Is it worth asking current employees about hiring status when the job is posted?

If the job is posted, then it means that they are hiring and you have a chance of getting the job. You should focus your energy on crafting the best possible application, since everything else is out of your control.

If you do still want to get more intel:

1) Asking current consultants is a mixed bag. It depends on the seniority of the current employees. My experience is that people below manager level (i.e. people with limited involvement in the recruiting process) typically do not have that much knowledge about the 'behind the scenes' recruiting situation.

2) I don't think there's much harm in asking a consultant about the hiring situation if you do already have a relationship with them, and if they are involved in recruiting. I just don't think it really helps either.

To reiterate - if you see the job posted, it means you should treat it as an achievable goal. Let me know if you need help preparing.

Hi there!

Your instinct is right. 

Only that I wouldn't reach out to the consultants (who don't have actual visibility over the hiring pipeline), but to the recruiter. They should be the ones who confirm that the role is still open and that your profile is relevant. 

Lots of times, the jobs that are posted online are no longer available / relevant, which leads to lots of disappointment later on when candidates receive an almost automatic rejection.

You might also find this guide useful:

• Expert Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

Best,
Cristian

Yes, it’s smart to reach out, as long as you keep it short, polite, and focused.

Employees may not give exact hiring numbers, but they can share useful signals (e.g., “hiring is slower right now” or “best to apply early”). It won’t hurt your chances as long as you’re respectful and not pushy, it can actually leave a good impression.

Just don’t ask anything too generic or easily found online. Frame it as curiosity + appreciation for their time.

Hi there,

If you already have connections in several strategy firms, don’t just use them tactically — use them strategically.

Forget about asking, “Is there an open position right now?” Instead, invest in the relationship and secure referrals. Learn about their journey. Show genuine interest. That’s how you earn the referral.

Once someone vouches for you, your application skips the queue. It lands directly on the recruiter’s desk — and that changes everything. First, it speeds up the process. Second, it massively increases your chances of being invited to interview. Why? Because recruiters treat referrals as pre-screened candidates. 

So don’t waste your warm leads on tactical stuff. Build trust, secure the referral, and let it do the heavy lifting.

Best,

Alberto.

Hi there,

It doesn’t sound useful to confirm something like this. If you want to take advantage of these contacts, it may be better to ask for a coffee chat and talk about the job, their career so far, their experience in this industry, etc. if they seem to be open, you can use this opportunity to ask for a referral.

Good luck!!

Best,

Mari

Does it make a difference?

I don't think so.

I believe you should apply to your target firms (+ a few more) regardless of them being active in hiring or not.

Moreover, you would be relying on... unreliable information. The general employees will not know the real answer. And in any case, if they are receiving applications... they are hiring!