Seeking Advice for Upcoming Consulting Firm Event

Question

Hi everyone,

I'm currently a first-year MBA student in the U.S. and am preparing for a campus event featuring a consulting firm that is offering a summer internship in one of their international offices. The event format is a coffee chat.

I have a few acquaintances working in that office, and I'm considering several actions:

Should I contact them before the event?
Is a referral from these acquaintances necessary for my application?
Would it be beneficial to discuss the opportunity with them and possibly mention their names in my cover letter, which I need to submit prior to the event?

Thanks for your insights!

Answer 1

Hi there,

1) Should I contact them before the event?

What would be your goal when contacting them? Depending on that, it might or might not make sense. If you need to apply for the summer internship before the event (I saw you said in point #3 you need to submit the cover letter before the event, so I believe that's the case), then it would make sense to have a referral for the application.

2) Is a referral from these acquaintances necessary for my application?

It is not necessary, but it will increase your chances of being invited to interviews.

3) Would it be beneficial to discuss the opportunity with them and possibly mention their names in my cover letter, which I need to submit prior to the event?

If you need to apply for the summer internship before the event and want to leverage your connections as a referral, I would contact them before the event.

Good luck!

Francesco

Answer 2

1. I don't see a problem. It's positive for you to network and get first hand advice from them

2. No, it is not. But it may be positive

3. Only mention their names if they agree to have their names mentioned and they are willing to provide a positive opinion of you… otherwise it will backfire.

Answer 3

You can mention them in your cover letter because this will show that you have an understanding of the firm and of the office culture.

And do reach out to them and tell them that you're interested in joining the event and ask whether they have any recommendations for you in terms of how you should build your application.

Best,
Cristian