We love our friends, and there are some people we would do a lot for. But would you recommend your friend to your company?
It may seem like a win-win situation at first - your friend and you have a job together, you may get a referral bonus, and the company gets a brand new employee. That is only if things turn out well, though. Keep in mind that the referrals you make will be reflected on you, and your reputation may be on the line.
There are a number of things to consider, and the first thing to do is to not take his words for face value that he is the best man for the job. Consider his personality, his habits and his ethics - will he really fit in with your company? There may be some friends who can do the job well and who would really be a great help. But the benefits will be negated if he is lazy, has bad time management and simply has no focus. Weigh out the pros and cons before making your decision!
We have personally received requests from friends asking if our company is hiring, simply because they see the fun and glamorous side of it. These same people are focused only on the perks of the job, and are not ready to face the challenges or do the job required of them. Do your part to ensure they are aligned with the requirements of the job before encouraging them to send in their resume. More often than not, they are simply trying their luck and do not actually care for the company.
Remember your role in the company - you are not the hiring manager (If you are one, then maybe the rules don’t apply). Take a few steps back and try not to get too involved in the hiring process. Involvement will simply make things awkward and pushy, effectively tarnishing your reputation in the company.
At the end of the day, the one thing to keep in mind is to put yourself first. Don’t get fooled by the “but we are friends, right?” card. We have been embarrassed more than once by colleagues or friends who tagged along to work events, and once the damage is done, almost all hope is gone.
Have you ever regretted recommending a friend to your company?
By: Celestine Foo
