Find Harvard MBA Alumni at Google

Harvard Business School has the largest MBA alumni network in the world. HBS alumni are concentrated in consulting, investment banking, and private equity — and are generally responsive to fellow alumni outreach.

Find Harvard MBA Alumni at Google

Why Harvard MBA Alumni Are Your Best Path Into Google

Harvard MBA alumni are known for consulting, investment banking, and general management. Google, with 180,000+ employees, has a significant concentration of Harvard MBA graduates — and alumni networks at elite programs are among the most effective tools for getting in the door.

A referral from a fellow Harvard MBA alum at Google is not just a form submission. It is a personal endorsement from someone who cleared the same bar you did. Google employees take referrals seriously, and a shared school creates an immediate conversation starter.

Google Referral Program Facts

180,000+
Google employees who can refer you
3-4x
higher hire rate vs cold applicants
85,000+
Harvard MBA alumni in the workforce

Harvard MBA alumni are actively working at Google across engineering, product, strategy, and operations. The challenge is identifying who to reach out to, finding the right hook, and making the ask in a way that gets a response.

How to Get a Google Referral Through Your Harvard MBA Network: Step by Step

  1. Find Harvard MBA alumni at Google: Use FindWarmIntros to surface Harvard MBA graduates who currently work at Google. You will see their roles, seniority, and LinkedIn profiles — so you can prioritize the most relevant connections.
  2. Open with your shared school connection: Your opening message should lead with the Harvard MBA connection. "I noticed you went to Harvard Business School — I graduated in [year] and am exploring opportunities at Google" outperforms any generic opener.
  3. Ask for a 15-minute conversation: Do not ask for a referral in the first message. Ask to learn about their experience at Google and the team. Your alumni connection creates goodwill — use it to open a conversation, not to shortcut the relationship.
  4. Come prepared with specific questions: Know what role you are targeting and why. Show that you have done research on Google. A prepared candidate is easy to refer — an unprepared one is a risk for the referrer.
  5. Follow up with the direct ask: After a good conversation, send a follow-up with your resume and the specific role or job ID you are targeting. Ask clearly: "Would you be open to submitting a referral for me?" Make it easy for them to say yes.
Find Harvard MBA Alumni at Google

Google-Specific Tips

Include the exact job ID

Google's referral system (gHire) links referrals to specific open roles by job ID. Find the role on careers.google.com, copy the job ID, and include it in your follow-up message to your contact.

Timing matters — apply when roles are open

Google periodically freezes hiring. Check the careers page regularly and reach out to your contacts when you see active openings in your target area.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Google's gHire referral system work?
Google employees submit referrals through gHire. Your application is assigned to a dedicated recruiter and reviewed within 1-2 weeks if there is a fit.
Can any Googler refer me, or does it need to be on my target team?
Any Google employee can refer you regardless of team. A referral from someone close to your target team carries slightly more weight, but any internal referral beats a cold application.
How do I find Harvard MBA alumni who work at Google?
Use FindWarmIntros to search for Harvard MBA alumni at Google. The tool surfaces LinkedIn profiles of people who attended Harvard Business School and currently work at Google, along with outreach templates personalized to your shared alumni connection.
What should I say when reaching out to a Harvard MBA alum at Google?
Lead with your shared Harvard MBA connection, express genuine interest in their work and experience at Google, and ask for a 15-minute call. Keep it concise. Do not ask for a referral in the first message — build the relationship first. FindWarmIntros generates personalized outreach templates for each contact that hit all these points.

More Resources

Google Alumni Hub Harvard MBA Alumni Network Google Referral GuideStanford GSB Alumni at GoogleWharton Alumni at GoogleMIT Sloan Alumni at GoogleFind Alumni at Any Company Tech Referral Guide