How To Refer Someone for a Job in 3 Steps

Companies hire some of their top talents through referrals. When you know someone with the right skills for an open job position, referring them helps employers save time and money in the hiring process. In this article, we discuss what to consider when referring someone for a job and how best to refer someone, plus we provide a template and example referral letter to help you craft your own.

What to consider when referring someone

Before you refer someone for a job, it is important to consider two main things: whether your contact is fully qualified for the position and if they have a strong work ethic. If not, their behavior may reflect poorly on you as the referrer. Another thing to consider is how your relationship may change if your contact does not get hired for the position. After you've given the decision some thought and still want to provide the referral, make sure to follow your company's rules regarding job referrals.

How to refer someone for a job

Follow these steps to refer someone for a job position:

1. Ask internally

Depending on the size of the company, you may need to approach job referrals in a specific way. For example, larger companies with human resources (HR) departments may have a specific application process for applicants to follow and a special way of noting your referral. You may even be eligible for a referral bonus. In smaller companies, it may be more appropriate to request time with the owner to discuss the details of your referral. This way, you'll be able to answer any questions directly regarding the applicant.

2. Write a referral letter

While you may choose to discuss your referral in person, it is always a good idea to write a referral letter for employers to keep on file. This may take the form of an email, depending on your company's preferences. When writing the letter, keep your tone professional and positive. Include these key details about the person you're referring:

• How well you know them
• Length of time you've known them
• Key skills and traits they have that align with company values

If you need help deciding what skills to include, call your requestor and ask them specific questions about their work history to learn more about their qualifications.

3. Follow up

After you've submitted your job referral, allow a good amount of time to pass—usually one month at a minimum—before following up with the hiring manager. The hiring process takes time, especially during certain months of the year when employees take longer vacations and departments experience a high volume of work. If you're an internal employee, here is an example of an email you may send to check on the status of your contact's application:"Hello! I'd like to follow up on the status of a job referral I submitted last month for [applicant's name]. She applied for the [job title] position. Do you know if this has been filled? If not, are you still reviewing candidates? Please let me know if you have any questions for me."

Tips for an effective referral

As you're working through the referral process, follow these tips for an effective referral:

• Only agree to referrals you support. If you feel hesitant to refer someone for a job, it is probably best to let them know that the position is not a good fit.
• Follow the business letter format. In general, it's always a good idea to default to a business letter format when you're writing a professional reference. This appeals to all employers.
• Reference the job description. Before you write the letter, make sure you understand exactly what skills and experience the company wants in a candidate. You'll be able to highlight the requestor's best attributes as they relate to the specific position.
• Use specific examples. When you use specific examples, it makes it easier for employers to visualize people working for the company. List at least two examples that support your recommendation.
• Include contact information. Remember to leave your contact information in the heading of your letter so hiring managers know how to follow up with you.