Networking with Bain & Company Zurich office

Hi Shar,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

• First of all, I don't think there is anything culturally to worry about as long as you follow the general rules of communication.
• Moreover, and contrary to what other coaches have said, while it may be a little easier to connect with people you have something in common with, it may be a better strategic move to consider what you want to get out of the conversations. If it is just project and personal experience, you may want to focus on consultants and senior consultants, as that's the path you'll be following for the first 2 years. If it is also a potential referral, you may want to include managers and more senior consulting staff as well, as their referrals tend to carry more weight.
• Lastly, if you are unable to connect with any Bain consultant in Zurich, I would be happy to put you in touch with former coachees of mine who work in that office.

You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming Bain pre-interview assessment and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi Shar, 

A friend of mine is working in the Bain & Company Zurich office. 

Send me a message and I will share his contact details. 

Thanks!

Mattijs

Hi Shar, 

Here are a few tips to maximize your chances of landing strong connections in Bain's Zurich office (and potentially lock in a referral -- ideal): 

1. Target the right people: Start with folks who attended INSEAD MBA (or other programs) or have other things in common (e.g., undergraduate alma mater, previous employer industry focus, home country, etc.)
2. Be brief and precise: Your outreach message (add note to your connection request or inMail if you have premium) should convey a compelling story about your fit for consulting and ask 1-2 specific questions.
3. Follow-up: You may not get a response right away, so follow up within 1-2 weeks of the initial outreach! If you don't get a response, weigh the risk of coming across as annoying vs. your need for that connection before a second follow-up attempt. If you're still stuck on getting a connection, it's not a bad idea to keep trying (spacing out the outreach, no more than 3 messages -- that's my usual limit for trying to reach someone).

I can be more specific with more context on your background. Feel free to reach out with your CV and times to chat if you want additional support. 

Cheer,

Vini

Hey there,

An additional approach to the ways mentioned already, is that you can leverage your existing network to see if any of them have contacts with someone in Bain Zurich office, then ask them to put you in touch. This often is much more successful than cold emails because it deals with a chain of personal connections. ("A friend of my friend is my friend") 

All the best

Hi Shar!

Networking is an important part of the recruiting process, and approaching it with the right mindset can go a long way. Let me share what I’ve seen / done that may be of interest for you and are geo-agnostic.

1. Before searching:

Professional online presence:
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is updated and professional. People are likely to review your profile before accepting a meeting request, so it should reflect your experience, skills, and your interest in consulting.

2. During search phase:

A) Utilize Alumni Networks:
INSEAD has a strong alumni network, and Bain is a popular destination for graduates. Check if there are any formal alumni events or networking opportunities, as these can sometimes be easier to approach than cold outreach on LinkedIn. Specific MBA alumni are often willing to help each other out, especially if you have shared connections or interests.

B) Leverage Bain's Online Presence:
You can also check out Bain’s own social media channels, blogs, or events where consultants might be speaking. Showing you’ve engaged with Bain’s content (e.g., their recent case studies, insights, or talks) can help you form a more natural connection when reaching out to people.

C) Second degree connection: as mentioned by others, having someone to refer you goes a long way. See who are the bridge between you and the people you would like to talk to and after the conversation with a Bain consultant, see if they have another person to connect you with based on your interests (e.g.: would love to talk to someone who is focused in Financial projects / is involved in Pharma / etc.)

3. Contacting phase

Be Direct, but Respectful of Time
Consultants value directness, but also efficiency and respect for their time. When reaching out on LinkedIn, keep your message concise, polite, and professional. Avoid being too casual or overly lengthy. Here’s a structure you can follow:
“Dear [Name],  
I hope this message finds you well. My name is Shar and I’m currently an MBA student at INSEAD with 5+ years of experience in [Industry]. I’m very interested in pursuing opportunities at Bain Zurich and would love to learn more about your experience as a consultant, particularly regarding [specific project or area they’ve worked on if available in LinkedIn]. If you have 15-20 minutes for a quick chat, I would greatly appreciate your insights.  
Thank you for your time and consideration.  
Best regards,  
Shar”

4. Conversation phase:
Take the points you would like to cover in a structured way and let room for a more informal chat. Make sure to bring some of the topics found in that person’s profile so it doesn’t seem they’re just another person in your list of contacts.

5. After the conversation:

A) Be prepared for a response, but be aware that it may take a while:
Consultants are usually very busy, so responses may take some time. Be patient, and if you don’t hear back within a week or two, feel free to send a polite follow-up message and move on.

B) If you talked about something that interests the other person (e.g.: AI trends for education, finance in EU, etc.) it is a good idea to look for an article or news about that and share with the person as a friendly gesture of someone who was attentive to the talk.

 🤞 Good luck with your outreach, and I hope you make some good connections at Bain Zurich. In case you have additional questions, feel free to contact me!

When networking with Bain Zurich consultants, approach with a polite and professional tone. Start your LinkedIn message by briefly introducing yourself, mentioning your INSEAD background, relevant experience, and interest in Bain Zurich. Be concise and specific about your goals, such as learning about their projects or office culture, and suggest a 15-20 minute call at their convenience.

Swiss cultural norms emphasize punctuality, professionalism, and respect for boundaries. Avoid being overly casual or persistent. Focus on building rapport by expressing genuine interest in their work, and don't directly ask for referrals in the initial conversation. If the interaction goes well, they may offer advice on navigating the application process or refer you themselves.

Alessa 

Hi there,

Good answers here already. 

Just a general heads up -> Getting a job at an MBB in Switzerland without any connections to the country is very difficult/next to impossible.

A connection could be a former job there, a university degree from Switzerland or obviously a Swiss citizenship. Otherwise, they will likely ask you to apply to your home country.

All the best,

Florian