Everything you need to write a cover letter that clears the Strategy& application screen, including a real template used by candidates who received first-round invitations.
~15 min readFreeTemplate included
Why Strategy& cover letters matter
Strategy& occupies a specific position in the consulting landscape: a strategy-focused practice within PwC's global network. Candidates who write cover letters that treat it as a generic Big Four application, or worse, as interchangeable with PwC consulting, signal immediately that they have not done their research.
The cover letter is where you establish that you understand what Strategy& actually does, how it differs from both pure-play MBB and from PwC's broader advisory business, and why that specific positioning is what you are looking for. That requires genuine knowledge of the firm's work, not just its name.
Strategy& also uses the cover letter as a starting point for the fit and motivation portion of the interview. A well-written letter with a clear and specific "why this firm" gives the interviewer a productive thread to pull, which works in your favour.
Strategy& evaluates cover letters on criteria that reflect its identity as a strategy practice within a broader professional services firm. Each criterion can be addressed deliberately once you understand what it is actually measuring.
Strategy focus
Strategy& is a strategy consulting practice, not a generalist advisory team. Evidence that you understand the distinction, and that you specifically want strategy work, carries significant weight.
Commercial depth
Strategy& engages on some of the highest-stakes decisions its clients face. A brief signal that you think about businesses in terms of competitive position, trade-offs, and long-term value is more compelling than general problem-solving statements.
Relevant analytical experience
At least one example of working through a complex situation with real consequences. Quantified outcomes help significantly.
Specific firm interest
Your reason for Strategy& must distinguish it from MBB and from PwC consulting. The PwC platform, the type of CEO-level engagements the firm handles, or a specific sector practice are all legitimate anchors.
A Strategy& cover letter follows a predictable four-paragraph structure. Recruiters scan quickly, so each paragraph should do exactly one job. Deviating from this structure is rarely worth the risk.
1Opening paragraphRole, source, one-line hook
2Why consultingEvidence from your background
3Why Strategy&Specific and non-transferable
4ClosingBrief, confident, action-oriented
Beyond structure, format signals professionalism. Recruiters notice a crowded page or an unusual font before they read a single sentence.
Length
One page, 3 to 4 paragraphs
Font size
10 to 11pt with comfortable margins
Header
Your name and contact details at the top
Salutation
Address by name if known; "Dear Recruiting Team" if not
File format
PDF, named FirstLast_Strategy&_CoverLetter.pdf
Section-by-section breakdown
The four-paragraph structure gives you a clear brief for each section. Below is what each paragraph needs to accomplish, along with concrete examples of the gap between a weak version and a strong one.
1. Opening paragraph
State the role and office you are applying to, where you found the position, and one sentence that frames why consulting makes sense for your background. Do not open with "I am writing to express my interest in." It is the most common opening line in consulting applications and signals nothing distinctive about you.
What not to say
What to say instead
"I am writing to express my strong interest in the Associate position at Strategy&."
"After two years leading operations projects at a logistics startup, I am applying for the Associate role in Strategy&'s London office."
2. Why consulting
This paragraph answers the question every recruiter asks when reading a cover letter: why would someone with your background want to become a consultant? The cover letter is not the place to summarise your resume. The recruiter has already read it. What they want to know is what those experiences meant to you, and what they reveal about why consulting is the right next step. A two-sentence reflection on a specific project will always outperform a paragraph that simply lists what you have already done.
What not to say
What to say instead
"During my time at [Company], I led a cross-functional team of six and delivered a cost reduction project ahead of schedule, which is detailed further in my resume."
"Leading that cost reduction project showed me how much I enjoy working through problems that have no obvious answer. It made me want to do that kind of work across industries, not just one company."
3. Why Strategy&
This is the paragraph where most Strategy& cover letters fail. A generic answer about strategy consulting or the PwC network tells the recruiter you could have written the same letter to any firm. Your reason for Strategy& needs to reflect something specific: the firm's positioning at the intersection of strategy and execution, a sector practice, or a type of engagement the firm is known for.
What not to say
What to say instead
"Strategy&'s reputation for innovation and its collaborative culture make it the ideal place for me to grow as a consultant."
"Strategy&'s Climate and Sustainability practice, and specifically the work on green hydrogen economics I read in the 2024 report, aligns directly with the infrastructure projects I have been working on."
4. Closing paragraph
Keep it short. Thank the reader for their time, note that you have attached your resume, and say that you look forward to discussing the role. Three sentences is enough. Strategy& values precision in communication, and the closing paragraph is a good place to demonstrate it.
Do's and don'ts
Do
✓Acknowledge Strategy&'s position within PwC and explain why that structure appeals to you
✓Use one concrete example to support each claim you make
✓Read the letter out loud before submitting
✓Keep it to one page with comfortable margins and font size
✓Tailor the "why Strategy&" paragraph per office or practice area
✓Add something new that is not already visible on your resume
Don't
–Use words like "passionate," "dynamic," or "team player"
–Write a reason for Strategy& that could apply to any MBB firm
–Repeat bullet points or experience already on your resume
–Open with "I am writing to express my interest in"
–Submit as a .docx file or use an unconventional font
–Treat Strategy& as interchangeable with PwC consulting or with MBB
The template below reflects the structure used by candidates who received Strategy& first-round invitations. It is annotated with notes on what each paragraph needs to accomplish.
Strategy& Cover Letter Template
A real cover letter structure used by candidates who received Strategy& first-round interviews. Annotated with coaching notes.
