Should I talk to MBB recruiters?

Question

Hi guys, so i'm an undergraduate senior from the EU and I'm in the middle of the recruiting for MBB 2024 summer interships (announcement just got posted barely a week ago). I've talked (coffe chat) with a BA at the office I want to intern at and I KNOW I've made a "not so bad" impression on him, also because he asked me to keep him updated on my application.

Here's the deal: this person has repeatedly advised me during our call to reach out to HR recruiters working at this same office and let them know about my application and I wholeheartedly trust this advice, however, its the exact contrary of what people are saying to do online (ie managementconsulted ecc)

What should I do? Any advice?

PS I just scheduled a call with an ex summer intern (2023), what would you suggest should i ask him to get the most out of our coffee chat?

Answer 1

Hi there,

Whether or not it's a good idea to engage someone depends entirely on the way you do it and to what end. Generally speaking, however, connecting is better than not connecting.

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GETTING CONNECTED: In your case, if your contact advises you to get in touch with the recruiter and has even given them a heads-up, you should certainly reach out with a friendly and brief email stating your intentions and making your case.

Also, I would advise you to get connected to more senior people. It's great you're talking to BAs and interns but they're at the bottom of the pack. Doesn't mean they have no influence, but it certainly helps getting endorsed by someone at Associate level and above.

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HAVING CONVERSATIONS: Whenever you do have coffee chats, I encourage you to focus on the other person and learn through their experiences. This has two benefits: People love to talk about themselves and will feel more inclined to stay connected, and you might actually learn something new. So just ask them about their experiences and what advice they may offer based on those.

Don't overcomplicate it, don't make it all about yourself, and please don't try to be super smart by asking very sophisticated questions or the like. Just be yourself, be curious, be friendly.

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Hope this helps a bit. Best of luck!

Moritz

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Answer 2

Hi anonymous,

from my perspective, it makes sense to talk to recruiters. If you do it well, then they will remember your application and you get an easier way in to the interview. There are a few tricks here, like showing genuine interest, asking good questions, etc,

Hope this helps, Frederic

Answer 3

Hi there,

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

First of all, networking is key in the consulting industry, and when someone you trust at the firm suggests to reach out to the recruiter, you're simply following through on an internal referral, which can be a positive first step.
Moreover, the online consensus isn't always right for every scenario. Each candidate's journey is unique, and personalized advice from a current employee may hold more weight than generic online guidance.
Lastly, for your chat with the ex-summer intern, I would highly advise you to ask the questions that you are excited about. This couuld be about their personal experience, the challenges they faced, or what they believe contributed most to their success.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Answer 4

Hi!

Not sure why it would be a bad idea to get in touch with the recruiters.

That's a great idea. Both because it gives you visibility on the process and because it helps you build a relationship with them.

One of the important things to clarify with them is if they're actually still recruiting. Some offices are not. At least if you know they are then you can't blame the market :)

Also, try to get a referral from the contact that you have. That should help increase the chances of you passing screening.

Best,
Cristian

Answer 5

Hi there,

Sounds like you've done a great job networking!

Please follow this person's lead. If they're offering to help you and put you in touch with people, definitely take him up on that offer!

Answer 6

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Answer 7

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Answer 8

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