When to Refer Someone for a Job

Networking is a two-way street. If you are going to ask people to help open doors for you, you’ll need to do the same for others. You’ll know you’re on the way to building an effective network when others start asking you to provide them with referrals for jobs, internships or fellowships. Much of the time you should be flattered and happy to do so, but be careful out there — as your reputation and network is on the line with each referral you make.

Getting someone into an organization with a referral is not the same as providing a reference for them (see Nov. 20 post, “When to act as a reference”). The stakes are much higher with a reference as you are endorsing their skills for a particular job. With a referral, you’re telling someone within an organization that this person is worth considering for an opening or future opening. Still, it’s important to take care in referring someone to a company.

Here are some tips for making a referral:

*Be clear and honest with everyone involved. Let’s say a former colleague whose work you know well asks you to refer them for a job to someone you know less well in an organization where they’d like to work. As you’re pretty familiar with — and a fan of — the former colleague’s work, you can easily vouch for them in making the referral. But as you don’t know the person inside the company all that well, be sure to tell the former colleague this going in — as they may know someone else who has a better “in” within the organization. Make sure to give both sides the full picture of your connection so they can adjust their expectations accordingly. Don’t oversell your connection — though this is a time-honored Washington sport in some circles. If you don’t have a good contact in an organization, even if someone thinks you might, be honest about that so they can look elsewhere.

*No is sometimes the right answer. Though a referral is not a reference and building your network requires giving as well as getting, there are times when it’s entirely appropriate to beg off. Some instances where you shouldn’t be afraid to say no include: when you don’t feel like the person asking would be a good fit for the company or for the opening; where you have already referred several people and you know the competition is stiff; or when you feel the organization is going through a rough patch and you aren’t sure it’s a good place to work right now. Again, be honest with the person asking (though in a kind way) and tell them, if it’s truly the case, that you would be happy to refer them to other organizations at other times. Remember, your reputation is important and you don’t want to be making referrals willy-nilly — you want to do so when both sides are likely to benefit.

*Do so right away and effectively. If you have agreed to open a door for someone, don’t put it off. They obviously are interested in the position now and so agreeing to do so but then waiting will only seek to frustrate them. If someone is seeking an introduction, introduce the people online so they have each other’s email address. Then follow up on the phone — or if you happen to see them in person, say at an event — to underscore your desire to help this person. Let them know the skills and talents of the person you’re referring and why they would be a good fit for their organization. Be specific. And, without being obnoxious about it, follow up to see if the connection was made and whether their candidacy has proceeded within the organization.

*Get back to the person who asked for the referral. Once you have made the connection, be sure to let them know and to let them know what you said. It’s important for them in their search to know where things stand and how to proceed. By following through and following up with them, you not only will have helped them in their search but will have shown them that networking works — even if this contact doesn’t lead to a job it has broadened their network, perhaps in an important way. And you will have cemented a contact in your network; that person will be much more likely to help you or someone you want to help in the future.