Networked my way into the interview - Disadvantage ?

Question

Hi guys,

I have been working as an intern at an M&A Botique and performed quite well there. They had also offered me a full time position, which I declined. I apparently impressed the partners there quite well, which is whey they offered me to help me on my further career part. Long story short, they forwared my application to Bain and I basically got invited to the interview for an intern position.

Nonetheless, I am a bit worried. My graduation grades were average but university grades were top 5%. To conclude I am certain, that Bain wouldn't have invited me without the referral, and I am kind of worried that they would assess me differenly because I got in through a referral rather than their own selection process.

Do you guys have any thoughts about that?

Answer 1

Hi Anonymous,

you won’t be assessed differently during the interviews due to the referral; however, the interviewer may ask questions on your graduation grades during the initial behavioral part in case they are reported in the CV. Be simply prepared for that question and there should not be any other issue.

Hope this helps,

Francesco

Answer 2

Stop worrying. You got your interview, now everything is based on how you perform in your interviews. The decision on who to interview are made by recruiting/HR, your referral may have helped in that decision, but if you were unqualified they wouldn't have invited you. Now the interview process is done by consulting staff, who will solely base their decision on your interview rounds.

So focus on the things you can control, which is your interview performance!

Answer 3

Hi,

Pls don't worry - once you are at the interview - nobody cares about the resume and how you were selected!

Best

Answer 4

Once you are at interview, everyone is equal! In fact, some Bain offices have started using the practice of 'blind interviews' - i.e. your interviewer won't have seen your CV, Cover Letter, or anything else about you besides your name. Even if they do have your CV, it is unlikely that the interviewer would even know if you were referred.

Don't worry and focus on the interview!

Answer 5

There's a complete reset once you come to the interview: everyone starts from zero, background becomes irrelevant. The best ones on interview-day will move forward.

Answer 6

Dear A ,

You are extremely lucky, so chill out and get ready for your interview.

Good luck.
André

Answer 7

Hi there,

A referral can be a great instrument that helps you secure an interview invite.

However, it is not a 100% guarantee that you eventually get an offer because some points and effort must be given from your side as well.

The question is: How much do you really want to get the job? Of course, it is better to provide yourself with a referral for the targeted firm. Otherwise, you can not even get invited.

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GB