Seeking Advice: How Do You Approach Referrals When Hiring New Employees?

Hi, please help me to speak with referrals. We are going to hire some new employees, and I am seeking referrals. Can you please advise on the procedure to communicate with referrals?

Thanks in advance.
Regards.

It is essential to keep in mind that the person you call for a referral of a potential candidate is doing you a favor. Therefore, one must be polite and ensure not to take up too much of their time.

Preparation for Referral Calls

It is best to have a couple of pre-planned questions ready so that when you call and they are prepared to respond, no time is wasted.

Immediately upon calling, identify yourself and your organization. Quickly mention that you are calling regarding the hiring of the candidate (provide the candidate's name) who gave the reference. Also, inquire if it is a good time to talk or suggest a suitable time for a callback.

Questions to Ask During the Call

Once the person is ready to answer your questions, ask them about the candidate under consideration:
- How do you know the candidate?
- How long have you known the person?
- How would you describe the person?

Finally, conclude the call with a warm thank you for their time and the reference.

Best Wishes

How to Effectively Communicate with Referrals

This referral system is a network chain, and one should know how to use it. For instance, if candidate X refers candidate Y, then when calling Y, start with the following:

- Start with a greeting note (Good morning / Good afternoon / Good evening).
- Mention the name of the company you are calling from.
- Introduce yourself by mentioning your name and department to the candidate.
- Inform them that their friend X has referred them for the current requirement in your company.
- Highlight the technical exposure opportunities available for the position.
- Inquire about the candidate's interest; if not interested, ask for referrals, and if interested, explain the job description.
- Allow the candidate to introduce themselves and assess their attitude.
- Evaluate if the candidate meets the job requirements.
- Obtain information on CTC, notice period, current salary, and expected CTC.
- Request details about the candidate's current projects/products.
- Check if the candidate is under any bond or contract with their current employer.
- If applicable, conduct a technical questionnaire and ask the candidate to rate their technical skills on a scale of 1-10.
- Assess their communication skills and take note.
- Inquire about their family background and location.
- Explore the reason for wanting to switch companies, focusing on specific motivations.
- Determine if the candidate has other job offers and seek references if necessary.
- If everything progresses well, schedule the next interview round or finalize the interview process details.
- Verify the accuracy of the candidate's email address for sending interview details.
- Mention available job openings and encourage referrals from the candidate's network.
- Thank them for their time.

Regards,
Babu