Blowing the referral
Did you know that an application that is submitted by another employee of a company has a 14 times greater chance of being viewed than one that is submitted blind? And did you know that many companies give priority to interviewing candidates who are recommended by employees. Employers use their current employees to source candidates because it is efficient—the employee is a known entity, and there is an understanding and awareness of his/her judgment. A candidate who is recommended by an employee or by a contact has an automatic leg up on everyone else.
With a networking referral, however, comes the responsibility of you, the candidate, to be spectacularly professional and prepared. This is not always the case. Read on for an example of what NOT to do:
Dear Deb:
A former colleague recently contacted me about a role at my company. When I read the description, I knew immediately that he was perfect for the role. I went and spoke directly with the hiring manager, and told him about my former colleague, and what a great fit he would be. I forwarded his resume to the hiring manager, along with my unequivocal support for his candidacy. He was called for an interview.
When I followed up with him, he told me that the interview did not go so well. He said that he hadn’t been on an interview in a long time, and he was out of practice. “I just sort of winged it,” he said.
I am aghast and embarrassed. I put my professional reputation on the line to go to bat for him, and he decided to just “wing” it??? I regret ever getting involved in this, and am now reluctant to help someone out in the future.
Our letter writer did her former colleague an enormous favor. She didn’t merely submit his application for him; she went and she personally vouched for him with the hiring manager! For him to be so cavalier and indifferent is infuriating. When you are recommended for a position, promotion, internship, whatever, it is incumbent upon you to prepare, prepare, prepare. Don’t just wing it. You should prepare for any interview, of course, but when someone else has gone to bat for you, you represent not only yourself, but that person as well.
The letter writer’s internal brand has been tarnished. The hiring manager probably questions her judgment. Now, she may be loath to recommend anyone in the future. Further, the candidate’s brand is damaged, not only with the letter writer, but also with the hiring manager. Please, do not do this. If someone has gone out of their way to help you, return the favor by putting forth your best effort.