of around 30 minutes. Interviews are back-to-back and will be conducted virtually.

The first 10 minutes will be behavioral questions designed to check how well you’ll thrive in the Bain culture. The final 20 minutes will be a short case interview.

Note: Some offices use only case interviews (including Melbourne.)

Bain reassures applicants they won’t test them on business concepts at this stage. The recruiting team is more interested in the way candidates think about and approach solving problems and how they communicate solutions.

The case interview will include a market sizing question and be focused on profitability, revenue growth (new product or growth strategy), or cost-cutting cases. Non-profit or operations cases are less likely to feature.

Tips to Tackle the Bain BASE Scholars interview

We’ve got loads of information on tackling both cases and fit interviews in our resources list below. 

However, there are 4 main tips that apply to any consulting interview, no matter where you’re applying or the stage in the process.

  • Listen . Make sure you listen to the question that’s being asked. Then, make sure you answer that question! Take a minute to think through how you want to respond to ensure you cover all the points you need to, clearly and logically.
  • Practice . Consulting interviews get easier with practice. See our resources on the case and behavioral interviews for more information on what will be asked, and then practice answering those types of questions with a friend, mentor, or coach.
  • Engage . Try to engage in the interview as if it were a conversation. This is especially important for the BASE Scholar interview. The recruiting team understands you have limited business experience at this stage, so they’ll be looking for people who are engaging, communicate confidently, and who would fit well into their team.
  • Breathe . Interviews can be daunting but don’t forget to breathe! Your brain needs oxygen to function, so make sure you support it by taking a few deep breaths before beginning the interview

Resources To Help You Prepare for Your BASE Scholar Interview

So, that’s it! A whistle-stop tour of the BASE Scholar program. We have lots of resources that can help you create a winning application and ace the interview below:

  • Building and Supporting Excellence (BASE) Scholars
  • Consulting Cover Letters that Land Interviews: Our Complete Guide
  • The Management Consulting Resume: Our Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Ace Market Sizing Questions in Your Consulting Interviews
  • A Comprehensive Guide to Case Interview Prep
  • The Consulting Fit Interview: What to Say, What NOT to Say

In this article, we’ve covered:

  • What the Bain BASE Scholars program consists of,
  • The process of applying to consulting positions,
  • The format of the Bain BASE Scholars interview and tips to tackle it, and
  • A collection of resources to prepare for the BASE Scholars program.

Still have questions?

If you have more questions about the Bain BASE Scholar interview, leave them in the comments below. One of My Consulting Offer’s case coaches will answer them.

Help with Your Consulting Application

Thanks for turning to My Consulting Offer for advice on consulting applications. My Consulting Offer has helped almost 85% of the people we’ve worked with to get a job in management consulting. We want you to be successful in your consulting interviews too. For example, here is how Bill was able to get his offer from Bain.

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.

bain cover letter

PrepLounge Logo

Does anyone has a Bain cover letter sample? Thank you!

Does anyone have recent Bain and McKinsey cover letter samples?

Overview of answers

  • Date ascending
  • Date descending

Hey, sure I can send my old cover letter from when I applied.

PM me for details!

could you share it with me as well? I don't find where to write a message :o

Hi ,I sent you the PM for the cover letter. Can you send it please

Hi, could you please share your cover letter with me as well? I am planning to apply to Bain in Jan, so would be great to have a look at yours. Thx!

Hi Alessandro, please could you send me your cover letter, thanks in adbance

Hi Alessandro, could you please share your cover letter with me as well? Thank you in advance!

Hi Alessandro, I am also interested in the cover letter.

Hi Alessandro, please could you share your cover letter with me. Thank you in advance!

Hi Alessandro, I would be grateful if you could send it to me also. Thank you in advance :)

Hi Alessandro, if its not too much trouble I would like to take a peek at your cover letter for inspiration! Thank you in advance :)

Hi Alessandro, could you please share your cover letter with me? I am going to apply for the internship these days. Thank you very much!

Hi Alessandro, can you please share your cover letter with me as well? It would really help my application. I have also sent private message to you and shared my email address. Thank you very much!

Can just provide the high-level structure (I believe it's relatively easy to write 4 paragraphs):

  • Intro of who you are
  • Why you (several reasons)
  • Why "The Company" (Usually 3 reasons)

In terms of the content:

Why you is about your career path and extracurricular activities. Depending on your experiences either start from the first or from the last role (the later you are in your career the more sense it is to start with last one). You can mention a couple of your unique selling point and structure your lifepath around it. Add memorable projects or experience with high impact / cool brands / etc. that will stay in the memory of the reader.

Why "The Company" question can include the following arguments:

  • Brand / positioning / market share in the region
  • More clients / projects / expertise in the industry you are interested in
  • More well-known stories of success in your city
  • Your friends working there
  • Your interactions with the other consultants before the interview
  • Your prior experience of working with the Firm on a client side
  • Office traditions
  • Work experience with firm alumni

Related Products

Mckinsey solve game simulation package by francesco.

  • Play for Real the Ecosystem Game (Coral Reef & Mountain Ridge)
  • Play for Real the Redrock Game (All 4 Phases Included)
  • Receive for FREE the Imbellus Solve Combo and McKinsey Imbellus Game Secrets Guide

Break Into Consulting - Strategy Consulting Firm's All-In-One by Alexandre

  • Created by 2 BCG consultants
  • Covers most strategy consulting firms
  • Get you to the backstage of the strategy world

Break Into Consulting - Industry Overviews by Alexandre

  • 15+ industries covered
  • Practical tips to master any industry

Break Into Consulting - Frameworks I wish I knew by Alexandre

  • Covers most interview cases
  • Practical tips to crack the case

BCG Online Case Combo: Software Simulation by Francesco

  • Practice with 6 Chatbot Tests (Casey Style), including 4 Software Simulations
  • Test Yourself with 4 Live One-Way Video Interviews (with AI Generated Tips)
  • Receive for Free the BCG Online Case Secrets Guide

BCG Online Case Secrets by Francesco

  • Master the 5 Types of Questions Asked by the Chatbot
  • Discover the Exact Steps to Prepare for the 1-Minute Video Assessment
  • Prepare in Advance by Solving 2 Complete Chatbot Cases

Imbellus Solve Combo: Guide + Videos by Francesco

  • Watch how to Crack the Ecosystem Game in 23 Minutes
  • Find Out how to Master each of the 4 Phases of the Redrock
  • Receive for FREE the McKinsey Imbellus Game Secrets Guide

Imbellus Test at McKinsey – Guide by Luca

  • Detailed and full game analysis
  • Hands-on example to solve the game and support you
  • Practical tips to crack the game

Crafting Your Entry-Level Cover Letter by Udayan

  • Paragraph-by-paragraph explanations for entry-level positions
  • Format tips with a real-world example
  • Created by Recruitment Coach and Ex-McKinsey Interviewer Udayan

McKinsey Imbellus Solve Game Secrets by Francesco

  • Learn the Exact Steps to Crack the 6 Games of the Imbellus
  • Discover the Proven Way to Master the 5 Skills Tested in the Game
  • Create your Ecosystem Chain Automatically with the Automated Excel Included

The Secret McKinsey PEI Cheat Sheet by Robert

  • Learn how to correctly prepare and structure your McKinsey PEI
  • Impress your McKinsey interviewer with a perfect PEI
  • Save tons of time in your PEI prep

BCG Potential Test #2 by Gaurav

  • BCG Potential Test with 23 questions about "World Electrification Case"
  • Created by ex-MBB interviewer Gaurav
  • Format and style for a real test experience

BCG Potential Test #1 by Francesco

  • BCG Potential Test with 23 questions about "CoverCell Case"
  • Created by ex-BCG consultant Francesco

Prep Guide for McKinsey PST by PrepLounge

  • McKinsey PST preparation guide incl. 13 pages of useful tips
  • Created by ex-McKinsey consultants
  • Detailed information on test structure, question types & core skills

McKinsey PST #3 by Riccardo

  • PST with 26 questions about "Delicious Juice Case"
  • Created by ex-MBB consultant Riccardo
  • Industries: Beverage, tourism, pharma

McKinsey PST #2 by Gaurav

  • PST with 26 questions about "WeKlin Case"
  • Industries: Retail, energy, franchise

McKinsey PST #1 by PrepLounge

  • PST with 26 questions about "FloraFashion Case"

Related Articles

Consulting resume, consulting cover letter, application tracker, accenture application process, application deadlines for mbb consulting firms in the us 2023, how to land a job in a big tech company, related cases.

Bain & Company

Bain Case: Old Winery

Bain case: beautyco – where did the profits go.

Francesco

MBB Final Round Case - Smart Education

Luca

Espresso, Whatelse?

Ian

McKinsey Digital / BCG Platinion: Oil & Gas Upstream Technology

Related case interview basics article(s), influence model.

The Influence Model by McKinsey emerged in the early 2000s and is the result of practical experience of the consultants at McKinsey & Company.

McKinsey Imbellus Game

Find out what the McKinsey Imbellus Game is all about. Get specific insights on how to ace your case interview at McKinsey.

7S-Framework of McKinsey

Discover what McKinsey's 7S framework is and how it helps companies maximize their strengths and identify weaknesses while focusing on 7 internal elements.

BCG Online Case

Get to know the BCG Online Case and learn how to approach this specific Boston Consulting Group Test when you want to start your careere in Consulting.

McKinsey Growth Pyramid

Structured framework for sustainable corporate development, including market penetration, product development, market development and diversification.

Similar Questions

Career decision, bcg test instead of casey case - tipps for preparation, optimal consulting recruiting strategy starting in march.

bain cover letter

  • Select category
  • General Feedback
  • Case Interview Preparation
  • Technical Problems

Bain Cover Letter Example: 4 Templates

Keith Bevans, the director of global consultant recruitment at Bain & Company, issued a caution that a weak cover letter could harm a candidate’s chances of landing the position. According to him, “the covering letter becomes a significant data spot on how well they have become at certain abilities that may be pertinent to the position they are applying for.”

Letter Template: 1

Table of Contents

Bain Cover Letter

[Mention the name of the sender]

[Mention the address of the sender]

[Mention the contact details]

[Mention the email address]

[Mention the date]

Subject- Bain cover letter

[Mention the name of the recipient]

[Mention the address of the recipient]

[Mention the contact information]

Dear [Mention the name of the recipient

My life’s work is to free the people of [Mention the place] and guide them to prosperity.

[Mention the community] was four to one in favor of the [Mention the community] revolution; few, if any, nations had ever overcome such odds with success. And as the instigator of the revolution, it was the circumstance I found myself in.

Under my direction, the revolutionaries organized both internal support from [Mention the amount] aspiring citizens of the [Mention the country] and external backing from [Mention the religion or culture] friends. Due to this backing, we were able to continue operating even after crushing losses that otherwise would have put an end to the movement. The [Mention the community] emerged triumphant after six years and became the [Mention the country].

Now that the conflict has ended, my new mission is to guide the newly formed States toward economic prosperity, and my experience as a consultant at [Mention the company] will be quite helpful in this regard.

I’m looking forward to talking with you in reality about how I can use my background as an entrepreneur and former head of state at [Mention the company].

[Mention the name]

[Mention the profession]

Download Template : ( pdf, docs, ODT, RTF, txt, HTML, Epub, Etc )

Letter Template: 2

Since Bain & Company has a [Mention the job position] for professionalism, I became immediately interested in working there. Being a corporate person at heart, I think the way professional services are delivered is just as crucial as the caliber of the work itself.

I’m a [Mention the educational year] pursuing a postgraduate degree in business at the [Mention the institute]. After earning my [Mention the qualification] in [Mention the year], I underwent legal training at a business that provides legal consultancy. My job path has been strongly influenced by the abilities and knowledge I have acquired as a  [Mention the job role].

By chance, I also own a plantation company called [Mention the company], which Bain & Company worked for on our [Mention the year] expansion project. The highly organized and data-driven manner that Bain & Company consultants used to offer their ideas really surprised me, but what really amazed me was the amazing network of professionals that was supporting our project.

Through [Mention the name], the project’s engagement manager from the Bain & Company office, I learned about the company’s reputation for having the greatest public sector experience among all major consulting companies.

Because of this, I came to the realization that working as a consultant at [Mention the company] would give me tremendous experience in the public sector because of the firm’s projects and location close to the national capital.

I think that Bain & Company will greatly benefit from my experience in [Mention the specialization],  [Mention the specialization], and  [Mention the specialization] as well as my distinctive combination of soft talents.

Letter Template: 3

I have been working with leading [Mention the application] brands for more than [Mention the period] as a digital marketing professional, assisting them in reaching their annual sales targets of [Mention the amount]. The opportunity to apply for the [Mention the job position] at Bain excites me greatly. I admire Bain’s management style and [Mention the job position] techniques for giving customers a fantastic experience.

At the [Mention the module], I took a strategy module, and it was then that I first realized how much I loved coming up with original answers to challenging issues. I found it fascinating that every problem had the best solution rather than a good or incorrect one. This is where my ambition to enter the consulting field began.

This worry aligns with my personal beliefs since I constantly want to get better—academically, professionally, and personally. I’ve been able to contribute more to the organizations I’ve previously worked for because of this development.

My excellent people skills have allowed me to hone my teamwork abilities both in business and during my  [Mention the module] studies.

I would be thrilled to have the opportunity to meet with you and talk about how I can assist in resolving the most challenging business difficulties, such as utilizing my expertise of omnichannel connectivity to increase supply chain effectiveness. I’d be happy to show why my academic and professional quest for excellence in management consulting may aid Bain in providing the best service possible to its blue-chip clients.

Letter Template: 4

I have [Mention the number] essays on strategy development and management of supply chains that I have published in the [Mention the source] while working toward my [Mention the qualification]. I was entrusted with providing original solutions to a client’s corporate travel spend during a summer job with [Mention the organization].

This included consolidating many processes across various teams and locations into a single web solution, which has generated annual savings of more than [Mention the amount] and a weekly decrease in human resources of [Mention the period]. Clients of Bain seek out observable improvements and cost savings, and as an [Mention the job position], I aim to satisfy their needs.

The pinnacle of my career would be working as a Bain Associate. The goal of my experiences and academic record has been to acquire great strong analytical problem-solving abilities as well as the capacity to work cooperatively in a team atmosphere that Bain considers being non-negotiables. My data-driven, laser-focused approach and unwavering dedication to a strong esprit de corps are great fits for this job.

Based on my own independent study, I am convinced that Bain & Company cares about the caliber of its employees since the work that comes from them is of the highest caliber. I am eager to promote [Company Namecutting-edge ]’s approach to market analysis and to offer clients customized solutions.

Thank you for taking the time to review my application; I hope to speak with you further about my qualifications in person. My direct phone number is [Phone Number]. If I don’t hear anything back after a week, I’ll get in touch to make sure my application was received.

Similar Posts:

  • Farewell Manager Letter: 75 Templates
  • How To Write a Cover Letter With No Experience: 82 Templates
  • Engineer Farewell Letter: 28 templates
  • Analyst Farewell Letter: 20 Templates
  • Specialist Farewell Letter: 25 templates
  • goodbye letter to teacher: 16 Free Templates
  • How to Write an Authorization Letter: 35+ Templates
  • Software Developer Farewell Letter: 30 Templates
  • How to Write a Warning Letter: 14 Free Templates
  • How to Write an Endorsement Letter: 14 Free Templates

Rahul Panchal

“Business, marketing, and blogging – these three words describe me the best. I am the founder of Burban Branding and Media, and a self-taught marketer with 10 years of experience. My passion lies in helping startups enhance their business through marketing, HR, leadership, and finance. I am on a mission to assist businesses in achieving their goals.”

Leave a Comment

  • Crimson Careers
  • For Employers
  • Harvard College
  • Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
  • Harvard Extension School
  • Premed / Pre-Health
  • Families & Supporters
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Prospective Students
  • First Generation / Low Income
  • International Students
  • Students of Color
  • Students with Disabilities
  • Undocumented Students
  • Explore Interests & Make Career Decisions
  • Create a Resume/CV or Cover Letter
  • Expand Your Network
  • Engage with Employers
  • Search for a Job
  • Find an Internship
  • January Experiences (College)
  • Find & Apply for Summer Opportunities Funding
  • Prepare for an Interview
  • Negotiate an Offer
  • Apply to Graduate or Professional School
  • Access Resources
  • AI for Professional Development and Exploration
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Business & Entrepreneurship
  • Climate, Sustainability, Environment, Energy
  • Government, Int’l Relations, Education, Law, Nonprofits
  • Life Sciences & Health
  • Technology & Engineering
  • Still Exploring
  • Talk to an Advisor

Bain & Company: 2024 Harvard Coffee Chats (Virtual)

  • Share This: Share Bain & Company: 2024 Harvard Coffee Chats (Virtual) on Facebook Share Bain & Company: 2024 Harvard Coffee Chats (Virtual) on LinkedIn Share Bain & Company: 2024 Harvard Coffee Chats (Virtual) on X

“ This event is exclusively for Harvard students. 

Sign up to chat with current Bain Associate Consultants to learn more about the culture, day-to-day life, and their transitions into consulting.  This is an informal opportunity to learn more about Bain!”

Bain & Company Website

Note: This is a career-related event (not hosted by MCS) shared because it is available to Harvard students.

Tags: Employer Events , Non-Harvard Events , Business & Entrepreneurship , Class Year , Consulting, Business Strategy , Engage with Employers , First Year , Junior , Senior , Sophomore

One more step:

Spread the word by sharing this event with your social networks, save it to your calendar, add to calendar.

  • Undergraduate Students
  • Masters Students
  • PhD/Doctoral Students
  • Postdoctoral Scholars
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Families & Supporters
  • Prospective Students
  • Explore Your Interests / Self-Assessment
  • Build your Network / LinkedIn
  • Search for a Job / Internship
  • Create a Resume / Cover Letter
  • Prepare for an Interview
  • Negotiate an Offer
  • Prepare for Graduate School
  • Find Funding Opportunities
  • Prepare for the Academic Job Market (PhD Students Only)
  • Search for a Job or Internship
  • Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations
  • Consulting & Financial Services
  • Engineering & Technology
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Management & Human Resources
  • Government, Law & Policy
  • Hospitality
  • Non-Profit, Social Justice & Education
  • Retail & Consumer Services
  • BIPOC Students & Scholars
  • Disabled Students & Scholars
  • First-Generation Students & Scholars
  • Former Foster Youth
  • Formerly Incarcerated Students & Scholars
  • International Students & Scholars
  • LGBTQ+ Students & Scholars
  • Students & Scholars with Dependents
  • Transfer Students
  • Undocumented Students & Scholars
  • Women-Identifying Students & Scholars

Bain Capital

Bain capital real estate 2025 summer analyst.

  • Share This: Share Bain Capital Real Estate 2025 Summer Analyst on Facebook Share Bain Capital Real Estate 2025 Summer Analyst on LinkedIn Share Bain Capital Real Estate 2025 Summer Analyst on X

SUMMER ANALYST– REAL ESTATE

Boston Office

REAL ESTATE OVERVIEW

Since its inception in 1984, Bain Capital has employed a strategic, analytical approach to identify attractive investment opportunities and partner with management teams to transform and improve their businesses. Our affiliates manage over $165 billion in private equity, public equity, leveraged debt, and venture capital investments across multiple sectors, industries, and asset classes. Our competitive advantage is grounded in a diligence-intensive, value-added investment approach that enables the firm to deliver industry-leading returns for its investors. Headquartered in Boston, Bain Capital offices are in Chicago, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Dublin, Lisbon, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Munich, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Mumbai, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, and Tokyo.

Since 2010, senior members of the Bain Capital Real Estate (“BCRE”) team have refined a thematic and nimble business model, focused on thesis-driven and resilient portfolio construction, designed to capture long-term demand growth and changing customer needs and preferences for real estate. Our team, which is led by Ryan Cotton, Partner, and comprises over 70 dedicated professionals, has been thoughtfully constructed to capture market opportunities at scale. To date, our strategy has been utilized for the acquisition of over 575 assets with total equity commitments of $7.7 billion. This includes, but is not limited to, acquisitions across BCRE Fund I ($1.5 billion, 2018 vintage), BCRE Fund II ($3.0 billion, 2020 vintage), and the BCRE Life Science Fund (~$800 million, 2021 vintage), value add-plus real estate funds focused predominantly on thematic investments in North America. We believe that while our business model is built to succeed in a broad range of environments, it is particularly well suited for the current period of volatility, with distress likely to create attractive deal flow over the near to medium term.

Averaging 25 years of applicable experience, Bain Capital Real Estate’s six Partners have long and varied careers creating and managing innovative real estate and private equity investment platforms across an array of investment environments. Our senior team approaches decision-making with their expertise in acquisitions, asset management, portfolio management, financing, investment sales, investment banking, financial reporting, legal, engineering, and development management, in mind. They also have direct lines into long-time industry leaders as well as up-and-coming real estate players across a variety of asset classes and specialties. The team draws upon this foundation of complementary expertise and experience to source opportunities, drive value, and mitigate risk. As part of Bain Capital, the real estate team leverages the collective scale, experience, and network of the firm’s global platform to augment sourcing efforts as well as to deepen insights and understanding of underlying secular themes driving demand and changing customer needs and desires across sectors germane to its current portfolio as well as future investment themes.

SUMMER ANALYST POSITION DESCRIPTION – 10 Week Internship Opportunity

Bain Capital professionals are exposed to a broad set of situations and companies, and systematically develop skills as a value added investor. Summer Analysts will learn how to evaluate investment opportunities through the application of fundamental strategic analysis in addition to the more traditional financial modeling.

The BCRE Summer Analyst program is available to students who are currently in their sophomore year of an undergraduate program. Candidates should have an excellent academic track record and strong quantitative, leadership and communication skills. This Boston-based program commences in June 2025 with the potential for a full-time offer of employment in July 2026

We are seeking Analysts for a 10 week summer internship, based in Boston. The ideal candidates will have a strong academic record. Candidates should exhibit the following skills and/or experiences:

• Self-motivated, creative thinker with strong commercial instincts

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills

• Demonstrated ability to think creatively

• Excellent academic record from a top undergraduate school

HOW TO APPLY

To ensure consideration, please apply using the link below:

Careers (myworkdayjobs.com)

bain cover letter

Sample cover letter for Internship position at Bain

Empathy and creative thinking are my core skills. I am XXX, a recent Economics and Business Administration graduate from the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan. Currently, I attend the ESCP Europe Business School’s Master Degree in Management (Turin – Madrid – Paris track) and cultivate my passion for management consulting. Roberto Prioreschi’s speech (Director at Bain & Company Italy) during “Start-up e Digitale: un gioco da ragazzi?” at Expo Milano has further inspired me to apply for this course.

In summer 2015, I had the opportunity to work for a start-up operating in the healthcare industry. My involvement in product testing and MVP development has increased my awareness of the impact of lean methodologies on small firms with limited financial resources.

During the “Problem solving and Decision Making” course held by ESCP Europe, I had the opportunity to put my creativity, proactive approach and problem solving attitude into practice. I am also a member of the JET (Junior Enterprise Torino) as a consulting project manager, where I lead a group of four people and coordinate the work for numerous ongoing activities. We offer consulting services to Italian SMEs and are currently structuring and implementing a highly targeted marketing campaign for a high-tech firm to increase customer engagement and conversions. I am also an Associate Consultant at Build It Up, a non-profit organization aiming to promote entrepreneurial spirit among new generations, by offering consultancy to promising business ideas. We are now working on the development of a 2-year forecasted income statement and on the planning of the marketing campaign for an Italian start-up operating in the advertising industry.

My closeness to Bain’s values has brought me to apply for this course. The focus on results and the importance of applying the best approach to each situation would give me the opportunity to demonstrate my lateral thinking abilities and drive. The internationality of the Master I am currently attending (3 countries in 3 years) has enhanced my ability to interact with people from different backgrounds and I strongly believe that it will be a valuable asset to your firm. I am confident that this opportunity will provide me with unparalleled experience in business consulting and an insight into working at Bain in anticipation of my application for next summer’s internship.

I cherish the opportunity for an interview to demonstrate my commitment and determination to participate in the Business Course.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.

IMAGES

  1. Bain Cover Letter Sample

    bain cover letter

  2. Cover letter for bain

    bain cover letter

  3. Bain Cover Letter

    bain cover letter

  4. Bain Cover Letter Sample

    bain cover letter

  5. Sample Bain Cover Letter.pdf

    bain cover letter

  6. Sample Bain Cover Letter 2

    bain cover letter

VIDEO

  1. The 2025 Fischer Ranger Line

  2. Cak Imin di Hadapan Ratusan Ribu Pendukungnya: Banyak Pendidikan Murah Tak Berkualitas

  3. Southeast Asia’s Digital Economy with Sapna Chadha

COMMENTS

  1. How to write a killer cover letter

    November 16, 2017 1 min read CNN How to write a killer cover letter 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.

  2. Bain Cover Letter Sample

    Learn how to write a well-written and complete consulting cover letter for Bain, a world-renowned strategy consulting firm. Find out what Bain looks for, how to structure your letter, and see a sample of a cover letter for an associate consultant position.

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

    1. Introduction Example - Introduction Mary Taylor - [email protected] DD / MM / YYYY Dear Sir / Madam, I would like to apply for an Associate position at McKinsey in London. This section is a formality.

  4. Write a Management Consulting Cover Letter that Land Interviews

    The consulting cover letter is a separate document from your resume; it puts the work experience you outline on your resume into context to show why you're a great candidate. The WRONG Way to Structure Your Management Consulting Cover Letter

  5. Consulting Cover Letter Bain

    Why does Bain require a cover letter? It is first and foremost a screening mechanism. Bain and similar firms use the cover letter to identify candidates that can take the job seriously, know how to put their best foot forward, and have interesting stories to tell. While it's not always mandatory, it's undeniably beneficial.

  6. Bain & Company Cover Letter

    Sample cover letter for Full Time position at Bain & Company POSITION: Associate Consultant I am applying for the Associate Consultant position at Bain & Company.

  7. Consulting Cover Letter: What You Actually Need to Know

    Cover letters are documents accompanying resumes, to provide further insights into the qualities and motivations of a candidate, as well as portray who he/she is as a person. In consulting cover letters, there are three essential qualities you must always display: Leadership skills: the ability to influence people's decisions.

  8. Cover letter for Bain & Company

    Bain & Company Cover Letter Check out these Bain & Company cover letter templates and examples previously used by job seekers to land on job interviews at Bain & Company. Use our AI cover letter generator to create a personalized cover letter for Bain & Company. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4.5 Star Rated / 523 Users Create Cover Letter Now Email Me This Cover Letter

  9. Bain Cover Letter

    Know What They Are Looking For Bain's recruiting materials state that they are looking for exceptional candidates who possess: These prerequisites will guide you in customizing and finalizing the content of your Bain cover letter.

  10. Bain Cover Letter

    $1,600 top 25% How does a small town grocery store become the center of the community? Crowdsparx Innovation 9 days left $1,600 top 25% Contact Us View a real cover letter for the Bain Internship position, Associate Consulting Internship.

  11. Cover Letter Example. Bain Associate.*

    March 10th, 2018 Dear Bain & Co. Consulting Team, Less than a minute into my chat with Jane Smith, a Bain Associate in your San Francisco office, I realized I was in the presence of someone who unapologetically loved her job.

  12. Bain Resume

    Bain, like other top firms, looks for candidates who demonstrate problem-solving ability, quantitative analytical skills, leadership, and general business acumen. It's critical that your Bain and Company resume focus on these skills. ... Resume + Cover Letter Edits. 2 Rounds of Edits each on 1 Resume and 1 Cover Letter; Digital pass: 24 ...

  13. Bain Cover Letter

    Bain Cover Letter | Internship | Consultant MindSumo allows students to solve real-world projects from the world's largest companies. Propose the next big idea and gain experience for job opportunities. Applying for a scholarship? Check out our scholarship essays database> Sample cover letter for Internship position at Bain POSITION: Consultant

  14. How to write a killer cover letter

    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...

  15. index/mccoverletters

    The cover letter is part of your job search narrative (other components of your narrative include the elevator pitch, résumé, and interview). It is a written document that provides additional qualitative detail beyond the résumé. At the same time, it aims to show that you understand what consulting firms are looking for and that you have ...

  16. Bain & Company Interview Questions in India

    I interviewed at Bain & Company (Gurgaon, Haryana) Interview. Multiple rounds of case interviews including growth, profitability, cost optimization, Private equity investment, go to market strategy, revenue growth, for campus placement and lateral hiring. Additionally, HR questions such as tell me about yourself.

  17. Bain London

    Meet Rachel Anoushka joined our London office as an Associate Consultant after completing a MMaths in Mathematics at the University of Oxford and has since been promoted to a Consultant. Tell us about your journey since joining us.

  18. The Bain BASE Scholar Internship

    The Bain BASE Scholar program centers around a week-long summer "BASE Camp" designed to give attendees a feel for life as a Bain consultant. During that week, you're assigned to a real-life in-flight case for a Bain client. Working with the rest of the Bain team, you'll test your consulting skills and build your business experience.

  19. Bain & Company Associate Consultant Cover Letter

    bain and company headquarters, cover letter for associate consultant, financial consultant cover letter, cover letter for consultancy services application. 5/5 (1 Review) Favorite . Written By Mai Le. Mai worked for Goldman Sachs in London for many years as an investment banking associate. When she was at LSE, her seniors used to pass her notes ...

  20. Does anyone has a Bain cover letter sample? Thank you!

    BCG Online Case Combo: Software Simulation by Francesco. 4.9. 80 Reviews. Practice with 6 Chatbot Tests (Casey Style), including 4 Software Simulations. Test Yourself with 4 Live One-Way Video Interviews (with AI Generated Tips) Receive for Free the BCG Online Case Secrets Guide. USD 197 USD 99.

  21. Bain Cover Letter Example: 4 Templates

    Bain Cover Letter [Mention the name of the sender] [Mention the address of the sender] [Mention the contact details] [Mention the email address] [Mention the date] Subject- Bain cover letter [Mention the name of the recipient] [Mention the address of the recipient] [Mention the contact information] Dear [Mention the name of the recipient

  22. Bain & Company: 2024 Harvard Coffee Chats (Virtual)

    Bain & Company Website Note: This is a career-related event (not hosted by MCS) shared because it is available to Harvard students. Tags: Employer Events , Non-Harvard Events , Business & Entrepreneurship , Class Year , Consulting, Business Strategy , Engage with Employers , First Year , Junior , Senior , Sophomore

  23. Bain Capital Real Estate 2025 Summer Analyst

    Since 2010, senior members of the Bain Capital Real Estate ("BCRE") team have refined a thematic and nimble business model, focused on thesis-driven and resilient portfolio construction, designed to capture long-term demand growth and changing customer needs and preferences for real estate.

  24. Bain Cover Letter

    top 25% Contact Us View a real cover letter for the Bain Internship position, Intern. Access our database of cover letters for internships and recent grad positions.

  25. Bain Cover Letter

    Bain Cover Letter - Free download as Word Doc (.doc / .docx), PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. cover letter

  26. Bain Capital's Lavine Sees More Consolidation in Private Credit

    Further mergers are likely in the booming private credit business because the low fees earned by lenders will push smaller firms to get bigger and reap economies of scale, according to Jonathan ...