Networking to enter consulting: practical guide

Networking in consulting is not an abstract concept or LinkedIn fashion. It's one of the most effective tools you have to make your candidacy to McKinsey, BCG, or Bain move from the anonymous pile of resumes to the hands of someone who can move it inside the firm. An internal recommendation has enormous weight because, ultimately, consulting is a business of people — and the more recommended you arrive, the better. Plus, the fact that you've invested time in networking demonstrates genuine interest in the firm, something recruiting teams value greatly. But be clear about this: networking opens the door to the selection process. Once you're inside, you have to pass it like any other candidate. Nobody gets an offer at MBB through networking. The maximum you get is access to interviews, and from there you're on equal footing with everyone else in an extremely competitive and objective process.

How an internal recommendation really works at MBB

When a consultant at MBB decides to back your candidacy, what they do is contact the recruiting team. It could be a formal email, a hallway conversation on a Friday in the office, or a direct call. There's no standardized process — what matters is that it happens. That recommendation can be the difference between your resume passing to the next level or staying filtered out.

But you have to be very clear on something: the recommendation gives you access to the process, not an advantage within it. MBB firms have designed their selection process to be as objective as possible. In fact, interviewers receive your resume and your cover letter, but not notes from other interviewers or information that could bias their evaluation. All of this is thought out to make the decision based on your actual performance during the interview.

When is networking especially important? It's very relevant for all entry levels, but it becomes even more valuable if you come from a university or business school that isn't target, or if your current company doesn't have a direct pipeline with consulting firms. In those cases, having someone inside who vouches for your profile can be the difference between recruiting seeing your candidacy or not.

An active networking strategy: where to start

Networking for consulting is not waiting for opportunities to appear. It's an active search strategy that includes going to all relevant events, navigating LinkedIn looking for first and second-degree contacts, asking people you know, and having genuine conversations where you want to learn about the firm and office. The process is the same in all countries — there's no real difference in how it works in Madrid, Mexico City, São Paulo, London, or New York.

The starting point depends on your current network. If your university has alumni at MBB, start there — it's the most natural connection. If not, LinkedIn is your main tool. Search for consultants from the firm and office you're interested in, filter by second-degree connections so there's a common point of contact, and write a personalized message.

About cold messages: the reality is that many consultants don't respond to LinkedIn messages from people they don't know at all. But if the message comes through a mutual connection, or if it comes referred by someone trusted, the response rate goes up dramatically.

Message that doesn't work: "Hi, I saw your profile on LinkedIn and I'm very interested in consulting. Could you tell me what it's like to work at Bain?"

Message that works: "Hi [name], I'm [X] from the [university] MIM. [Common name] mentioned you work on the [sector] team at the Madrid office. I'm preparing my candidacy for this season and would love to learn from your experience. Would you have 15 minutes in the coming weeks?"

The difference: real connection, concrete context, and specific and reasonable request. That's why networking is a chain process: it's not about contacting the Partner directly — it's about building a network of connections that leads you naturally to the right people.

How to have a networking conversation that works

You have 15-20 minutes with an MBB consultant. That call is an opportunity you can't waste. The first and most important thing: it's a call to listen, not to talk about yourself. When you get on and explain your entire life like that's going to make a difference, you're wasting both of your time. A well-done networking conversation is listening, letting them tell you and guide you, and when they ask, then you explain your profile briefly.

The questions that impress the most are those that demonstrate you've done your homework beforehand. Asking about the industries the firm works in at that office, where the main clients are, and what actions are being taken to build the team and strengthen internal culture. Those are questions that generate a rich conversation and give you information you won't find on any website.

In contrast, what you should never do is ask something that shows you haven't prepared. On more than one occasion, candidates have asked for a networking conversation and the first question they ask is: "What does the work of a consultant consist of?". It's a question you hear more often than you should, and the signal it sends is devastating. If you don't know what the work consists of, why are you asking for a conversation with someone who does it?

Another frequent pattern: candidates who use the call to explain their entire life, as if that's going to make a difference. It doesn't. A networking conversation is an opportunity to listen, learn, and demonstrate interest — not a monologue about your trajectory. When they ask you, explain your profile briefly and clearly. But 80% of your time should be listening.

How many conversations do you need? There's no magic number, but with one solid contact per firm and office who's willing to contact recruiting, it's enough. What matters is that the recruiting team knows who you are. The key is not to overdo it: as long as you don't become someone pestering or intense, there's no problem. If you feel like you're forcing the relationship, you probably are.

The correct follow-up after a networking conversation

Follow-up is as important as the conversation itself, and it's where many candidates come up short. After talking to a consultant, there are several things you can do depending on the relationship and connection you've established: ask if they can spare a minute to review your resume, ask them how to approach the process with recruiting, or simply thank them for their time and keep the door open for future questions.

There's no rigid protocol because each relationship is different. What is universal is that the follow-up has to happen soon — within 24-48 hours of the conversation — and it has to add value, not just repeat "thanks for your time." A good follow-up references something specific from the conversation and shows you took note of what they said.

If the conversation went well and there was chemistry, you can be more direct: "I'd love to apply to the [city] office. Could you guide me on the best time to do it or introduce me to the recruiting team?" If the connection was colder, keep a more general tone and don't force the request for a recommendation. A long-term networking relationship is better than burning a contact by being too direct too soon.

To understand how networking fits into the complete selection process, check out our guide to the consulting recruitment process.

Frequently asked questions about consulting networking

Can networking directly get me an offer at MBB?

No. Never. At MBB firms it's impossible for someone to receive an offer through networking. The maximum it can get you is access to the interview process. Once inside, the process is the same for everyone: it's an extremely complex, objective, and competitive selection process. There are no shortcuts.

How many networking conversations do I need before applying?

There's no fixed number, but as a reference, with one solid contact per firm and office who's willing to talk to recruiting it's enough. More than the quantity, what matters is the quality of the relationship you build. One contact who really knows your profile and can speak about you with conviction is worth more than ten superficial contacts.

Do cold LinkedIn messages work?

The truth is that if it's a cold message from someone completely unknown, many consultants don't respond. But if the message comes through a mutual connection, or if it's very well written and shows genuine and specific interest, the chances improve a lot. Invest time in finding second-degree connections before sending cold messages.

Is there a better time than another to do networking?

Ideally, start your networking weeks or months before the firm's recruiting cycle opens. Doing networking the week before you send your resume sends a message of urgency and opportunism. Doing it with time transmits planning and genuine interest. To know the timings of the process, check out our guide to types of firms and their hiring cycles.

What cultural mistakes are most common in Spanish-speaking candidates?

The most habitual is using the networking conversation to explain your entire personal history, as if that were going to change something. It doesn't. The conversation is to listen, learn, and demonstrate interest. Another frequent mistake is not doing follow-up — in many Hispanic cultures it's perceived as "insisting," but in the Anglo-Saxon professional context of MBB, not following up is interpreted as lack of interest.

Does networking work the same for analysts, MBAs, and experienced hires?

It's very relevant for all levels, but especially critical if you come from a school, MBA, or company that isn't target or doesn't have as much prestige. In those cases, networking can be literally the only way for your candidacy to reach the selection team.

Networking is not a trick or a shortcut. It's a legitimate and expected way to demonstrate your interest and commitment to the firm before the formal process starts. Networking is the first step of a process that has many more pieces. Crack The Interview Process gives you the complete vision — from networking to offer — with the methodology and concrete steps to tackle each stage without improvisation. Available at nextepmbb.com/resources. And for a global view of the entire process, check out our complete preparation guide for consulting.