full image - Repost: How I Hustled My Way Into Consulting With a Custom Recruiting App (from Reddit.com, How I Hustled My Way Into Consulting With a Custom Recruiting App)
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I wanted to share a bit about my consulting recruiting journey at my MBA program (a top-15 school). It was one of the most intense, but ultimately rewarding experiences I’ve ever taken on. I knew from the start that I’d have to go above and beyond if I wanted to land offers from my target firms, so I really leaned into the process—and then some.The Long HoursFirst off, I dedicated an enormous amount of time to preparation. Between case practice, networking events, coffee chats, and resume/cover letter tweaks, I was logging what felt like a full-time job on top of my regular class schedule. I’m talking dozens of hours each week. It was exhausting, but I knew consistency was key.Building My Own AppHere’s where things got interesting. Early on, I realized I needed a more organized system to keep track of my interactions with recruiters, consultants, and alumni. I come from an entrepreneurial background, having built an equity portal and a platform called “Pisto,” so tinkering with software solutions is kind of my thing.I ended up creating a simple—but powerful—app to track each person I talked to: notes from our conversation, key takeaways, next steps, and even follow-up reminders. It integrated ChatGPT for quick idea generation, possible email drafts, and question prompts. Over the course of recruiting, I had more than 100 coffee chats—and I’m convinced that this app was the only way I kept it all straight.Why the App HelpedThe beauty of having a central repository for all my contacts was that I never lost momentum. I could quickly glance at my notes before jumping on a call or walking into a meeting, so every conversation felt personal and informed. More importantly, I could refine my pitch and my story as I went, because I had a running log of the feedback and advice I was getting.Networking Like It’s My JobAside from the app, I simply put in the time. I scheduled chats with anyone I could connect with—alumni, second-year students, my classmates’ old bosses, friends of friends. If there was a potential lead at a consulting firm, I was up for a conversation. I treated every coffee chat as a chance to build genuine relationships, not just to “pitch” myself, which made people more willing to help me down the line.The PayoffEventually, all this effort paid off. I felt incredibly prepared for my interviews—both in terms of casing and behavioral questions—and was able to earn multiple consulting offers. Was it a lot of work? Definitely. But having a structured approach (with a bit of tech flair) helped me stay on top of everything and stand out in a competitive field.Key Takeaways:Organization is Critical: Whether it’s a spreadsheet or a custom app, have a system to stay on top of your networking efforts.Leverage Your Strengths: If you have an entrepreneurial or tech background, use it to your advantage—build something that works for you.Quality > Quantity (But Actually, Both): Aim for quality interactions, but recognize that volume matters too. More chats = more insights + more relationships.Refine As You Go: Each conversation will teach you something new about the recruiting process or even yourself. Keep adjusting your approach.Recruiting can feel overwhelming, but if you’re methodical and resourceful, you can significantly increase your chances of success—no matter how crowded the field may be. If you have any questions about my journey or want tips on building your own system, feel free to ask!
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