How can I get a partner at big four to refer me?

Hi guys. So my situation is a bit complex. I graduated from school in January 2O16. KPMG designates applicants as students if they have been out of school for less than 10 months but that is not a policy for continued on-campus interviewing for my school (entry –level jobs can only be applied on school’s website). People at career center at my school told me to apply directly to the recruiter. However, I emailed the recruiter regarding the situation and she said if I cannot apply on my school’s website then I should apply for experienced hires instead. But experienced hires usually require candidates to have at least one year working experience in public accounting and apparently I don’t meet that requirement.

So I’m frustrated right now. I thought I still had a shot. I’ve been networking with a partner at KPMG for a while now since February. He’s super nice and helpful. He responded to every email that I sent. So I’m wondering how I can get the partner to refer me? Maybe referral will make things a little easier. What should I say to the partner? People told me I shouldn’t ask him directly, like “ could you refer me”? then what should I do ? I think I’ve been saying that I’m really interested in KPMG all the time. He should get the hint. Any advice?

 
Best Response
TopChedder:

Can you explain to him what you just explained to us? See what he thinks?

Seriously. SB+1 to the cheese.

"Mr. Partner,

I really appreciate all the advice you have given me so far. I'm in a tricky situation and I'd love your input on it. (I graduated from school in January 2016. KPMG designates applicants as students if they have been out of school for less than 10 months but that is not a policy for continued on-campus interviewing for my school (entry -level jobs can only be applied on school's website). People at career center at my school told me to apply directly to the recruiter. However, I emailed the recruiter regarding the situation and she said if I cannot apply on my school's website then I should apply for experienced hires instead. But experienced hires usually require candidates to have at least one year working experience in public accounting and apparently I don't meet that requirement.) Let me know what you think the best route for me to take would be.

Thank you again,

travellingbaby

Partner reads email, rolls his eyes at company HR policy, smiles to himself because he gets to be a super hero

"Mr. Baby,

Not to worry. The solution is ___________. I have cc'd ________ on this email. Anticipate a call from her soon.

Good luck,

Partner."

The solution could be a definitive answer on where you "belong," an end around to get your resume in a stack, or something else entirely, but if you have the type of relationship with this partner that you allude to, and the partner is as nice as you say, this is definitely the route to take. This is literally what building professional relationships, especially mentor/mentee relationships, is for.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

CRE, thank you so much for your example email. i really appreciate it. I did send the partner an email last night explaining my situation, but haven't heard back from him yet. OMG, I should've asked you guys first. I feel like your example email is better than the email I wrote last night. Anyways, we will see what he has to say. I will update his response in my post. I assume partners have a say in hiring process. Let's hope he can bend the rules a little bit for me.

 

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