Networking - how?

Hi Anonymous A,

thanks for asking your question on our Consulting Q&A :)

I found an old Q&A that might be relevant for you. One of our users asked questions about the Open House at BCG which is a great networking opportunity for candidates. An interesting discussion evolved with some of our experts. Here are some tips for networking that were mentioned by our expert Francesco:

• The questions you ask a consultant in a business environment pre interview should ideally respect the following: 1. You are genuinely curious about the topic, 2. The question will help the consultant to remember you positively and provide a referral in the application process.

• You should not find the answers on Google, as Guennael correctly pointed out, The questions should be related to personal experiences interesting for the consultant, ideally making him/her feeling important; this is the easiest way to have him/her to remember you positively. The questions should help you to understand better the core values of the company; this will help you to understand if that company is indeed a good fit for you.

• There is a specific list of steps to follow to receive a referral when you talk with a consultant, and ideally you should not ask for the referral directly. The steps would include (i) breaking the ice in the right way (ii) creating a connection with the interviewer and (iii) closing with an indirect request for referral.

• Assuming you do not have any current direct contacts in the firms you are interested in, I usually suggest following a three-step approach: 1. Identify who are the people who could more easily help you, 2. Write them a customized cold email, 3. Have a call with the consultant, and indirectly ask for a referral

For the full discussion, check the following link: Open House at BCG

I hope this is helpful for you!

Astrid

PrepLounge Community Management

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To add to Chris comment: maybe you have friends or friends of friends, other alumnis of your uni who work at MBB. Career center of your university could have some connections (you can contact them even after you graduated). Cold call/email is an option but I wouldn’t recommend it.