I only discovered connection with a Partner after I applied through website and received an invitation to 1st round interview. They are based at a different office from the one I'm applying to, but we specialize in the same area, and come from the same research group. (I'm an APD candidate). May I ask your opinion on whether getting referral still add any strength at all to my application at this stage? Thank you in advance!
(edited)
Hi there,
Q: May I ask your opinion on whether getting a referral still adds any strength at all to my application at this stage?
A referral helps to pass the screening and land invitations for interviews. If you have already been invited, an official referral won’t bring additional weight to the CV screening because you have already passed it.
On the other hand, if you have reasons to connect with the partner (eg because you share a specialization or research area) and create a good relationship with him there is no downside and you could improve your answer for fit questions like “Why McKinsey” and ask better questions at the end to the other interviewers.
Good luck!
Francesco
Hi there,
You already have an interview, no referral is needed! Focus now on your interview itself (no need to pursue anything with the Partner now).
Make sure you full focus on the case interview now! Here's some reading to get you ready.
Case reading: https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/how-to-shift-your-mindset-to-ace-the-case
Fit reading: https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/tell-me-about-yourself-interview-question
Now it's only up to the interviews. But if you have a chance to talk to the partner first, you could then also mention that in your interviews when they ask you about why you want to work for the firm etc.
I would tread lightly here though - talking to the partner before your interview would be a nice to have but it's not a priority. It might matter more once you reach the final round because then the filtering based on fundamental fit criteria has already happened
Hi there,
In short: No.
Once you are past the screening stage, referrals add no value and it is up to your interview performance and your interviewers' impression of you to collect the offer.
All the best and fingers crossed!
To learn more about the interview, check the following:
Cheers,
Florian
Referrals help to get the interview, you got your invitation - CONGRATS! - hence no need now!
Good luck
Lucie
Was this answer helpful?
Congrats on getting an invitation to interview just from a direct online application. That is quite rare!
At this stage there is no benefit to a referral as you already have the end output of the referral which is the interview. However, if you are close to the partner, what they can do is reach out to the hiring team and personally recommend you. In my opinion that adds a lot of weight to your candidacy.
Best,
Udayan
That's great that you know someone! At this point you've already been invited to interview, and so the referral won't have much bearing (generally it is sometimes helpful in getting you to an interview). It's always worth reaching out to someone you know to understand more about the Firm and whether it's right for you, but to be honest it's unlikely to have much of a bearing on your application at this stage.
Good luck!
Hello,
Congratulations on getting an interview! Since you have already been invited to interview, a referral isn't going to add much (referrals generally help candidates get to the interview stage). However, it is still great to know someone at the firm you are applying to - you could reach out to them with questions about working there, or keep them informed about how your recruiting process is going, if it is a close enough connection.
