Are you looking to increase your chances of being selected for expert network projects? Being selected for these projects can be a great opportunity to share your expertise and gain valuable experience. If you want to increase your chances of being selected, it is important to be proactive and follow certain strategies.

Here are 5 tips to help you succeed in being selected for expert network projects:

1. Respond to invitations promptly. Associates will send out invitations to as many relevant experts as possible, so getting your response in fast can help put you at the top of the list. This is especially important if you have a similar set of expertise as other candidates being considered for the project. Associates also tend to favor highly responsive candidates because they are viewed as reliable and lower risk for causing issues like rescheduling a call at the last minute or not showing up at all.

2. Clearly demonstrate your expertise in responses to screening questions. Think about what the associate (and client) is looking for and deliver it to them in a direct, detailed, and concise manner. A well-crafted response can be effective at conveying that you are the expert they are seeking. Make sure to describe why you are an authority on the topic, show that you are a leader or decision maker in the area they are interested in, and name related products, services, or companies where you have expertise.

3. Be flexible with your availability. Along with your responses to the screening questions, you will also have the option of listing when you are available for a call. Take advantage of this opportunity and list as many convenient time windows as possible. Whenever possible, add near-term availability as clients often seek to close out their interviews early in the process.

4. Review and optimize your LinkedIn and expert network profiles. If you consistently receive invitations for projects that are not a good fit, it may be time to take another look at your profiles to see if any clarification or trimming is needed. Make sure your profiles accurately reflect your skills, experience, and areas of expertise.

5. Sign-up and search for similar projects on other expert network platforms. Private equity firms often work together to finance an acquisition but do their due diligence separately. It’s not uncommon to find projects on GLG that are very similar to ones on Guidepoint. By searching for like projects on other platforms, you can increase your chances of being selected for multiple projects in quick succession that aligns with your expertise.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of being selected for expert network projects and further your consulting career. Keep in mind that you can generally expect to be selected for 15 to 20 percent of the projects you apply for. However, using these strategies can help increase your conversion rate. Associates tend to favor highly responsive candidates with clear, concise responses to screening questions, as well as experts who can demonstrate that they are leaders or decision makers and have knowledge of relevant products and companies