7 Resume Tips for Consultants | FlexJobs

Being a consultant is a fantastic way to gain work-life balance and find professional flexibility. If you want to become a consultant, creating a resume that can snag you an interview in an incredibly competitive environment is the first step.

Since consulting jobs come in many different forms and provide services to numerous industries, getting a resume to accurately and effectively communicate your collective experience and skills is essential. Additionally, with many consulting jobs offering flexible work options, such as freelance contracts and short-term projects, effectively translating these experiences will help create professional success.

Resume Tips for Consultants

One of the most significant challenges consultants face is making their work experience fit into a traditional resume format. Generally, a consultant will have multiple jobs in the same time frame that other professionals only have one or two. You’ll need to be very strategic and consider the following tips to create a powerful and engaging consultant resume.

1. Tailor Each Submission

Gone are the days when you could submit the same generic resume to every potential employer. When you’re a consultant, you must take the time to tailor your resume to each client or employer, highlighting the skills and experience that are most relevant to them. This will not only improve your chances of landing the gig, but it will also show potential clients that you’re serious about the position.

2. Highlight Achievements

Your clients will hire you as a consultant because they want results. Ensure your resume highlights previous successes and demonstrates what kind of value you can add to their business. If you have any industry-specific qualifications or awards, be sure to include these on your resume as well.

3. Avoid Gaps

While a few weeks or months may be acceptable to leave open, try not to leave significant time gaps. As a consultant, you aim to present yourself as a structured businessperson despite having a less traditional business role. During the down times, include real things you accomplished that can benefit an upcoming consulting job, such as volunteering or pursuing certifications and professional development opportunities.

4. Use Data-Driven Examples

Vague or general statements will not do you any favors, so be sure to sell yourself and your skills. For instance, rather than simply saying that you’re “good at problem-solving,” describe a specific problem you solved for a previous client and the positive results you achieved. This will give the reader a better sense of what you’re capable of and what kind of value you can add. Don’t be afraid to be detailed and toot your own horn a bit.

5. Ensure You Edit Before Submitting

While it can be tempting to include every detail of your work history, it is essential to remember that less is more regarding resumes. Keep your resume to one or two pages at most, and only include information relevant to the position you are applying for.

In addition, be sure to proofread your resume carefully before sending it out. A few simple mistakes can quickly sabotage your chances of landing an interview.

6. Target Relevant Keywords

When you’re writing your resume, include relevant keywords that describe your skills and experience in industry-specific terms. Including the right keywords can help ensure that your resume will appear near the top of the search results when potential employers are looking for candidates with your qualifications.

In addition, many companies use applicant tracking systems to scan resumes and identify qualified candidates. By including the right keywords on your resume, you can help these systems identify you as a good match for the positions you’re interested in.

7. Focus On Soft Skills

While hard skills are vital, don’t forget to highlight your soft skills as well. These are the personal attributes that make you a great consultant, such as good communication, interpersonal skills, and the ability to work independently. Soft skills are often what sets successful consultants apart from the competition.

After all, clients are not only hiring you for your technical expertise but also for your ability to manage projects, build relationships, and communicate effectively. When highlighting your soft skills on your resume or during an interview, give specific examples of how you have used these skills to benefit your clients. By doing so, you will show that you are not only a competent consultant but also a trusted advisor who is invested in ensuring your clients’ success.

Crafting a Successful Consultant Resume

There are several unique challenges that consultants face when writing a resume. By utilizing the above tips, consultants can create a resume that is easy for clients to read and understand that also highlights all of their experience and skills.