How Many Connections Should I Try to Make in a Firm?

Title says it all: I'm networking to potentially enter into a MBB/Big Four type of firm, but I was wondering at what point does making connections become a "Bad Thing?" I don't want to seem too needy or reach out to too many people in an office as I understand that can be a bad thing if I come off the wrong way. Any suggestions?

 

From what I know you really don’t need to network like that to get a job in the Big4 as the employment process is very streamlined. MBB a complete different story. Guessing your already at a top-tier target. I’d say getting your name out there at networking events hosted at your Uni and getting as much leadership experience as you can to set you apart

 

Say I didn't go to a top-tier target, though, and I went to a smaller target - would you say that networking and making connections has a point where it's diminishing returns?

 
Most Helpful

My two cents on it are kinda just like...use your noggin and think about it. If you talk to someone and they connect you with a few people, sure go ahead and talk to them. But if you start talking to like 6,7,8 people you reach the point where it get's a little bit low EQ.

Consultants are busy people, if you're going around talking to them and all of their teammates and all of their teammates' teammates just for the sake of talking to them, depending on how you carry yourself they may think you're a little quirky but also they might think you're wasting their time in the worst case (unless you're specifically talking to someone else that they know in a particular practice, or you genuinely want to learn more about another segment, that's perfectly valid imo); the marginal return you're going to get from talking to another consultant or consultant+1 past like 4 or 5 is probably going to be pretty minimal (talking to people like partners will probably never hurt I think unless you have a low EQ moment).

When I applied for BCG, I talked to like 4 people (3 consultants and a PL) and that already felt like a good amount to build a story around and convey that I was really into applying, and I got a first round. Past that it's all up to you to execute. 

 

This is exactly what I was thinking, but I figured it would be best to at least ask around the forum where people are more familiar with this process. Thanks for sharing your experiences, and I hope your interview goes well!

 

Adipisci ab commodi distinctio amet voluptatem quae. Suscipit est reprehenderit fuga sunt repellendus officiis iste. Aut atque pariatur praesentium rem. Accusamus id dolor fuga rerum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.7%
  • LEK Consulting 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • Cornerstone Research 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • McKinsey and Co 97.7%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.7%
  • LEK Consulting 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $368
  • Principal (25) $277
  • Director/MD (55) $270
  • Vice President (47) $246
  • Engagement Manager (99) $225
  • Manager (152) $170
  • 2nd Year Associate (158) $140
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (108) $130
  • Senior Consultant (329) $130
  • Consultant (586) $119
  • 1st Year Associate (538) $119
  • NA (15) $119
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (145) $115
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (342) $102
  • Associate Consultant (166) $98
  • 1st Year Analyst (1046) $87
  • Intern/Summer Associate (188) $84
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (547) $67
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”