How does referrals work?

Hi there,

1. In general, yes. The important of the referral may vary, but it still holds value. Furthermore, there are differences between a "system-based" referral and a "personal" referral (i.e. sending your resume to HR and telling them to take  alook)

2. Same answer as #2...but it would likely carry less weight (and I'm not entirely sure that it would be system-based)

3. Absolutely

Let me reword your 1-3 questions and answer what you're really asking "should I bother networking with people related to, but not directly involved with the specific practice in which I'm interested?" The answer is a resounding YES. Even if you don't get a referral from them, you can "play tag" and get put in touch with people closer to your target. Spread your net wide not narrow when it comes to networking!

Hi,
1.2. It depends on the seniority of the consultant who does the referral (e.g. principals and partners can do it). However, an internal referral is preferred
3. yes of course

Best,
Antonello

Hi there,

I'll try to address your three sub-questions more broadly as it applies to consulting. 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. 

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, 

However the local referrals are preferred, a referral is always a referral :)

Totally agree with Ian about networking!

Cheers, 

GB

Hello!

A few important things here:

• When there are two different branches of a company, I would say it depends case by case -at least it was like this on Amazon-, check with each of them individually
• You can be referred by multiple people -but if one referral works, the rest are not-needed and a duplication-
• You can be referred by peopel who are from other offices
• A referrer can also refer you to two offices BUT you can only have one process at a time with a company (e.g., if you are referred to BCG NY and London and you start the process in London, the other one does not continue further)

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara