No alumni and network in the firms I want to apply. How could I find referrals?

1. Yes - 100%. Tell them you're interested in the company period. Then, when talking to them (and expressing further interest), ask if they might know anyone in the region you're looking to apply to.

2. Very low probability of working. I wouldn't do this, unless you can really send a killer email/message that truly catches their eye.

3. Not sure what you mean here. But, you should reach out to HR/recruitment, express interest, and ask if there's anyone you could speak to about x.

4. (Additional) Even try 3rd degree connections. A 2nd degree connection you have might have a bunch of contacts themselves in these companies

(edited)

Hi there,

the best strategy would be option 1 – maybe they even have connections with your target geography.

Option 2 could work only if you have a killer profile, craft an excellent message and are lucky.

Option 3 won't help I am afraid.

Best,

Francesco

Hi there,

1) Yes you can ask someone in another region. Sometimes that person might actually be able to connect you with someone in your region and you can build the relationship from there.

2) You can try but the chance is low

3) It won't add additional value.

Best,

Emily

Hi,

I suggest that you should also try other simple methods. For example, invest effort in exploring whether someone from your current network knows someone, who knows someone in your target office. It works.

Best,

Anton

Hi,

1. High probability to work as we can always check who are the HR in other region even when we are already alumni (Note: some firm has Alumni referal program that will compensate alumni if their referral got accepted). Importantly you need to build stronger relationship with this network of yours so he will be confident to refer you.
2. Lower probabiliy to succeed but no harm trying and make sure your email is very interesting
3. This can also be done in parallel with other method above.

That's a great set of questions. And it seems like you're really trying to work iteratively on what didn't function on the first go. 

Sharing with you a resource on how to get referrals through LinkedIn that goes step by step through how to identify the profiles and then how to actually ‘ask’ for the referral:

• Expert Guide: How To Get Referrals Via LinkedIn? 

Best,
Cristian
 

Hello!

To your questions:

1. Yes, this works very well. Is the case for most cases
2. You can try, but honestly, won´t work
3. This is the "indicated" way to go -I did this for Bain and BCG for instance, and I got called-.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Hi,

1. Anyone can make a referral, even a person in a different geography

2. Absolutely, but if you have 4+ years of industry experience. Also if you are an experienced hire - firms have dedicated partners responsible for experienced recruiting. You can ask the HR to connect

3. Nope, it won't help.

Best