As small and medium-sized businesses compete amid ongoing talent challenges, often with fewer resources than larger companies, they may need to get creative in their attraction and hiring efforts. Employee referral programs allow existing employees to recommend candidates for open positions. Employees tend to carefully consider possible referrals because they feel accountable to the organization and the person they refer.
These programs are a popular recruiting strategy due to their low cost but potential for high impact. An effective employee referral program can save time, money, and other resources during hiring.
- Make submitting referrals easy. Clear communication is necessary so that employees know how to submit referrals. This process should be simple, allowing employees to send a resume, provide an email and phone number, or submit a standard form to start the referral process.
- Incentivize employee referrals. To enhance the appeal of referring friends and family to the company, employers may provide monetary rewards, bonuses or other gifts to current employees who refer quality candidates for open jobs.
- Keep employees informed. It’s important to keep employees in the loop about the status of their referrals to avoid frustration and increase transparency. For example, let them know when the referral has been received, if interviews are scheduled and where the candidate is in the overall hiring process.
- Acknowledge good referrers. Public recognition can go a long way with employees, so small businesses should consider awards or public praise to let employees know they appreciate their efforts in sending referrals and being brand ambassadors. As such, public acknowledgment is a cost-effective way to increase referrals.
- Think beyond employees. Referral programs don’t need to rely solely on employee referrals. Companies can decide to open the referral opportunity to additional stakeholders, such as retirees and customers. For example, loyal customers may feel like a part of the company and be eager to refer their friends for open roles.
Conclusion – Amid ongoing talent shortages, employee referral programs can be a cost-effective strategy for attracting and retaining talent, hiring faster, and boosting employee morale.
Looking for more information on this topic? Check out our recent HR Chat on Employee Referral Programs.