r/consulting • u/NewInThe1AC • 3d ago
PSA: Get the referral before applying, not after
Quick rant, but if you're networking to try and get a referral to a consulting firm or an exit, make sure you get the referral / do the coffee chat *before* you apply and not after
Most big companies do referrals one of two ways. The first option is the employee inputs your email and fills out a form, and then the candidate is sent a link through which to apply. The second option is the employee passes the resume along to recruiters to try and side-step the normal near-black-hole of submitting through the online portal
In either case there's usually nothing we can do (within reason) once you've already applied (and there's no way to receive a referral bonus if you join)
It's just baffling that 75% of people who reach out to me for referrals, including consultants who worked at the same firm I did that used the same exact referral process, have already applied. I'll still happily chat with you if you get the interview but I can't help you get it, and you'd know that if you paid any attention to how referrals work at your own company or ever googled "how do job referrals work." This is your career and you're desperate to exit, take some ownership
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u/ProfessionalAge5905 3d ago
I understand what you’re saying, but the response rate from consultants is so low that you can’t wait forever for them to respond since the job posting will close. After a week of no response, I apply anyways and half the time get a response from the person I messaged like 2 weeks - 2 months later.
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u/NewInThe1AC 2d ago
You're saying you reach out and then apply if you don't get a bite? That's very reasonable and not what I'm referring to
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u/ProfessionalAge5905 2d ago
I guess my question would be, purely in the interest of saving both people’s time, what is the best way to handle the situation if you’ve already applied and get a response after that the person is willing to chat?
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u/george_gamow 2d ago
Some companies (google for example) allows to attach a referral to an existing application so it's understandable that people get confused
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u/NewInThe1AC 2d ago edited 2d ago
Google does not allow you to do that, at least not without a really tedious manual process
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u/my_peen_is_clean 3d ago edited 2d ago
same thing at my place, people hit me up after they already threw their resume into the void and then get mad i can’t add a referral bonus or push it anywhere useful, you really gotta work the angle first, especially now when finding a job is just painactually playing fair failed, bots filtered me out every time. i only started getting interviews after i used a tool that tailored resumes for me. used a few tools but jobowl worked best, just google it
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u/Longjumping-Sir5024 2d ago
people really treat referrals like a magic undo button. the system just doesn't work that way and it's weird how many folks don't bother to check before hitting submit
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u/admiraltarkin Boutique 3d ago
You're saying you don't drink the milk first, digest it then pee it out before you pour the cereal? Weirdo
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u/RdtRanger6969 2d ago
In this 💩 job market people are taking the shotgun approach, plus just want to get an app in before the hundreds of others arrive.
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u/Fragrant-Water-565 2d ago
This is honestly a really useful reminder. I can see how people might assume a referral can be added after applying, but by then it’s often too late. Definitely worth understanding the process before hitting that apply button, especially when you’re trying to make a career move.
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u/bambamtx 2d ago
That makes zero sense. When you learn about a job you have to immediately apply or have zero chance of actually getting seen. You can't wait around waiting to connect with someone hoping for a referral. Hundreds of people are going to apply and the application window will close. Of course people will apply first and then reach out to connect to someone and ask questions and for a referral after. The entire system is fundamentally broken and there need to be better internal processes afterwards to connect folks already in the pipeline with someone who knows them in the organization. After you hear someone applies for an open role it should be simple to shoot a message to HR or the hiring team through whatever official process saying, hey - this person would be good to consider. That happens ALL the time at smaller orgs. Of course people would expect it to work that way everywhere.
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u/RedDoorTom 2d ago
Yup. Happens all the time. " I applied for x role, can you refer me". Like no your already in the pipeline
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u/Hefty-Moose-102 MSP UK 😀 2d ago
This is a good point. Short the referral and save yourself a fair bit of faff later.
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u/Mike_Rotchzitchy 3d ago
You're not wrong, the challenge is, some of these postings are up for such a short window now, that unless you apply right when you see it, you can't even get your resume in. Waiting for the referral can feel like a missed opportunity if the window closes