How much easier is it to secure a job at prestigious firm if someone from the company refers you?

Not asking to quantify this answer or anything, but if someone from the company refers you, like a 1st or 2nd year, does this usually end up in an initial interview or will this still not be enough to get foot in the door?

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Impossible to quantify as you say, but as another poster has mentioned, it might get someone to read your CV and get to the first step of the recruitment process (which may be online tests), but little more. At least among large and established firms.

The issue is that this can be seen as a form of bribery, and a lot of large banks have paid fines for referring and getting jobs for the sons and daughters of key clients. You'd have a lot more chance 10 or so years ago. Google "JP Morgan Chase to pay $264m over Chinese 'princelings' bribery scheme" for example.

 

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