Asking for referral

How long should you know someone before asking them for a referral? I applied for a position today and connect with an MD tonight and we are meeting via zoom next week. We share the same unique interests, so I am thinking that we will be able to form an immediate relationship. How might I put it out there that I would be asking for a referral? Or do I let the conversation do the talking, in a sense. Looking for some insight as I am still in school and networking.

Thx for time... appreciate it.

3 Comments
 

If they're going to refer you, they'll make it pretty clear on their end. If they're not, they won't. If they're not showing any signs, and you blatantly ask for a referral, it could ruin what could have been a great relationship. Just be smart about it and try to connect with him on a personal level rather than going into it with the objective of getting something out of it.

 

Echo the above, you will feel the vibe. But generally towards the end you can ask leading questions like what does your team look for in analysts/interns etc and it'll usually get that sort of conversation going. And honestly if they have an open position and you are connecting with someone they'll know what you're after and will generally say it on their own. 

 
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