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You cannot get into FAANG without a referral.
Someone left this comment on one of my posts.
And I get why people believe it - because referrals do help.
When someone from within the organization recommends you, hiring managers take notice. It can get your resume reviewed faster.
But does that mean you can’t land a role in FAANG without them?
Absolutely not.
When I cracked Amazon, I did it without a referral. No “insider” pulling strings, no shortcuts - just the right strategy.
But you might argue, “Richa, that was a different time.”
So here’s a recent example.
A few days ago, a client of mine wanted to break into FAANG.
She didn’t have a big-name company on her resume. She didn’t go to a top-tier school. She had no referrals to vouch for her.
But she had something more important: a positioning strategy that made her stand out.
Instead of focusing on what she lacked, we made sure her resume and applications highlighted what she brought to the table:
The biggest reason people don’t land FAANG roles is not a lack of referrals.
It's a lack of the right approach.
So if you’ve been telling yourself, “I don’t have a referral, so I won’t apply,” STOP.
The right positioning, strategy, and execution will get you in.
Because hiring managers don’t just hire referrals - they hire the best candidates.
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f you’ve been waiting for a referral to break into FAANG, stop. The Fearless Hire helps ambitious women land $200K+ leadership roles with the right strategy.
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