I applied to two MBB on-cycle around 9 months ago and received direct rejections.
However, recently I had an informal phone call with an Associate from one of those two firms and he told me to send him my CV (indicating that he is willing to give me a referral). I didn't tell him at all that I have gotten rejected by the firm in that particular country in the past.
Now, I have doubts whether I should send him my CV or not, and probably reach out to people in higher positions (partners etc.). On the one hand, it is rather unrealistic that a partner even agrees to have a phone call with me to talk about the firm (especially if I contact him by email/linkedin), but on the other hand, if a partner refers me, the interview is pretty much a done deal, whereas an Associate's referral will most probably not have a large weight (especially if I'm blacklisted).
So, does it make sense here to send my CV and get a referral from an Associate while blacklisted, or should I rather seek out for partners?
I didn't know that it is possible to get referred by 2 persons at the same time.
(edited)