Hi there,

Let me get straight to the point, since you already seem to be well versed in professional interactions with consultants and senior professionals at executive level.

How do I ask the partner for a referral without putting them on uncomfortable position? - You don't ask for a referral directly. Instead, you ask whether they would consider to support your application. This is a reasonable ask, in case the talk goes well, and gives the Partner some wiggle room since he/she can decide on the level of support, up to and including a referral with a glowing recommendation to HR.

Hope this helps. Best of luck!

Moritz

Hi there,

Quite simply it's going to depend on the Partner/call.

You need to read the room so to speak and figure out what makes sense in that situation. It's not so different to a sales call.

Do they seem like a straight shooter? Go for the direct ask! (In a “apologetic” way). Has it been a great call but direct ask feels weird? hint at it! Referral definitely not on the table? Ask to be put in touch with the recruiter/HR to answer x question or with another person at the firm to answer y question.

Partners usually don't have time to just chit-chat with a potential applicant. So naturally you don't want to use such a call to ask them tactical stuff any recruiter could answer - neither would they expect you to do that.

Try to meet them at a more strategic level, ideally also addressing topics from their area of expertise. They will likely try gauge whether you might be a good fit for their own team or for other teams within the firm. I wouldn't be surprised if they also asked you some questions in return to test how you can think on your feet. 

You can ask them what the best way would be to get your application considered and if they would be supportive of you applying.

Definitely have your CV ready to send in case they ask you for it.

Good luck

Hello,

Might be worth asking something along the lines of “How can I best position myself to succeed at this application”. If they're interested in giving you a referral, they will bring it up, else they will say something else and you will get the hint.

All the best!

Rushabh 

Dear A,

Congrats on scheduling the call. It is not always easy and proves that you have good communication skills.

I am gonna give you some tips that have worked great for me in the past, and I expect them when I have calls with people who would like to work for BCG.

1. Start by presenting yourself in 1-1,5 minutes. Keep it short and keep it interesting. You will need it for your interviews as well, so please prepare this.

2. Ask very specific questions. Don't start by saying that you just wanted to meet them and make it seem like a casual chat. Consultants are super busy and want to interact with people who know what they want and need. Otherwise, they'll feel that you're wasting their time.

3. They know you need a referral so please don't make it awkward and ask for it. They'll most probably offer to do it if they like you. If you really want to ask though, frame it like this “Do you think that a referral is a must in order to have my CV reviewed, or can I just submit my application on the website and still have a chance to be considered”? By this sentence, you give them the chance to kindly offer you the referral.

4. Keep it as short as possible. When you don't have something else to ask, then just be honest about it and say that you don't have any more questions and that you really appreciate they took the time to talk with you.

5. Show that you understand how busy they are and make very clear how thankful you are they devoted their time to answering your questions.

6. After your call, send a follow-up thank you message.

If you anything else, I will be more than happy to help. Just send me a pm.

Best of luck with everything:)

Hi there, 

Great that you managed to get this call. 

I wrote an article on PrepLounge that explains how you can use these opportunities to connect with the interviewer, get the most out of the interview and land a referral. You can read it HERE.

In short:

• Have your CV and cover letter ready before you even connect with them
• Prepare a pitch about yourself - up to a minute (explaining why you are interested in the firm and the role, be as honest as you can)
• Ask a couple of questions about their experience
• Ask them for advice during the recruitment process
• Ask them indirectly about the referral - one way to do it is to ask whether referrals do increase your chances of passing the screening or not. At this point, if they want to provide you with a referral, they will offer. 

The entire purpose of this call is to connect with them. So be curious, empathetic and nice. Don't try to impress them or challenge them unnecessarily. 

Best,

Cristian

Hi there,

If you are already at this stage, you can be very open and honest about it by asking indirectly “Is it common practice in your firm to receive referrals before applying/ is a referral needed to be considered for the interviews?”

They will understand what you mean but it also allows them to dodge your request indirectly.

Cheers,

Florian

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:

• To maximize the possibility of getting a referral from the partner, it is important to understand the specific partner's preferences. Asking for a referral directly may not always be the best approach, as it can put the partner in an uncomfortable position.
• Instead, try to build a strong relationship with the partner by showing your genuine interest in consulting and your research and preparation for it. This can increase the likelihood that the partner will naturally offer a referral or suggest ways for you to move forward in your career.

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