1.

Email to an alumni contact

“Chris,

I’m a former auditor with KPMG who saw the light and transitioned into an internal
analytical role for Goldman Sachs 2 years ago. I’ve recently enrolled in the Duke full-
time CCMBA program, and I noticed that you’re an alum of the program.

One of my primary purposes for completing the CCMBA is to position myself for a
transition to consulting. I’d love to hear about your experience at Bain first hand.

I realize you’re extremely busy, but are you available in the next 2-3 weeks for a 15-30
minute chat?

Look forward to hearing from you.

- Stephanie”

2. Email to a consultant at your target firm

“Jonathan,

My name is Benjamin and I’m graduating from HBS next spring. I have an interview
scheduled with McKinsey in 2 weeks and want to learn as much as I can about the firm
before then.

I found your name on McKinsey’s website as a contact for their LGBT group – I founded
a similar group at UC Berkeley (where I did my undergrad), so thought I’d get in touch.

Do you have any availability in the next week for a 30-minute informational interview?
I’d love to hear about your entry into McKinsey and any advice you may have for the
interviews.

Best,
Benjamin Gates”
3. Email to friends and family

“Hi Jolene!

As you know, I’ve spent the last 1.5 years buried under books, projects, and internships
in my MBA program at Wharton. What an experience! I’m so excited that my time at
school is nearing its end, and I’m really passionate about embarking on a career in
management consulting.

I’m reaching out to let you know that I’m looking for a full-time position in consulting
starting this coming summer. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated!

My specific interest lies within the energy sector – with firms like Willdan Energy
Services, PIRA Energy Group, and ICF International. I’m looking for leads who can help
me break into a top firm where I can learn and grow, and hopefully travel
internationally!

Please email me if you know of anyone in the consulting sphere who may be able to
open doors or share about their experience. I’ve attached my resume in case you want
to take a look or pass it along.

Happy Holidays to you!

- Joshua Biggs”

4. Email to a recruiter at your target firm

“Mr. Montecarlo,

I’m planning to attend BCG’s on-campus social mixer next Thursday, but I had a
question I’m hoping you could answer beforehand.

I started a company while I was in undergrad and solid it 2 years ago – now I’m
redefining my future interests, and I’m incredibly passionate about consulting. If
possible, I’d love to talk to someone at BCG that has a similar experience – will there be
someone at the mixer that I could connect with, or is there someone you could put me
in touch with for a quick chat?

I know you’re busy – I recognize this is the height of recruiting season! I’d appreciate
any time you have, and look forward to meeting you either way next week.

Thanks!
- Katy Jane Lewis
MBA Candidate 2017”
5. Email to a work colleague

“Hey Rocco,

What a quarter, huh? We really killed it.

I wanted to check your schedule this week to see if you have time to grab lunch. As I
mentioned in the hall this morning, I’m making a career transition (not public yet) and
want to pick your brain about people in your network that may be able to give me
insight for my career move. Because you’ve lived in New York for 10 years (and come
from a mafia family, ha!), I know how well connected you are!

What day works best for you?

Talk soon,
Vladimir”

6. Email to an unfamiliar work colleague

“Hello Mia,

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you a few times in our division meetings, but we’ve
never had the chance to work on any projects together. I saw your presentation
recently on marketing strategies for the auto industry and was really impressed!

Would you have a 30-minute window sometime in the next 2 weeks to chat? I’m
working on applications to consulting firms who specialize in strategic marketing and
would love to hear about your experience working for Equibrand before joining our
team.

Would Wednesday or Thursday next week or the week after work? I’d love to buy you
coffee.

Have a great day!

- Xiu Xiang”
7. Email to your school career center as an alumni

“Hi Serena,

Thanks so much for the invitation to speak at the on-campus career panel next month
– I wish I could make it, but I have a Tokyo business trip planned for the same week. I
remember those panels being very interesting and helpful when I was a student
looking for my first full-time job. I can’t believe that was over a decade ago!

On another note, I wanted to ask if you know of any alum in the strategy consulting
sphere. I’m looking to transition out of my position as Sr. Analyst for Mergers &
Acquisitions at Nike into a top firm dedicated to strategy – where I can really grow
and lead full client accounts.

I’ve done some LinkedIn research but haven’t come up with any hits. Any leads you or
Dave have would really be appreciated.

Thanks for your time, and good luck with the upcoming panel!

- Rochelle Jimenez”

8. Email to a consultant you met at an info session

“Dear Florian,

It was great meeting you at the info session yesterday. I loved hearing about the
projects you’re working on and all your road warrior tales!

I’ve been ruminating on some of the comments you made about what consultants look
for in the resume review, and have incorporated them into my resume. I hope I’ve hit
the mark – would you mind taking a few minutes to review it? Feedback from someone
with experience in the reviewer’s chair would be phenomenal!

I’m also open to a brief chat over coffee if that works better for you – I know you’re
extremely busy so I don’t want to take up too much of your time, so please let me know
what works best.

Again, it was a pleasure. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Regards,

- Erica Myaing”
9. Email to a recruiter you met at a career fair

“Hi again Lucian!

We met last week at the career fair. You commented on my story. I’m so glad I was able
to impress you – I’ve been working on that for a couple of weeks in preparation for the
career fair!

I’m very interested in interning next summer with Deloitte – it seems like a great fit
and a fantastic learning opportunity. I reviewed the link you referred me to and have
begun my application.

Would I be able to reach out to you if I run into any questions? It would be amazing to
have an insider’s perspective.

Thanks for everything!

- Cindy Leung”

10. Email for an informational interview follow-up (ask)

“Dear Mr. Procopio,

I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation on Monday – what a schedule you maintain!

Again, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me with
all the interesting projects you’re juggling.

I found the position we talked about on Mercer’s website – it looks like a great fit for
me. I’m working on my application now and will have it completed next Monday. I
wanted to ask if you would be willing to forward my resume directly to Ms. Anderson (I
believe you mentioned she was the hiring manager)?

Again, thank you for all the insight you’ve generously shared with me – it’s made me
very excited about Mercer!

Regards,

- Richard Dunsmuir”
11. Email/message to a 1st degree LinkedIn connection asking for an intro to a 2nd

“Hi Diana!

It’s been awhile! How are you? I saw that you moved from Deutsche Bank over to
HSBC, with a promotion – congratulations!

I’m also working on a career move – I finish at the London School of Economic next
semester and am prepping for interviews I’ve landed with a few consulting firms.

I did some sleuthing on LinkedIn, and it looks like you’re connected with Sergey Kash
at L.E.K. – one of the firms I’m interviewing with. I’d love to connect with Sergey to ask
him about the culture, his projects, and the recruiting process at L.E.K. Would you
mind introducing me to him?

My interview is on the 15th of next month – so if possible, I’d love to meet with him in
the next 2 weeks.

Thanks, Diana! I’ll let you know how it goes!

- Sandy Sevolsky

12. Email follow-up to a recruiter/consultant/friend you haven’t heard from

“Ms. Rosini –

Just wanted to send a quick note to follow up with you. I submitted my application to
Oliver Wyman 10 days ago (May 22) via the website.

I have spoken with John Tyler and Marlena Nixon throughout the process – they
suggested that they would sponsor my application. However, I haven’t heard back
from anyone…and because I have an exploding offer with an investment bank (HSBC)
that I need to respond to by June 15, I wanted to check in on my application.

I recognize you’re incredibly busy, but I wanted to take the time to follow up quickly
and let you know that Oliver Wyman remains my first choice firm. I’d love to have the
opportunity to interview prior to June 15.

Anything you can do to help will be greatly appreciated!

Kind regards,
- Jaelyn Shimshock”