Does applying via a referral at an MBB firm (Bain or BCG) carry any weight in the CV screening process?

Hi there,

From my experience, a referral is definitely helpful for experienced hire, especially for profiles coming from outside consulting. 

However, for entry-level hires, it's far from required, it might help in some cases, but it does not carry a lot of weight

Hope it helps. Let me know if you need help in preparing for case interviews as you start applying!

Best,

Oussama

Hi there,

Referrals at MBB can help, but it’s important to understand how. In the UK and Middle East, Bain and BCG both treat referrals as a way to make sure your application is reviewed carefully – it won’t bypass the formal screening process, but it can increase your chances of being noticed among a very competitive pool. A strong referral from a current consultant (ideally someone senior, or in the office you’re targeting) signals to HR that someone is vouching for you, which can make a difference at the margin.

That said, the ultimate decision still comes down to your CV and cover letter. If your application doesn’t clearly meet the bar in terms of academics, professional experience, and achievements, a referral won’t override that. Think of it more as a “boost” that can help your profile get looked at more carefully and sometimes help you secure an interview if you’re on the borderline.

If you’re targeting UK and Middle East offices, I’d definitely recommend getting a referral if you can – but spend at least as much time making sure your CV is tailored to highlight the right skills (problem solving, leadership, impact, and top academics).

Happy to help you refine your CV for MBB standards if you’d like.

Best,

Evelina

Absolutely. 

That's why so many people are trying to get referrals. 

Basically, the screening process depends on the following things

1. CV

2. Cover Letter

3. Referral

4. Test scores

The better you do on each of these, the higher the likelihood of passing screening. 

If you want to learn more about referrals, you might find the following article helpful:

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

Best,
Cristian

Yes, a referral at an MBB firm is always helpful. A referral moves your application from the main pool to a prioritized list that recruiters review closely. It's one of the most effective ways to get your resume seen and is a common practice globally.

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. 

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,

Q: Does applying via a referral at an MBB firm (Bain or BCG) carry any weight in the CV screening process?

Yes, getting a referral can increase your chances of passing the screening and moving to the next steps of the process. You can find more on that at the link below.

How to Get an MBB Interview

Good luck!

Francesco

Hey there :)

Yes, referrals at Bain and BCG do carry weight in the CV screening stage, also in the UK and Middle East. They don’t guarantee an interview, but they make sure your application gets reviewed carefully and not lost in the volume of applicants. It’s basically a credibility signal that someone at the firm vouches for you. Once you’re through the screening, though, the referral doesn’t play a role anymore — it’s all about your performance.

best,
Alessa :)

Yes, it does. If you can get a referral, use it.