My view on this is not the standard one. If you're applying to a consulting firm in Europe, I do not think that networking or 'knowing' the right people will significantly improve your chances of getting a job at a first or second-tier consulting firm.

Networking with current consultants has two benefits:

1. It helps you to better understand why you'd want to be a consultant and some specifics of the firms that you're applying to (for example, whether they have a Junior Associate role. This is valuable, but will realistically not improve your chances of getting a consultant job in any way
   
2. It can help you to get an internal referral (i.e., the consultant submits your CV and cover letter to the recruiting department instead of you doing it yourself).
   

Management consulting, like banking, has its own hierarchy of job titles. Here, I outline the different roles in a management consulting firm that you can apply for. 

It's worth noting that these are 'front office' consulting roles only (I plan to cover non-consulting roles at a later date) and that these titles are McKinsey specific- although most other consulting firms have equivalent roles, with slightly different titles. If you're curious about what you'd earn at each level, have a look here.

Business Analyst: The most junior team members, business analysts (BAs) have typically just finished an undergraduate degree and are entering the workforce for the first time. A minority of BAs will have had some work experience, but this is usually not substantial.

BAs normally work at McKinsey for 2 years, after which they leave to either complete an MBA, take a job in industry or join or found a startup. Those going to MBA school are often sponsored by the Firm, on the condition that they return afterwards and work as an associate for 2+ years.

Some of the best performing BAs are asked to stay at McKinsey as a Business Analyst for a third year with the option of transferring offices (not all of them accept this offer) and the very best ones (about 5%) are offered direct promotion to associate after they complete 2 years.

In addition to the four skills I wrote about previously, your consulting interviewers will be assessing your 'softer' skills and how you present yourself in general. Some ways in which you can build a favourable impression include:

• Listening carefully: Nothing irritates an interviewer more than a candidate that interrupts or talks over them. Doing so will also raise serious questions about your ability to be a good consultant because listening is a core part of any project. The best candidates make a point of 'actively listening' while their interviewer is talking- acknowledging key points and taking notes to show they're paying attention. It can also be helpful to summarise what you’ve understood after your interviewer has finished explaining something to show that you've paid attention

What's this? Every month, I'll be answering a selection of your questions. If you'd like to submit a question, please E-mail me or use the contact form here. I edit the questions I receive to shorten them or protect anonymity.

Q1. Chances at MBB
Q2. Avoiding consulting travel
Q3. Private vs. Public sector clients

Q1. I have a postgraduate degree from a top 5 UK university and have been working at a small energy consultancy for about 6 months. I want to move. Do I stand any chance of getting a job at McKinsey, BCG or Bain? - JS, UK
Reading between the lines, I think this reader is worried about whether spending such a short amount of time in his current role will negatively impact his chances at MBB. 

I can reassure him that as long as he's performed well in his current role (i.e., he's not being fired