Networking with Big Consulting Firms
(Chimp, 5
Points)
on 7/9/12 at 7:05pm
Hi,
I need help. I am trying to cold call some of these consulting firms to get informational interviews. I am getting a lot of Voicemails. Do you have any particular strategy to find contacts for consultants and request information interviews?






Have you tried looking up on
Have you tried looking up on Linkedin for alumnis that are currently working in the firms you are trying to get in? Maybe just me but I would more likely to respond to someone I have a connection with than a total stranger.
Expounding on zerolife's
Expounding on zerolife's LinkedIn advice, it may be worthwhile to test drive the 1-month free trial of LinkedIn Pro. I remember using that during recruiting season to uncover some private profiles of alumni at consulting firms.
Also, get creative when looking for connections to the firms. Raw cold-calling tends to have an extremely low success rate (akin to direct mail). Let all of your family, friends, and career counselor know about your interest in consulting, and let your close network help you in that way. A warm referral will go far further than a cold email.
Finally, I would not narrow your search too much in the beginning. I'm not sure if by "Big Consulting Firms" you mean MBB, but if so a broader search would be prudent. Look at some of the respected boutique firms such as LEK and Marakon, as well as the Big 4's advisory practices. Each conversation with these people will not only increase your probability of entering their recruiting processes but also provide valuable information about strategy consulting that you can carry over into later conversations.