Networking accounts for roughly 30-40% of consulting hires at top firms, based on our analysis of candidate outcomes. Yet most aspiring consultants approach it wrong — treating it as a numbers game of LinkedIn messages rather than genuine relationship building.
Why Networking Matters in Consulting Recruiting
Consulting firms hire through two primary channels: on-campus recruiting and referrals. If you’re not at a target school, networking becomes your primary path to getting an interview.
Even for target school candidates, a strong referral can make the difference between landing in the “interview” pile versus the “maybe” pile when recruiters review thousands of applications.
Here’s how networking fits into the consulting recruiting funnel:
flowchart TD
A[Identify Target Consultants] --> B[Initial Outreach]
B --> C{Response?}
C -->|Yes| D[Informational Interview]
C -->|No| E[Follow Up Once]
E --> F{Still No Response?}
F -->|Yes| G[Move On]
F -->|No| D
D --> H[Build Relationship]
H --> I[Ask for Referral]
I --> J[Application with Referral]
Who to Network With
Not all consultants are equally valuable for networking. Focus your efforts strategically:
| Consultant Type | Value | Best Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Alumni from your school | High | Shared background creates instant rapport |
| Consultants in your target office | High | Direct insight into local hiring |
| Recent hires (0-2 years) | Medium-High | Remember recruiting process well, eager to help |
| Senior consultants (5+ years) | Medium | Less time, but stronger referral weight |
| Recruiters | Low | Rarely respond to cold outreach |
Based on our experience coaching candidates, the sweet spot is consultants who joined within the past 2-3 years. They remember the interview process vividly and often feel a desire to “pay it forward.”
Crafting Your Outreach Message
Your first message determines whether you get a response. Keep it under 150 words and include three elements:
- Credibility hook — Why should they care? Shared school, industry background, or mutual connection.
- Specific ask — Request a 15-20 minute call, not an open-ended “pick your brain” session.
- Flexibility signal — Show you respect their time by offering to work around their schedule.
Example message:
Hi [Name], I’m a [Year] [School] student interested in [Firm]’s [Practice/Office]. I saw you transitioned from [Background] to consulting — I’m considering a similar path and would love to hear about your experience. Would you have 15-20 minutes for a quick call in the next few weeks? Happy to work around your schedule. Thank you!
Avoid: Long paragraphs about yourself, asking for referrals upfront, or generic messages that could apply to anyone.
Running the Informational Interview
The goal is not to impress them with your knowledge — it’s to learn and build rapport. Prepare 5-7 questions, but let the conversation flow naturally.
Strong questions to ask:
- What surprised you most about the day-to-day work at [Firm]?
- How did you prepare for case interviews, and what would you do differently?
- What types of projects have you worked on in [Practice area]?
- What do successful first-year consultants do differently?
Questions to avoid:
- “What does McKinsey do?” (Shows zero research)
- “Can you refer me?” (Too early)
- “What’s your salary?” (Inappropriate)
Take brief notes during the call. Within 24 hours, send a thank-you email referencing something specific from your conversation.
From Conversation to Referral
Building a relationship takes multiple touchpoints. After your initial call:
- Send a thoughtful follow-up — Reference a specific insight they shared
- Provide value — Share a relevant article, make an introduction, or offer help
- Update them on your progress — “I took your advice on X and here’s how it went”
- Ask for the referral — After 2-3 positive interactions, it’s appropriate to ask
Most candidates fail because they ask for the referral too quickly or never ask at all. The right timing is when you’ve demonstrated genuine interest and they’ve seen your commitment.
Common Networking Mistakes
Based on our work with hundreds of consulting candidates, these mistakes kill networking efforts:
- Mass messaging — Sending the same LinkedIn message to 50 consultants. Quality beats quantity.
- Networking only when you need something — Start building relationships 6-12 months before you apply.
- Ignoring non-MBB consultants — Deloitte, Kearney, and boutique firms also offer strong consulting careers.
- Not preparing for calls — Showing up without questions signals you don’t value their time.
- Forgetting to follow up — 80% of candidates never send a follow-up message.
Key Takeaways
- Networking accounts for 30-40% of consulting hires — it’s not optional for most candidates
- Target consultants 0-3 years into their careers; they’re most likely to respond and help
- Keep initial outreach under 150 words with a specific, time-bounded ask
- Build relationships over 2-3 interactions before requesting a referral
- Quality over quantity: 5 strong relationships beat 50 ignored LinkedIn messages
- Start networking 6-12 months before your target application deadline
Start Building Your Network Today
Effective networking takes time — the best candidates start months before they apply. While you’re building relationships, strengthen your case interview skills with our profitability cases and market entry cases to ensure you’re ready when the interview comes.
Ready to test your skills under pressure? Try an AI Mock Interview to identify gaps in your preparation before the real thing.