Tips for Making the Most of Virtual Big 4 Consulting Events

Maximize Your Impact at Online Deloitte, KPMG, EY, and PwC Events

Virtual events have revolutionized how the Big Four Consulting firms connect with talent. Whether you've found a Deloitte webinar, KPMG networking session, EY skills workshop, or PwC panel discussion on Big4Events, attending is just the first step.

Succeeding at these virtual events requires strategy and preparation.

Here's your comprehensive checklist for standing out in the digital crowd.

Before the Event: Preparation is Everything

1. Research the Speakers and Attendees: Look up presenters on LinkedIn before the event. Understanding their backgrounds allows you to ask informed questions and make meaningful connections. If the platform shares attendee lists, identify people you'd like to connect with.
2. Optimize Your Professional Presence: Update your LinkedIn profile—recruiters will look you up after the event. Use a professional photo, craft a compelling headline, and ensure your experience section highlights relevant skills. Your digital presence is your first impression.
3. Test Your Technology: Nothing kills credibility faster than technical difficulties. Test your camera, microphone, and internet connection. Have the platform link saved and join five minutes early. Keep your phone handy as a backup.
4. Prepare Your Environment: Choose a quiet space with good lighting and a neutral background. Position your camera at eye level. Eliminate potential interruptions—this is your chance to impress.

During the Event: Engage Strategically

1. Turn Your Camera On: When possible, keep your camera on. Recruiters remember faces, and visibility demonstrates engagement and confidence. It's harder to stand out in a sea of black boxes.
2. Ask Thoughtful Questions: Prepare 2–3 questions in advance, but also listen actively and ask follow-up questions. Quality over quantity—one insightful question beats three generic ones. Reference specific points from the presentation to show you're engaged.
3. Use the Chat Strategically: Introduce yourself professionally in the chat. Share relevant insights or resources when appropriate. But don't overdo it—you want to be memorable, not overwhelming.
4. Take Notes: Document key insights, names, and follow-up items. These notes become invaluable for thank-you messages and future interviews.

After the Event: The Follow-Up Makes the Difference

1. Send Personalized Connection Requests: Within 24 hours, connect with speakers and relevant attendees on LinkedIn. Reference something specific from the event in your message—generic requests get ignored.
2. Share Your Takeaways: Post thoughtful reflections from the event on LinkedIn. Tag the firm and speakers (appropriately). This demonstrates engagement and can catch recruiters' attention.
3. Complete Any Promised Actions: If you said you'd send something or follow up on a topic, do it promptly. Reliability matters.
4. Update Your Event's Calendar: Mark events as attended and add notes about what you learned. This helps you track your networking journey and remember key contacts.

Pro Tips for Virtual Success

1. The 70-20-10 Rule: Spend 70% of your time listening, 20% engaging through questions and chat, and 10% on self-promotion.
2. Differentiate Yourself: Share a unique perspective or experience that relates to the discussion. Authenticity beats polish.
3. Be Present: Close other tabs and silence notifications. Partial attention is worse than absence.
4. Think Long-Term: Virtual events are networking marathons, not sprints. Focus on building genuine relationships, not collecting contacts.

Your Virtual Event Strategy Starts Here

Big4Events makes finding these opportunities easy—but success depends on how you show up.

Ready to put these tips into action? Browse upcoming virtual Big 4 events and start building your consulting career today.