How to request for the second coffee chat?

Question

Hi Preplounge community,

I have networked with consultants from McKinsey, BCG, Bain and Oliver Wyman. My plan is to network with the consultants atleas 2-3 times before I apply for the full time intake this fall 2018.

My question is how do I frame my email so that they connect/meet with me for the second or the third time. I have already asked generic consulting specific question during the first time, so how do I frame my message so that they are interested in meeting with me.
Often times, the consultants don't have enough time or they ask me send my questions to them over email, because of which I am unable to develop the relationship with them.

Any help on how to frame my email would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Please take this exclusively from my personal experience and perspective. Before getting an interview offer, having a single 1:1 connection is more than enough. If you ask for more it feels over-reaching. However I think is acceptable to:

ask to refer to someone else to have a different perspective
touchbase asking if they are coming to many:many on campus events so that you can briefly say hi
ask for a 1:1 follow up once you receive interview offer to get tips/suggestions.

Hope it helps,

Andrea

Answer 2

Hi,

I use the following strategy:

Trying to discuss during the first coffee chat an opportunity to meet again in the future
Follow up with the e-mail
Give an idea of how you can be helpful (easier for associates and people with prior background)

I use the following template to follow up:

"Hi...,

I just wanted to thank you again for today’s coffee chat. I’ve learnt a lot about ... and I'm excited by...

You’ve mentioned you could help with... I would appreciate a chance to meet with you to...

I would also be happy to be a resource for you, now or in the future for any expertise in.."

Best,

Vlad

Answer 3

Why do you want to network up to 3 times per consultant? How does this improve your chances of getting the Offer? My advice is to limit yourself to activities that positively impact your chances of getting an offer. Chasing 3 meetings for the sake of it sounds unusual.

It will also come off as weird. When you consider that most consultants are too busy to have even one coffee chat and will turn down the majority of candidates who ask them for one, seeking up to three will ring weird: it could communicate that you lack confidence, signal that you have too much time on your own hands (which is not particularly a good thing), or it could be mis-read as a super-awkward romantic interest.

Unless the consultant has dropped some earth-shattering insights that simply cannot be fully explored in a single session, then the single session you're offered should suffice! :-)

Answer 4

Samay,

if you applied for an internship position last year, once you receive response back (either positive or negative) is fine to reach out again to ask for time and keep in touch. It's also ok to keep touhcing base with the individuals who made the suggestion. If instead the individuals made the suggestion to build rapport not with them but with other people...well I would be careful on doing so.

Hope this clarifies,

Andrea