I can only speak for McKinsey where the selection process is kept as objective and fact-based as possible. During the decision meeting, where candidates are discussed post-interview, the interviewers share concrete examples and often challenged with their rating/hiring proposal. Considering the number of interviews that a candidate goes through before an offer is extended, if the candidate is not meeting the bar it becomes obvious!
It's also worth pointing out that, McKinsey, as well as many other management consultancies, are partnerships where it is not about the opinion and decision of a single partner (or senior partner) and evaluation (even for senior partners) is far more meritocratic than political. It's also worth noting that typically a candidate would be interviewed by at least one partner or senior partner who would be a peer to the referrer as well.
I personally have interviewed a candidate referred by who was then the former Global Managing Director. There was a post-it on the CV by the recruiter but not once was this mentioned during the interview or final decision meeting.
I can only speak for McKinsey where the selection process is kept as objective and fact-based as possible. During the decision meeting, where candidates are discussed post-interview, the interviewers share concrete examples and often challenged with their rating/hiring proposal. Considering the number of interviews that a candidate goes through before an offer is extended, if the candidate is not meeting the bar it becomes obvious!
It's also worth pointing out that, McKinsey, as well as many other management consultancies, are partnerships where it is not about the opinion and decision of a single partner (or senior partner) and evaluation (even for senior partners) is far more meritocratic than political. It's also worth noting that typically a candidate would be interviewed by at least one partner or senior partner who would be a peer to the referrer as well.
I personally have interviewed a candidate referred by who was then the former Global Managing Director. There was a post-it on the CV by the recruiter but not once was this mentioned during the interview or final decision meeting.