How do you use referrals to find candidates?

1 Define your ideal candidate

Before you ask for referrals, you need to have a clear picture of what kind of candidate you are looking for. Think about the skills, experience, personality, and fit for the role and the company culture. Write down a brief description of your ideal candidate and share it with your potential referrers. This will help them identify and recommend the best matches for your needs.

2 Ask the right people

The quality of your referrals depends on the quality of your sources. You want to ask people who know your industry, your company, and your expectations well. These could be your current or former employees, colleagues, clients, partners, or industry associations. You can also use social media platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook to reach out to your connections and ask for referrals. Be polite, specific, and respectful when you request referrals, and explain why you think they can help you.

3 Reward and recognize your referrers

One of the best ways to encourage referrals is to show your appreciation and recognition for your referrers. You can offer incentives like cash, gift cards, vouchers, or other perks for successful referrals. You can also send personalized thank-you notes, shout-outs, or testimonials to your referrers. Make sure you keep them updated on the status of their referrals and the hiring process, and ask for feedback on how you can improve your referral program.

4 Screen and interview your referrals

Just because someone is referred by a trusted source does not mean they are automatically qualified or suitable for the role. You still need to screen and interview your referrals as you would any other candidate. Use your standard criteria and methods to evaluate their skills, experience, and fit. However, you can also leverage the information you have from your referrers to tailor your questions and rapport-building techniques. For example, you can ask how they know the referrer, what they like about their work, or what they are looking for in a new opportunity.

5 Track and measure your referrals

To make sure your referral program is effective and efficient, you need to track and measure your referrals. You can use tools like spreadsheets, databases, or software to record and analyze your referral data. Some of the metrics you can track are the number of referrals, the source of referrals, the conversion rate of referrals, the time to hire, the retention rate, and the satisfaction rate of referrals. You can use this data to identify what works and what doesn't, and to optimize your referral program accordingly.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?