How can you make the most of your summer internship? Your summer internship may be in an industry other than what you had expected when you launched your search. You may be working in a job function or role that hadn't been your first choice. Give it a chance, learn all you can, and build relationships with your colleagues and peers. Then leverage this experience as you approach full-time recruiting in other fields. This blog post focuses on parlaying any summer internship into management consulting recruiting. Here are some steps you can take to highlight the transferable skills and experiences on your resume. Let's use a real estate development internship as an example.
Understand transferable skills: Identify the skills and experiences gained during your real estate internship that are relevant to management consulting. Examples may include project management, data analysis, financial modeling, market research, and client relationship management.
Seek cross-functional projects: Look for opportunities within your real estate internship to work on projects that involve aspects of strategy, operations, or business development. This will allow you to gain exposure to broader business functions and showcase your ability to think strategically.
Network strategically: Connect with professionals in the management consulting industry through networking events, online platforms, and informational interviews. Seek advice and insights on how to position your real estate experience in a way that highlights your transferable skills and demonstrates your interest in consulting.
Leverage your education: Highlight any relevant coursework or academic projects that align with management consulting skills, such as problem-solving, data analysis, strategic planning, or organizational behavior. Emphasize how your educational background complements your real estate internship experience.
Develop additional skills: Take proactive steps to acquire skills that are highly valued in management consulting. This may include improving your proficiency in data analytics, financial analysis, critical thinking, or presentation skills. Ask for these kinds of opportunities in your internship in addition to the work your employer gives you. Consider enrolling in relevant online courses, attending workshops, or pursuing certifications.
Quantify the results of projects or initiatives you worked on. For instance, if you assisted in developing a marketing campaign for a real estate property, mention the increase in leads generated or the percentage increase in property inquiries as a result of the campaign.
- Financial impact: Highlight any financial contributions you made or cost savings achieved. For example, if you assisted in analyzing a real estate investment opportunity, mention the projected return on investment (ROI) or the cost savings identified through your analysis.
- Data analysis: If you conducted data analysis as part of your internship, quantify the size of the dataset you worked with, the number of variables analyzed, or the insights gained from your analysis.
- Client or stakeholder satisfaction: If you had direct interactions with clients or stakeholders, quantify their satisfaction levels or feedback. For example, mention that you consistently received positive feedback from clients on your responsiveness or ability to address their needs.
- Process improvements: If you implemented process improvements or efficiency measures, quantify the time or cost savings achieved. For instance, if you streamlined the property listing process, mention the percentage reduction in listing time or the increase in the number of listings processed per day.
- Team achievements: If you worked collaboratively with a team, quantify the team's accomplishments. For example, mention that your team successfully closed a certain number of real estate deals or achieved a specific sales target during your internship.
Remember to focus on quantifiable achievements that demonstrate your impact and add value to the organization. By providing specific numbers and measurable outcomes, you can make your achievements more tangible and impressive to potential employers in the management consulting field.
Then over the summer, tailor your resume and cover letter: Customize your application materials to emphasize the transferable skills and experiences gained during your real estate internship that are relevant to management consulting. Use specific examples and quantify your achievements whenever possible.
Be prepared for interviews: Research the management consulting industry thoroughly and familiarize yourself with common consulting frameworks, methodologies, and case interview techniques. Practice answering behavioral and case-based interview questions to showcase your problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills.
Emphasize your adaptability: Highlight your ability to quickly learn and adapt to new industries and projects. Emphasize your flexibility, analytical mindset, and willingness to take on new challenges, which are all highly valued in consulting.