Be Cautious When Referring a Friend for a Job

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cheap christian louboutin shoes of MS 12:38PM November 08, 2012

I happened to have recommended a friend for a position in my department recently. It's fairly low level, as I just work as a call centre rep, but I'm a part-time employee and full time student, so this is fantastic work for me. I worried about this a lot before submitting her resume, for all these reasons and I also worried that as she would be there full time, she might find she didn't like how I behaved at work... There is a tendency with young, part time employees to be a little bit more layed back at work... Of course I always get my work done.

Things have worked out great so far and it has been nearly six months since she was hired. I hope I haven't boasted to her or anyone else that 'I got her' this job. I can't complain about anything, and she hasn't either, yet. In fact its been a blast working together. The only people who might mind would be our management team because we are a touch gabby but again, our work gets done.

I know that in a lot of ways this isn't very relevant, because it's such an entry level position, but one thing I noticed about this whole experience was my boss' opinion of me. I submitted my friend's resume on a Saturday, while doing a little overtime work and she signed contracts on the following Tuesday. I can't exactly share that information with people I know, because a lot of them know her as well, but I felt a little proud, when my friend told me the day she signed.

Laura of NY 6:39PM April 24, 2011

A former friend of mine recommended me for a job, which I would have been thrilled to get. I went through the interview process and was offered a position, contingent on my passing a routine drug screening. (Which I know I passed.) During the time frame of my doing the drug screening and the company getting the results, my friend decided to not show up for work. Since she did not go back, they never called me back to confirm the job offer. I even tried calling the manager that I had interviewed with, but he was not available, and did not ty to contact me. Not only should you be cautious of referring friends to work with you, you should also be aware of a friend's work habits if they refer you.

Mom of 2 of MN 1:00AM January 08, 2011

I was offered a position once for a job that I interviewed for, however I had accepted a job offer the week before. I did realise that my flatmate was searching for work, however; he had a baby on the way, and I knew that he was about as skilled in my field as I was; he would have been a brilliant fit. I told the HR person this, and asked her for some contact details so that I could get my flatmate to give her a call. She sounded interested, and said that she'd hold off re-advertising the position until he called.

When my flatmate got home, I told him about the position; decent pay, doing something I think he'd enjoy, and since I knew he was also looking for work, I'd put in a good word for him if he just called this number. He said that he would, and I left it with him.

Fast forward a couple of days later, and I asked him if he'd spoken to them. It turns out that he was actually waiting on an interview for another position which he thought would be more suitable, and now had no intention of applying for the job. Cue me chewing him out, and having to call up the company myself to apologise for my flatmate's lack of contact. I certainly didn't want to burn any bridges with this company, even if I had gained employment elsewhere, and didn't want my flatmate's behaviour to tarnish their opinion of me.

So again, be cautious referring other people; even if they don't get to the interviewing stage!

Richard 10:24PM January 05, 2011

There's also the case where a friend notified about an opening, and possibly recommended you, feels that they "got you the job". Sometimes they may have a sense of entitlement to appreciation or gratitude.

I think that the best way to handle this is to thank them for what they did by notifying you of an opening and providing a recommendation, but remind them that they are not a benefactor or liege.

Waldo of NY 9:47AM January 05, 2011

Thanks for weighing in, alj. I hear where you're coming from. But the reality is, people DO refer friends for jobs they're not strong candidates for, all the time. I see it with some regularity in hiring processes I'm managing. Often people just think "oh, we have a social media opening and I have a friend who does social media" (or whatever) without thinking carefully about whether the fit is right -- and that doesn't help anyone, not them or the friend they hope to help out.

People who want to help their friends have lots of options for how to do it -- make introductions, be thoughtful about where there might be a good fit, help with their resume, go with them to networking events if they're shy about going alone, and lots more. And I hope people WILL help their friends, especially in an awful job market like this one. But making referrals without thinking them through isn't always the best way to do it.

Alison Green of DC 10:38AM January 04, 2011

This is part of the reason so many people are still unemployed. I understand some people are getting desperate about job situations, but only a fool would refer someone wholly unqualified and if that fool is already working for you, what does that say about your company's recruitment?

But people are so on edge about their own jobs they don't inform, let alone refer anyone to their company when there are openings. Thanks for another hurdle raising article, remember this when you are asking a friend to promote you and your expertise for another freelance writing assignment.

alj of KY 4:48AM January 04, 2011

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