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MBB Partner Referrals

Hi I was wondering what a partner referral at MBB really does/ what it helps with. Say someone has a senior partner at an MBB firm vouching for them during the interview process, how effective is it? obviously you have to do the case interviews, but could it help an average candidate get an offer?

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Top answer
Ian
Coach
on Aug 18, 2021
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

Referrals of any kind have zero impact on your interview itself. Inside connections are completely irrelevant to whether you actually get the job itself - this is all on you and your performance on interview day.

Ken
Coach
on Aug 18, 2021
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

It ensure that your CV is properly reviewed by the recruiter. Frankly, that's about it. 

Partners get sent loads of CVs and will often just pass it onto the recruiting team, whose role is to actually review the CV as opposed to just let through anyone because it came from “a partner”.

on Aug 19, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

A referral just helps to get the interview, not with the interview process after you have been selected. 

During interviews, you will be judge only on the basis of your performance, not based on external recommendations.

Best,

Francesco

Florian
Coach
on Aug 19, 2021
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 600+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hey there,

The referral will work in two ways

  • Higher chance to get invited to the interviews
  • Faster processing time

The more senior the referrer the better, however, it is still not a guarantee.

Once you made it to the interviews, there will not be any additional benefits from the referral and you need to jump the same bar like everyone else.

Cheers,

Florian

Deleted user
on Aug 19, 2021

Hello,

The referral helps you get an interview, but after that it is all down to your interview performance. Having a senior partner vouching for you cannot get you an offer, you will be judged fully based on your performance in the interviews.

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