What a standout consulting CV looks like

For an individual global development consultant with lots of work experience, creating a CV that is readable and searchable yet comprehensive is no easy task. Those who are new to consulting face their own challenges when trying to compete for these highly sought-after opportunities. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or interested in transitioning to consulting work, you need a CV that hits all the right notes with hiring managers. In the first of our three-part Globaldev Consulting Skills event series, Kathryn Harper, an expert in professional development writing, offered guidance based on her vast experience working with global development consultants on crafting CVs that stand out from the crowd. Here are a few key takeaways from the event. How consulting CVs differ There are similarities between development consulting CVs and more traditional ones used to apply for staff positions, but consulting CVs should have more emphasis on subject matter expertise and quantifiable achievements. Harper recommended using a topical or functional CV format rather than a chronological approach. This way, “you're grouping together all your areas of expertise … [and] the length of time you've been doing that work to convey that you … have this expertise and that you're bringing this expertise to the organization,” she said. Numbers matter As a consultant, being able to quantify your experience and achievements is crucial to convey the scope and impact of your work. “Being able to quantify as much as you can, whether it's multigeography, population served, if you know how much the project is being funded by who and by how much, those types of things give you a distinguishing position,” Harper said. Convey your problem-solving skills “An organization is looking for a consultant cause they have a problem to solve,” Harper said, so framing your experience on your CV through this lens is the key message you want to convey. Your CV should get across that “I can solve the problem for you. And here's how I've done it in the past, and here's the dynamic, and here's the expertise that I can apply to this particular circumstance,” she added.