Questions about Referrals

Apr 30 17 Comments

New to the community - hi

I have 3-4 YOE and have been looking for new opportunities recently. This time around I’ve only applied directly through career sites/job boards instead of using any employee referrals. So far I have got to the recruiter phone screens for a couple of companies like Spotify, Twitter, Robinhood, Atlassian & either haven’t heard back from the recruiters since or got told the team thought I didn’t have enough experience to be considered for a Senior level role (fair). For some other companies (e.g. Stripe, Square, Squarespace) I actually managed to get to the late stages of interviewing, just before the final on-site before being rejected. Right now I’m in the final rounds for a few opportunities - but none that I’m super excited about.

All of this together leads me to think that maybe having referrals would boost my chances of moving forward in the interview process. Is that true or would referrals only help me get my foot in the door (to the recruiter phone screen) and isn’t helpful thereafter?

My question is, should I reapply to the jobs where I haven’t heard back from the company at all and never received a formal rejection from them yet (with a referral this time)? Some companies I have in mind are Coinbase, Dropbox, Uber, Google, Meta, Opensea, Lyft, Twitch, and Discord.

If the answer to that question is yes, would anyone from one of these companies please refer me?

Thanks in advance for any insight! #design #ui/ux #referrals

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TOP 17 Comments
  • Meta / Design
    Djwo10

    Go to company page Meta Design

    PRE
    Microsoft
    Djwo10
    If you’re not passing the stages after the recruiter phone screen, referrals will make no difference. As vertical said, referrals just get you the first phone call. After that, it’s up to you.

    If you are getting recruiter calls but not making it to the on-site, it’s likely your portfolio might have some issues.

    Last thing to level set expectations, the companies that said 3-4 YOE isn’t enough for senior level are correct. You should be targeting mid-level opportunities.
    Apr 30 1
  • New
    vertical1

    New

    vertical1
    Question for you, letmewfh: you said with Stripe you made it to the "late stages of interviewing, just before the final on-site".

    If I am correct, the Stripe process probably was two interviews, a take home assignment, then three more interviews. Was there a take home assignment that you didn't pass? If that's the case, you need to drill down on that a bit more and have someone help you understand why you didn't make it to the final round.
    Apr 30 3
    • New
      vertical1

      New

      vertical1
      OK, so your take home assignment was the case study presentation. You flunked the presentation. You should take a step back and work on that piece. Sorry to say but you weren't even close.
      Apr 30
    • JPMorgan Chase / Design
      Letmewfh1

      Go to company page JPMorgan Chase Design

      Letmewfh1
      Ok thanks for the red pill
      May 1
  • New
    vertical1

    New

    vertical1
    Referral helps get the recruiter call. That's it in today's big tech.
    Apr 30 1
  • Twilio
    chacotaco

    Go to company page Twilio

    chacotaco
    DM for Twilio
    Apr 30 1
  • Google
    zAqx45

    Go to company page Google

    zAqx45
    Yes, u haven’t passed the resume screening. U can reapply
    Apr 30 0