[Non-consulting] Referral Process at MBB?

Hi there,

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

• First of all, yes, you are reading too much into the wording. "Looking forward to speaking" is normal business politeness in that situation and it is neither a promise of a call nor a hidden signal. The useful part of your exchange is something else, namely that the marketing director offered to flag your name to recruiting, and that is worth more than the sentence itself.
• Moreover, contrary to what other coaches have said, the referral process differs between consulting firms. While with most consulting firms, you need to apply through a specific hyperlink you are sent via e-mail, some consulting firms flag referrals internally. In the end, however, this should not be anything you need to ponder.

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

Best,

Hagen

Hi,

On the wording, "looking forward to speaking" is professional courtesy, so I would not read too much into it indeed. On the process, it is similar to what you describe for tech, and I would assume it is fairly standard across MBB: the referrer submits a referral through a link, it reaches recruiting, and your CV then carries the referrer's name next to it once you formally apply on the portal, which helps it get a closer look. From here it runs through the normal recruiting process.

I cannot tell from your description whether what the director set up is exactly that or simply flagging your name to the team, but either way it does not guarantee a call.  Worth adding that for non-consulting roles like this one, timelines tend to be longer than in core consulting, so a delay of a few weeks between applying and hearing back is quite normal and not a bad sign.

Hope it helps and good luck with the process!

Federico

Hi,

Based on what you described, I would see it as a positive signal, but I would not interpret it as an interview invitation yet.

In consulting, referrals often work differently from tech. In many firms, the employee simply flags your application or adds an internal recommendation. It usually helps your application get additional visibility, but it is not a guarantee that you will be contacted.

The fact that they asked you to apply through the official website and said they would flag your application is encouraging. Likewise, "Looking forward to speaking" is a friendly response, but I would not read too much into that phrase alone. People often use it as a polite closing.

At this point, I would simply be patient. If you have not heard anything after a reasonable period (for example, 2–3 weeks), it is perfectly fine to send a brief follow-up asking whether there have been any updates.

One more point: for non-consulting roles, the referral process can vary much more than it does for consulting positions. Some teams are heavily involved in hiring, while others leave most of the process to HR. That is why it is difficult to draw conclusions based on one interaction.

Overall, I think you have done everything right so far. Now the outcome depends much more on your profile and the hiring team's needs than on the referral itself. I would keep applying to other opportunities in parallel rather than waiting for this one.

Best,

Soheil

hi :)

I wouldn’t read too much into “looking forward to speaking.” It’s encouraging, but it doesn’t guarantee an interview. At MBB, referrals usually mean the employee flags your application internally or recommends your profile to recruiting, but recruiting still decides whether you move forward.

Since you were explicitly told they would flag your application, I’d consider that a genuine positive signal. For a non consulting marketing role, the process can also be quite different from the standard consulting recruiting funnel.

I’d give it some time and then send one polite follow up if you haven’t heard anything. Your MBA from a strong European school should certainly help, but ultimately the role fit and hiring needs will matter most.

Best, Alessa :)