Good quality referrals benefit everyone. The employer gets a quality candidate, referee is a better match for the role and the referrer has a greater chance of getting the referral bonus, building their social capital and protecting their reputation. A three way win.

Below are are some things to consider when making job referrals.

9 Job Referral Tips

1. Don’t stick with your close contacts; think laterally research shows that most people get jobs referred by “weak ties“.
2. Follow through with the person you referred the job to, see if it fit them. If not, learn why, so next time the match is better.
3. If you know the hiring organisation talk to HR & the hiring manager, try not to be just a “mailman”.
4. Don’t overstate your influence in the process, remember you are dealing with people’s lives.
5. Don’t forget the rules, some companies, organisations and industries have specific rules that must be followed.
6. Don’t refer someones contact details to an employer without first seeking their permission.
7. As a recruiter don’t use a candidates references and contacts to find more prospects without giving them credit.
8. Don’t spam your social network with jobs that are not of an appropriate fit.
9. Make sure you only refer people who you would be proud to associate yourself with. The quality of the referral reflects on your personal brand.