MBB Middle East Referral - how important is the level?

Question

Hello,

I am a MSc graduate with 1.5yrs full-time work experience, and I am considering a consulting career in the Middle East.

More specifically, I am planning on applying to MBB and Tier 2 entry-level positions (Associate/Business Analyst depending on the firm).

As I speak to different people working in the offices I am interested in , I would like to better understand how important is it who is referring me for the position.

I understand that the higher the level the better, but is a referral from 1 or 2 levels above my target position (Consultant/Senior Consultant) considered “enough”?
Or is it strongly recommended to secure one from a more senior person (Engagement Manager, Partner etc)?

Thank you!

Answer 1

Hi there,

Ideally you'd be going for someone who is at least at the same seniority level as the position you're applying for.

I wrote an article on PrepLounge regarding how you can connect better with consultants in order to get such referrals. You can check it out HERE.

Best,

Cristian

Answer 2

Hi there,

I think this is an interesting question that may be relevant for many people. I would be happy to share my thoughts on it:

The level of the person referring you is important, as referrals from more senior people may carry more weight. However, it's worth noting that a referral from someone one or two levels above your target position can still be valuable.
It's also worth noting that the quality of the referral is more important than the level of the person referring you. A referral from someone who can speak to your skills, experience, and fit for the role can be more beneficial than a referral from a more senior person who may have only a superficial knowledge of you.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to address your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Answer 3

Hi there,

Love Pedro's answer!

Your focus should be getting ONE referral - this is what makes the difference.

From my personal, purely observational data set, it makes little difference if the referral comes from BA up to EM level. APs/Junior Partner/ Principal referrals and higher do weigh more.

If you score a Senior Partner referral, I would say that its almost guaranteed that you will be interviewed; then again, I have never seen a Sr. Partner give a referral or know someone who has received one…

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 4

Hi there,

In my experience, it doesn't make much of a difference whether you're being referred by an Associate or an Associate Partner if you applied for a BA position, for example. Hence, if you have a referral lined up already and are generally ready to apply, go for it!

The only good reason to wait, in my estimation. would be a legitimate shot at getting a Partner referral. However, if you haven't been networking with this goal in mind, this might take some time, which you may or may not have.

Hope this helps. Best of luck!

Moritz

Answer 5

0,9 * “Having a referral” + 0,1 * “Rank of the referee”

What really makes the difference is having a referral.

Answer 6

I have a slightly different take. While a referral is always better than no referral, it makes a significant difference if it is from a partner vs an EM. A partner referral to HR (especially with a personalized note) has a very high chance of leading to an interview invite.

Answer 7

HI there,

I have to disagree with most here (and agree with Udayan).

A Partner/Principal referral is much more imppactful to an analyst referral.

That said, you should be very happy to get any referral period.

Aim to get a higher one, but be glad you have the one you have (if you can't get higher, don't kill yourself trying to do so)