Referrals do NOT directly increase your chances of an interview. It will only increase the chances and the time a recruiter will spend screening your CV.

An AP referral would have the same weight as a P referral, so go with the fitting profile.

Ken surely has more experience than I on the referral process at McKinsey - just from my own experience and that of many candidates I've worked with - I would disagree with him on the benefit of a referral. At most companies a referral not only guarantees that a recruiter looks at your documents, but it all but guarantees an interview invitation (unless your profile is really a far stretch).

Hi there,

A referral is just a door opener such that the recruiting team will look through your application more thoroughly. Depending on the seniority, tenure and advocacy of the person referring you, you have a better chance of getting a first round interview. The more senior (manager level or above) the person referring you is, the better. The longer the tenure of that person with the firm is, the better. 

The reason is that such voices carry more weight than referrals coming from super junior or brand new people. They typically know the HR folks better and have been involved in recruiting activities for a while so it is usually assumed that they have a good grasp of what types of candidates with which sets of qualifications the firm needs. But any referral is better than no referral. Thinking about whether a Partner referral is better than an AP referral falls into the area of splitting hairs.

Ideally, you get a referral from someone from the same office (or same country) you are applying to. But again, a referral from someone within the same firm but different country organization is still better than no referral.

A direct rejection after the CV screening stage can still happen - even with a referral. In that case the HR team usually provides some feedback to the person having given the referral. So you should follow up with them to better understand the rationale in case that happens. On the flipside, you can still get an interview invite when you just apply online without a referral - the probability is just lower on average.

And as always, factors such as economic conditions and headcount/budget planning of the individual firm also matter significantly in these decisions - but they are not within your control.

Best

Hi, I confirm Associate Partner is great for a referral. I would also look at engagement managers

Best

Antonello

Hello!

There is almost no difference between AP and P when it comes to referrals, so you shouldn't look for somebody else, you would have the same chances of getting invited to the interview with either of them. You have managed to find a great target, well done!

Was it helpful?

GB

Hi,

I think you are overcomplicating it. It will not be a game changes if it is a Partner instead of an AP. Moreover - it's better yo have an AP to whom you can reach out, than a busy partner

Best

Hi there,

You're absolutely overcomplicating this and getting too nuanced! A referral is a fantastic thing. Period. I would be happy with a referral from a Consultant, let alone an AP/Partner.

You're essentially asking "Is it better to get a referral from the CEO or the CFO?"

Just get the referral!

If you have a good relationship with the AP, make sure to leverage that! If they're willing to refer you, that's absolutely fantastic. If you can't get supported by the AP, THEN reach out to the Partner (but it sounds like this AP would have every intention of referring you?)

Hello!

Both AP or partner would be great.

Also, be conscious that this does not guarantee anything -only that recruiting will look into your CV.

Cheers,

Clara