Handling referral requests

[librarychica]

I work for a very large company and acquaintances are always asking me to intercede in their job applications. I'm usually happy to submit a resume via the referral system, but sometimes they want me to personally call up the hiring manager. I've been saying no as I haven't known any of them. This latest request, though, I do know the manager casually. Is it kosher to contact them on behalf of the acquaintance? I feel like I've been put on the spot. I haven't worked with this guy since we were in college so I am a bit hesitant to put my name with his.

So, poll, do you give referrals at work?

[frozenpeas]

Unless I feel very comfortable recommending someone on a professional level (so, not just that they are a nice person), I don't put my name & reputation on the line. Especially when it comes to my own company, I only give recommendations I really mean. I'd be inclined to blame company policy & say I'm required to submit resumes through the proper channels & not contact hiring managers directly.

[2chatter]

I will direct people how to get in, but will not attach my name to theirs (like I will connect them with the right approved recruiting firm and coach them on what is required) unless I have worked with them recently. The recruiting firm will often say "Tom knows 2chatter" and they ask me internally, at which point I tell them what I know "Tom was with company ABC for twelve years and was RIFd" or whatever it is. As I have been here for going on eight years, that means the only people I actively refer are former colleagues who have not worked with the current management.

[sudokufan]

If I've actually worked with the person, or know them well enough to know their work style/ethic, then I've given referrals. Did my darnedest to get a former coworker hired into my current group because I knew she was awesome and would be a good fit. In the situation you're describing, I'd probably pass on his resume via email with a note that you worked with him back when and he was a hard worker or whatever, but I wouldn't stick my neck out.

[librarychica]

Mar 3, 2015 9:30:21 GMT -5 frozenpeas said:

Unless I feel very comfortable recommending someone on a professional level (so, not just that they are a nice person), I don't put my name & reputation on the line. Especially when it comes to my own company, I only give recommendations I really mean. I'd be inclined to blame company policy & say I'm required to submit resumes through the proper channels & not contact hiring managers directly.

I think this is what I'll do. If it were my own boss and my own department I would be ok bringing his name up, but I just don't feel comfortable in this situation. I mean, what would I say? I went to school with this person and now he wants to work here? Hardly a motivating endorsement.

[helenahhandbasket]

I also work for a large company and don't directly know anyone in hiring, but we can easily look up hiring managers in our company address book.

But, if a friend asks me to forward a resume, I will. Since there's little to no chance they would be working directly with me, I don't feel weird about it.

If it was someone that was going to be working directly with me, it would probably have to be someone I have worked with before and was familiar with their work ethic/ style.