London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Oct 22, 2025

These 5 job searching strategies helped me get into Google, KPMG, and BCG. Mastering at least one of them will help you land a gig at top companies.

These 5 job searching strategies helped me get into Google, KPMG, and BCG. Mastering at least one of them will help you land a gig at top companies.

Eugene Hayden lists the pros and cons of using each strategy and shares how to maximize chances of getting into a top tech or consulting firm.

I'll never forget my struggle searching for a meaningful job. I was out of the job market for three years without an offer, and I applied to so many jobs that it made me feel sick, depressed, and desperate.

But hard work pays off. I learned from my job searching experience and I now enjoy helping others find jobs during the pandemic.

The five strategies I list below helped me get my foot in the door at dream companies like Google, KPMG, and Boston Consulting Group. Master one of these strategies or use a combination of them to unlock more opportunities on the job market, each one has its advantages and disadvantages.

1. Apply early and tweak your résumé when using online portals


Online applications are a gamble. It's the easiest way to submit a résumé with the lowest rate of success. But if you tailor your résumé to each job description, apply early, and optimize for résumé keywords, you'll significantly increase your chances at landing an interview.

The time you apply is critical. If you apply early, there's a higher chance that your application will be seen. A résumé should demonstrate relevant experience and skills rather than generic information about your responsibilities.

To maximize your chances, focus on quantifiable achievements, prepare the application in advance, and populate relevant keywords — but don't overcrowd the résumé.

Pros: Applying online is easy and some companies still hire more than 50% of candidates through online channels.

Cons: For highly competitive environments, the rate of success of online channels is less than 1%.

2. Ask your network for referrals


I got my first job at Boston Consulting Group through a referral. My friend posted a short description on social media that his team was looking for a research analyst. I was excited about the opportunity, so I asked him to refer me.

Eight interviews later, I was hired and a senior partner thanked my friend for referring me. Hiring managers value referrals because they help hiring committees minimize risks and accelerate the decision-making process.

To maximize your chances, build strong relationships with people who refer you, so they will advocate for you on different levels within the organization. Referrals from people who know you well are stronger than referral from strangers.

Pros: A referral may be a fast track for some applicants, and companies encourage employees to recommend the best candidates.

Cons: Referrals are very common at top tech companies and consulting firms. A referral doesn't guarantee you anything; however, this strategy still works better than online submissions.

3. Get plugged into professional groups


Online groups and communities have been thriving since the pandemic started. Job seekers from professional networks who didn't have friends at top tech companies or consulting firms can finally find peers and mentors.

Unlike referrals and traditional ways of building networks (e.g. through friends, universities, or companies), professional networks offer career services. Mentors (usually recruiters and hiring managers) teach candidates how to get into their companies, organize free events with top speakers, and help mentees grow their networks. The community plays the role of a filter or lead generator for organizations.

Some popular communities and mentors include Wonsulting, a community organized by two ex-Googlers; Cultivated Culture, led by a former Microsoft Director; and Max Up, managed by an incoming financial analyst at Google. Two other companies that offer professional services are HiCounselor and FAANGPath.

To build up your network, get plugged into these types of professional groups and participate in free events. For example, Wonsulting organized more than 100 free events with top speakers from tech companies last year.

Pros: Members of these communities can easily get access to someone from Google or Microsoft to answer questions, prepare for interviews, and even get a referral.

Cons: Some career services are not free. Resume reviews may cost you $100-$300 and career mentorship up to 10-15% of your future 1-year salary.

4. Send personalized notes to recruiters


Recruiters are amazing people. I got my job at Google thanks to a recruiter who found me and offered the opportunity.

I had four interviews in two consecutive days followed by three rounds with hiring committees. During this period, I was in touch with the recruiter and he supported me at every step.

Instead of sending a transactional message to a recruiter on LinkedIn (e.g. "Here is my résumé, please review it for open roles."), try to be personable, relevant, and build strong relationships. Even if the recruiter doesn't have a role to offer at this moment, it's highly beneficial to stay connected for future opportunities.

Pros: Recruiters are proactive, help candidates with the interview process, and advocate applicant's interests on hiring committees.

Cons: The majority of recruiters are overwhelmed by applicants on LinkedIn or other social networks, especially those who work for top tech companies and consulting firms. Many recruiters I know simply don't have time to answer all your questions or participate in informational interviews until you become a good candidate for them.

5. Stay connected with old colleagues and hiring managers


At BCG I met amazing people with whom I built strong relationships. Three consultants from BCG joined another management consulting firm. The team was led by a partner, director, and manager, all from BCG. I passed the same number of interviews and solved case studies like other candidates. However, my hiring manager was the same person with whom I've been working at BCG for three years.

To maximize your chances, think long-term and stay connected with your previous hiring managers and teams. Ask them to introduce you to people they know in companies of your interest. This introduction may significantly increase your chances to get a dream job or unlock more opportunities.

Pros: Strong personal connections with a hiring manager may unlock hidden opportunities.

Cons: There are no shortcuts. You still have to pass interviews like other candidates.

These five job application strategies may help you get a foot in the door at top tech companies and management consulting firms. Good luck with your job search!

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Apple Challenges EU Digital Markets Act Crackdown in Landmark Court Battle
Nicolas Sarkozy begins five-year prison term at La Santé in Paris
Japan stocks surge to record as Sanae Takaichi becomes Prime Minister
This Is How the 'Heist of the Century' Was Carried Out at the Louvre in Seven Minutes: France Humiliated as Crown with 2,000 Diamonds Vanishes
China Warns UK of ‘Consequences’ After Delay to London Embassy Approval
France’s Wealthy Shift Billions to Luxembourg and Switzerland Amid Tax and Political Turmoil
"Sniper Position": Observation Post Targeting 'Air Force One' Found Before Trump’s Arrival in Florida
Shouting Match at the White House: 'Trump Cursed, Threw Maps, and Told Zelensky – "Putin Will Destroy You"'
Windows’ Own ‘Siri’ Has Arrived: You Can Now Talk to Your Computer
Thailand and Singapore Investigate Cambodian-Based Prince Group as U.S. and U.K. Sanctions Unfold
‘No Kings’ Protests Inflate Numbers — But History Shows Nations Collapse Without Strong Executive Power
Chinese Tech Giants Halt Stablecoin Launches After Beijing’s Regulatory Intervention
Manhattan Jury Holds BNP Paribas Liable for Enabling Sudanese Government Abuses
Trump Orders Immediate Release of Former Congressman George Santos After Commuting Prison Sentence
S&P Downgrades France’s Credit Rating, Citing Soaring Debt and Political Instability
Ofcom Rules BBC’s Gaza Documentary ‘Materially Misleading’ Over Narrator’s Hamas Ties
Diane Keaton’s Cause of Death Revealed as Pneumonia, Family Confirms
Former Lostprophets Frontman Ian Watkins Stabbed to Death in British Prison
"The Tsunami Is Coming, and It’s Massive": The World’s Richest Man Unveils a New AI Vision
Outsider, Heroine, Trailblazer: Diane Keaton Was Always a Little Strange — and Forever One of a Kind
Dramatic Development in the Death of 'Mango' Founder: Billionaire's Son Suspected of Murder
Two Years of Darkness: The Harrowing Testimonies of Israeli Hostages Emerging From Gaza Captivity
EU Moves to Use Frozen Russian Assets to Buy U.S. Weapons for Ukraine
Europe Emerges as the Biggest Casualty in U.S.-China Rare Earth Rivalry
HSBC Confronts Strategic Crossroads as NAB Seeks Only Retail Arm in Australia Exit
U.S. Chamber Sues Trump Over $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
Shenzhen Expo Spotlights China’s Quantum Step in Semiconductor Self-Reliance
China Accelerates to the Forefront in Global Nuclear Fusion Race
Yachts, Private Jets, and a Picasso Painting: Exposed as 'One of the Largest Frauds in History'
Australia’s Wedgetail Spies Aid NATO Response as Russian MiGs Breach Estonian Airspace
McGowan Urges Chalmers to Cut Spending Over Tax Hike to Close $20 Billion Budget Gap
Victoria Orders Review of Transgender Prison Placement Amid Safety Concerns for Female Inmates
U.S. Treasury Mobilises New $20 Billion Debt Facility to Stabilise Argentina
French Business Leaders Decry Budget as Macron’s Pro-Enterprise Promise Undermined
Trump Claims Modi Pledged India Would End Russian Oil Imports Amid U.S. Tariff Pressure
Surging AI Startup Valuations Fuel Bubble Concerns Among Top Investors
Australian Punter Archie Wilson Tears Up During Nebraska Press Conference, Sparking Conversation on Male Vulnerability
Australia Confirms U.S. Access to Upgraded Submarine Shipyard Under AUKUS Deal
“Firepower” Promised for Ukraine as NATO Ministers Meet — But U.S. Tomahawks Remain Undecided
Brands Confront New Dilemma as Extremists Adopt Fashion Labels
The Sydney Sweeney and Jeans Storm: “The Outcome Surpassed Our Wildest Dreams”
Erika Kirk Delivers Moving Tribute at White House as Trump Awards Charlie Presidential Medal of Freedom
British Food Influencer ‘Big John’ Detained in Australia After Visa Dispute
ScamBodia: The Chinese Fraud Empire Shielded by Cambodia’s Ruling Elite
French PM Suspends Macron’s Pension Reform Until After 2027 in Bid to Stabilize Government
Orange, Bouygues and Free Make €17 Billion Bid for Drahi’s Altice France Telecom Assets
Dutch Government Seizes Chipmaker After U.S. Presses for Removal of Chinese CEO
Bessent Accuses China of Dragging Down Global Economy Amid New Trade Curbs
U.S. Revokes Visas of Foreign Nationals Who ‘Celebrated’ Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
AI and Cybersecurity at Forefront as GITEX Global 2025 Kicks Off in Dubai
×