what level should an mbb referral be?

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:

• Generally speaking, the more senior the person providing the referral, the stronger the referral. Therefore, I would highly advise you to focus on partners, associate partners, and project leaders in the first place.
• Still, reaching out to lower-level consultants can be meaningful, especially to gain authentic insights into the company and the day-to-day life of your (potential) future role.

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

Hello A,

Having a referral from a more senior person will increase your chances of securing an interview, but it's important to keep in mind that they may not be the best source for information about day-to-day life at the firm. Here are a few tips:

• Networking with people at all levels can help you gain insight into the firm's culture and values, as well as the specific office you're interested in.
• Talking to people at a lower level can provide more detailed information about day-to-day life, as they are likely to be more involved in the daily operations of the firm.
• Once you have done your research and gathered information from people at different levels, it will be beneficial to approach someone more senior for a referral.

Best of luck!

Best,

Victoria

Hi there,

you should aim for project manager and higher ideally. A more senior rank and a longer company tenure of the referrer increase the weight their referral carries. 

If you can only get a referral from someone at the consultant level, it's still better than no referral. But if you have some lead time to work with, go for more senior.

A partner knows enough about recruiting because they are involved in the final round interviews. So they know what to look for in a candidate from a big picture level. They may not know all the intricate details of the recruiting process up to the final round but that is something rather tactical you should ask HR about or lower level consultants.

Good luck

The more senior the better. But… the real difference comes from having a reference (vs. not having). High rank is a bit better, of course, but don't let that get in the way of actually getting ONE referral.

Please don't overcomplicate this!

The higher the level the better. Period.

The closer they are to your office (i.e. same country, same region, etc.), the better.

Any referral is “good” and you should be happy if you get one.

It's as simple as that!

Hi there,

1) What level should an mbb referral be?

Anyone can provide a referral. However the more senior the person, the stronger the referral. Ideal levels are from manager and above. However if you can’t find connections there, you can connect with analysts or associates as well.  I was referred by an Associate at McKinsey and by a partner at BCG and both worked out.

2) Does the level of referring person matter below that level (partner), assuming that the person has been at the firm >1year? 

Yes, as mentioned better to target someone from manager and above.

You can find more on referrals below:

▶ How to Get a Consulting Interview Invitation

▶ The Exact Steps to Get a Referral

Good luck!

Francesco