2. OUTLINE
1. The importance of networking
2. How to request informational interviews
3. How to perform an informational interview
4. How to network at consulting firm information
sessions
3. IMPORTANCE OF NETWORKING
Gather valuable information about the firm,
office, and its people
Make an impression on consultants involved in
recruiting
Establish contacts that will be sources of
advice, help for case prep and potential
references
Relationship building is critical for future
consultants
5. RECRUITMENT SUCCESS RATES
BY ROUND
Application
review
1st round
invitation
2nd round
invitation
Job offers
5-10%
40-50%
Variable
Most candidates are “cut”
here
6. STRATEGY FOR NETWORKING
Goals
Build meaningful connections
Deliver the message: you are a good fit
Develop internal advocates
Action plans
1. Prepare before reaching out
2. Identify the right contact(s)
3. Request an informational interview
4. Be engaging and ask the right questions during the
informational interview
5. Follow-up and strengthen relationship
7. PREPARING BEFORE REACHING
OUT
Develop your strategy
Research which firms and offices you want to apply
to
Plan your timeline and expectations
Build a strong online presence via LinkedIn
Polish your resume
8. BUILDING A STRONG LINKEDIN
PROFILE
Professional headshot is ideal
Well-worded and direct executive summary
List of accomplishments, positions, awards
Remember take-home points from Resume
Workshop
Less limited on word count and number of positions
9. IDENTIFYING THE RIGHT PEOPLE
TO NETWORK WITH
Consultants and managers (1-4 years)
Should be your target
Likely involved in recruitment
May be your future co-workers
Partners and principals
Contact only if you have strong personal connections
or references
May guarantee you an interview invitation
Generally not helpful in passing interviews
10. HOW TO IDENTIFY INDIVIDUALS
Ask friends, family, co-workers
Are they consultants?
Do they know consultants?
Check with your career development and alumni
offices
Attend informational sessions and coffee chats
hosted by consulting firms
Search LinkedIn
Focused searches: “Baylor College of Medicine” and “McKinsey” | “T Cell” and “ZS
Associates”
Browse local office websites
11. DRAFTING AN EMAIL OR A
LINKEDIN MESSAGE
Subject: short and clear
Content
Thank them for their time
Introduce yourself: name and current position
Highlight your shared experiences (if any) such as
education, work, community service, etc.
Express your intentions: ask for a call or coffee-chat
12. SAMPLE MESSAGE OR EMAIL
Subject:
- “BCM PhD candidate interested in Deloitte’s technology practice” (leveraging alumni contact)
- “Fellow biochemist interested in learning about your transition to consulting” (personalized to
consultant)
Content
Mr. Carlyle,
I am currently a PhD student at TMC University and am planning to pursue a career in consulting. I
am particularly interested in Consulting Corp due to the firm’s heavy life sciences focus.
I’m reaching out to see if you would be available for a few minutes over the coming weeks to discuss
your transition to consulting as well as your experiences working in the NYC office.
Best regards,
David
LinkedIn URL
Baylor College of Medicine
Graduate Program in XYZ
Advisor: Jane Doe, MD
14. BEST OUTCOMES OF AN
INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW
The consultant/interviewee passes your
resume to the top of the pile!
Resume and cover letter editing
Name-dropping in the cover letter with specific
reasons for “why consulting” and “why this firm”
15. BEFORE THE INFORMATIONAL
INTERVIEW
Do your homework
Know the ins and outs of consulting and the application
process
Prepare your resume
Search for news about the firm to use as conversation
starters
Prepare questions
Find a quiet room with a good phone signal
Confirm phone numbers and time zone
Be flexible and expect reschedules
16. RESOURCES FOR LEARNING
ABOUT CONSULTING
YouTube videos
Victor Cheng
Managementconsulted
Consulting prep websites
www.vault.com
www.caseinterview.com
www.managementconsulted.com
Firm websites
Case interview prep books
17. BE PREPARED TO ANSWER
Tell me about your background.
Why do you want to leave [medicine, research,
academia, etc.]?
Why are you interested in consulting?
How did you find out about our firm?
18. DURING THE INTERVIEW
Verify how much time the interviewee has
Speak slowly and clearly
Refer to your question list
Take notes
Have a conversation instead of Q&A
Try to make the consultant your advisor
19. TYPES OF QUESTIONS
1. About the consultant
2. About the firm and office
3. About the application process
20. SAMPLE QUESTIONS FOR
THE CONSULTANT
What is your background?
How did you transition into consulting?
How did you select this firm? This office?
What do you enjoy most about working here? What
type of projects have you gravitated towards?
Do you serve a particular industry or practice?
What is the most difficult aspect of being a consultant?
Were there any parts of being a consultant that came
to you as a surprise?
How do you envision your career as a consultant
evolving?
21. SAMPLE QUESTIONS ABOUT
THE FIRM AND OFFICE
What is the career progression?
How does staffing work?
Where are most of the engagements?
How much travel is expected?
Is there a mentoring program?
Is there a formal business training program?
How many consultants are in your firm with a PhD
or MD background?
What is culture like at the firm or office?
22. ASSESS THE FIRM AND OFFICE
Firm culture
Teambuilding events, happy hours
Meritocracy, mentorship
Apprenticeship, formal training
Enhancement initiatives (e.g. diversity and inclusion)
Office size and culture
Large office - diversity
Small office - closer interactions
Staffing model
Local, regional or national
Often determines the amount of travel
23. SAMPLE QUESTIONS ABOUT
THE APPLICATION
Do you have suggestions for writing my resume and cover
letter?
Could you review my resume?
What is the round structure? How many cases in each
round?
Who did you interview with?
What did you find more challenging: the fit or case
interview?
When are the interviews held? Are any of them over the
phone?
How did you prepare for case interviews?
If extended an offer, when are we expected to start?
25. AFTER THE INTERVIEW
Send a follow-up email the next day
Thank them for their time
Mention one or two topics you discussed but avoid being
robotic
Express your willingness to stay in touch
Include your full name and contact information in the signature
If you feel comfortable, ask for referrals to other consultants,
i.e., more senior ones or individuals with a background similar
to yours
Why the follow-up email is important
Shows that you are familiar with business etiquette
Reminds them about you
26. SAMPLE FOLLOW-UP EMAIL
Hi Stacy,
Thank you again for taking some time out of your day to chat with
me. It was great to hear about your consulting experience, Consulting
Corp’s firm culture, and insights on the application and recruitment
process.
I particularly appreciate your advice on how to best promote my
strengths in my application as well as your willingness to review my
resume. I will incorporate your feedback and email it to you shortly.
Best regards,
David
27. PHONE VS. IN-PERSON
INTERVIEWS
Most informational interviews will be over the
phone
Some may be local such as coffee chats
Wear business casual
Offer to buy them coffee
Be aware of your posture, body language and hand
gestures
Arrive at least 10 minutes early
Scout the location beforehand, if possible
29. HOW TO NETWORK AT INFORMATIONAL
SESSIONS OR OFFICE VISITS
Before entering the room, plan your strategy
During the session, execute your plan
After the session, follow up with contacts
30. PLAN YOUR STRATEGY
Identify your goal
Leave a great impression
Gather information about the firm to use in your cover
letter
Establish contacts at the firm
Dress appropriately (usually business casual)
Research the people in that office (website or
LinkedIn)
Identify the ones that share similar experiences
(education, experiences, social work, etc.)
Prepare several engaging and open-ended
questions
31. EXECUTE YOUR PLAN
Focus on getting to know both the consultants
and the recruiters
Hone in on your targeted ones
Introduce yourself with your full name, make
eye contact and provide a strong handshake
(practice many times beforehand)
Be courteous to other candidates—don’t hog
the conversation
Shake hands at the end and exchange
business cards
32. FOLLOW-UP WITH CONTACTS
Always follow-up!
Send a brief but customized email the next day
thanking them for their time
Keep the window of communication open
33. COMMON MISTAKES WHILE
NETWORKING
Demonstrating an incomplete understanding about consulting or
business
Badmouthing prior colleagues and/or overly negative
conversations about prior experience or training
Asking for facts instead of experiences (do not ask questions that
can easily be answered via Google)
Dominating the conversation
Asking questions with yes or no answers
Begging for an interview or internal referral
Not following-up or having too many follow-ups
Inability to carry a conversation
Lack of appreciation and coming off as you’re just using the
contact
34. SEEK OPPORTUNITIES TO MAINTAIN
CONTACT
New resume building experiences or
publications
Personalized experiences addressed during
informational interview (e.g. travel, sports,
conferences, etc.)
Resume review, interview coaching, etc.