Networking tips

Overall tips: Be friendly, positive and come prepared with good questions. Avoid asking basic questions you can find on the internet e.g., when is interview season; instead ask "insider" questions e.g., which industries are doing well in the firm, how is mentorship & development like 

A good segue into hinting for a referral could be to ask about recruiting process at the very end, after you've showcased your intelligence & passion for the role. E.g., asking "how would you recommend optimising my chances at getting through the CV stage" 

Although from personal experience, referrals are far more likely if the intro was made by another mutual connection.

Suggestions for structuring the call:

1) Small talk (5 mins) - about how busy they're are, what they're working on

2) Overview of your background and why you're interested in consulting, and what you've done related to that (5-10 mins) - highlight your achievements and relevant experience

3) Q&A about firm, job, exit ops etc. (10 mins)

4) Q&A Recruiting + hint about referral  (5 mins)

Hi there,

Thanks for sharing this so honestly — many of us have felt exactly the same way when starting out. The good news is that effective networking doesn’t require being extroverted or “salesy” — it’s about being thoughtful, curious, and respectful, which it sounds like you already are.

Here are a few tips that might help:

1. Start small and personal
Don’t worry about getting referrals right away. Begin by messaging alumni from your university or people with similar backgrounds. It’s much easier to connect when you can reference something shared:
“Hi [Name], I noticed we both studied [University/Field] and I’m exploring consulting. Would love to hear how you navigated your path into MBB if you’re open to a quick chat.”

2. Keep it short and respectful
People are busy, but most are happy to help — especially if your message is polite, specific, and low-pressure. A 3–4 line message is plenty. Don’t overthink it.

3. Focus on learning, not asking
Your first goal is just to learn — not to get a referral. Ask about their experience, how they prepared, and any advice they have. Let the relationship grow organically.

4. Prepare 2–3 thoughtful questions
If they agree to chat, come with a few genuine, well-researched questions. It shows respect for their time and helps you have a natural, confident conversation.

5. Follow up and say thank you
Always thank them after the conversation and maybe update them later if their advice helped — it’s a great way to stay in touch.

6. Set a routine
Reach out to 2–3 people per week. That’s manageable and adds up over time without being overwhelming.

Lastly, you’re not being intrusive — you’re showing initiative. Most consultants have been helped along the way and are happy to pay it forward.

You’ve got this! Feel free to send me a draft message if you’d like feedback.

Best,

Evelina

Hi there,

Q: If you’ve been through this yourself, I’d really appreciate any tips or strategies that worked for you 

To find a referral, I would recommend three key steps:

1. Identify the people who can help you (alumni of your school work well, you can find them via LinkedIn)
2. Write them a customized email
3. Have a call and indirectly ask for a referral

My tips for the process:

• You can use LinkedIn to find the people to contact, but I would recommend writing an email rather than sending a LinkedIn message – you have more control over emails. You should target a 30% conversion for your messages; if you are not achieving that, there is space for improvement.
• When sending emails, your goal should be to organize a call, not to ask questions – you can then use the call to ask questions.
• Ideally, you want to close the call with an indirect request for a referral – don’t leave that to chance. There are specific ways to phrase it so that it’s not pushy.

I would recommend preparing three main things before the call:

• Your own pitch. 3-4 lines should be enough.
• 3-4 questions about the person's personal experiences. Avoid asking questions about the company.
• A closing question for the referral. It should be an indirect request to avoid being too pushy.

Before the call, I would recommend having your CV and Cover ready – in this way, you can send them right away if the person wants to refer you. 

Following the same process, I got 6 invitations out of 6 applications, including all MBB. I regularly see my mentees getting referrals for MBB as well.

Good luck!

Francesco

hi! 

totally get how you feel—it’s super normal to be nervous at first! easiest way is to meet people first through events, webinars, uni talks, or even group chats, then follow up on LinkedIn right after. it helps you remember the person and makes the message feel warmer. when cold messaging, keep it short and friendly—mention something you found interesting about their path, ask a small question, and say you'd love to learn from their experience. most people are happy to help if you keep it genuine and easy to reply to. happy to look over your draft if you'd like!

best, Alessa(: 

Hi there,

I know it can be quite intimidating. I remember reaching out to about 20 people via linkedin and getting no answers. And I promised myself then that if I do get into McKinsey I will speak with everybody who contacts me and I did do that for 5 years. Meaning, if you keep on asking, eventually you'll run into somebody who will want to help you. 

I've put together two guides on networking and referrals that explain most of what you need to know. Hope you'll find them useful. If you have further questions, feel free to reach out:

• Expert Guide: How To Handle Networking Calls and Get Referrals
• Expert Guide: How To Get Referrals Via LinkedIn?

Best,
Cristian

Hi there,

There are three pieces of advice I always give to people who want to get better at networking — especially if you’re shy:

• Own it. This is one of the most underrated consulting skills. Take charge of your networking like you would a client project. No one else is going to do it for you, and the return is massive. You’re doing this to build your future, not someone else’s.
• Remember: they want to help. Partners and senior people do have incentives to network and refer strong candidates. They care about the long-term success of the firm. Many have equity or a formal role in talent development. When they meet someone proactive, prepared and sharp, they see it as part of their job to support that.
• Make it easy for them. Keep your messages sharp and respectful of their time. Say clearly why you’re reaching out, what you’re asking for, and suggest a short call with time options. After that, follow up with a quick thank-you and let them know what happened if they helped you. That’s how you build something real — not a one-off favor.

Networking is not begging. It’s showing up prepared, adding clarity, and giving people a chance to say yes.

Best,

Alberto

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

• Contrary to what other coaches have said, since the process itself is relatively easy, but the main problems are you being too shy or too insecure to approach others, I would strongly advise you to work on these topics, potentially with professional help. If reaching out to strangers is a major problem for you, it won't get easier when you're working intensively with your consulting clients every day.

You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare your application files, for your upcoming pre-interview assessments and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

1. Be yourself - authenticity is really key
2. Be concise - keep things as short as possible, people at MBB really don't have time
3. Be targeted - have a clear focus of your ask, and linked to #1 an authentic or genuine ask or inquiry will pique the interest of the reader more than generic broad points

All the best!