I’m applying for Junior Associate at McKinsey and Consultant at BCG and Bain in Singapore, and I’m reaching out to people for networking conversations and potential referrals.
When contacting Principals, Partners or Senior Partners, is it appropriate to address them by their first name, or should I initially use Mr./Ms. plus their surname? What is appropriate for their seniority and SG office culture?
Hi,
It really comes down to local culture, and Singapore sits closer to the Western end than most of Asia. I am not Asian, but I lived and studied in Singapore, and my experience there was that first names are the norm inside consulting firms, including with Partners and Senior Partners. Consulting culture in Singapore is very international, teams are mixed, and people are used to Western norms. Using Mr./Ms. with a Partner there will not offend anyone, but it can come across as slightly formal or junior.
Best,
Franco
Hi,
Based on my experience, it depends less on a general Singapore rule and more on who you are writing to. A large share of principals and partners in the Singapore offices are expats or Western-trained and tend to move to first names fast, so Mr./Ms. plus surname can sound unnecessarily stiff with them. A more traditional local senior partner, particularly an older one, may prefer formality at first. So before you decide, look at the person's name, background and career path and tailor it to the individual rather than to the country.
Hope it helps and good luck with the referrals!
Federico
No need to be that formal, it is completely normal to address them by their first name.
It actually sounds very jarring to address them by Mr/Ms. Last Name. That would actually be detrimental to building a relationship with a person and getting them to like you enough for a referral.
You would be seen as intentionally putting them at arm's length. Hope this helps!
Hi there,
I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:
If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare your application files, for your upcoming McKinsey, BCG and Bain pre-interview assessments and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.
Best,
Hagen
Always use their first name. Consulting firms, including McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, maintain an intentionally flat culture globally. Addressing a Partner as "Mr." or "Ms." immediately signals that you do not understand the industry norm and marks you as an outsider.
This applies to Singapore as well. While Asian corporate culture can be traditional, MBB offices in Singapore operate under global consulting norms. Everyone from a first-year analyst to the Managing Partner goes by their first name.
Start your message with "Hi [First Name]" or "Dear [First Name]." Keep your outreach brief, highlight your background in one sentence, and clearly state why you are reaching out. Professionalism in consulting comes from crisp communication and strong preparation, not formal titles.
Hi,
Ex-BCG Singapore here.
Yes first name is absolutely fine. Just keep the messages short and to the point, consultants are busy people!
Happy to have a chat to talk more about consulting in SEA if you are interested.
Or you can check out a few of my articles which may be helpful for you:
5 Reasons Why Experienced Hires Fail the Interview
Using AI for Case Preparation
The Consulting Industry in SEA
All the best!
