Hi Anonymous,

For me personally, networking online works only as a kick-off. To do some real networking and get to know somebody, I don't see a way around of meeting physically.

Especially when your goal of networking is earning an internal referall so skip CV screening upfront by HR, I doubt that you can "convince" someone about that remotely. If you try to look at it from the other side of the table - why should I risk my reputation in the firm of referring somebody whom I don't really know and is maybe severaly underperforming during the interviews?

That being said, this is my personal experience - based on that I would recommend to start networking online, and try to get as many in-person meetings in real-life afterwards in the short period of time available.

Hope that helps - if so, please give it a thumbs-up with the green upvote button below!

Robert

I would actually suggest you start earlier if your goal is to get a referral after networking.

1 months earlier is probably good to get you 1-2 interactions (remember consultants are very busy and hard to get their schedules), which you can later show as you have done the homework and talked to people in the firm to understand the firm better. But such limited interaction is not very likely to get you a powerful referral, esp if you want it from senior people e.g. Principal or Partner. When a junior person refers you, he/she might care more about the referral bonus, so would be more willing to refer, but the referral carries less weight. When a senior person refers you, it is not so much about the money any more. He/she is putting her credibility in front of HR and recruiting team. So he/she would be a lot more selective in who to put forward.

In order to get referral, suggest you start 2-3 months before, with follow ups every 3-4 weeks in between, so you have more communications/interactions with the person to get him/her comfortable referring you.

Best,

Emily

Hello,

I will start from your final question: 1 month is more than enough to build a network and get a referral.
Anyway, before flying back and taking a month off, I would consider 2 options:

• Build online network, leveraging your alumni network and maybe looking for someone that is also in Asia right now. You could give a chance to this approach and then to fly back if it doesn't work
• Fly back just to join a specific alumni event and then use it as a starting point to build your network remotely

Consider that on the one hand, a referral is an important thing that people give you only if they trust your skills. On the other hand, it's also a win-win solution, since they don't invest anything and they will receive some money if you get the job. Thus it could be less harder than you think;)

Good luck,
Luca

Hello!

At this point I would wait and see, since the global situation is evolving so fast that none can be sure of what is going to happen in June. Don´t take any decisions for now, and try to start working with what you have (in this case, distance, which is not ideal, but it´s a start)

Cheers,

Clara

Hi, I confirm that 1 month is enough and doing it online is totally feasible. I recommend starting with your 2nd-grade connection on LinkedIn and with ex alumni of your campus now in MBB.

Best,
Antonello