As the saying goes, it’s all about who you know. This can be especially true for landing the job you want. 

 

Research shows most recruiters prefer finding candidates by referrals and these applicants have the highest conversion rate. According to the Undercover Recruiter, employee referrals represent only 7% of applicants but an impressive 40% of eventual hires. So, take the time now to build up your network and be proactive. Use these five tips to land referrals and help you get yourself in the door. 

   

1. Attend professional meetings—Join professional organizations affiliated with your field to begin building a network. Attend regular meetings and conferences to show your commitment and passion. This dedication and commitment to the organization will highlight your positive professional qualities to other members. Build these relationships into a network that can help you the next time you are job seeking. The key is to be a consistent presence and to make meaningful connections with the members. 

 

2. Contact friends and family—Don’t ignore the network you have already established. Invite your friends and family to get involved in your job search by letting them know you are looking for recommendations and referrals. Be sure to specify what roles you are most interested in or qualified for. More than likely friends will be excited to help and give you strong recommendations to their hiring managers. Even if family cannot refer you at their own workplace, they may be able to connect you with other opportunities within their networks. 

   

3. Network with employees—Use LinkedIn and other online job sites to help you connect with current employees at your desired workplaces. You can easily search for these connections and add these employees to your profile. Introduce yourself with a well worded letter explaining your experience and that you’re looking for opportunities at their firm. Once you are acquainted, ask them if they wouldn’t mind referring you to a hiring manager for any open positions. Keep in mind that this is an opportunity but not an expectation. Overusing your social connections can also be a deterrent. So be mindful of how often—or how hard—you ask someone for a referral.

   

4. Conduct informational interviews—Informal interviews can be a great way to make connections and potentially gain a referral as a result. To use these to the best effect, first identify the person you’re interested in interviewing and set up a meeting. Then thoroughly research the company and prepare a list of questions for your contact. These may focus on general insights about the company or the individual’s job requirements or professional journey. This is not the time to ask if there are positions available. The purpose of this interview is to lay the groundwork for a professional relationship. After the interview, follow up via email and reach out on professional social media sites to convert the meeting into an ongoing connection. You might be on the top of their list when a job becomes available. 

   

5. Utilize employee referral programs—Many companies use referral programs to guarantee they’re recruiting top talent. These programs encourage current employees to refer qualified applicants for open positions, often with financial incentives involved. The idea is that a current employee understands the culture of the company and can identify ideal candidates better than outside recruiters or jobsite filters. Do your homework and find out which companies have employee referral programs; these may be a fantastic opportunity for reaching out for informal interviews and other channels. Here at Valley, we strongly recommend our associates refer people for roles within the organization. So far in 2019, we've paid 16 Valley associates a total of $13,000 in referral bonuses. We anticipate paying $40,000 in referral bonuses by the end of the year.

   

It’s clear that referrals are the preferred method to recruit potential hires. Referral candidates have already gone through an initial “prescreening” process and are often the best suited to the open positions. Equipped with that knowledge, you can take steps now to put yourself in a position to become a lead candidate and get the job you’ve been vying for.