Business Consultant Resume

Remember, a summary statement is not the same as an objective statement, and those are old school anyway. If you have an objective at the top of your resume, go ahead and hit “delete” so you can replace it with a summary statement.

The summary should be three concise statements, the first of which tells who you are: a seasoned consultant. Follow that with how what you do contributes to the prospective organization’s overall aims. Look over a consultant resume sample to help you get started.

The short answer is, you don’t. Notice on the consultant resume sample that you don’t see a place for referrals. Years ago, it was important to list “available upon request” in a section labeled “References,” but modern resumes forego that option since hiring managers assume quality candidates can provide references.

What this new trend means is you don’t need to list references on your resume unless directed to in the job posting. You can assume, instead, that if you have a successful first interview, the hiring manager will ask for references.

The professional summary, as mentioned above, is the first section you want to include, just under your contact information. What follows is a skills section that summarizes the most relevant competencies you bring to the table.

Applicable work history, educational accomplishments, and career awards all are valuable components as well. For variations on the arrangement of sections or the details to incorporate, be sure to take a look at a consultant resume sample.

A snapshot of your career to this point belongs in the experience section. What positions have you held and in what companies? You’ll want to list each separately, beginning with your current or most recent job.

Include in each listing the company you worked for, the specific consultant title you held, and the dates you worked there. In a bulleted list below that basic information, demonstrate your everyday responsibilities. If you can offer numbers to show how your contributions impacted the company, that’s even better. For example, you might include something like “mentored 25 new sales managers who increased leads by 10% in the following quarter.”

The key to getting your resume through Applicant Tracking Systems, ATS, is using keywords. Study the job description carefully and use exact words and phrases you see in the description to better ensure your document makes it past the tracking system and into the hands of hiring managers. For example, if the organization states leadership is looking for a consultant with “proven collaboration skills,” your resume should include that exact phrase without synonyms or other forms of any of the words. That’s assuming you have evidence to prove your ability to collaborate, of course.

For help with this and other elements of your professional document, check out our consultant resume sample and step-by-step resume builder.