Informational Interview Winning Strategy/Diversity/Research

Hi,

A unconventional / qualitative background usually not an issue. It would be helpful if you can share your background to understand a bit better.

Usually, the key important things consulting firms look regardless of background are:

• Prove of achievement and internal drive for growth
• Demonstrate analytical capabilities and communication
• Ability to handle relationship with people from different background / level

Hi,

It is extremely unlikely someone will want to give you an interview. Typically for instant referrals for an interview, the following has to be true

• Mutual Connections – A referral is best when it comes from someone with whom you have a relationship or something in common that lets them refer you easily. For example, people that have gone to your high school are likely to refer you because you share that common facet and they trust you based on it (similar with college, friends of family etc.).

So what happens if you don't have that?

• Building New Connections – If you don't have this relationship, you need to invest time and energy to build it from scratch with someone you do not know.

How can you do so?

• During the call aside from other topics, express your interest in working at the firm they work in and ask them what they look for in a candidate.
• Towards the end of your discussion, save 5 mins to talk about yourself and fit for the position. Specifically ask them what you can work on to improve your candidacy. Everyone needs to work on themselves regardless of their strengths. Write their feedback down in a document so you can track it.
• Make the effort to work on these points.
• Email them every 3 weeks to update them on your progress in those areas, and also set up a follow up call in 2 months or so.
• After 2-3 months of updating them and asking for their advice—assuming you have made actual progress—you should ask them if they are comfortable referring you given the progress you have made or if there is something else that would be helpful for you to work on.
• Continue working on yourself and building this relationship until you feel you have earned their trust for a referral.
• It is a long process but it works well. People want to feel invested in your success and by bringing them along on your journey they will be able to see your tenacity first hand.

Best,

Udayan

Hey there,

To give tailored and better advice, it would be good to have more details into your background as you say its "unconventional". So if you dont mind, feel free to share details via personal message to me.

Firstly, don't get disheartened. The process can be tricky and rejections/disappointment will be part of it. And thats absolutely okay. We are living in cray times with COVID-19 so consultants and hiring managers might not be as responsive. You will overcome this by making a proper plan and executing it. Something clearly is going wrong in the way you are approaching the consultants and perhaps not conveying your story and strengths impactfully.

While there can be local country challenges and cultural styles, most global consulting firms have a pretty open and transparent recruitment process across countries and geographies. Inclusion and diversity is on top of their agendas for sure.

Happy to discuss more and look at your profile in detail.

Adi

a) Reach out to people in your network

b) Reach out to people once removed from your network

c) Reach out to people with a similar backgorund to you (i.e. same alma mater, same historically underrepresented demographic i.e. gender, orientation, ethnicity, etc., same career switch, etc.)

d) Tailor a message to them specifically both showing interest in them and their journey and demonstrating that you have done your research and could be a valuable hire

e) Play "tag" across calls you get so that you can work your way towards the company/office/role you want

f) Never directly ask for a referral, but "hint" at needing one (this is nuanced and important...happy to talk through wording)