Job seekers are conditioned to hit the job boards and submit résumés to a large number of postings to increase their chances of getting noticed. However, a better, more effective approach is to find a person who works at your desired company and politely ask them if they could provide an internal referral for the job you want.
An employee referral is an endorsement by an existing staff member for an open role, which is often part of an incentivized organizational referral program.
Some companies offer a financial incentive for an internal referral, including a cash bonus, gift cards, extra vacation days and other rewards. Employees are motivated to leverage their social networks, seek out and refer top-tier candidates.
An applicant who is pre-vetted and comes with high praise by a trusted internal employee immediately moves to the front of the line, as they are enwrapped by the “halo effect.” The likelihood of a referral scoring a job interview is 50%, compared to non-referrals who have a 3% chance. Moreover, over 60% of candidates are hired after being recommended by an internal employee. Ninety-one percent of referrals get hired if the endorsement comes from a director-level member of staff.
“Referrals are always going to give a candidate the strongest chance of hire,” said Lauren Smith, Forbes 30 Under 30 alum and cofounder and CEO of Refer, a platform that enables companies to incentivize their networks, and individuals to get rewarded for referring their network. “Referrals provide a personal validation on someone’s capabilities and character, which is an incredibly powerful signal.”
Candidates that come employee-referred are proven better cultural fits and stay at the company longer, according to Radancy, a cloud-based talent acquisition software provider. The bonus paid by the company is also significantly less than the cost of using a third-party recruiting service.
Where You Can Find A Job Referral And How To Ask
To request an employee referral, you can reach out to your existing network via an in-person meeting, phone call, email or LinkedIn. This includes your former co-workers, peers you have built close business relationships with over the years, friends, acquaintances, current colleagues, college alumni and members of your church, temple, mosques or other organizations you are a part of.
You will want to tailor your approach depending on how close you are with the individual. For someone who is more of an acquaintance, your “ask” should be a more formalized LinkedIn message or email.
Template For Asking A Mutual Friend
Here is a template you can use if a friend or close connection has a contact at your desired company.
Subject: Exciting Job Opportunity at [Company Name]
Hey [Friend’s Name],
I hope you’re doing well! I recently came across a job posting at [Company Name] that I think would be a great fit for my skills and career goals. I’m reaching out to see if you might be able to help me with a referral.
I noticed that you have a connection with [Target Name], who is a [Target’s Job Title] at [Company Name]. I believe that having a referral from you would significantly increase my chances of securing an interview.
To make the referral process as easy as possible for you, I have prepared the following:
- A brief summary of my qualifications and experience relevant to the position: [Include two to three key points that demonstrate your fit for the role.]
- My tailored résumé: [Attach your résumé or provide a link to it on your LinkedIn profile or a cloud storage service.]
- My LinkedIn profile: [Provide a link to your profile, so they can easily find more information about you and your professional background.]
If you’re comfortable with providing a referral, I would greatly appreciate it. If not, I completely understand and hope it doesn’t affect our friendship. Either way, thank you for your time and consideration.
Looking forward to catching up more the next time we meet!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Template For Asking An Acquaintance
Here is a template you can use if an acquaintance works at your desired company, or can at least make an introduction.
Subject: Request for Referral – [Job Title] Position at [Company Name]
Dear [Contact’s Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I am reaching out to seek your assistance with a professional matter. I recently came across an exciting job opportunity that I believe aligns well with my skills and experience. The role is for a [Job Title] at [Company Name], and I am eager to explore the possibility of joining their team.
Given your insights and expertise, I would greatly appreciate it if you could provide a referral or introduce me to the appropriate individual at [Company Name] who could further discuss the role with me.
I have attached my résumé for your reference, and I am more than happy to provide any additional information that may be helpful. Your support in this matter would be invaluable to me, and I am truly grateful for your consideration.
Thank you for taking the time to review my request. I look forward to the possibility of connecting further and discussing this opportunity.
Warm regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Position]
[Your Contact Information]
Source: Forbes
