I go to a semi-target for MBB consulting and to get an interview I want to network with as many people as possible.
My emails come across as very formulaic.
I have heard you want to give the employee a reason to speak with you.
Have any of you had success with networking emails?
This may be a controversial point of view, but unless you have a genuine reason to reach out to someone I wouldn't bother. It can be different in very small markets or for niche companies, but the larger consultancies have established recruiting processes which aren't improved by emails coming in at random times.
When I worked for one of the large firms I occasionally thought the "nice to meet you at x event, it's interesting that you did y" came across as cute, but more often the emails were unwelcome.
Two rules: (1) Keep them short. (2) Keep them focused on how it can add value to the one receiving it.
