Tips on Getting Connections for MBB as a Non-Target?
I want to break into MBB but I've little idea on how to go about the actual process of connecting on LinkedIn, or if that even is a viable way TO get connections. I was hoping I could get some tips on the matter and some anecdotes as well.Some basic info about myself, 3.99 GPA as a Business Management and Philosophy Major, internship at a VC fund (UGF), and managing a 1 million AUM investment portfolio, and was in a program with NASA going into last Fall.Also side note, Im applying to transfer to target schools right now as well, so advice on whether I should spend time with connecting with people is actually a good idea or if I should spend that time working on essays
Bump
Have there been alumni or people at your school who have got into MBB before? If so I would contact those people first. If no one in your school has ever got into MBB, then it may be tough, but once you get the interview you’ll be on a level playing field. To get the interview you have to network.
I know that much, but how exactly do I network? I mean I’m sure asking that question in of itself is a bad sign, so I want to know if there is a formula or strategy I could follow
I know that much, but how exactly do I network? I mean I’m sure asking that question in of itself is a bad sign, so I want to know if there is a formula or strategy I could follow
Networking is pretty easy once you get the hang of it (there are many threads on wso about it if you want a more detailed answer). You reach out to people on LinkedIn or email asking to hop on a call to learn about their career. A small percentage of them will reply and then you introduce yourself and your background on the call, and ask them questions about their background and consulting. Sometimes, they will refer you to the firm, but focus on building relationships with them.
Honestly I'd say transferring to a target is your best bet. I did that myself (transferred from a T100 to T15 target - think Duke Northwestern UPenn), and I now see way more consulting opps that wouldn't have been available at my previous school even with extensive networking. Your GPA and internship experiences are good enough to get you in schools like these, so make sure you have some involvement and leadership in your school as well. Also take time to nail your essays and you should be good.
Yeah didn't mention it here because they weren't related, but I'm Exec Board in 2 Clubs, one of which I helped in founding/revitalizing. And could I DM you my essays and everything to get some opinions as well as my school list?
Sure!
Are you a sophomore?
Yes
Came from non-target. Transfer if you want or don't but it is very doable with the info you shared. Ditch LinkedIn, send a lot of cold emails and get on the phone with people.
Yep! This past weekend I was on a call with a Project Lead at BCG who's Alma Mater is my university on the Bachelor's level who said he'd find someone at my local office at BCG I could talk to and also said he'd give me his friend's info who's Alma mater is my school as well who's a Project Lead at Bain. I FEEL like this is huge but I'm hoping I can have someone with more experience tell me how this is. This was my first time ever cold-calling. And where would I find the emails for project leads and above?
Bain email format: [email protected]
McKinsey email format: [email protected]
BCG email format: [email protected]
Transferring is your best bet and recruiting for summer after junior year or full time trust me
Would you be down to read over my transfer essays then? Cause I’m planning to transfer as a Sophomore meaning I’d matriculate as a Junior
MBB Analyst/Associate/Associate consultant here - I transferred from non target state school to west coast regional target after sophomore year.
TBH networking doesn't matter that much - while I did plenty back when I was recruiting, it didn't contribute much, or at all, to the final offer. Speak to a few people to learn about the office culture/ day-to-day but that should be enough
TLDR: focus on your essays and spend time on casing if consulting is what you want to do
Awesome, and would you be free to look at my essays?
Hello Waltz - I prepared a quick write up for coffee chats a little while ago for another Monkey on the forum. This has been my personal approach that I've used each time I commence consulting recruitment.
Before reading the below, I want to add a *NOTE you're early into your university career and recruitment cycle - the main purpose of these coffee chats should be to gain a better understanding of the people, industry, the local offices, the practices, and the work. Most importantly, Coffee Chats are not transactional, at least, they shouldn't be, try to find someone who can help you as a mentor from a non-target background.
How to Navigate the Coffee Chat
1. Finding the Right People
Look for colleagues at your local office(s) through LinkedIn. Filter by the following:
2. The Elevator Pitch
When reaching out to people via LinkedIn or cold email, always keep it to three sentences or less with resume attached for emails.
The message could be something along the lines of "Hi X, I'm a x year university student looking to learn about your experience at McKinsey. I see you've worked as a [Position] and have taken on projects in [Sector] and [Sector] sectors. Do you have 15-30 minutes for a coffee chat via Zoom or over the phone?"
You want to keep it very short with a call to action (to have them get on a call with you) and attach your resume so that you save them the trouble of searching you on LinkedIn.
Note: do NOT take any rejections/ghosting or otherwise personally, most people are busy with work, their own lives, their hobbies/interests, wanting to chill outside of work, so if someone connects on LI but doesn't respond or ignores your email, understand it's just because they're busy with their own situation. In contrast, if someone is willing to get on the phone/zoom, they're taking time out of their day to do you a favour.
3. The Coffee Chat
In the coffee chat, don't talk about yourself, do provide context for the call. a quick 30-60 seconds about why you wanted to speak to them sparks the conversation and guides the discussion. I often say: "hey, thanks for the call, just to give some context, I wanted to learn about your experience give my position as x, y, and z."
Have open ended questions and just treat it as a conversation. If you're curious about the recruitment process, then transition and ask, but be prepared to not use any question you prepared.
At the end of the chat, you can either ask directly or give the prompt "is there anything you'd advise I do when applying to stand out?" - in my experience, most folks will advise I send them my resume for an internal referral or ask I connect with another colleague/HR at the firm.
Ways to mess up a coffee chat:
4. After The Coffee Chat
It doesn't matter if you end up working at the firm or not, keep the people who made time out of their day to connect, informed of your growth and update them. I made some fantastic friends through just connecting at whim via LinkedIn or email. It's important to not be so transactional think that now recruitment has ended, there's no further reason to speak to person X. In contrast, it works great to learn more about the assignments or projects and share my own experiences over a few coffee chats (or emails).
Final Note
Keep in mind, referrals only really make sure your resume/application package is read, it does not guarantee an interview and many people have gotten into these big firms without them. Nonetheless, outside of getting a referral, coffee chats help determine if the firm is a good fit for you. I had a friend who was dead set on getting into MBB until she spoke to a senior associate. The Senior Assoc. said how at this one project, he was working ~13 hr + days (for weeks on end) due to understaffing and tight deadline on a DD case. That was a bit of a reality shock to my friend who realized the intensity of the workload and the mental & physical toll it takes on a person.
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