When interviewing, is it acceptable to reach out to target company’s current employees, outside of the formal recruiting process? I wanna learn about culture etc. Do I have to tell their HR about it?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

I would be careful with this - if it’s a big company, sure. But if it’s a small one, there’s a not insignificant chance you might be interviewing to replace someone, and that person could be someone you reach out to on LinkedIn. I’ve seen it happen.

like

I’m definitely not replacing anyone as this is a new team for a brand new project, but this is totally a great caveat, thanks!

like

Definitely speak to a few employees when you have an offer at hand. You can ask some petty questions “Like are you able to expense Lunch” with minimal consequences.

like

It is fine as long as the person is some one you know. I recently moved and frankly had a few conversations out side the recruiting circle. But the answers weren’t different than the recruiting team. But once I got the offer I could ask for more specifics.

I’d say yes. You want to make sure it’s a culture fit for you as well!

like

Definitely don’t tell hr, lol.

Side note: I ignore people from other companies who send me these requests. Too many.

like

Good thing there are 300k of you. Get off your high horse

like

I would do it

like

I think it’s acceptable, but a little too much. The times I’ve done it I regretted it because it put me in a position of less power, and because there were numerous opportunities to show cultural fit or ask questions during the normal process. Some firms actively discourage it, too.

Related Posts

I am under qualified for a job that I KNOW I can do. They’ve asked for a certain number of years of experience and I don’t have it. However, I do have some experience in the exact requirements for the role. What can I do to position myself to get an interview from my resume alone? Should I add a cover letter? What should I include? I have 2-3 YOE, but they’re asking for 5.

like

Currently interviewing internally for an assistant manager position. I have 6 years of external management experience, all the way up to store leadership. I’m just wondering how I can express this when asking for a salary. What kind of salary should I be looking for?

like

I’m interviewing for a HR Tech support analyst role. I have 7 years of relevant experience. What salary range do you all think I should ask for??? The recruiter stated that they are offering 83K base salary. Is that good?? PLEASE HELP

like

Interviewing as an experienced consultant at D. Is $125K in a Tier 2 city a fair ask?

like

Besides submitting your resume online, any other tricks to get an interview? I usually LinkedIn message the recruiter/hiring managing for an intro. If I know somebody at the company, I’ll ask for a referral.

Anything else? I’m dying out here.

like

Does anyone have any insight into Johnson & Bell Ltd in Chicago? Culture? Pay?

likehelpful

What’s the average time between the last interview and a job offer?

like

Does back end knowledge team jobs at MBB require casing interviews?

Which websites do you use for interview prep?
I struggling to come up with compelling stories and thought that mock interviews may help with that

like

I am having an interview for Corporate Investigator in Ericsson, please help me with tips and how much will they offer am in kpmg YOE is 5yr current ctc is 7lpa + 1.5 variable, can i ask for 16LPA … please suggest!!

Invited for a Shared Service Reliability & Performance Manager Interview in Chevron.., what do I expect?Any preparation tips?

like

Hi fishes, I shall be joining CG as C2 in DevOps program! Let me know the work culture, wlb, job security about CG. And whats the CTC range for people like us. Yoe-9,5 years. Would be joining from Ericsson!

like

Wunderman Thompson NY, how’s WLB, culture, learning/promotion opportunities?

like

What % of Ross interview invites typically get admission offers?

like

So I had a first interview this past Friday at a company that I had previously interviewed with and made it to the final round last month. They decided to go with an internal candidate after it came down to me and him. The current role is more senior, and was one I was asked to apply for by the hiring manager, whom I also met with during the last set of interviews. I emailed the recruiter to f/u on Friday and still have not gotten a reply. Should I be concerned?

like

What kind of questions have you been asked in interviews? I’m being invited back for a second interview for a Sr. Accountant position. The first one was very conversational.

How do referrals work at McKinsey Digital? I want to prepare my friend the best I can before they refer me. Should I ask my friend to call out specific examples in my experience that would make me memorable to the hiring manager? How successful are referrals at McKinsey Digital? I'm on the data science side of things at KPMG. Would love and appreciate any advice. TIA!

like

Hi everyone, what is the average payout for a Senior analyst - Business consulting (GCB 6) position at HSBC, Bangalore. I have cleared the interview rounds, I am waiting for the salary break up from them.

like

Transferring from audit to FDD. How do I study for the interviews? Is there any resources I can use to pass the case interviews? What are some types of questions for the behavioral interviews?

like

Amazon Web Services Does anyone have any insights on interviewing for the Contract Specialist position at Amazon Web Services? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

like

More Posts

I am an ex siemens. I have trying to get in touch with people to work again but nothing seems to happen.

Do they have any policy of not hiring people who left earlier?

like

I am about to hand in my notice at a job I am pretty secure in, to go to a job for a relatively new company (with a significant salary increase). Any tips for:

1. Getting over the nerves that are as a result of taking a risk (I am late 30's)
2. The guilt of leaving a role where I have an amazing working relationship with all my colleagues and my boss

Any tips would be appreciated as I am a mess of nerves!!

like

Does anyone know who the creative recruiter is at Apple?

like

What are all the product based companies available in Chennai location. If you know please comment.

like

I got to know someone thru work, and flirted a bit over 1 week. Then we never spoke again because of work geography. He reached out this week after 9 months+ asking for a visa sponsor to take a vacay in my country (given mobility restriction these days), and asked me to hook him up with a business visa referral letter thru my connections. He also said he’s coming with gf. I said im happy to write him a personal reference letter, but wont be able to get him a business one. Is this rude?

like

Can my company make me serve ny notice period even if I want to pay for a buyout?

This is urgen

Less than a year before I can retire and not sure I can make it. The stress at home, work and with the aches and pains of my 54 year old body are taking their toll. I wake up every weekday and dread the coming 14 hour day. I live for the bliss of two days off on the weekend when I can attempt to just ignore everything until Monday morning.

like

Male 🐠 in DC.

like

Does Pwc AC have an office in NCR? There is a PwC office in Gurgaon, but now sure if it is Pwc AC or PwC India

like

TDOC; anyone have any reason why I shouldn’t put 20 k(10% of my portfolio) in 2022 LEAPs; telehealth is going to explode and it’s barely tapped a fraction of population

like

Is BEC manageable in 1.5 months while working full time? Thinking of taking the “easy” sections first

like

How much should a procurement analyst make in New York City?

MBA
2 years at a big 4

Currently working in a Management Consulting role in Big 4 (not front office). Got an offer from Product Based company that is more of value consulting and business development role. and Its a new team catering to Partner ecosystem of the company. I am doing good in my current role.

Any insights or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

like

Does W+K NYC have any bad clients? Like pharma or b2b or...?

Ladies, can I have some recommendation on standing desk? I really appreciate it 😊

like

Are there any therapists who are on Alma’s online platform? I am wondering if the membership is worth it and if it’s been helpful in establishing a private practice.

like

Are there any recruiters from IBM who have information on their apprenticeship program (Soft Eng)? I have applied and my application is under review. How much knowledge/skill set does one actually need to get into the new collar program? From what I have gathered online, it's kind of a mixed bag and can take a long time to onboard someone. I am self taught, know the basics of two languages and have some small projects to show. Just wondering if there is anyone that has been through this process.

like

Hello,

What is the min and maximum annual appraisal % in Sunlife testing profile?

likehelpful

In Admit Calls (e.g., with MIT/Haas), do AdCom members typically share info on scholarship?
Should I ask if they don’t mention?
Thx!

like

Do people tend to age out of wanting to FIRE?

In your 20s-30s, you don’t know much, you’re told what to do, you have few financial resources so you are tied to your job. Under these circumstances it makes perfect sense why you would want to FIRE asap.

But eventually you advance up the ladder, you are now the boss and your people do all the grunt work. You also have built up expertise which makes the job easier. And you are making the best money of your life. FIRE is no longer so pressing.

likesmart

Additional Posts in Consulting

Question for startup founders: when did you know it was time to make the leap and go for it?

like

How often do folks at the SM level get asked to leave/fired?

like

Recruiter reached out to me for a senior analyst role at BCG. Can I negotiate to change the offer to senior associate? I am a senior 2 with client facing exp (3 YOE)and a masters. an associate role would be a better fit for me

like

How do referrals work at McKinsey Digital? I want to prepare my friend the best I can before they refer me. Should I ask my friend to call out specific examples in my experience that would make me memorable to the hiring manager? How successful are referrals at McKinsey Digital? I'm on the data science side of things at KPMG. Would love and appreciate any advice. TIA!

like

I have federal school loans totaling 86000 with an average interest of 5% and currently on a income based loan repayment plan. Should I refinance with a private company and get a 2% interest instead?

like

You know you're a consultant when...

like

I graduated a little under 2 years ago, but I don’t feel as sharp as I was back in college. Is this normal? Lol

like

For any consumer insights/customer experience/marketing research fish: what’s your opinion of a Masters degree in Integrated Marketing Communications? I’m not sure the MBA route is for me, and I’m trying to pivot from cybersecurity consulting

like

Fellow runners - I’ve been running 3-4x per week at about a 20-25 mile/week for the past year or so.

My questions: (1) does it make sense to take a week off and let myself rest or do other workouts (i.e. cycling) and (2) I’ve been running with the same shoes since August last year - make sense to get new ones?

like

TFW someone you don't know requests to connect on LinkedIn and when you accept, you are bombarded with their bi-minute updates, shares, likes, and comments. #active 😐

like

Thoughts on Infosys Consulting? Any experiences?

like

Just downloaded the Audible app. Does anyone have any good book recommendations?

like

Anyone have an recs for self help books that help with work anxiety? I've felt so low on the totem pole since I joined in 2015 that I rarely give any opinions at the office. Obvi this is (cont'd)

like

Has anyone successfully made the case to their doctor that they should be prescribed adderall? If so, please share how.

like

Dumbasses in the Marriott lounge not able to figure out time difference between San Francisco and Chicago - took 10 attempts between 4 people to figure it out - I tore off most of my hair meanwhile!!!

like

How do you assert dominance to a client and persuade them your work is legit/correct when they aren't willing to take the time to read it? 23yrold.

like

When your boss tells you to create a project plan without much context (boss is super busy). Should I create a slide for it? Or should I use an excel?

like

How do you deliver feedback to someone on your team who is nice, hard-working, does all the right things, but is a low performer simply because they aren’t particularly smart?

likehelpful

has anyone participated in the MLT program? looking into it and would like to learn about the overall experience!

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal