Author: Taylor Warfield, Former Bain Manager and interviewer

Last Updated: April 6, 2026

 

Consulting virtual networking events are online sessions hosted by firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain that let you connect with recruiters and consultants from anywhere in the world. Whether you attend a virtual coffee chat, a firm webinar, or an online open house, these events can directly influence your chances of landing an interview.

 

According to Glassdoor, 30% to 50% of hires at top consulting firms come through employee referrals. Virtual networking events are one of the easiest ways to start building those referral relationships, especially if you do not attend a target school or live near a major office.

 

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 Are Consulting Virtual Networking Events?

 

Consulting virtual networking events are online gatherings where consulting firms give prospective candidates a chance to meet recruiters, current consultants, and sometimes partners through video platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. They replaced many in-person events during the pandemic and have remained a permanent part of the recruiting calendar because they are cost-effective for firms and accessible for candidates.

 

For firms, virtual events solve a practical problem. McKinsey alone receives over 800,000 applications per year, according to its own careers page. Hosting in-person events at every school is not scalable. Virtual events let firms reach thousands of candidates across dozens of schools in a single session.

 

For you, virtual events remove two of the biggest barriers to networking: geography and cost. You do not need to fly to a city, buy a suit, or rearrange your schedule for a full day. You log on from your apartment, ask smart questions, and follow up the same night. If you are at a non-target school with no on-campus recruiting, virtual events may be your only direct access to firm representatives.

 

What Types of Virtual Networking Events Do Consulting Firms Host?

 

Not all virtual events are created equal. Some are large webinars where you watch and type questions into a chat. Others are small coffee chats where you speak face to face with a consultant. Understanding the format ahead of time helps you prepare the right way.

 

What Are Firm-Hosted Webinars and Info Sessions?

 

Webinars are the most common type of virtual consulting event. McKinsey runs a monthly series called McKinsey Unpacked, where current consultants share what daily life at the firm actually looks like. BCG runs its BCG Launch series with seven sessions covering everything from case workshops to resume tips. Bain hosts office-specific webinars focused on regional recruiting.

 

These sessions typically last 45 to 90 minutes and are open to large audiences. You will not get one-on-one time with consultants, but you can ask questions in the Q&A or chat. The real value is in the follow-up. When you send a LinkedIn connection request after the event, you can reference something specific the presenter said.

 

What Are Virtual Coffee Chats?

 

Virtual coffee chats are smaller, more personal sessions where you speak directly with one or two consultants. Bain is known for running location-specific virtual coffee chats, and many firms offer them through campus recruiting teams. These are the highest-value virtual events because you get actual face time.

 

In my experience at Bain, the consultants who hosted coffee chats would often flag strong candidates to the recruiting team afterward. A 15-minute conversation where you ask thoughtful questions can do more for your candidacy than a perfect resume. For a full breakdown of how to prepare for these, read our guide on consulting coffee chats.

 

What Are Virtual Open Houses and Hackathons?

 

Some firms host more immersive virtual events. McKinsey Open House runs in Europe and Asia and includes multiple sessions, networking lounges, and case workshops. BCG Platinion hosts an international hackathon for candidates interested in technology consulting. These multi-hour or multi-day events are essentially mini-recruitment programs disguised as networking.

 

Participation in these events does not guarantee an interview, but the insight you gain about firm culture and interview formats gives you a meaningful preparation advantage over candidates who did not attend.

 

Event Type	Format	Typical Audience	Examples
Webinars / Info Sessions	Large group, presentation with Q&A chat	Open to all candidates, 50 to 500+ attendees	McKinsey Unpacked, BCG Launch, Bain office webinars
Virtual Coffee Chats	Small group or 1-on-1 video call	Target school students, select applicants	Bain virtual coffee chats, campus-hosted sessions
Virtual Open Houses	Multi-session event with breakout rooms	Candidates exploring firm culture, often diversity-focused	McKinsey Open House, Bain Womxn at Bain
Hackathons / Competitions	Team-based problem solving over hours or days	Tech and analytics candidates	BCG Platinion Hackathon, McKinsey Solve simulation events

 

How Should You Prepare for a Virtual Consulting Networking Event?

 

Preparation is the single biggest differentiator between candidates who get remembered and those who do not. Having coached hundreds of candidates, I have seen that the ones who do their homework before the event consistently make stronger impressions than those who show up and improvise.

 

How Do You Research the Firm and Attendees?

 

Start by visiting the firm's careers page and reading their most recent annual report or thought leadership articles. Know the industries they specialize in and any recent projects they have highlighted publicly. If you have access to the names of the consultants who will be presenting, look them up on LinkedIn. Shared backgrounds, like the same university or prior employer, give you natural conversation openers.

 

A 2023 LinkedIn survey found that 85% of all jobs are filled through networking. In consulting, that number is even higher because firms actively rely on referrals from their own people. The research you do before the event is what makes your follow-up credible and personal rather than generic.

 

What Should Your Technical Setup Look Like?

 

Your technical setup is something most candidates overlook, and it can cost you a strong first impression. Here is a quick checklist to run through before any virtual consulting event:

 

• Camera: Position your webcam at eye level. Looking down into a laptop camera makes you seem disengaged. Stack your laptop on a few books if needed.

 

• Lighting: Face a window or place a desk lamp behind your screen so your face is evenly lit. Avoid sitting with a bright window behind you, which turns you into a silhouette.

 

• Background: Use a clean, neutral background. A plain wall, a bookshelf, or a tidy room all work. Avoid virtual backgrounds, which can glitch and look unprofessional.

 

• Audio: Use headphones with a built-in microphone. This eliminates echo and background noise. Test your audio in the platform before the event starts.

 

• Internet: Use a wired connection or sit close to your router. A choppy connection during a breakout room conversation can end it before it starts.

 

• Platform: Download and test the video platform (Zoom, Teams, Webex) at least 24 hours before the event. Update your display name to your full name.

 

These details may seem minor, but consultants notice them. In my time at Bain, I always remembered the candidates who looked polished on camera because it signaled that they took the opportunity seriously.

 

What Should You Prepare to Say?

 

Have a 30-second introduction ready. It should cover your name, your school or current role, and one specific reason you are interested in the firm. Keep it conversational, not rehearsed. For example: "Hi, I'm Sarah. I'm a second-year MBA at Kellogg. I've been following BCG's work in healthcare transformation and I'm curious about what that looks like day to day."

 

Also prepare three to five questions that show genuine curiosity. Avoid anything you could answer with a Google search, like "How many offices does McKinsey have?" Instead, ask about personal experiences, project challenges, or career development. We will cover specific question examples in the next section.

 

How Do You Stand Out During a Virtual Consulting Networking Event?

 

Standing out in a virtual event is harder than in person because you are competing with dozens or even hundreds of other names on a screen. The key is to use every available channel, from your camera presence to the chat box to your follow-up, to make yourself memorable.

 

How Do You Make a Strong First Impression on Camera?

 

Keep your camera on the entire time. According to a 2024 Microsoft Work Trend Index report, participants with cameras on are perceived as 20% more engaged than those with cameras off. In a virtual recruiting event, turning off your camera is the equivalent of standing in the back of the room facing the wall.

 

Dress business casual from head to toe. Yes, even the bottom half. If you need to stand up unexpectedly, you do not want to be caught off guard. Sit up straight, make eye contact by looking at your camera (not the screen), and nod when the speaker makes a point. These small signals communicate attentiveness.

 

How Should You Engage in Breakout Rooms and Q&A?

 

If the event includes breakout rooms, treat them like a mini coffee chat. Introduce yourself, ask one thoughtful question, and let the consultant talk. Active listening is more impressive than talking a lot. If they mention a challenging project, follow up with something like: "That sounds intense. What was the hardest part for the team?"

 

For large webinars with chat-only Q&A, use the chat strategically. Ask one well-crafted question early in the session. Do not flood the chat with multiple messages. The presenters and moderators will notice a single strong question more than five mediocre ones.

 

What Questions Should You Ask Consultants?

 

The quality of your questions is the most powerful tool you have in a virtual event. A strong question shows that you have done your research, you are genuinely curious, and you think like a consultant. A weak question wastes the consultant's time and makes you forgettable.

 

Strong Questions	Weak Questions
"I saw BCG recently published a report on AI in supply chains. What has that trend looked like in your project work?"	"What does BCG do?"
"What has been the most surprising part of your transition from industry to consulting?"	"How many hours do you work per week?"
"How does your office approach staffing, and do you have input on the types of projects you work on?"	"What is your company culture like?"
"What advice would you give someone starting their first case interview prep?"	"Will attending this event help me get an interview?"

 

The pattern is clear. Strong questions are specific, reference something you have researched, and invite the consultant to share a personal perspective. Weak questions are generic, easily Googled, or self-serving. For a deeper list of the best questions to ask, check out our consulting coffee chats guide.

 

How Do You Follow Up After a Virtual Consulting Networking Event?

 

The follow-up is where most candidates drop the ball. Having coached candidates through the full recruiting cycle, I can tell you that a well-timed, specific follow-up message makes you two to three times more memorable than someone who never reaches out.

 

What Should Your Follow-Up Email Say?

 

Send your follow-up within 24 hours of the event. The consultant's memory of the session will still be fresh, and a prompt message signals genuine interest and professionalism. Here is a simple template you can adapt:

 

Subject: Great meeting you at [event name]

 

Hi [Name],

 

Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences at [firm name] during [event name] yesterday. I especially enjoyed hearing about [specific topic they discussed]. Your insight on [detail] gave me a much clearer picture of what day-to-day consulting work looks like.

 

I'm currently preparing for [recruiting cycle/interviews] and would love to stay in touch. If you have a few minutes for a brief call sometime, I would really appreciate it.

 

Thanks again for your time.

 

[Your Name]

 

Notice that this template references something specific from the conversation. That detail is what separates a good follow-up from a copy-paste message that gets ignored.

 

How Do You Use LinkedIn After the Event?

 

Send a connection request within 24 hours with a personalized note. Something like: "Hi [Name], it was great hearing you speak at [event name] last night. I found your comments on [topic] really helpful. Would love to connect here." Keep it to two sentences.

 

After connecting, engage with their posts occasionally. Like or comment on something they share. This keeps you visible without being intrusive. For more strategies on building and maintaining consulting relationships, read our consulting networking guide.

 

What Mistakes Should You Avoid at Virtual Consulting Networking Events?

 

Virtual events create unique temptations that in-person events do not. Here are the most common mistakes I see candidates make:

 

• Turning your camera off. This is the number one mistake. Recruiters track who has their camera on. Keeping it off tells the firm you are not fully invested.

 

• Multitasking during the event. Consultants can tell when you are reading emails or scrolling. Your eye movements on camera give it away immediately.

 

• Asking generic questions. "What is your firm's culture like?" tells the consultant you did zero research. Every question should be specific enough that it could only apply to that firm.

 

• Dominating the conversation in breakout rooms. If you are in a small group, ask one or two questions and then let others speak. Consultants notice and appreciate candidates who show awareness of the room.

 

• Sending identical follow-up messages to multiple consultants. Personalize every single message. Consultants at the same firm talk to each other. If two of them receive the same templated email, it reflects poorly on you.

 

• Over-following up. One thank-you email and one LinkedIn request is enough. Do not send three follow-up messages in a week. That crosses the line from keen to pushy.

 

• Asking for a referral in your first interaction. This is the fastest way to end a relationship before it starts. Focus on building genuine rapport first. If a consultant likes you, they will offer to help without being asked.

 

Do Virtual Networking Events Actually Help You Get Interviews?

 

Yes, but not in the way most candidates expect. Attending a virtual networking event does not automatically put your name on an interview list. What it does is open a door that you can walk through with smart follow-up and relationship building.

 

Recruiters at most major firms log who attends their events in applicant tracking systems. When your application later arrives, a recruiter may see that you attended three BCG events, sent thoughtful follow-up notes, and connected with two consultants on LinkedIn. That pattern of engagement signals genuine interest, which is exactly what firms want to see.

 

According to McKinsey's own careers page, the firm encourages candidates to attend events as a first step. Bain's recruiting page explicitly states that attending virtual or in-person events helps candidates decide if the firm is right for them, and the impression you make at these events can be factored into application screening.

 

For non-target school candidates, virtual events are especially valuable. If your school does not have a dedicated recruiter from McKinsey, BCG, or Bain, virtual events may be your only chance to interact with firm representatives before submitting your application. A strong impression at a virtual event combined with a referral can move your resume from the general pile to the interview pile. Having coached candidates from non-target schools, I have seen this happen many times.

 

Once you have built relationships through networking, you will need to be ready for the case interviews that follow. If you want to learn the most effective case interview strategies quickly, check out my case interview course, which walks you through proven methods in as little as 7 days.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What Should You Wear to a Virtual Consulting Networking Event?

 

Business casual is the standard dress code. A collared shirt, blazer, or professional top works well. Avoid overly casual clothing like t-shirts or hoodies. Even though you are at home, dressing professionally keeps you in the right mindset and makes a better impression on camera.

 

Is Attending Virtual Consulting Networking Events Mandatory?

 

No, attendance is not mandatory. You can still receive an interview without attending any events. However, attending gives you a meaningful edge because it shows genuine interest in the firm and creates opportunities for referrals. Recruiters at most firms track event attendance in their applicant tracking systems.

 

How Do You Find Consulting Virtual Networking Events?

 

Check the careers pages of your target firms regularly. McKinsey, BCG, and Bain all list upcoming events on their websites. Your school's career services or consulting club will also share event links. Follow firms on LinkedIn and set notifications to catch event announcements early. You can also sign up for programs like BCG Launch, which runs multiple virtual sessions each year.

 

Can Non-Target School Students Attend Virtual Consulting Networking Events?

 

Yes. Many firm-wide virtual events are open to all candidates regardless of school. This is one of the biggest advantages of virtual networking for non-target students. You get the same access to consultants and recruiters that target school students get at on-campus events. Make sure to follow up aggressively after these events because you will not have a campus recruiter championing your application.

 

What If You Missed a Virtual Consulting Networking Event?

 

Missing one event is not a dealbreaker. Many firms record their webinars and post them on demand. You can also reach out to consultants independently through LinkedIn or your alumni network to set up coffee chats. The key is to find other ways to demonstrate your interest in the firm before your application deadline.

 

How Do Virtual Networking Events Differ from In-Person Events?

 

Virtual events remove travel costs and geographic barriers, making them more accessible. However, they offer less organic conversation. You cannot walk up to a consultant after a presentation and introduce yourself naturally. Instead, you need to be more intentional about using breakout rooms, chat features, and follow-up emails to create the same connection. Your technical setup and camera presence also become important factors that do not exist at in-person events.

 

Should You Prepare Your Resume Before Attending a Virtual Networking Event?

 

Absolutely. Some consultants may ask for your resume during or after the event, especially during coffee chats. Have a polished, consulting-formatted resume ready to share immediately. A strong resume makes it easy for a consultant to refer you. For a complete guide on building a consulting resume, read our consulting resume guide.

 

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