If you want to land an interview at Roland Berger, your CV must check more boxes than just "looks good." You need to show analytical firepower, leadership, quantifiable impact — and a profile that matches the firm's European-heritage, entrepreneurial spirit.
Many applicants never get past the screening stage. This guide shows exactly how to structure your CV (and bullet points) to pass initial screening and earn that invite.
Why Roland Berger — and What They Look For
- Roland Berger is a global strategy consultancy, headquartered in Munich, with ~50 offices worldwide.
- Their recruitment philosophy emphasizes analytical and quantitative skills, structured thinking, business acumen, and entrepreneurial drive.
- They value strong academic credentials, clear communication skills (written and verbal), often expect financial modelling / data analysis and PowerPoint abilities for consultant roles.
- In interviews (case + fit), they assess logical structuring, creative and analytical thinking, data-driven reasoning, and business sense.
- They also care about motivation and cultural fit: your CV and cover letter should reflect why Roland Berger — not just "a consulting firm."
In short: Roland Berger hires people who combine academic excellence, analytical strength, structured thinking, and entrepreneurial mindset — and can show real impact.
What a Roland Berger-Ready CV Must Include
Use the following as a checklist when preparing your CV for Roland Berger applications.
1. Clean, one-page structure & clear formatting
- Separate sections: Education, Work Experience, Skills / Tools, Extracurricular / Leadership.
- Consistent formatting: uniform font & size, simple bullets, no tables/graphics, easy to parse.
- Make sure your CV is machine-readable (most large consultancies do ATS / first-pass filtering).
2. Academic credentials visible & prominent
- Strong university (or equivalent), good grades — mention GPA or honors if relevant.
- Include degree, institution, dates, key achievements (scholarships, awards, top-programs).
3. Bullet points that demonstrate impact, results, and analytical work
- Avoid vague "responsible for" statements.
- Use formula: Action → Task → Result (quantified)
- Quantify whenever possible (revenues, cost savings, % improvements, people managed, scale, timelines).
“Led market analysis for retail client”
“Led market analysis for retail client → identified €3M cost-saving potential via supply-chain optimisation.”
Shows clear impact and quantified business value
“Built financial model forecasting growth”
“Built financial model forecasting 15% YoY growth under three scenarios; presentation adopted by senior leadership.”
Demonstrates concrete deliverable and senior-level validation
4. Use keywords & skills that resonate with Roland Berger values
- Include keywords reflecting consulting mindset: "strategic analysis", "financial modelling", "data-driven insights", "business transformation", "stakeholder management", "value creation", "operational efficiency".
- Highlight tools or skills relevant for consulting: Excel, PowerPoint, data analysis, modelling, structured problem-solving, teamwork, leadership.
5. Show leadership, initiative, entrepreneurship, and versatility
- Roland Berger appreciates candidates who have taken initiative — be it leading projects, organising events, starting initiatives, or delivering results under ambiguity.
- Extracurriculars or projects should evidence drive, responsibility, teamwork, and leadership.
6. Keep it concise, relevant, and polished
- One page only. No typos / formatting inconsistencies.
- Prioritize content: quality over quantity.
- If you can't quantify something, consider removing it — consulting firms prefer clear and concrete impact over vague descriptions.
Example — Before vs. After Bullet (Roland Berger Style)
| Weak Bullet | Strong Bullet (Roland Berger-ready) |
|---|---|
| Worked on project for retail client | Conducted pricing analysis for retail client, leading to a strategic recommendation adopted by C-suite |
| Helped with marketing campaign | Designed and executed digital marketing campaign across 3 regions; increased lead conversion by 22% in 6 months |
| Wrote reports on demographics | Built demographic model using 5-year data sets to inform expansion strategy — influenced entry into two new international markets |
Why Screening Fails: What Many Applicants Miss
- CV is too generic or formatted like a casual résumé (tables, graphics, inconsistent style).
- Achievements are unquantified or vague. No numbers, no clear results.
- No consulting-relevant wording or keywords, even if experience is solid.
- Academic history or extracurriculars not prominent enough.
- CV doesn't reflect motivation or fit for Roland Berger specifically (just generic "consulting").
Given the volume of applications, many strong candidates never reach interview because the CV fails the first scan — human eyes may never see it.
How to CONFIRM Your CV is Roland Berger-Ready
You might think your CV "looks good enough" — but you'll never really know whether it's screen-ready for Roland Berger's high standards. That's why a professional ATS-style check is ideally your first step.
Here's Where Our Tool Comes In:
- Upload your CV (PDF / DOCX)
- Get an instant "quick scan" to see if you pass basic ATS / formatting criteria
- Optionally pay once for a full scan: detailed feedback, bullet-rewrite suggestions, missing-keyword detection, and guidance tailored to Roland Berger (or any top firm)
If you skip this, you risk never reaching interview stage — even if you're a stellar candidate.
Final Word: Make Your CV Work for You
Applying to Roland Berger means competing with top graduates and professionals from around the world. To stand out, you need more than an attractive CV — you need one built with consulting standards in mind, focused on quantifiable impact, analytical flair, leadership, and clarity.
If you want to maximize your chances: don't leave it to chance. Run your CV through an objective screening analysis — fix formatting issues, sharpen bullets, add missing keywords, and ensure your CV passes ATS and recruiter scrutiny before you submit.
Your dream consulting job deserves nothing less.
📄 Free Roland Berger CV Template
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