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Referring a Friend for a Job? Consider These First

Referring a friend for a job is the best thing you can do. But first, here is what you need to consider before vouching for them.

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Referring a friend for a job is the best thing you can do. But first, here is what you need to consider before vouching for them.

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“Hey, I have sent you my CV, can you please forward it to HR?”

“If there is an opportunity at your workplace please refer me.”

“I have just applied to your company, can you please put in a good word for me?”

Does any of these ring a bell? I bet it does, especially If you have friends and you are employed. Job referrals have become the norm. After all, when you know someone who knows someone, the job search gets easier. We have all been told over and again, your network is your net worth, so the more people you know the higher your chances of landing that job. 

Now, when you find yourself in a position to help your friend's career, there are a few things that you might want to consider: 

 

1. What is your relationship like at the moment?

This is not as obvious as it sounds, your friend’s name might have popped fast into your head when you saw the opportunity, but wait a minute. If this is the kind of person who is going to drag you back into the last misunderstanding you had two years back while at work, think again. 

Do they respect your boundaries, and will they be able to know that work is work and your friendship has its limits? When you refer someone to your boss, they will be a representation of you. As they say, show me your friends and I’ll tell you who you are!

 

2. Is this the best opportunity for your friend?

Your friend is looking for an opportunity, yes, but is this it? Just because a job vacancy opens up, it does not mean they are the best fit. When you are referring your friend to your own workplace, well and good, you might have a bit more control in that environment. But things change when you are referring them to someone you know. Try to find out about the opportunity, does it meet the minimum requirements your friend is looking for? Sometimes you will get an opportunity in a field your friend is not interested in, this becomes challenging when you have already referred them. 

 

3. Are you honest about your experience at your current workplace?

Some of us tend to paint the best picture of our workplaces to our friends to cover up a few things. But you need to ask yourself whether you really like your boss and the workplace. Our friends will always want to join where we work because of what we say about it, if you told no lies about it. 

 

4. Do you know their personal and work history?

This information should be at your fingertips. When HR asks you about your friend be quick to give a good professional summary of what they are doing and how it blends with the role at hand. This means you need to be equipped with what they were doing before, what they are doing at the moment, their core skills, and basic educational background and know something that makes your friend worthy of consideration.  

When talking about their personal history, it is important to find out if your friend is involved in any trouble that might reduce their chances of being hired or destroy your own reputation. 

 

5. Can they do the job?

Do not refer your friend for a job just because you do not want to work with strangers, referring a friend for a job just because it is available should never be the case. If your friend can get the job done, well and good, if they cannot, give the opportunity to someone else. Remember, when they are incompetent, it reflects on you. Also, doing the job takes into consideration both interpersonal and technical skills. Can they work well with others or will they cause trouble at first glance? Will they easily learn when given the opportunity to do so? 

 

6. Will they adjust or adapt easily to the workplace?

Every workplace has its own culture and values, but in this day and age, most companies recruit a diversified workforce.  If you are referring your friend to a job where they repack bacon, you might want to think twice if they are Muslim. People turn down jobs for a lot of reasons, and sometimes because what the company does is against their beliefs. 

Referring to a friend for a job is an admirable act, when you ask yourself the questions above and get clarity, that is a green light to go ahead. But do not make comprises that might cost you a good reputation. 

 

Must read: Workplace friendships: The unwritten rules

Written by

Mercy Mukisa

Hey there, I'm Mercy Mukisa, a Senior HR Officer writing to you from the lively heart of Uganda. Writing is my way of contributing to the professional community, grounded in the belief that knowledge is the key to empowerment. In the dynamic field of HR, I'm not just a participant; I see it as a privilege to share the insights and experiences gathered along the way. It's not just about the job; it's a commitment to enhancing your professional journey. So, let's navigate through the pages of my articles together, aiming for a balanced and insightful exploration of empowerment and growth.


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