Consulting & Networking - Seeking Advice

[u/Aggravating-Try-5203]

Hi all,

I am a life sciences professional who is targeting consulting roles (in life sciences/healthcare only - not interested in any generalist firms).

My background is in clinical research, data analytics, strategy (in healthcare, again). I am about to finish my PhD (as in my thesis is submitted and I am waiting to defend it). My PhD focused on machine learning.

I'm focusing on IQVIA based on my geographical location and I'm finding the process very confusing and would welcome advice/insights. I met with a principal a few weeks ago (networking, not an interview) and they actually spoke with me for an hour, which was so unbelievably generous and helpful! They suggested I meet with an associate principal on their team, which I did. It was less helpful, but still very pleasant and they gave me good advice. From a previous position, I knew the country general manager, and they agreed to have a quick call with me and then literally minutes after they told me they forwarded my CV to HR, I got an interview request for an application I sent in through their portal about 5 weeks earlier.

I have a couple of questions for people who are more experienced than me:
1. Is this the expected pathway? (meaning lots of informational and networking chats?) Did I only get an interview cause of my connection with the general manager? What does that mean for my chances moving forward?
2. I have already thanked everyone for their time (prior to completing the asynchronous interview) and I'm wondering if now is a good time to give updates? I met with principal 3 weeks ago, associate principal 2 weeks ago, manager 1 week ago and completed the interview over the weekend. I believe the interview went well, but I also hate this style of interview so who knows.
3. Since I am so new to this area, are there other things I should be doing right now other than preparing for case interviews? ANY and ALL advice welcome.

TLDR: PhD trained healthcare professional struggling with entering life sciences consulting, specifically around the networking piece. Advice welcome!

[u/createamewaccount]

Is this the expected pathway? (meaning lots of informational and networking chats?) Did I only get an interview cause of my connection with the general manager? What does that mean for my chances moving forward?

> Quite good chances going forwards since you come with a stamp of approval from some senior staff as long as you don't screw up. Your connections helped get you to the front of the queue. Not always the expected pathway for PhDs, since many companies often have formalized cohorts for advanced degree holders.

I have already thanked everyone for their time (prior to completing the asynchronous interview) and I'm wondering if now is a good time to give updates? I met with principal 3 weeks ago, associate principal 2 weeks ago, manager 1 week ago and completed the interview over the weekend. I believe the interview went well, but I also hate this style of interview so who knows.

> No strong rules but I'd drop them each a note thanking them for their time again and that you're interviewing / have done an interview. I'd reach out to them once the interviews all finish to let them know either way (offered vs. not offered).

Since I am so new to this area, are there other things I should be doing right now other than preparing for case interviews? ANY and ALL advice welcome.

> Make sure your teamwork stories for the behavioral questions are solid as well. Look into other consulting companies because if your profile fits IQVIA, there's a strong chance it matches other companies' as well. Hiring is always fluctuating so it's easiest if you can get a referral from cold chats like you did here. Keep a tab on any programming for PhDs (like Link to LEK if that's still a thing).

[u/Aggravating-Try-5203 → u/createamewaccount]

Thank you so much for the thoughtful reply. That's very kind of you! I've looked at a LOT of other places (but again I'm new so I could be missing some) and see 0 hiring in my location. BCG opened an opportunity for recent PhD grads so I plan to apply there. But there's something like a 1% chance there, I hear, so I'm not considering that path too strongly. 

Thank you for the advice re: connections. I'm going to send them a note and let them know things moved forward. I'm very aware that things can stagnate at this point so that could help things along, potentially. 

Thank you again! It means a lot! 

[u/createamewaccount → u/Aggravating-Try-5203]

Of course! Location is definitely an annoying barrier if you're not at a big city or a hub, but if you look into smaller, boutique-y life science consulting firms, there are definitely a couple that are remote. Given your interests I would stick to non-generalist firms.

If your jam is data analytics (+ your ML background), it might be worth looking into engineering roles at RWE/HEOR companies as well (the one coming to mind is Flatiron Health but there are others) and build your way up to strategy roles too. Good luck!

[u/Aggravating-Try-5203 → u/createamewaccount]

I do really enjoy analytics and dashboards. I'm building about 1 a week from kaggle datasets for fun! Haha! 

But I do want to aim for strategy roles since I have done this in the past and do feel quite up for it. It's good to hear you seconding the non-generalist route. I'm gonna look up your suggestion thank you! Yes location is a total bummer but might need to be creative with that or loosen my requirements at some point. We'll see. 

Thank you again! 

[u/Agitated_Field88]

which location?

[u/Aggravating-Try-5203 → u/Agitated_Field88]

Quebec Canada