Management Consulting Networking
Recruiters don’t only make recruitment decisions based on your application documents, test results and performance during interviews. In fact, they prefer to bank on candidates who are highly recommended by key people. This means that you should continuously widen your network through our suggestions in this post.
The old phrase, “It’s who you know that matters more” is true to the current recruitment setup of management consulting firms. Though some applicants find it a deprivation of equal opportunity, recruiters find it a more reliable strategy. They would rather have confidence in those who apply with an impressive recommendation than in candidates who only have a resume and a cover letter as their marketing tools.
What does this imply to you? If you’re pursuing a career in a huge firm like BCG, you might as well learn the nitty-gritty of management consulting networking. If you think you’re not capable of this, you are misguided. Look around you and recognize the people you interact with. They are already part of your network that might lead you to your dream job.
However, you should not stop with who you currently know. Aspiring consultants like you must find a way to expand and nurture your network to fully maximize its benefits. It may take a significant amount of time. You might be required to attend regular meetings and to establish quality relationships with others but just imagine the scenario like this: the person you mingle with has more than ten professional buddies who can perhaps help you land a consulting job.
Below are three management consulting networking tips on how to meet people personally or virtually.
Attend School Events
University students are encouraged to attend consulting activities initiated by management consulting clubs, conducted as part of career programs or facilitated by consulting firms themselves. In these activities, you can usually interact with current or former consultants, alumni who previously worked for consulting firms and other successful professionals who can refer you to recruiters. Make sure that you apply techniques on how to engage them in a good conversation so they can easily remember you.
Join Professional Organizations
Look for management consulting professional organizations and be an active member in it. They usually initiate forums, seminars, training and programs that build up your career. They keep you updated with the quick changes affecting consultancy. They also allow exchange of questions, ideas and opinions among members and invited guests to understand industry developments in a deeper and better way. In these organizations, you will most likely meet a lot of professionals so you have to take full advantage of these connections to be considered job opening.
Be Active on LinkedIn
Maintaining an updated account on LinkedIn brings a few advantages. For one, many recruiters look for management consulting candidates who can fill their unadvertised vacancies. They go through different profiles and contact those who are qualified. Another benefit you get from this site is professional virtual networking. You can join consulting groups where you get to interrelate with knowledgeable, well-experienced experts. You can also check how many of your friends are connected with consultants or recruiters employed by your target consulting firms. Once you have the information, you can then find a way to contact them for further assistance.
When you communicate with your contacts, do not just bluntly ask them to refer you to any recruiter. Some might consider it too straightforward or offensive. Just mention that you’ve already sent your application to this or that firm or you’re heading to this direction in the future. If they’re willing to help you, they will reach out to you proactively. If not, don’t get frustrated. Move on and be on constant lookout for other opportunities.