The document provides a comprehensive guide on leveraging informational interviews as a networking tool for pursuing careers in consulting. It outlines strategies for requesting and conducting informational interviews, key preparatory steps, and tips for following up to build meaningful connections. Additionally, it details networking tactics for consulting firm information sessions and common mistakes to avoid while networking.

1. LEVERAGING THE INFORMATIONAL
INTERVIEW: A KEY NETWORKING TOOL

2. OUTLINE
1. The importance of networking
2. How to request informational interviews
3. How to perform an informational interview
4. How to network at consulting firm information
sessions

3. IMPORTANCE OF NETWORKING
 Gather valuable information about the firm,
office, and its people
 Make an impression on consultants involved in
recruiting
 Establish contacts that will be sources of
advice, help for case prep and potential
references
 Relationship building is critical for future
consultants

4. RECRUITMENT TIMELINE
Feb-Nov
Networking
Mar-Apr
Submit
applications
for summer
programs
Jul-Oct
Submit
applications
for full-time
positions
Sep-Nov
Interviews
Networking never stops

5. RECRUITMENT SUCCESS RATES
BY ROUND
Application
review
1st round
invitation
2nd round
invitation
Job offers
5-10%
40-50%
Variable
Most candidates are “cut”
here

6. STRATEGY FOR NETWORKING
 Goals
 Build meaningful connections
 Deliver the message: you are a good fit
 Develop internal advocates
 Action plans
1. Prepare before reaching out
2. Identify the right contact(s)
3. Request an informational interview
4. Be engaging and ask the right questions during the
informational interview
5. Follow-up and strengthen relationship

7. PREPARING BEFORE REACHING
OUT
 Develop your strategy
 Research which firms and offices you want to apply
to
 Plan your timeline and expectations
 Build a strong online presence via LinkedIn
 Polish your resume

8. BUILDING A STRONG LINKEDIN
PROFILE
 Professional headshot is ideal
 Well-worded and direct executive summary
 List of accomplishments, positions, awards
 Remember take-home points from Resume
Workshop
 Less limited on word count and number of positions

9. IDENTIFYING THE RIGHT PEOPLE
TO NETWORK WITH
 Consultants and managers (1-4 years)
 Should be your target
 Likely involved in recruitment
 May be your future co-workers
 Partners and principals
 Contact only if you have strong personal connections
or references
 May guarantee you an interview invitation
 Generally not helpful in passing interviews

10. HOW TO IDENTIFY INDIVIDUALS
 Ask friends, family, co-workers
 Are they consultants?
 Do they know consultants?
 Check with your career development and alumni
offices
 Attend informational sessions and coffee chats
hosted by consulting firms
 Search LinkedIn
 Focused searches: “Baylor College of Medicine” and “McKinsey” | “T Cell” and “ZS
Associates”
 Browse local office websites

11. DRAFTING AN EMAIL OR A
LINKEDIN MESSAGE
 Subject: short and clear
 Content
 Thank them for their time
 Introduce yourself: name and current position
 Highlight your shared experiences (if any) such as
education, work, community service, etc.
 Express your intentions: ask for a call or coffee-chat

12. SAMPLE MESSAGE OR EMAIL
Subject:
- “BCM PhD candidate interested in Deloitte’s technology practice” (leveraging alumni contact)
- “Fellow biochemist interested in learning about your transition to consulting” (personalized to
consultant)
Content
Mr. Carlyle,
I am currently a PhD student at TMC University and am planning to pursue a career in consulting. I
am particularly interested in Consulting Corp due to the firm’s heavy life sciences focus.
I’m reaching out to see if you would be available for a few minutes over the coming weeks to discuss
your transition to consulting as well as your experiences working in the NYC office.
Best regards,
David
LinkedIn URL
Baylor College of Medicine
Graduate Program in XYZ
Advisor: Jane Doe, MD

13. HOW TO CONDUCT
INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS

14. BEST OUTCOMES OF AN
INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW
 The consultant/interviewee passes your
resume to the top of the pile!
 Resume and cover letter editing
 Name-dropping in the cover letter with specific
reasons for “why consulting” and “why this firm”

15. BEFORE THE INFORMATIONAL
INTERVIEW
 Do your homework
 Know the ins and outs of consulting and the application
process
 Prepare your resume
 Search for news about the firm to use as conversation
starters
 Prepare questions
 Find a quiet room with a good phone signal
 Confirm phone numbers and time zone
 Be flexible and expect reschedules

16. RESOURCES FOR LEARNING
ABOUT CONSULTING
 YouTube videos
 Victor Cheng
 Managementconsulted
 Consulting prep websites
 www.vault.com
 www.caseinterview.com
 www.managementconsulted.com
 Firm websites
 Case interview prep books

17. BE PREPARED TO ANSWER
 Tell me about your background.
 Why do you want to leave [medicine, research,
academia, etc.]?
 Why are you interested in consulting?
 How did you find out about our firm?

18. DURING THE INTERVIEW
 Verify how much time the interviewee has
 Speak slowly and clearly
 Refer to your question list
 Take notes
 Have a conversation instead of Q&A
 Try to make the consultant your advisor

19. TYPES OF QUESTIONS
1. About the consultant
2. About the firm and office
3. About the application process

20. SAMPLE QUESTIONS FOR
THE CONSULTANT
 What is your background?
 How did you transition into consulting?
 How did you select this firm? This office?
 What do you enjoy most about working here? What
type of projects have you gravitated towards?
 Do you serve a particular industry or practice?
 What is the most difficult aspect of being a consultant?
 Were there any parts of being a consultant that came
to you as a surprise?
 How do you envision your career as a consultant
evolving?

21. SAMPLE QUESTIONS ABOUT
THE FIRM AND OFFICE
 What is the career progression?
 How does staffing work?
 Where are most of the engagements?
 How much travel is expected?
 Is there a mentoring program?
 Is there a formal business training program?
 How many consultants are in your firm with a PhD
or MD background?
 What is culture like at the firm or office?

22. ASSESS THE FIRM AND OFFICE
 Firm culture
 Teambuilding events, happy hours
 Meritocracy, mentorship
 Apprenticeship, formal training
 Enhancement initiatives (e.g. diversity and inclusion)
 Office size and culture
 Large office - diversity
 Small office - closer interactions
 Staffing model
 Local, regional or national
 Often determines the amount of travel

23. SAMPLE QUESTIONS ABOUT
THE APPLICATION
 Do you have suggestions for writing my resume and cover
letter?
 Could you review my resume?
 What is the round structure? How many cases in each
round?
 Who did you interview with?
 What did you find more challenging: the fit or case
interview?
 When are the interviews held? Are any of them over the
phone?
 How did you prepare for case interviews?
 If extended an offer, when are we expected to start?

24. INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW
ROLE PLAY

25. AFTER THE INTERVIEW
 Send a follow-up email the next day
 Thank them for their time
 Mention one or two topics you discussed but avoid being
robotic
 Express your willingness to stay in touch
 Include your full name and contact information in the signature
 If you feel comfortable, ask for referrals to other consultants,
i.e., more senior ones or individuals with a background similar
to yours
 Why the follow-up email is important
 Shows that you are familiar with business etiquette
 Reminds them about you

26. SAMPLE FOLLOW-UP EMAIL
Hi Stacy,
Thank you again for taking some time out of your day to chat with
me. It was great to hear about your consulting experience, Consulting
Corp’s firm culture, and insights on the application and recruitment
process.
I particularly appreciate your advice on how to best promote my
strengths in my application as well as your willingness to review my
resume. I will incorporate your feedback and email it to you shortly.
Best regards,
David

27. PHONE VS. IN-PERSON
INTERVIEWS
 Most informational interviews will be over the
phone
 Some may be local such as coffee chats
 Wear business casual
 Offer to buy them coffee
 Be aware of your posture, body language and hand
gestures
 Arrive at least 10 minutes early
 Scout the location beforehand, if possible

28. CONSULTING FIRM
INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS

29. HOW TO NETWORK AT INFORMATIONAL
SESSIONS OR OFFICE VISITS
 Before entering the room, plan your strategy
 During the session, execute your plan
 After the session, follow up with contacts

30. PLAN YOUR STRATEGY
 Identify your goal
 Leave a great impression
 Gather information about the firm to use in your cover
letter
 Establish contacts at the firm
 Dress appropriately (usually business casual)
 Research the people in that office (website or
LinkedIn)
 Identify the ones that share similar experiences
(education, experiences, social work, etc.)
 Prepare several engaging and open-ended
questions

31. EXECUTE YOUR PLAN
 Focus on getting to know both the consultants
and the recruiters
 Hone in on your targeted ones
 Introduce yourself with your full name, make
eye contact and provide a strong handshake
(practice many times beforehand)
 Be courteous to other candidates—don’t hog
the conversation
 Shake hands at the end and exchange
business cards

32. FOLLOW-UP WITH CONTACTS
Always follow-up!
 Send a brief but customized email the next day
thanking them for their time
 Keep the window of communication open

33. COMMON MISTAKES WHILE
NETWORKING
 Demonstrating an incomplete understanding about consulting or
business
 Badmouthing prior colleagues and/or overly negative
conversations about prior experience or training
 Asking for facts instead of experiences (do not ask questions that
can easily be answered via Google)
 Dominating the conversation
 Asking questions with yes or no answers
 Begging for an interview or internal referral
 Not following-up or having too many follow-ups
 Inability to carry a conversation
 Lack of appreciation and coming off as you’re just using the
contact

34. SEEK OPPORTUNITIES TO MAINTAIN
CONTACT
 New resume building experiences or
publications
 Personalized experiences addressed during
informational interview (e.g. travel, sports,
conferences, etc.)
 Resume review, interview coaching, etc.