does having an employee referral increase your chances significantly?

[Lilylo]

I recently applied to a couple of professional jobs (that I am qualified for) at big companies through people I knew inside the company who gave me an internal referral.

Does anyone have any experience with being hired/ hiring through internal referrals? Do you think having an internal referrals could increase significantly my chances of being hired?

Many thanks!

No, getting the job is down to your experience, qualifications and interview. It means that your cv will be looked at without being discounted immediately.

It gives you more of a shout as you are less likely to be eliminated at first sift. As Tigger says - whether you get the job is completely down to how you match up to other candidates.

What the others said. Plus I would add that it is likely to depend who the referral is from. A referral from a senior colleague who has direct knowledge of your skills and experience, and who the recruiting manager works a lot with and respects the opinion of will clearly carry more weight than a referral from your mate Jim in the postroom for a role he knows nothing about.

Thank you all for your perspectives!

I just had a phone interview for one of these jobs and it went pretty well, the hiring manager already invited me in for an in-person interview later this week. I am so glad!

I guess my profile was a decent fit for the role after all, otherwise I doubt the hiring manager would invite me in for a second interview.

For what it matters the referral came from a director level person that the hiring manager knows personally.

I was employed following a referral for a role I had no experience on. They told me afterwards that it was a bit of a punt but I impressed at the interview and they gave me a shot. Without the referral I would defiantly not have been considered. My referral was from someone quite senior who, although didn't have a say in who was employed, was well respected and his opinion was valued. Sounds like you're in with a good chance...good luck!

It may get you an interview but not the actual job itself if you are not right for it. I once referred an ex colleague for a role, and that's what happened.