How to respond to "how do you know the person who referred you"?

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

• First of all, honesty is key. Instead of inflating how you know someone, focus on what you learned from them. For instance, you can say, "We connected on LinkedIn and had a very insightful discussion about the culture at your firm and the types of projects you work on."
• Moreover, the strength of your referral is not just in the name dropping but in the substance of the interaction. Saying something like, "I talked to Mr. Smith about the strategic implications of digital transformation in healthcare, and it was fascinating" provides value and context.
• Lastly, I would highly advise you to not drop names for the sake of it. If you mention someone, be prepared to discuss what you learned from them or how they influenced your decision to apply. It makes you look more authentic and focused.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hello!

In an interview setting, I would just mention the names of the consultants you are personally acquainted with and with whom you share a more meaningful connection than just speaking on LinkedIn, such as working together before or meeting in person at a networking event etc.

Regards,
Nick

When asked about how I know people I've mentioned in my interview who I've connected with on LinkedIn, I would emphasize the significance of those connections and the effort I've put into building meaningful relationships. I will say something like:

I've had the privilege of connecting with a diverse range of professionals on LinkedIn, including many consultants. While I've had valuable interactions with several individuals in the industry, the connections from this company (Name them again) are particularly significant. They've generously taken time out of their busy schedules to engage in insightful discussions, provide mentorship, and share their expertise with me. These interactions have allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the consulting field specifically around this company's culture and have provided valuable insights that I've applied to my own personal and professional development. These connections represent not just online networking but real, meaningful relationships that I've cultivated over time.

In other words:

I have built strong relationships with the people I mentioned in my interview, even though I met them online. They have been generous with their time and knowledge, and I have learned a lot from them about the consulting industry. These relationships are more than just online connections; they are real and meaningful.

Hi there!

Answer honestly. 

It doesn't matter that you've met them over LinkedIn. It's about how you position it. 

You should tell them that you are interested in moving into consulting and that you've invested a lot of time doing your due diligence and speaking with people from different firms and different roles to understand what is right from you. 

During one of these conversations you've met person X who you really connected with and who decided to refer you for reason Y. And you're very grateful for this. 

That's it. It's honest and signals to the interviewer that you're really diligent about what you're doing. 

Best,
Cristian

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If someone asks how you know the folks you mentioned in your interview, keep it simple. You can say something like, "I connected with them on LinkedIn and had some good conversations. They were kind enough to refer me." This shows you've built a professional relationship without making it sound less important than it is.

In an interview you can say that you have spoken to them as you were doing informational interviews to learn more about the firm. To me that indicates someone who has put in a lot of time and energy into the role vs blindly applying based on prestige.

Hi there,

I wouldn't explicitly state LinkedIn. Rather I'd say that you had researched the company quite a bit and during that time been able to talk with several people at the firm. X person you spoke with quite extensively during this time.

Hi there,

Q: If you're asked how you know these people, it seems to lose power to say you just spoke to them on LinkedIn. How should you respond?

You can simply say you tried to network as much as possible with current consultants and have been able to connect with them for some tips, given they were alumni/friends of friends/whatever connection you used to connect with them. There is no need to mention LinkedIn specifically.

Good luck!

Francesco

Hi,

First of all, I don't think you ‘lose power’ by saying that you got connected to them on LinkedIn.

The reality is that if someone was willing to refer you, they were impressed enough by you / believe you have what it takes, and that's what matters.

It is a different thing however to act as though you know a consultant very well, when in reality you don't.

All the best!

Honesty Is Key: It's essential to be honest about your interactions. Rather than exaggerating the relationship, focus on the substance of your connection. For example, you can say, "We connected on LinkedIn, and I gained valuable insights from our discussion about the challenges in supply chain management."

Highlight Meaningful Interactions: Emphasize the quality of your interactions rather than just dropping names. For instance, you could mention, "I had a conversation with Ms. Johnson about the latest trends in digital marketing, and it helped me understand the industry better."

Avoid Name Dropping for the Sake of It: Don't mention individuals just to name-drop. Ensure that you can discuss how these connections influenced your career decisions or provided valuable insights. Authenticity is key.

Remember, networking is about building meaningful connections and learning from them. If you'd like to delve deeper into interview preparation or discuss networking strategies, feel free to reach out.

Warm regards,

Frederic