McKinsey referral - no specific position

referrals
New answer on Jun 10, 2023
4 Answers
398 Views
Anonymous A asked on Jun 08, 2023

A partner just told me that there's no opening for experienced hires. Then I received an email from McKinsey saying this partner referred me. Should they have opportunity that matches my skills, they will contact me. I assume this is just a standard email. But what if I find a position I want to apply, should I ask this partner to refer me again? I don't know how this system works. Can someone help out? 

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best answer
Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jun 08, 2023
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Q: But what if I find a position I want to apply, should I ask this partner to refer me again?

I assume you mean if you find a position posted in a few months on their site given currently they don’t have openings. In this case, it is totally fine to reach out to the partner again to “ask their opinion about that” and follow the partner's suggestions.

Good luck!

Francesco

Was this answer helpful?
Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jun 08, 2023
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

This is fantastic! Great networking here.

It is not a standard email. The Partner told them to keep you in mind.

If you end up finding a position, first try to respond to that email/contact to see if you'd be eligible there. If not response, then you can check in with the Partner.

Nice work!

Was this answer helpful?
Cristian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jun 08, 2023
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Hi there, 

Glad to hear you had a good chat with the Partner!

No, you don't need to ask for the referral again. What I'd do if I were you is to either:

  • Ask for a short chat with HR to see what sort of role would be best for you and get some clarity from them as to when they might open recruitment again for experienced hires

OR

  • Keep checking their website over the following months for opening and in case nothing comes up, check in with HR in about 3-4 months.

Since you already have a referral, you don't need one more. You just need them to be ready to hire. 

In the meantime, diversify your application strategy to include more firms. Even if you may not want to be hired by some of them, this will be good practice for when you'll have the McKinsey interviews later on. You can use the guide below for that:

Best,
Cristian

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous A on Jun 08, 2023

Thanks. But if I go on to apply through their site directly, how would they know that I have a referral from the partner?

Cristian on Jun 08, 2023

You don't need to apply directly through the website. When you notice a position opening, then you can contact HR directly and say that you're interested in that position specifically and that you would want to use the referral you were already give.

Sofia
Expert
replied on Jun 10, 2023
Top-Ranked Coach on PrepLounge for 3 years| McKinsey San Francisco | Harvard graduate | 6+ years of coaching

Hello,

The referral is in the system now, so you don’t need to ask the partner to refer you again. If you find a position that you want to apply to, reach out to HR, note the fact that you received this referral, and ask for guidance on how to proceed.

Was this answer helpful?
Francesco gave the best answer

Francesco

Content Creator
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
4,512
Meetings
43,949
Q&A Upvotes
387
Awards
5.0
1616 Reviews
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely