How To Get Better Job Referrals

Achieving Success: Networking And Job Referrals In Job-Hunting

There’s a saying that it’s not what you know but who you know. This relates to how organizations recruit in today’s age. In today’s world of professional connections and social media-based job hunting, how we find employment has changed.?

About?70% of the jobs are not even advertised on job websites, and 85% of the vacancies are filled via referrals. Thus, highlighting the importance of who you know when job hunting.

Let’s dive deep into employee referral program details and discover tactics to make you the first person recruiters think of when hiring.

First, Let’s Understand What An Employee Referral Really Is

An employee referral is when current employees refer a candidate to fill an open position. The staff searches for candidates in their networks with relevant experience.

You don’t need to send thousands of applications. Asking friends or family to refer you is a smarter way. Traditional networking makes up 46% of the most effective job finding.

Asking someone to refer you is a win-win situation. They might get a referral bonus, and you’ll get that employee referral.

This would save you plenty of time and allow you to showcase your stellar resume. It would also boost the chances of securing an interview.

You can play smarter than the other candidates, which works in your favor.

Fun Fact:

Approximately 50% of qualified candidates at top firms use employee referral programs. These are firms such as Google and Amazon.

A candidate recently endorsed by a former colleague might have spoken volumes. The referrer will not only recommend applicants that can fit in the company’s culture. They can also testify about the essential skills and qualifications of the candidate.

The Benefits Of Employee Referrals For Potential Candidates

Most companies prefer referred candidates from an existing employee. Employing someone through advertisements for open positions is expensive and lengthy. Hence, employers do not choose the latter. Referrals always hold a lot of power.

Often, a company will only advertise if hiring for a ‘mass role’ like a daily warehouse laborers/fast food chain. Another case when they would opt for ad placement is if they’ve exhausted all other channels.

It’s a win-win situation. They get high-quality candidates through a trusted source for less money. This is better, unlike finding someone through job boards.

The Jobvite ‘Recruiting Funnel Benchmark’ report says, “Almost half of the employees recruited through referrals remain for at least three years or longer. But only 14% of new employees recruited via job boards are still in the company after three years.”

This shows the value of job advertising compared to networking for employee referrals.

The more people you approach, the more referrals you can get. Referred candidates are more likely to be one step ahead of others.?

There’s a higher chance the recruiter would see the resume and decide earlier if you were referred. Hence, networking is critical.

Below we’ve outlined why employee referral programs should be on your list.

• They’re the fastest way to get hired since your resume will be top. Especially if someone in authority is sending over your recommendation, as?the referral is coming from an employee, it will persuade hiring managers to believe you’re a good fit.
• Employers know they’re more likely to get the ideal candidate through recommendations. Hence, they’ll prefer you over other candidates.
• If you get the job, you’ll feel more at ease because you’ll have at least one friendly face (who referred you) at the office.
• Data is in favor of recommendations too. According to Mike Stafiej, you’re four times more likely to get the job if you’re a referred applicant.
• Most recruiters are happy with hires from job referrals. It’s a method that delivers quality candidates that are successful applicants.
• They can fill the job opening through a hiring strategy that can save time and produce results.

Yet, it’s important to remember that only recommendations won’t land you the position. You’ll need to prove you’re worthy of the role by ensuring your resume is top-quality. Plus, it should be impressive enough to prove you’re a good fit for the position.