Importance of networking and tips

Hi Pablo,

Networking matters, but usually less than people think, and in a narrower way.

It won’t get you over the line by itself, and it definitely won’t rescue a weak resume. Where it does help is when you’re somewhere in the middle of the stack. It gives your profile a closer look and makes people a bit less skeptical.

The main mistake is treating networking like a referral hunt. That’s not really the point. What you’re actually trying to do is get someone inside the firm comfortable enough to put their name behind you. When that happens, a referral often comes on its own. When it doesn’t, asking for one rarely changes much.

And referrals themselves mostly matter at the screening stage. They can get your resume a bit more attention and maybe a little more benefit of the doubt. But once you’re in interviews, that effect is basically gone. From there, it’s just your performance.

In practice, this doesn’t need to become a huge project. A small number of strong conversations in your target office is usually enough. Be clear, structured, and easy to talk to. Don’t push it. If the interaction is solid, the next step tends to happen naturally.

If you want to discuss further feel free to DM me

Best,
Franco

Hi Pablo, it's good that you're thinking about networking! To answer your questions:

• Importance & goal of networking

This is two-fold:

1) Think about the number of applications that any of these firms receive. If they have met you and can put a face to your application, it might mean that they spend just that extra bit of time reviewing your documents and think of you more as a human rather a bunch of keywords

2) From your perspective, as you write your cover letters or prepare your answers to questions such as why the firm or why the office, generic information from the website will not cut it. Networking can help you get a real sense of what the firm and job entails as well as help you determine a cultural fit 

Many people you speak with as part of your networking will not be in a position to offer you a referral, but that does not make the networking itself worthless. 

• Role of referrals

Again, given the high volume of very suitable candidates that apply for these jobs, getting a referral means someone at that firm is vouching for your abilities and fit with the firm. This can help you get a bit more focus on your application, another glance if you will primarily at the screening stage. After this, your interview performance is what will carry you forward

• How to network

It is usually a combination of attending firm events (group and 1:1), speaking with people you already know at these firms, and reaching out to other people on LinkedIn if their background appeals to you or you don't know many people at the firm 

• Referrals from other offices

Any referral is valuable. Particularly from the same office, but even if someone within the wider firm is willing to vouch for you, that is a positive signal. It is important, however, that it is not a superficial referral - they must be able to speak to some conversation between you or something where you worked together that gives them that impression

• General networking tips

Keep a track of your networking efforts. Ensure your conversations and messages are personalised. And be genuinely interested in whichever environment you participate in (group or 1:1)

Since you have just started prepping, you might find this Essential Consulting Recruiting Starter Kit very helpful too.  

Good luck and happy to chat further! 

Hi Pablo,

Networking is genuinely important. I'll be direct about this because I've actually run the analytics on it... the data shows networking is meaningfully correlated with getting interviews. This is not soft advice.

Let me take your questions in order.

How important is it really? Very. Especially at undergrad and lateral hire level where the volume of applicants is enormous and human signals separate you from the pile.

What is the real goal? Yes, referrals. But also a warm introduction that makes your application actually get looked at rather than skimmed. A referral from a Principal gets your CV in front of real eyes. Beyond that, you learn things about the firm that sharpen your cover letter and your "why this firm" answer.

How important are referrals? Most important at the application stage (getting past resume screening) but they don't hurt later either. A strong internal advocate can make a difference if you're borderline after R1.

How is it conducted? Cold LinkedIn messages are most common and work fine. Cold emails too, if you can find them. The key is personalisation. Generic messages get ignored. Concise and tailored messages get responses. It is a numbers game... reach out to a lot of people and expect a lot of silence. That's normal.

Cross office referrals? Useful, not ideal. A referral from someone in your target office carries more weight. That said, any warm introduction beats no introduction.

Tips:

1. Apply to 30+ firms. Cast wide.
2. One message per person. Please don't spam them.
3. Ask about their experience, not for a job. Let the conversation get there naturally.
4. If the firm runs a networking event or coffee chat, attend and engage. Missing one is a real negative signal.

My Applications Course covers networking end to end including tactics, templates, and how to approach the call itself: Applications Course

For the broader mindset on this, search The Consulting Offer Blueprint on Spotify or Apple Podcasts... goes deep on exactly this.

Feel free to shoot me a message too!