At the end of the day, referrals can be a great way to discover potential talent, but they should be treated like any other candidate.
As we’ve said, a referral should be guaranteed an opportunity, not a job. By putting them through the same rigorous hiring process as everyone else, you ensure that every candidate is evaluated fairly and without bias.
At About Staffing, clients often request that referrals go through our full screening process alongside the candidates we source. This allows for an unbiased, third-party evaluation – ensuring that referrals are given a fair chance, without the influence of internal relationships.
Employers usually prefer this as they don’t need to be viewed as the ‘bad guy’ if the referral ends up not being selected. About Staffing handles the rejection and takes the blame, and your relationship with the referring employee remains unstrained.
Ultimately, it’s not about who you know—it’s about finding the best person for the job. By treating referrals as just one piece of your recruitment strategy, you’ll avoid missing out on other great candidates and protect your company from potential hiring missteps.
The key is balance: leverage referrals, but don’t rely on them. Trust an established hiring process, and you’ll build the best team for your business.
