How do I go about referrals and applying?

Hi there,

A referral is just a door opener such that the recruiting team will look through your application more thoroughly. Depending on the seniority, tenure and advocacy of the person referring you, you have a better chance of getting a first round interview. The more senior the person referring you is, the better. The longer the tenure of that person with the firm is, the better.

The reason is that such voices carry more weight than referrals coming from super junior or brand new people. They typically know the HR folks better and have been involved in recruiting activities for a while so it is usually assumed that they have a good grasp of what types of candidates with which sets of qualifications the firm needs. However, any referral is ultimately better than no referral. Also for candidates who come from target schools.

Ideally, you get a referral from someone from the same office (or same country) you are applying to. But again, a referral from someone within the same firm but different office or country organization is still better than no referral.

A direct rejection after the CV screening stage can still happen - even with a referral. In that case the recruiting team usually provides some feedback to the person having given the referral. So you should follow up with them to better understand the rationale in case that happens. On the flipside, you can still get an interview invite when you just apply online without a referral - the probability is just lower - particularly when your CV is not “stellar” on a standalone basis.

And as always, factors such as economic conditions and headcount/budget planning of the individual firm also matter significantly in these decisions - but they are not within your control.

Best

Hi there,

Referrals are only helpful if you get them before you apply. Please don't go around getting referrals after you apply - this literally defeats the purpose!

1. How helpful is the internal referral for the firm in question? Does it get you close to a first round? 

It is extremely helpful and greatly boosts your chances. Whatever your “base” odds are (from your profile/resume), your odds are higher with a referral. Get a referral if you can!

2. What is the referral process? Is it internal and attached to your application, or is it an internal note that then asks you to apply? 

Official referrals are through the system. Unofficial ones are getting put in touch with HR in a “favorable” way (i.e. candidate looking to apply who I think could be a great fit, can you talk to them).

Just take the referrer's guidance here.

3. How can I help you get a referral bonus? Do I need to wait for the employee to refer me to apply (do not apply before hand). 

Don't worry about their referral bonus. But they get it once you start working for the firm.

Not matter what, if you're going to get a referral, don't apply before you get the referral, otherwise the referral is useless! (To you, I'm not even talking about signing bonus.

Hi there,

1) How helpful is the internal referral for the firm in question? Does it get you close to a first round? 

Very helpful compared to an application without it, in particular if you have some “issues” in your CV (GPA below average, lack of big brands, etc). There is no disadvantage in applying via referral, so I would always recommend it.

2) What is the referral process? Is it internal and attached to your application, or is it an internal note that then asks you to apply? 

It depends on the company. In some, the person referring you will send your CV to HR and they will contact you from there. In others, you have to mention the person during the application process.

3) How can I help you get a referral bonus? Do I need to wait for the employee to refer me to apply (do not apply before hand). 

As mentioned, the process depends on the firm. You can simply follow what they will tell you.

You can find more on referrals here:

▶ How to Get an MBB Referral 

Best,

Francesco

Well, in practice, the referral process differs quite a bit between firms and geographies. 

In general, I'd recommend you start by networking with current consultants in your target office and learn it from them. ‘Learning’ about it is also a great way of bringing the topic up without directly asking for a referral. 

Have a look also at these two articles on how to get referrals (through coffee chats or LinkedIn):

• Expert Guide: How To Handle Networking Calls and Get Referrals
• Expert Guide: How To Get Referrals Via LinkedIn? 

Best,
Cristian

Hi there,

Let me get straight to the point:

1. How helpful is the internal referral for the firm in question? Does it get you close to a first round? Yes, it's the single most powerful tool that anyone can leverage in the application process. It's absolutely worth the extra effort if you're serious about your ambitions!

2. What is the referral process? Is it internal and attached to your application, or is it an internal note that then asks you to apply? The latter - your referee will generally initiate an internal process and provide a recommendation of sorts, which includes your CV/Cover Letter. Once you have someone to support your application via a referral, they will explain this to you.

3. How can I help you get a referral bonus? Do I need to wait for the employee to refer me to apply (do not apply before hand). Let's forget about the bonus. If you apply beforehand you're effectively applying without a referral.

Hope this helps! Best of luck!

Typically referral bonus will not be available for students who are graduating (and hence would have been captured through the grad recruiting process anyway) and only offered for experienced hires.

I would focus on ensuring your CV and case are on point, plus doing some networking if you can (but without the transactional pressure of the referral).

Hey there,

1. Referrals are always helpful, however, they are most helpful when your resume has some weaknesses that might lead to rejection during screening. In such cases, a referral might tip the decision in your favor. For other candidates, they might speed up the application process.

2. This is different for every firm and even sometimes across offices of one firm. It can be either formal with a direct recruiting link, an online tool where your name is entered, you entering the name of your contact while applying or informal with a simple email to HR by the person referring you.

3. Few firms actually pay referral boni. If, they are usually paid once someone is hired + sometimes works there for a couple of months.

All the best!

Cheers,

Florian

Hello!

If you look in this forum filtering for the word referal, you will find all this info andmore

Cheers, 

Clara

I would spend time focusing on things that are in your control: application, case interview, FIT interview, getting to know the firms you’re interested in