[lauramaria]

I recently connected on LinkedIn with a Big4 senior manager . We are in some similar groups together, but we have never had other contacts. How do I ask for a referral without sounding like an opportunistic vulture ? My first instinct is not to do it, but I found out that a good referral would pay an employee $ 3.000 so they might be actually open for such requests??

Please advise : should I send an email describing my interest in job and asking for a referral , or should I refrain ? What and how would you do it ?

Many thanks,

[mla1169]

That's what LinkedIn is for! I'd send an email introducing yourself and pointing out your mutual interests. Mention that you are looking for opportunities and ask if he/she is aware of any. Good luck!

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[lauramaria]

@mla1169,

You give me hope!!!

Thank you so much for taking the time,

LM

[Anonymous]

It's a job networking website…. That's what you're SUPPOSED to do!!!

If you were talking about facebook or something then I could understand your hesitation.

But on linkedin? You'd be missing a good opportunity if you didn't reach out.

Good Luck!

[Whatdidyou]

You've never met him before?

If you're gonna do it, I wouldn't come right out and ask if he'll refer you over linkedin. I would describe your interest in a job & his firm, and ask if you can buy him coffee and/or lunch to ask him a few questions OR if there is any advice he'd be willing to give you OR if he'd be willing to critique your resume online. That'd be the first step I'd take.

He'll know what you really want, and you won't sound like one of the really bad “opportunistic vultures”.

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[Minimorty]

How exactly did you connect with this person? Did you invite him/her to connect or did he/she invite you? Was it the generic connection or was there a personal invitation? Just trying to gauge how well you know this person.

[Anonymous]

To piggyback on Mini's comments, I would definitely say that it depends on how well you know this person. If you just randomly connected it might be a little awkward to come right out and ask for a referral.

To @Whatdidyou‘s point, I don't think introducing yourself is a terrible idea, however, the other two ideas (in my personal opinion) are not great ones (no offense). I mean, asking for general advice is sort of a waste of time…if you have a specific question in mind, then that may be a more acceptable communication. Also, asking a senior manager at a big 4 to critique your resume is suicide…first, they are incredibly busy and second, it's not going to reflect well on you in terms of potential future opportunities if you're coming out and saying, “hey my resume's not great, can you take time out to fix it for me?”. Just my two cents. Good luck!

[lauramaria]

Thank you for your interest , all of you.

I was “stocking” this foreign filial of big 4 , and it just happened that I found this profile of a senior manager , who has an amazing career , and we share a few accounting/CFE groups. I sent him an invite to connect and to my surprise he accepted it .

He is also connected with the HR person in charge of a job I applied for, so I just do not know what would be best :

1-should I send an email to the recruiter , inviting him to see my profile (maybe he will see my connection with above manager??)

2- (I have hard time with this one) contact manager and ask for referral ???advice??? ideas???

Everyone is far away , oversees, so I cannot invite anyone in for coffee…I wish I could . All I can hope is a webcam interview.

How do my chances look now, that you know the story ?

[Minimorty]

@laura – To be honest, worse than they were before I knew the particulars. Btw – when you invited him to connect, did you personalize your message or was it the standard “I would like to add you to my network.” Never use the standard invite. Make sure you always write a personalized message. Since you have already applied for a job with the company, have you received any response from the company yet? I, personally, would never provide a referral for someone I didnt know and had never met. His referral is going to be a reflection on him. I cant imagine he would be willing to take that chance since he has no idea who you are. Asking him to provide that referral could hurt your chances getting that job. You mentioned that you are overseas. Are you looking for a sponsorship or are you able to work in the country without any restrictions? You are only available for a webcam interview? How prevalent are those (i really have no idea)? Ok, so far I have been a wet blanket. Let's see if I can think of any positives. You probably have nothing to lose, right? What is the worst that can happen? You ask for a referral, he thinks you are crazy, you dont get the job, and you move on to the next job. Probably not the end of the world. Instead of straight out asking for a referral, I would perhaps send him a message asking about the work environment and what type of person they generally hire. I would just try to strike up a conversation and build a rapport with him. Down the road, it could become a good connection for you.

[lauramaria]

You are right ,Mini,

I truly admire his career (as shown on his profile) and that is what I said in the invite. It did not feel right to ask for a referral, but , I did not want to miss on a chance, if LinkedIn is , indeed about open contact . I never thought my chances will get even hurt if I make a move right now , but s you said, down the road I could start a conversation with him.

I am from an European country , so I can potentially work in the entire EU. I was hoping that having the CPA and CFE exam done, a strong GPA from US University (3.93) , I would have good appeal to a country like Luxembourg or Belgium , but so far nobody called me back. Must be because I have 8 years experience in banking , but no experience in accounting ? I fear so, but I cannot give up on this dream yet .

In my mind the proceedings with a foreign recruiter will start with a phone interview, followed by webcam interview, and hopefully something in-person.

Maybe, as you said , I should invest in this long-term connection, instead of burning up the bridges now.

[lauramaria]

How about my idea of sending an inmail to my recruiter , inviting him to view my linkedin profile ? I just submitted my application on Thursday and I did not get a chance to talk to him on the phone. Should I wait to talk to him and then to send the invitation to view the profile ?(not an invite to connect)

[Author]

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