A well-written McKinsey cover letter can make the difference between landing a McKinsey interview and getting rejected. Especially for borderline candidates, a clear and concise McKinsey cover letter can share your unique background and get yourself through the resume review stage.

 

I’m a former MBB interviewer and I’ve read hundreds of different cover letters. If you’re looking for a simple, step-by-step guide to writing the perfect McKinsey cover letter, then this article is for you.

 

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover what McKinsey looks for in a cover letter, how to write a McKinsey cover letter, and insider McKinsey cover letter tips to help yourself stand out.

 

If you need professional help crafting the perfect consulting resume, check out our consulting resume review and editing service. Transform your resume into one that will land you multiple consulting interviews.

 

What is a Cover Letter?

 

A cover letter is a brief document sent with a resume to provide additional information about your skills and experiences. It introduces you to the employer, explains why you are a great fit for the job, and expresses your enthusiasm for the position.

 

A typical cover letter includes your contact information, an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

 

• Contact information: Provides your email address, phone number, and home address so that recruiters can contact you

 

• Introduction: Introduces yourself and mentions the job you are applying for

 

• Body: Highlights your qualifications and how they match the job requirements, providing specific examples to demonstrate your fit for the role

 

• Conclusion: Expresses enthusiasm for the position and thanks the employer for considering your application

 

Cover letters are typically tailored to the specific job or company that you are applying to. They should be clear, concise, and professional.

 

Does McKinsey Require a Cover Letter?

 

While McKinsey does not require a cover letter for most of their applications, a well-written McKinsey cover letter can significantly help you get past the initial screening stage and land an interview. Including a McKinsey cover letter can help make your application stand out and make it easier for recruiters to get to know you better.

 

McKinsey receives hundreds of thousands of resumes and applications every year. McKinsey uses cover letters to help screen candidates and narrow down the list of potential candidates to interview. The McKinsey cover letter is another data point in your application profile.

 

Additionally, cover letters are occasionally read by McKinsey consultants that are interviewing you. Interviewers will sometimes read your cover letter to get to know you better before meeting you. Learning more about your background and experiences makes the interview easier to conduct and run more smoothly.

 

Regardless of whether you decide to submit a cover letter, make sure to spend the majority of your time crafting the perfect consulting resume. Your resume is by far the most important component of your application.

 

What Does McKinsey Look For in a Cover Letter?

 

In a cover letter, McKinsey looks for personal impact, entrepreneurial drive, leadership, and problem solving. These are all skills or qualities necessary to become a successful McKinsey consultant based on McKinsey’s interviewing website.

 

Personal Impact

 

Highlight your unique experiences and accomplishments that demonstrate how you've made a difference in previous roles or projects. Discuss specific instances where your actions or ideas had a significant impact on the outcome.

 

Entrepreneurial Drive

 

Showcase your ability to take initiative, think creatively, and drive change. Provide examples of times when you identified opportunities, took calculated risks, and demonstrated a proactive approach to achieving goals.

 

Leadership

 

Illustrate your leadership abilities by describing situations where you effectively led teams, influenced others, or took charge of projects. Highlight your ability to inspire and motivate others, delegate tasks, and navigate challenges while guiding a team towards success.

 

Problem Solving

 

Demonstrate your analytical skills and problem solving skills by describing how you tackled complex challenges or resolved difficult situations. Share examples of how you applied critical thinking, data analysis, and innovative solutions to overcome obstacles and achieve objectives.

 

How to Write a McKinsey Cover Letter

 

There are five steps to writing the perfect McKinsey cover letter: the contact information, the salutation, the opening paragraph, the body paragraphs, and the concluding paragraph.

 

We’ll cover how to write each of these sections step-by-step below, including what information to include and examples.

 

1. Contact Information

 

At the top of your McKinsey cover letter, you should include your contact information to make it easy for any McKinsey recruiter to contact you. In order of priority, you should list your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address.

 

To make your name stand out, make sure to bold it and make the font size significantly larger than the rest of your cover letter.

 

Here is an example of how this should look:

 

John Doe

[email protected]

(123) 456-7890

123 Main Street,  San Francisco, CA 94105

 

2. Salutation

 

Next, you should start your McKinsey cover letter with an appropriate and customized salutation.

 

Do not start your cover letter with “To whom it may concern,” as this salutation is not personalized and feels cold.

 

Instead, identify which recruiter is the primary point of contact for you and address the cover letter to that recruiter and their team. If you can’t identify the head recruiter, address the cover letter to members of the consulting firm’s recruiting team.

 

Here are a few examples of salutations you can use:

 

• Dear [Recruiter] and members of the McKinsey Recruiting Team,

 

• To [Recruiter] and the McKinsey Recruiting Team,

 

• Dear members of the McKinsey Recruiting Team,

 

3. Opening Paragraph

 

The opening paragraph of your McKinsey cover letter is the most important part of the cover letter. Most recruiters will likely only read the opening paragraph of your cover letter and skim the rest of the cover letter.

 

Therefore, you should spend most of your time making this opening paragraph clear, concise, attention-grabbing, and memorable.

 

The opening paragraph should consist of two sentences:

 

• A sentence summarizing your background and credentials

 

• A sentence summarizing why you would be a great fit for the specific role you are applying for

 

The first sentence of your opening paragraph should be a powerful statement that summarizes your areas of expertise and the number of years of experience. If you had to summarize your entire background and work experience into one sentence, what would it sound like?

 

This powerful opening sentence is used to grab the reader’s attention and introduce yourself in an impressive way.

 

The second sentence of your opening paragraph should summarize why you would be a great fit for the specific role you are applying for.

 

Do your research to ensure that you are using the correct job title since many consulting firms have different job titles for similar positions.

 

McKinsey’s post-undergraduate role is called Business Analyst while their post-MBA role is called Associate. Their undergraduate summer internship role is called Summer Business Analyst while their MBA summer internship is called Summer Associate.

 

The second sentence of your opening paragraph should list three reasons why you would be a great fit for McKinsey and the role. These three reasons will each become a paragraph in the body paragraphs section of your McKinsey cover letter.

 

What reasons should you select or pick?

 

Ideally, you should research the exact qualities or skills that McKinsey looks for and make these the three reasons you provide. We’ve done this research for you and highly recommend touching upon these skills or qualities:

 

• Personal impact

 

• Entrepreneurial drive

 

• Leadership

 

• Problem solving

 

Here is an example of what an opening paragraph should look like:

 

I am a marketing professional with four years of experience working on digital marketing projects that have generated over $100M in revenue at Netflix and Amazon. I believe my problem solving skills, leadership, and passion make me a great fit for McKinsey.

 

4. Body Paragraphs

 

The next part of the perfect McKinsey cover letter are the body paragraphs. You will have three body paragraphs, one for each of the reasons you provided in the second sentence of your opening paragraph on why you’d be a great fit for McKinsey and the role.

 

These body paragraphs should best highlight your qualities and experiences.

 

Each of your body paragraphs should start with a bolded sentence that summarizes the entire paragraph. We bold the first sentence of each body paragraph to make your cover letter easier to be skimmed.

 Remember, most McKinsey recruiters are most likely going to be reading just your opening paragraph and perhaps the first sentence of each body paragraph. Therefore, take the time to make sure the first sentence of your body paragraphs are clear, concise, and impactful.

 

Ideally, you should include numbers in these summary sentences to quantify your achievements and results. However, you can also keep the summary sentence high-level and include numbers later on in the details of the paragraph.

 

After this first initial sentence, you can use the remainder of each body paragraph to describe the story or experience in more detail that the first sentence summarized.

 

Keep your body paragraphs concise. This increases the likelihood that the reader will actually read through the full cover letter. You do not want to have three large, chunky paragraphs.

 

Repeat this format and structure for each of your three middle paragraphs.

 

You can consider turning your three body paragraphs into three bullet points. This makes your cover letter easier to read or skim.

 

Here is an example of what a body paragraph should look like:

 

My desire to make a tangible personal impact enabled me to develop a customer ROI model that saved Amazon $50M per year. I analyzed over 500K customer data points to create a model forecasting customer value. I quantified how much the average happy customer was worth versus a neutral and unhappy customer. From this model, I discovered that Amazon’s recent customer initiative of giving credit to unhappy customers had a drastically negative ROI. I persuaded the CFO to stop running this initiative and use the budget for higher ROI projects.

 

5. Concluding Paragraph

 

The final part of the perfect McKinsey cover letter is the concluding paragraph. This final paragraph should be very short, just two sentences.

 

In the first sentence, summarize the three reasons why you’d be a great fit for McKinsey and the role. This may sound redundant, but it is helpful to take this approach to reinforce the key messages you are trying to deliver.

 

In the opening paragraph, you told the reader the three key points you are going to tell them in the body paragraphs. In the body paragraphs, you told the reader these three key points. Finally, in the concluding paragraph, you remind the reader of the three key points you just told them.

 

This is an extremely clear and effective structure that makes your cover letter clear and memorable.

 

The second and final sentence of your McKinsey cover letter should be a call to action. The entire point of the cover letter is to get the reader interested in your application and give you an interview.

 

Therefore, you’ll want to mention getting an opportunity to further discuss your skills and qualities in an interview as the next step or action item for the reader to take.

 

Here is an example of what a concluding paragraph should look like:

 

Due to my problem solving skills, leadership, and personal impact, I believe I have all the qualities to become a successful McKinsey consultant. I would love the opportunity to be extended an interview at McKinsey to further discuss my candidacy and fit.

 

McKinsey Cover Letter Common Mistakes

 

There are many common McKinsey cover letter mistakes that the majority of candidates make. Common McKinsey cover letter mistakes include: name dropping, lengthy cover letters, poor formatting, rephrasing your resume, lack of evidence for claims, typos and grammatical errors, and generic statements.

 

Name Dropping

 

Name dropping can backfire if not done properly. Simply mentioning the names of McKinsey consultants you've interacted with can seem superficial if it was not a meaningful interaction.

 

Instead, focus on articulating the insights or experiences gained from these interactions and how they have shaped your interest in McKinsey. Show that your connection to McKinsey goes beyond just knowing people. Demonstrate your understanding of McKinsey’s culture and values.

 

Lengthy Cover Letters

 

A lengthy cover letter can be a major turn-off for recruiters who sift through hundreds or thousands of applications every day. Aim for conciseness and clarity, ensuring every sentence adds value.

 

Highlight your most relevant experiences and skills succinctly, showing respect for the reader’s time while still conveying your enthusiasm and qualifications for the role.

 

Poor Formatting

 

Poor formatting can distract from your key points and make your cover letter difficult to read. Use a clean, professional layout with consistent fonts, spacing, and margins. Break up text into short paragraphs or bullet points to enhance readability.

 

Rephrasing Your Resume

 

Your cover letter should complement, not replicate, your resume. Avoid listing your past roles and responsibilities like you would in a resume.

 

Instead, use the cover letter to provide a narrative that connects your experiences to McKinsey’s needs and culture. Highlight specific achievements and how they demonstrate your fit for McKinsey and the role.

 

Lack of Evidence for Claims

 

Unsubstantiated claims about your skills or achievements can weaken your McKinsey cover letter. Always back up your statements with concrete examples.

 

Instead of saying you have strong analytical skills, describe a project where you successfully used data analysis to solve a complex problem. This approach provides tangible proof of your capabilities.

 

Typos and Grammatical Errors

 

Typos and grammatical errors can significantly hurt your credibility. Proofread your cover letter multiple times and consider asking someone else to review it as well.

 

A cover letter free of errors demonstrates your attention to detail and your commitment to presenting yourself professionally.

 

Generic Statements

 

Avoid using vague phrases or generic statements that could apply to any consulting firm. Tailor your cover letter to McKinsey by referencing specific aspects of the firm that appeal to you. Show that you have done your research and are genuinely excited about the opportunity to join McKinsey.

 

McKinsey Cover Letter Tips

 

To give yourself the best chance of landing a McKinsey interview, make sure to follow these McKinsey cover letter tips: tailor the cover letter to McKinsey, quantify your accomplishments and results, pick your best stories and experiences, use the opportunity to explain any red flags, keep it short and punchy, and get help from others.

 

Tailor the Cover Letter to McKinsey

 

Customizing your cover letter specifically for McKinsey is crucial. Research McKinsey's values, recent projects, and unique aspects of its company culture. Mention specific McKinsey initiatives or programs that resonate with your professional interests and goals.

 

A good test to see if your cover letter is tailored enough for McKinsey is to replace all instances of McKinsey in your cover letter with a different consulting firm. If the cover letter still makes sense and works, then your cover letter is likely not tailored enough.

 

Quantify Your Accomplishments and Results

 

Quantifying your achievements helps to illustrate the impact you've made in your work experiences and extracurricular activities. Use numbers and percentages to showcase your successes.

 

For example, rather than saying you improved sales, mention that you increased sales by 20% over six months. Quantifiable results provide concrete evidence of your abilities and make your accomplishments more compelling to the reader.

 

Pick Your Best Stories and Experiences

 

Select a few key experiences that highlight your skills and fit for the consulting role at McKinsey. Focus on stories that demonstrate problem solving, leadership, entrepreneurial drive, and personal impact. You should pick stories that are the most impressive, unique, or interesting.

 

Well-chosen stories and experiences can make your cover letter more engaging and memorable, helping you stand out from other candidates.

 

Use the Opportunity to Explain Any Red Flags

 

Red flags that require explaining include having a low GPA, gaps in work history, and an unexplained office choice. Use your cover letter to briefly address these issues in a positive light.

 

• If you have a gap in your resume, explain how you used that time productively, such as by taking courses or volunteering

 

• If your GPA is lower than ideal, highlight any upward trends in your grades or additional qualifications that demonstrate your capabilities

 

• If you are applying to an office that you have no connection to, explain why you are interested in the office and why you’d be interested in staying in that geography for the long-term

 

Keep it Short and Punchy

 

A concise, well-structured cover letter is more likely to capture and retain the recruiter’s attention. Aim to keep your cover letter to one page, focusing on the most relevant and impactful information.

 

Use clear, direct language and avoid unnecessary jargon or overly complex sentences. By keeping your cover letter short and punchy, you ensure that your key points are communicated effectively and leave a strong impression.

 

Think of your McKinsey cover letter as a highlight reel of your professional and personal experiences and accomplishments.

 

Get Help from Others

 

You should have at least a few different people read your cover letter and give you feedback. Ideally, these people would be current or former McKinsey consultants. However, getting feedback from any current or former consultant, friends, colleagues, and mentors will still be greatly beneficial to you.

 

If you’re looking for some professional help to get peace of mind that your resume and cover letter are up to McKinsey standards, check out our consulting resume & editing service. Let us do the hard work for you to ensure that you have the best chance of landing a McKinsey interview.

 

McKinsey Cover Letter Examples and Templates

 

See below for a few examples of outstanding McKinsey cover letters.

 

McKinsey Cover Letter Example #1: Undergraduate student

 

You can download a template for this cover letter here: McKinsey cover letter template 1.docx

 

McKinsey Cover Letter Example #2: MBA student

 

You can download a template for this cover letter here: McKinsey cover letter template 2.docx

 

McKinsey Cover Letter Example #3: Working professional

 

You can download a template for this cover letter here: McKinsey cover letter template 3.docx

 

Resources to Help You Break Into Consulting

 

Over 98% of candidates that apply to McKinsey get rejected. The McKinsey recruiting process is extremely competitive and selective.

 

However, don’t be discouraged. You don’t have to prepare your application and prepare for McKinsey interviews by yourself. Getting professional help from a former MBB interviewer can significantly improve your chances of getting a McKinsey job offer.

 

To give yourself a competitive edge over other candidates, check out our resources below:

 

For help landing consulting interviews

 

• Resume Review & Editing: Transform your resume into one that will get you multiple consulting interviews

 

For help passing case interviews

 

• Comprehensive Case Interview Course (our #1 recommendation): The only resource you need. Whether you have no business background, rusty math skills, or are short on time, this step-by-step course will transform you into a top 1% caser that lands multiple consulting offers.

 

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• Hacking the Case Interview Book (available on Amazon): Perfect for beginners that are short on time. Transform yourself from a stressed-out case interview newbie to a confident intermediate in under a week. Some readers finish this book in a day and can already tackle tough cases.

 

• The Ultimate Case Interview Workbook (available on Amazon): Perfect for intermediates struggling with frameworks, case math, or generating business insights. No need to find a case partner – these drills, practice problems, and full-length cases can all be done by yourself.

 

For help passing consulting behavioral & fit interviews

 

• Behavioral & Fit Interview Course: Be prepared for 98% of behavioral and fit questions in just a few hours. We'll teach you exactly how to draft answers that will impress your interviewer.