Job Referral 101: What Job Seekers and Referrers Should Know
Job referrals- many of us have been on either the giving or receiving end of the golden ticket to securing a spot at a new company. Here are a few things to consider before you either request a job referral or submit one yourself
Oh job referrals- they can give you the extra push you need to get your foot in the door at a new company or they can earn you a little bonus if you refer someone who lands a job where you work. Whether you’re on either end of a job referral, there are some things to consider before you pull the trigger. Below you’ll find some very helpful do’s and don’ts for both requesting a job referral and submitting one on your behalf. Let’s get into it…
For the job referral seeker
Do ask someone who knows your quality of work
This is your best bet for getting someone to really go the extra mile when vouching for you. They know you’ll be an asset to the company and will really advocate for you. Whenever I do job referrals for people who I know are amazing talents, I’m reaching out to HR directly. Someone who knows your quality of work wants your resume at the top of the stack and that’s who you want a referral from
Do send your resume for review
If you’re asking someone to refer you for a job, I highly recommend sending them your resume first. Why? Because they know the company culture, lingo and focus. They can give you pointers on key phrases that are attention grabbing or what to highlight on your resume. This means you’ll have to make a few resume edits, but it’ll be worth it in the long run!
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Do thank someone post-referral
It may seem too formal but a “Thank you” goes a long way. When someone refers you for a job they’re doing you a favor and its nice to be shown the favor is appreciated. You can do something as simple as send them a thank you card or email. Another great option is offering to buy them coffee or lunch. Small gestures of gratitude go a long way!
Don’t send a generic request
LinkedIn now has this built-in feature that allows you to press a button and ask for a job referral. If you have any connections at a company, you can send them a generic message. Please don’t! If you haven’t spoken to someone in a while but are seeking a job at their company, there’s a way to go about asking for a referral. We actually have a whole post dedicated to LinkedIn job referrals so click here for an in-depth breakdown.
Don’t press the referrer for insight on your application status
In many cases, they simply don’t know. They may not know the hiring manager, recruiter or HR person overseeing your application. If they do, it’s a big ask to have them constantly check in to give you updates. It may also be unethical to ask for certain details. It’s okay to follow up and ask if they were able to submit a referral for you, but be aware of professional boundaries. People will typically give you as much insight as they can. Trust the process, your talent and be patient.
For the job referrer
Do find out if there’s a formal referral process
Every company handles referrals differently. Before you commit to submitting a job referral, do a little research on the process. Find out what you and the applicant need to do for a complete referral. Also, find out if there’s an incentive for employees who refer others. A company I previously worked at paid out a small bonus if they referred someone who as hired and stayed for 90 days. Knowing if this type of incentive is involved makes you more invested in the process and likely to refer someone who’s a good match for the company.
Do be open to reach back and lift up
Basically, we don’t want to have the “crabs in a barrel’ mindset. If you know the person requesting a referral is talented, be willing to help them out. Often, people can be selfish and not want to bring someone in out of fear of competition. There’s enough room at the table for everyone. Bringing on new, young talent can help diversify your company and ultimately, make it better. Think about all the times someone has helped you get to where you are and pay it forward.
Don’t put your name on the line for just anyone
This one is SUPER important, so pay attention. Your name and reputation are very important to your career. Do not taint it by submitting a job referral for someone who isn’t qualified. I do not do job referrals for anyone I know hat is habitually late, likely to job hop or have poor work ethic. Why? Because getting that person into your company links them to you and your name. If things start to go south, that could put a stain on your reputation, which you do not want. Of course, anything could go wrong with anybody but it’s best to play it safe and only refer people you know have the talent and work ethic.
Don’t recommend someone you don’t know
If one of your “third connections” on LinkedIn asks you for a job referral, I’d advise against it. The reason being is you don’t know them well enough to go to bat for them if needed. You may know their previous work history but you truly don’t know if they’d be a good fit. If HR were to ask you questions about them that you couldn’t answer, you’d be doing them more harm than good. This also goes for a friend of a friend or anyone that you have no personal connection to. A good alternative would be to offer to answer questions they have about the company or look over their resume. You’re still adding value to their job search without taking a huge risk on your end.
