Friday Wrap Up: Get Referred!

So, what’s the takeaway from this week’s focus on our third habit of effective job seekers, “get referred”?

Ask for a job referral, but do it right!  While it’s important to be referred, it’s equally important to find a good source of referral.  You want to make sure that the person referring you will speak well to your attributes.  You know the saying—first impressions are important. The person referring you to the hiring manager is in essence making a first impression on your behalf.

When looking for a referral some people focus on meeting the hiring manager or someone who can directly influence the hiring decision. You may not always be able to make that connection, but anyone currently working at the company can be a useful referral. Companies look for referrals from all their employees, and getting an insider’s description of what it’s like to work there can give you a leg up in your interview. You’ll be able to give more concrete examples during the interview of what you know about the company and how you can add value.  Hiring managers are always more impressed when you show that you understand the company and have done your research.

Your goal is to figure out your match to the company, whether you could be happy working in that environment, and how you fit into solving their current business needs. The best way to figure those out is through learning about the company from someone currently working for the company!  Therefore, choose your source of referrals wisely and remember that everyone likes to be shown some appreciation—regardless of the hiring outcome, thank them afterwards!