Hi Anonymous,
in terms of how consulting firms decide to invite for events, people invited have the potential to be invited for interviews and for general info sessions are usually screened in a similar way. However, there is not necessary 1 to 1 correlation between invitations for events and invitations for interviews.
In terms of how to best approach the event, assuming your goal is to receive an interview invitation, these events are a good opportunity to create a strong connection with current consultants for further support in the application process. To do so, you should prepare good questions, transform the dialogues in conversations and at the end of the event ask the consultants whether you could reach out later for further questions. If they say yes you can then send a thank-you note and, so far you made a good impression, chances are you could later transform the connection into a referral at the right moment
The key things I would recommend to prepare in advance are the following:
- Read about the firm and the consulting industry. Try to understand recent development – this will ensure you can ask credible questions and stand out
- Learn as much as possible about the consultants who will participate in the event, if available. In this way, you will be able to connect more easily.
- Be prepared on company-related fit questions. You won’t be formally interviewed during these events, but you want to leave a positive impression in an informal conversation with consultants. At the bare minimum, you should
- have a clear idea of why you want to become a consultant
- why you want to join that MBB
- what you can bring to that company and
- have a clear, 5-lines pitch of who you are as introduction.
- Prepare your own questions to ask. Relevant questions are a great way to show your interest in the company and get additional points. In the first reply at the following post you can find some information on the ideal type of questions to ask:
https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/open-house-at-bcg-311
Hope this helps,
Francesco