1.

Warm call to your school career center as an alumnus

“Hi Julie, this is Katherine Johanssen. I graduated in ’09 and I’m calling to find out
what resources you have available for alumni – I’m specifically looking to break into
management consulting and would like to get in touch with recruiters and alumni in
the industry.”

2. Cold call to an alumni contact (leaving a message)

“Hello Doug, my name is Rae Lynn Mitchell and I graduated from Penn State just a
couple years after you. I found your name in the alumni contacts database and saw
that you are working for Pearl Meyer, which is a firm I’m really interested in. I’m
checking in to see if you have any time for an informational interview in the next 2
weeks? Would you call me back at your earliest convenience? My number is
212.424.2121. Thanks!”

3. Follow-up call to a recruiter at your target firm

“Hello Charles, this is Sylvia Khan. We met at Brown’s info session on the 21st. I sent you
my resume last week, and just wanted to follow-up to make sure you received it – as I
hadn’t heard back through email. I know you’ve probably been busy!”

4. Warm call to a connection from LinkedIn at your target firm

“Hi Sam, this is Robert Reidy, Tani’s friend from grad school. She gave me your number
and told me that she would let you know I would be calling.

Sam: Yes, hi Robert.

First off, thank you for taking the time to chat! I was hoping to connect with you to see
when you might have 30 minutes for an informational interview – I’d love to hear
about your experience working at IBM and any advice you have for me as a new
graduate trying to break into GBS.”

5. Cold call to a consultant at your target firm (you only have their phone #, no email
available)

“Hi Pierre, my name is Alexis Marks. I’m currently attending the Fletcher School at
Tufts and am researching open positions at Booz Allen – specifically in international
development and diplomacy. I saw that you’re a manager of one of Booz Allen’s major
projects in northern Africa, and I was hoping to talk to you about your work. Would
you be open to meeting with me for coffee sometime in the next 2 weeks?”
6. Cold call to a generic office number to reach a specific consultant

(Tip: First call the generic number after hours to see if the phone system will give
you access to a directory where you can get the person’s extension. If that’s not
available, here are a few scripts to get past the gatekeeper – usually a front office
receptionist.)

The trick here is simple – if you sound like you know Tom, or he knows you, the
receptionist is more likely to transfer you through.

“Hi Cindy, I’m trying to reach Tom Parks. Could you transfer me?”

“Hi Cindy, this is Eleanor. Is Tom Parks available?”

Finally, here are two closers you can use if you’re not getting a commitment from
your lead, either because they’re skeptical or they’re just too busy at the moment:

• “When would be a good time to call you back?”

• “I can follow up with an email if that’s more convenient for you. What’s your
email address?”

7. Sample mini-script you can use when you call a career office at another school

“Hi, I saw that the consulting career fair is happening next week but couldn’t find the
exact date and time. Do you have that info on hand?”