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How does referral work?

Hi, 

I have been reaching out to MBB offices to network/coffee chat, I usually at the end email them and ask them if they think there is someone else I should talk to and they mostly pass on another contact. for McKinsey & Bain I have been able to coffee chat a few BAs and ACs respectively. I have an upcoming coffee chat with a principal at BCG at the office I want to apply to. Anyway, wanted to ask if my coffee chats keep track of people who reached out/talked to on a database at the office or do i need to officially asl for a referral? 

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Mihir
Coach
1 hr ago
50% discount on first session | McKinsey Associate Partner and interviewer | Bulletproof MBB prep

Hi there,

It’s unlikely that someone will refer you after just one coffee chat, without you explicitly discussing it with them.

My suggestion would be to nurture a bit more of a relationship first (maybe a couple of meetings) and then ask for a referral.

An alternative would be to look for MBB employees from your school’s alumni network - they might be more willing to immediately refer you.

Best of luck.

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