Have you successfully got friends, former coworkers, or loved ones a tech job?

#1

Post by m348e912 » Mon, May 22, 2023, 7:59 PM UTC

Many times in the past I have attempted to help people I know find a job by floating their resume around with a solid recommendation as well as using my social media network to try create leads and generate some interest (with permission)

I don't think my efforts have ever been successful.

What have you done to successfully help people land a gig? Can you share some stories?

Re: Have you successfully got friends, former coworkers, or loved ones a tech job?

#2

Post by alex_lav » Mon, May 22, 2023, 9:24 PM UTC

Many times. Recommendations exist because they're more valuable than "cold-hiring". It can (and normally is) as easy as seeing someone in your network (that you know, or that knows you) is hiring, and knowing of a different person that's looking. Generally you don't "get" them a job, per se, in that they usually still have to interview and get hired, but IME the recommendation shifts the interview from assuming negatives to assuming positives. Meaning, rather than an interviewer thinking you didn't do well on a question because you're incompetent, they think you're just nervous or misunderstood. Again IME, that change in perception goes a long way.

I have also made it a priority to be aware of my network. Who's where, what they're working with, if they like it, but also keeping track of people that are good at their jobs that may drift out of my immediate working-sphere.

Re: Have you successfully got friends, former coworkers, or loved ones a tech job?

#3

Post by bvan » Mon, May 22, 2023, 10:18 PM UTC

Several times, but in each case the person was a perfect fit for a specific position. That’s key. It was more a question of introducing the two parties rather than selling their merits.

Re: Have you successfully got friends, former coworkers, or loved ones a tech job?

#4

Post by JohnFen » Mon, May 22, 2023, 10:21 PM UTC

Yes, a number of times. All I've done is have a chat with the person with hiring authority in the team or department and tell them my honest assessment of their skillset and what it's like to work with them. I usually toss in a couple of lines connecting their experience with the position. Something like "they've been working on X for a few years, and that isn't far from your team's work on Y. They could hit the ground running." I also make sure to mention any relevant weaknesses.

Then I ask if the person can contact them directly. If they say yes, I give my friend or colleague their contact info.

I never lie or embellish the truth when I do this. If I don't think they'd be excellent in the role, I don't recommend them, period. If they're hired on my recommendation and turn out to suck, that will reflect poorly on me.

I also don't hand over their resume or CV. That's up to them to do. All I'm doing is introducing them to the hiring person. They have to take it the rest of the way.

Re: Have you successfully got friends, former coworkers, or loved ones a tech job?

#5

Post by [deleted] » Mon, May 22, 2023, 11:09 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Have you successfully got friends, former coworkers, or loved ones a tech job?

#6

Post by schwartzworld » Mon, May 22, 2023, 11:57 PM UTC

Yes. My job has a competitive referral bonus, so I am aggressive about finding people to refer. Most don't get hired, but those that do are a win-win.

Re: Have you successfully got friends, former coworkers, or loved ones a tech job?

#7

Post by yizhang7210 » Tue, May 23, 2023, 2:05 AM UTC

- first of all be a strong contributor yourself and have a reputation in your team/group/company so people trust your judgement

- talk to the hiring manager directly, preferably you already have a trusting relationship with and make a sincere and honest recommendation for the person

- if you're good, your friend is good, the hiring manager is good, and it's generally a fit, hiring would be quite possible

Re: Have you successfully got friends, former coworkers, or loved ones a tech job?

#8

Post by cashmonster » Tue, May 23, 2023, 2:51 AM UTC

schwartzworld wrote: post #6

Yes. My job has a competitive referral bonus, so I am aggressive about finding people to refer. Most don't get hired, but those that do are a win-win.

Heads up: if you do this to unwitting friends, that’s gross. A lot of technically-minded optimizers don’t realize that.

(If you don’t care, feel free to ignore. That’s grosser though).

Re: Have you successfully got friends, former coworkers, or loved ones a tech job?

#9

Post by readonthegoapp » Tue, May 23, 2023, 5:10 AM UTC

my buddy got me a gig.

also, 30 years ago i got my dude a job - back when pretending to know java was enough to get you a job.

in both cases, they were real opportunities and strong demand and real needs and smaller companies who were probably generally glad to have a reco, etc. don't think there was much selling, on the whole, it just kind of happened.

i'd guess that's one of the advantages small companies have - they might hire your friends, for better or worse.

i turned down help getting jobs for decades, so finally tried it. i'm not above it, but eh.

Re: Have you successfully got friends, former coworkers, or loved ones a tech job?

#10

Post by allig256 » Tue, May 23, 2023, 8:10 AM UTC

schwartzworld wrote: post #6

Yes. My job has a competitive referral bonus, so I am aggressive about finding people to refer. Most don't get hired, but those that do are a win-win.

Would you ever split that referral bonus? Amongst my friend group it's pretty common to 50/50 it.