When you discover that there is a vacancy in your company that would be perfect for someone close to you, it is normal for you to have doubts about what to do about it. Is it convenient to recommend a friend ? This is a very personal decision, but there are a number of factors that you should consider before making it.

Because, realistically, we all know that referring someone can be a positive experience for everyone involved, but it could also have negative consequences for you.

You risk your reputation by referring a friend

Your friends are independent people from you. No matter how much you like them, you do not control their behavior or know how they will react to certain situations.

It may be that someone you know and you like very much is a disastrous worker, but you are not aware of this circumstance. If you recommend that friend for a position, and it’s not to the taste of the company, either as a candidate or even as a worker if they decide to hire him, there is no doubt that your reputation will also be affected.

That is why it is advisable to act with caution in these cases and make a small evaluation of the person in question before deciding whether or not to recommend them for a position.

Is your friend the right person for the position?

First, differentiate friends from acquaintances. You know your friends much better, you know what their virtues are and what their defects are. With a simple acquaintance it is more difficult for you to have this type of information. So if you’re going to recommend, make sure it’s only to someone you know well.

As we said before, when it comes to recommending a friend, you should make a small evaluation of him or her to find out if he or she is the right person for that position. You would have to examine the following factors:

• His personality. You know the culture of your company well and the type of people who work in it. Do you think your friend’s personality would fit her? Does he identify with the values of the organization? Does he know how to work in a team? If you see that there may be any kind of friction, you better refrain from making the recommendation.
• His abilities. Beyond the hard skills needed to fill a job, surely you know your friend’s soft skills very well. If he has leadership skills, he is a good communicator, a good listener, etc. Try to act objectively and match the hard and soft skills of that person with those required in the position. If there is a good fit, you can carry out the recommendation, but otherwise you should abstain.
• Your aspirations. When it comes to entering a company on the right foot, it is important that there is an adequate balance between the aspirations of the new worker and what the organization can offer. For example, if you know that your friend wants to reach a managerial position in five years, but your company is not in a position to offer a promotion, it is clear that your company cannot meet his aspirations.

Steps to refer a friend

If after making an objective evaluation, you decide that your friend’s profile fits perfectly with what your company is looking for, you can make the recommendation. Let’s see how you should do it.

Never act alone on your own

When you find out that there is a good vacancy in your company, and you meet a person who fits the position perfectly, it is normal that you want to start making the recommendation as soon as possible. But, this is a mistake.

Before making any decision, consult it personally with your friend. Tell him about the position and how you work in your company. Let him or her decide if he or she could really be interested in working in the same place that you do.

Once I give you the go-ahead, you can start taking steps to make the recommendation and have your candidate considered.

Does your company accept recommendations?

This is the first thing you should be clear about. More and more companies are betting on collaborative recruitment, but there are still some that have not discovered its benefits.

A good way to resolve your doubt would be to contact the head of the department that has the vacancy. Tell them that you know someone who would be a good fit for the position and that you would like to recommend them. The person in charge will indicate the next steps to take. For example, that you deliver your friend’s CV directly to him.

Talk to coworkers

Referring a friend is something we all wish we could do, especially if the job offer is good. But, in certain work environments, this may not be well seen. If they finally select the candidate that you have proposed, there are those who may think that there is a certain “plug-in”.

If you think that there may be any problem of this type, before making the recommendation, talk about this issue with your closest colleagues and ask for their opinion.

Do not lie

This extends to both your friend and your company. Do not create false aspirations in that person you know, but neither in the organization.

It’s okay to try to “sell” your friend and show that they may be the perfect candidate, but don’t attribute skills, experience, or training that they don’t have. Since the proposal was made by you, it is normal for those responsible for selection to ask you some questions. Try not to exaggerate, and if you don’t know something, just say you don’t.