Author: Taylor Warfield, Former Bain Manager and interviewer

Last Updated: April 3, 2026

 

Consulting informational interviews are one of the most powerful tools you can use to break into management consulting. An informational interview is a short, informal conversation with a current consultant where you learn about the firm, the job, and the recruiting process. It is not a formal interview and you are not being evaluated.

 

In this guide, I will walk you through exactly how to find consultants to talk to, how to request the meeting, what questions to ask, and how to turn these conversations into referrals that land you interviews. Having coached thousands of candidates and spent years at Bain reviewing applications, I can tell you firsthand that candidates who do informational interviews well have a significant edge in the recruiting process.

 

But first, a quick heads up:

 

McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and other top firms accept less than 1% of applicants every year. If you want to triple your chances of landing interviews and 8x your chances of passing them, watch my free 40-minute training.

 

What Is a Consulting Informational Interview?

 

A consulting informational interview is a 15 to 30 minute conversation where you ask a current or former consultant about their career, their firm, and the recruiting process. The purpose is to learn, not to be evaluated. You are the interviewer.

 

Informational interviews are different from coffee chats, networking events, and formal interviews. According to data from McKinsey, BCG, and Bain career pages, candidates who engage in multiple networking touchpoints before applying are significantly more likely to receive interview invitations. Here is how each format compares.

 

Format	Setting	Duration	Goal
Informational Interview	1-on-1 call or coffee	15 to 30 minutes	Deep learning and relationship building
Coffee Chat	Firm-hosted, group or 1-on-1	10 to 20 minutes	Brief introductions and impressions
Networking Event	On-campus or virtual group	1 to 2 hours	Broad awareness and name recognition
Formal Interview	Scheduled, evaluative	30 to 60 minutes	Assessment for a job offer

 

The informational interview gives you the deepest insight because you control the agenda and have enough time to ask follow-up questions. Unlike a networking event where you get two minutes with each person, you get a real conversation.

 

Why Are Consulting Informational Interviews So Important?

 

Informational interviews serve three critical purposes in the consulting recruiting process. They help you get referrals, strengthen your application materials, and give you genuine knowledge about the firm that shows up in your interviews.

 

How Do Informational Interviews Help You Get Referrals?

 

Referrals are the single most valuable outcome of informational interviews. When a consultant forwards your resume to a recruiter with a personal note, your application jumps to the top of the pile. In my experience at Bain, referred candidates were at least twice as likely to get an interview compared to cold applicants with similar resumes.

 

You never ask for a referral during the first conversation. The referral happens naturally after you have built a genuine connection. If the consultant enjoyed talking to you and believes you would be a good fit, they will often volunteer to pass your resume along. We will cover exactly how this progression works later in this guide.

 

How Do Informational Interviews Strengthen Your Cover Letter?

 

A generic cover letter is the fastest way to get screened out. Informational interviews give you specific stories and insights that you can weave into your consulting cover letter to make it stand out. Instead of writing that you are interested in the firm's culture, you can reference a specific conversation you had with a consultant about a recent project.

 

According to recruiting data from top firms, cover letters that reference real conversations with consultants receive more positive attention from resume screeners. I reviewed thousands of cover letters at Bain, and the ones that referenced genuine networking conversations always stood out from the generic ones.

 

Who Should You Request an Informational Interview With?

 

Not every consultant is equally accessible or equally helpful. The right person to reach out to depends on your background and what you want to learn.

 

What Seniority Level Should You Target?

 

Target consultants who are one to three years ahead of where you would enter the firm. If you are an undergraduate, reach out to Business Analysts or Associate Consultants. If you are an MBA candidate, reach out to Consultants or Engagement Managers. These people remember the recruiting process vividly and can give you the most tactical advice.

 

Avoid reaching out to Partners or Senior Partners for your first informational interviews. They are extremely busy and are less connected to the day-to-day recruiting process. Their time is better spent on candidates they already know or who have been recommended to them.

 

Where Can You Find Consultants for Informational Interviews?

 

There are four main channels for finding consultants to talk to, listed from most effective to least effective.

 

• Personal connections: Friends, classmates, or former colleagues who work in consulting. These are the warmest leads and have the highest response rate.

 

• Alumni networks: Your university's alumni directory is one of the most underused resources. Alumni from your school who work at consulting firms are far more likely to respond than strangers. According to LinkedIn data, shared alma mater increases response rates by roughly 40%.

 

• Firm-hosted events: Information sessions, consulting coffee chats, and campus presentations give you a natural reason to follow up with a consultant you met.

 

• LinkedIn cold outreach: This has the lowest response rate, but it works if you personalize your message. Use LinkedIn's alumni filter to find consultants who share your school, city, or interests.

 

For a complete guide on building your consulting network, check out our management consulting networking guide.

 

How Do You Request a Consulting Informational Interview?

 

Your outreach message is the first impression a consultant has of you. A well-written, personalized message dramatically increases your chances of getting a response. A generic, copy-paste message almost guarantees you will be ignored.

 

What Should Your Outreach Email Include?

 

Every outreach email should follow a simple four-part structure. Keep the entire message under 150 words.

 

• Connection: State how you found them. Mention a shared school, mutual contact, or a firm event you both attended.

 

• Context: Briefly introduce yourself in one sentence. Include your school, year, and that you are exploring consulting.

 

• Specific interest: Mention one thing about their background that caught your attention. This proves you did your research.

 

• Clear ask: Request a specific amount of time. Asking for 15 to 20 minutes is the sweet spot. Anything longer feels like a big commitment.

 

Here is an example email that follows this structure:

 

Subject: Fellow [University] alum exploring consulting

 

Hi [Name], I found your profile through [University]'s alumni directory. I am a junior at [University] studying economics, and I am exploring a career in management consulting. I noticed you transitioned from a research background into consulting at [Firm], which is a path I am seriously considering. Would you have 15 to 20 minutes for a quick call in the next couple of weeks? I would really appreciate hearing about your experience. Thank you, [Your Name]

 

How Should You Follow Up If You Do Not Hear Back?

 

Consultants work 50 to 70 hours per week on average. A non-response usually means they missed your message, not that they are ignoring you. Wait seven business days before sending a polite follow-up. Keep it to two or three sentences.

 

If you do not hear back after two follow-ups, move on. Do not send a third message. In my experience, about 30% to 40% of outreach messages get a response when properly personalized. You will need to send 10 to 15 messages to book four or five informational interviews.

 

How Should You Prepare for a Consulting Informational Interview?

 

Preparation is what separates a forgettable conversation from one that leads to a referral. Spend 20 to 30 minutes preparing before every informational interview.

 

What Research Should You Do Before the Call?

 

Start with the consultant's LinkedIn profile. Note their career path, how long they have been at the firm, and any interesting transitions or projects. Then spend five minutes on the firm's careers page to understand their interview process, office locations, and recent news.

 

Never ask a question that can be answered by a quick Google search or by reading the firm's website. For example, asking "What does McKinsey do?" signals that you did not bother to prepare. Instead, ask something that builds on what the website says, like "I saw that McKinsey recently opened a digital practice. How has that changed the types of projects you work on?"

 

How Should You Structure the 20-Minute Conversation?

 

Use this framework to keep the conversation focused and respectful of their time.

 

Phase	Time	What to Do
Opening	2 minutes	Thank them, give a 30-second intro about yourself, and state what you hope to learn
Core Questions	12 minutes	Ask 4 to 6 prepared questions. Let them talk. Ask follow-ups based on what they say.
Advice and Next Steps	3 minutes	Ask for their advice on your candidacy. Ask if there is anyone else you should speak with.
Wrap-Up	3 minutes	Thank them again. Confirm the best way to stay in touch. End on time or early.

 

The single most important rule is to respect their time. If you asked for 20 minutes, end at 20 minutes. If the conversation is going well, they will tell you they are happy to keep chatting. But you should be the one to flag the time, not them.

 

What Are the Best Questions to Ask in a Consulting Informational Interview?

 

The best questions are open-ended, show genuine curiosity, and put the consultant in a positive frame of mind. Avoid yes-or-no questions. Instead, ask questions that invite stories and personal reflections. Organize your questions into four categories so you have options depending on how the conversation flows.

 

What Questions Should You Ask About Their Career Path?

 

These questions work well as conversation openers because people enjoy talking about their own journey.

 

• What originally drew you to consulting, and how did you decide on this firm?

 

• What has been the most surprising thing about working in consulting compared to what you expected?

 

• What was a pivotal project or experience that shaped your career at the firm?

 

• If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice before starting, what would it be?

 

• How did your background in [their specific previous field] prepare you for consulting?

 

These questions work because they are personal and open-ended. The consultant cannot answer them with a generic response. They have to think and share something real, which creates a much more memorable conversation for both of you.

 

What Questions Should You Ask About the Firm?

 

These questions help you understand what makes the firm unique, which is essential for your application and interviews. According to recruiter feedback from top firms, candidates who can articulate specific reasons for choosing a firm perform significantly better in behavioral interviews.

 

• What do you think sets this firm apart from other consulting firms you considered?

 

• How would you describe the culture in your office?

 

• What types of industries or projects is your office known for?

 

• How much choice do you have over the projects you work on?

 

• What does the mentorship and feedback culture look like at the firm?

 

What Questions Should You Ask About the Recruiting Process?

 

These questions give you tactical intelligence that you cannot find on the firm's website. Ask these toward the middle or end of the conversation after you have built some rapport.

 

• What do you think made your application stand out when you applied?

 

• Is there anything you wish you had done differently to prepare for the interviews?

 

• What qualities do the best new hires tend to have in common?

 

• Are there any resources or preparation strategies you would recommend?

 

• How important is case interview performance relative to fit interview performance at your firm?

 

If you are looking for structured ways to prepare for case interviews based on the advice you receive, check out our case interview course. It walks you through proven strategies in as little as 7 days.

 

What Questions Should You Ask About Day-to-Day Consulting Work?

 

These questions help you confirm that consulting is actually the right career for you. Understanding the reality of the job prevents you from investing months of preparation only to realize the lifestyle is not what you expected.

 

• What does a typical week look like for you?

 

• How much travel is involved, and has that changed in recent years?

 

• What is the most challenging part of the job that people do not talk about enough?

 

• What does the team dynamic look like on a typical project?

 

• How much client interaction do junior consultants get?

 

For more context on what to expect at each level of the consulting career, read our consulting career path guide.

 

What Questions Should You Avoid Asking in a Consulting Informational Interview?

 

Some questions will immediately signal that you are unprepared or that you are treating the informational interview as a job interview. Avoid these categories of questions.

 

• Questions easily answered by Google: "How many offices does McKinsey have?" or "What is the starting salary at Bain?" These waste the consultant's time and show you did not prepare.

 

• Directly asking for a job or referral: "Can you refer me?" or "Are there any open positions?" This puts the consultant in an awkward position and feels transactional.

 

• Overly personal questions: "How much do you make?" or "Do you like your boss?" Keep the conversation professional.

 

• Negative or leading questions: "Is it true that the hours are terrible?" or "Do you regret going into consulting?" These put the consultant on the defensive.

 

• Asking for an exhaustive list of tips: "Can you tell me everything I need to know to get an offer?" This is too broad. Ask focused, specific questions instead.

 

What Should You Do After a Consulting Informational Interview?

 

What you do after the conversation is just as important as the conversation itself. The follow-up is where you build a lasting relationship and where referrals happen.

 

How Should You Write a Thank-You Email?

 

Send a thank-you email within 24 hours. Reference one or two specific things from the conversation so the email feels personal, not templated. Here is a simple structure that works.

 

Hi [Name], Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me today. I really appreciated hearing about [specific topic they discussed]. Your perspective on [specific insight] was especially helpful as I prepare my applications. I will definitely look into [something they recommended]. Thanks again, and I hope to stay in touch. Best, [Your Name]

 

Keep the email under 100 words. Do not use the thank-you email to ask additional questions or to ask for a referral.

 

How Can You Turn an Informational Interview Into a Referral?

 

The path from informational interview to referral usually takes two to three touchpoints. Do not rush it. Here is the typical progression.

 

• Touchpoint 1 (the informational interview): Focus entirely on learning. Do not mention referrals or applications.

 

• Touchpoint 2 (the follow-up email): Thank them and stay on their radar. If they mentioned speaking to someone else at the firm, ask for the introduction.

 

• Touchpoint 3 (the update): Two to four weeks later, send a brief update. Let them know you submitted your application and appreciate any advice they shared. This is the natural moment where many consultants will volunteer to put in a word for you.

 

If the consultant does not offer to help, that is fine. Not everyone is in a position to refer candidates. Move on and continue building your network. Having five to ten genuine connections across different firms gives you the best odds of landing at least one referral.

 

To understand where informational interviews fit in the broader recruiting timeline, read our consulting recruiting timeline guide.

 

What Are the Most Common Consulting Informational Interview Mistakes?

 

After coaching hundreds of candidates through the networking process, I see the same mistakes come up again and again. Avoiding these will put you ahead of 90% of candidates.

 

• Treating it like a job interview: You are there to learn, not to prove yourself. If you spend the entire time talking about your resume, you are doing it wrong.

 

• Not preparing questions in advance: Showing up without a plan leads to awkward silences and generic conversations that neither of you will remember.

 

• Going over time: This is the number one way to leave a negative impression. If you asked for 20 minutes, end at 20 minutes. Period.

 

• Being transactional: If the consultant feels like you are only talking to them to get a referral, they will not want to help. Show genuine interest in their experience.

 

• Not following up: Roughly 50% of candidates forget to send a thank-you email. This is a massive missed opportunity to stay top of mind.

 

• Asking for a referral too early: Requesting a referral during or immediately after your first conversation is premature. Build the relationship first.

 

• Sending a generic outreach message: Copy-paste messages with no personalization have response rates below 10%. Take three minutes to tailor each message.

 

• Not doing enough interviews: One informational interview is not enough. Aim for at least five to eight conversations spread across two or three firms before your applications are due.

 

For a complete overview of the consulting recruiting process from networking through final round interviews, check out our guide on how to get into consulting.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How Many Informational Interviews Should You Do Before Applying to Consulting Firms?

 

Aim for five to eight informational interviews spread across two or three firms. This gives you enough insight to write a strong, personalized cover letter for each firm and maximizes your chances of earning at least one referral. Candidates who do fewer than three informational interviews tend to have weaker cover letters and fewer internal advocates.

 

Can Informational Interviews Actually Lead to Consulting Job Offers?

 

Informational interviews do not directly lead to job offers, but they are one of the strongest indirect paths to getting one. A well-executed informational interview can lead to a referral, which can lead to an interview invitation, which can lead to an offer. According to industry estimates, referred candidates are up to three times more likely to receive interviews at top firms than candidates who apply without any internal connection.

 

Should You Bring Your Resume to a Consulting Informational Interview?

 

Have a polished consulting resume ready in case the consultant asks for it, but do not volunteer it during the conversation. If you push your resume on someone during an informational interview, it can feel like you are treating it as a job interview. Let the consultant ask for it naturally. If they do not ask, that is perfectly fine.

 

What Is the Difference Between a Consulting Coffee Chat and an Informational Interview?

 

A consulting coffee chat is typically a firm-hosted event where candidates meet consultants in a brief, semi-structured setting. An informational interview is a one-on-one conversation that you initiate and control. Coffee chats are broader and shorter, usually 10 to 15 minutes. Informational interviews are deeper and longer, usually 20 to 30 minutes. Both are valuable, but informational interviews allow for a much stronger personal connection.

 

When Is the Best Time to Schedule Informational Interviews During the Consulting Recruiting Cycle?

 

Start your informational interviews three to four months before application deadlines. For undergraduate recruiting, this typically means beginning in late spring or early summer. For MBA recruiting, start during the summer before your second year. Starting too late means you will not have time to build relationships or earn referrals before applications are due. Starting too early can mean the consultant you spoke with has moved on before recruiting season begins.

 

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