| Topic Name: |
On Campus Recruitment |
| Message Name: |
Informational Interview ? |
| Date Posted: |
06/28/2005 |
| In Reply To: |
My story for the sake of transparency:
I'm a current third year student studying economics and political science at a top 15 school as ranked by USNWR.
I transferred into this school after a year at a large state school. My transfer GPA was a 3.9 with SAT scores in the 99th percentile.
My GPA now is a 3.45 (transfer GPA not included).
While I'm a senior in credits, because of how they transferred over I can just barely graduate with both majors next year if I load up on classes. I can also take it a bit easier and stick around for an extra term.
I really want a career in management consulting with a top 5 firm, but am afraid my GPA is simply too low to even get past the filter screens. Everything else on my resume is good. I've started my own non-profit, am part of a business venture with $50,000 in capital, etc. I work part-time at a top five business school. This summer I'll be working at a top lobbying firm in DC and doing research for a top thinktank. I'm also on grant money to research financial markets in East Asia. Hopefully this will lead to a publication in a fairly legitimate journal.
My interest in MC stem from particapating in a case study competition sponsored and judged by a top three consulting firm. I placed very well in the competition. Would this perchance help in any regard?
So should I go for FT recruitment in the fall? Or should I stay an extra year and hopefully pick up my GPA to around a high 3.6 while trying to obtain an internship next summer with a MC firm?
I cant believe I let my GPA slide so much...
Also does getting rejected from a firm have any impact on applying for a job with them next year? |
| Message: |
Have you done any informational interviewing with the firms you are seeking to enter?
If not, why not? Don't guess or ask strangers outside the company what you need to do. You can easily get this information from the source itself.
In your meeting, find out how your credentials currently stack up against those of the candidates they hire. Probe to find out what that company looks for in consultants - ask them if you have what it takes.
Remember, informational interviewing is not the place to ask for a job - just to gather data & lay your credentials in front of them for a critique. Go in with a few very targeted questions that directly answer your own questions. Remembering in the back of your mind, this presentation could very well land you an interview - but don't go in with that expectation.
When people are not under the gun to hire you, they are more willing to spend 30 minutes talking to you about how to get hired.
Final words: Don't play a guessing game with your career future. If you are serious about management consulting, or any other profession, get out there and do some informational interviewing. It works for our clients all the time.
Andrea
http://interviewing.com/
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