Makin' the Lateral

Hello all,

I have really enjoyed the information on this site. I want to get feedback from everyone on WSO on a new question I have. I want to know whether I should best leverage my contacts to try and interview with some top firms this fall.

Last fall, I was able to secure a great offer from a boutique consultancy / M&A advisory focused on the financial services industry. Given the market, it’s obviously been a great and interesting experience. Though the consultancy is small (6 partners, 50 other people), I’ve had the chance to work with some major clients (and see some decisions show up in the news). I’ve also had the chance to close a fire-sale of a large retailer’s credit card portfolio.

While this experience has been great, I want to step up to the next level. I’ve had the unique opportunity to work on both management consulting case engagements and M&A advisory deals. I want to get experience at a firm that 1. gives me a wide variety of career options in a few years (because I have some ideas, but I don’t know what I want to do, so I want options) and 2. raises my profile for when I apply to b-school. My boutique has placed well, but I’m looking for more.

My plan is to apply to MBB, as well as a few ibanks where I have some alumni contacts: namely Moelis and Lazard. While I’ve occasionally kept up with these contacts, I will need to put myself in the best position to win interviews. That said:

1. What can I do, in terms of speaking with my contacts that will put me in the best position to win interviews? Should I ask them to if others will speak/meet with me, etc.?
2. Should I go to networking events at the targets around where I work?
3. What is the best way to sell yourself as a transfer? I’ve heard varied anecdotes one this (it’s easy to sell yourself as experienced, it’s hard—better to just go to bschool, etc.). But at the end of the day, I’m going for it, so I need advice on the best way to position myself as a lateral hire, not whether I should try or not.
4. What else can I do to improve my chances?

Any advice would be appreciated. This site has always been a great help in the past. Thanks very much to all. I know my story spins a little differently at each type of place I meet/interview with, but some advice that might not be so apparent would be great (ideating and junkbondswap, I thought you guys had done consulting, so any advice would be appreciated).

Also, please let me know if background information would help.

-LucaBrasi