Spent weeks tailoring my resume for McKinsey, but my application keeps getting rejected. Someone suggested algorithms that optimize for firm-specific keywords and problem-solving language. Does this actually work, or is it just another gimmick? How do you balance authenticity with ATS requirements?
ats is just keyword bingo. slap in ‘synergy’ and ‘value creation’ 15 times, watch it sail through. but hope you like rewriting your whole personality for each firm. pro tip: mckinsey loves ‘double-click’ as a verb now. you’re welcome.
used a tailoring tool last week—it added soooo many buzzwords! not sure if it’s me anymore but got my first interview invite!! 
ATS optimization is necessary but insufficient. Focus on framing achievements in consulting syntax: ‘Led X initiative driving Y% efficiency gain’ rather than ‘Managed projects.’ Tools can help surface relevant terms, but the narrative must remain cohesive. Always human-check the final draft.
Analysis of 500 successful consulting resumes shows 78% included firm-specific terminology from recent case studies. Tools scanning job descriptions for frequency-distributed keywords increase ATS match rates by 40-60%. Prioritize verbs like ‘orchestrate’ and ‘pioneer’ over generic terms.