4 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, meeting in person for coffee chats is highly recommended, especially since you and the alumni are both in NYC. Here are some key points to consider:

  1. In-Person Meetings:

    • Stronger Connections: Meeting in person helps build a stronger, more personal connection.
    • Networking Benefits: Face-to-face interactions can leave a lasting impression and make it easier for alumni to remember you.
    • Professionalism: It shows your commitment and seriousness about pursuing a career in consulting.
  2. Virtual Chats:

    • Convenience: Virtual chats can be more convenient for both parties, especially if scheduling conflicts arise.
    • Flexibility: They offer flexibility in terms of timing and can be a good alternative if an in-person meeting isn't feasible.
  3. Best Practices:

    • Give Heads Up: Give people a week or two heads up when scheduling meetings.
    • Follow Up: Send quick email updates every 2-4 weeks to keep the connection warm and show your continued interest.

In summary, prioritize in-person coffee chats when possible, but be flexible and open to virtual meetings if necessary. This approach will help you build a robust network and make a strong impression on MBB consultants in NYC.

Sources: Getting a FT job by May - Critique my plan, Q&A: Former MBB Consultant, Q&A: Former MBB Consultant, NYC Networking Day Trip: Thoughts?, Want to get me on the phone? Here's how - a networking overview.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Hey, do you have any advice on actually getting the coffee chats. Most people I've emailed or cold messaged on linkedin (alumni from my school) seem to ghost me. Thanks

 
Most Helpful

I'd say identify people who you have shared or similar backgrounds or interests with. For example, if you interned at the same place, are/were part of the same club, or shared identity group.

Maybe attend info sessions on each office or identity groups within those offices and connect with the speakers afterward.

Maybe attend office hours with the firm you want to work for, I know one of the MBBs has office hours with my school periodically, so maybe reach out to that person who hosts it, but they may be inundated with messages afterward. 

I attended office hours for an office I was interested in, not NYC, for a firm and reached out to the speakers after the event, they were not alumni from my school. One responded to me, and another accepted my LinkedIn request to connect but did not go beyond that. I will be speaking with the other shortly.

Follow up once a week or two later if they do not respond, I’d say after maybe don’t reach out again if they don't respond.

On WSO, there was a post on how to network and do coffee chats and they said to include your resume as it pushed the email or makes it seem more important as there is a file.

It’s a numbers game, many people will not respond, but some will.

The greatest piece of advice I have for getting contacts and connections is if you have a friend who is in an industry or firm you want to work for ask them or if you have a friend who is at an industry or firm you want to work at ask them to connect you as it won't be a cold contact.

Hope that helps!

 

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