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Reaching out to HR

Hi

I've seen many people saying to reach out to the local office's HR. What does that accomplish? What am I supposed to tell them? How does that improve my chances of getting an interview?

Thanks

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Top answer
Florian
Coach
on Jan 18, 2021
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 600+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hey there,

MBB HR is always hunting for new candidates and consultants. As a consequence, they are a super useful ally before applying, during the application, and afterward.

It helps to connect with them

  • whenever you have questions about the application, your resume, the job profile, the hiring goals, etc.
  • when you want to find out more about the interview process, your interviewers, aptitude tests
  • when you want to re-apply (after a failed application) or stay in the loop after your interviews or event participation

Cheers,

Florian

Ken
Coach
on Jan 18, 2021
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

It helps you stand out from the crowd as MBBs can receive hundreds of applications per single hiring. Unlike typical corporates where HR is purely a support function, for consultancies, the recruiting team (I wouldn't refer to them as HR!) is a crucial role to help feed the talent funnel. They will typically make the final decision on whether a candidate is invited for an interview and will coordinate everything until the offer is signed. My piece of advice would be to treat them the same way you would treat a senior partner interviewing you for final round!

on Jan 18, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi,

HR should be your reference point if you have specific questions related to the interview process, whether you've started it or wish to start, and understand better where you fit optimally within the company.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Antonello

Vlad
Coach
on Jan 18, 2021
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Coaches recommend reaching out to HR when you have questions. If you have no questions - there is no benefit to reach out

Best

Clara
Coach
on Jan 18, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

It only makes sense to reach out to HR whenver you have a specific question. What for, if not? :)

Cheers, 

Clara

Gaurav
Coach
on Jan 18, 2021
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360° coach(Ex-McKinsey+Certified Coach+Active recruiter)

Hi there, 

you can reach out to the HR if you have questions about your application, about the position, about the interview process, if you've been to the interview and are waiting for the feedback. The act of talking to the HR in itself doesn't improve your chances.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

GB

Ian
Coach
on Jan 18, 2021
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

Downside risk: 4 minutes of your time

Upside risk: They agree to talk to you, love you, and agree to look at your resume when you submit

Pretty simple to me!

Now, what do you tell them? You need to come in with some sort of question! As in "I am xx and I am wondering about xx". Some people write to find out what role would be a good fit, others to see if there is position availability, others to see if they could be put in touch with someone who works in x practice in the company.

Shoot your shot!

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