Do you do this or is it unprofessional?

[budbeerlady]

We have an employee who has been here for 4 months. I know her from the past but know she also can be a good employee so I kinda opted out of her hiring process so there could be no question about her hiring. I am not sure if it is because our past "friendship" (moved in the same circle for years, dated DH's best friend for a year) or if that is just her. But she has brought in several of other past "friends" to try to get them hired here. We are a very small company (30 people) with little turnover (she got the job because a temp firm sent over her app and we tried her out and it worked), so I am at a loss here over the whole thing. In my mind this is a waste of time and resources and I would love to just say to each one that we arent hiring at this time instead of doing the whole application process and checks. Do you try to get your friends jobs? I have never recommended a friend for where I was employeed. I just think it is never a good idea and am less than happy that these people are listing herself and i as an employee they know that works for our company on the application. Can I say anything or just grin and bear it?

 

[MAKmom]

Most companys encouge this. Headhunters or employment agencys are expensive. Even an help wanted ad in a newspaper can cost hundreds of dollars. You should take the resume' explain you are not hiring & keep it on file.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

I've referred my friends for jobs where I work, but first I ask them if they want to work there; make sure the job is not in the same department as me; make definitely sure they are truly qualified for the position. However, we are a larger company.

In your case, I might ask your friend why she's doing this. Maybe advise her that there are no openings and your company is not expanding right now. Explain how costly it is to process applications that are not going to result in a job.

It may be that she's just excited about her new job and wants to share the experience with her friends. She probably means well... just a little too enthuisastic.

 

[Rajah]

Yup, if I knew there was a job opening and had a friend who was looking, I'd recommend them and encourage them to apply.

Now if I knew there wasn't room for more employees, it'd be another matter.

 

[mickeyfan2]

We get emails at work about people you know and getting them to apply for jobs. Let her do what she wants. If the company is not hiring, then it is up to them to tell applicants or to not take applications.

 

[hiwaygal]

I think the most "unprofessional" part is other people are putting you down as a reference (sort-of, by listing you as someone they know) without asking you first.

 

[MO Disney cruiser]

Just curious. If you're not hiring, why do you have to go through checks? Can't you just accept the application?

 

[amburger]

Yup, if I knew there was a job opening and had a friend who was looking, I'd recommend them and encourage them to apply.

Now if I knew there wasn't room for more employees, it'd be another matter.

Yeah, same here. Not even totally sure I'd want my friends to work with me, but if they were desperately looking for a job and asked if my work was hiring and they were then I would let them know and have them apply if they wanted.

 

[rt2dz]

A lot of people get jobs by who they know not what they know. It's simply part of networking.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

My boss asks if we know anyone to work there...

I have worked at the same day care center for 4 years and after 2 years i got an application for my best friend---she still works there on school breaks and we are the head teachers of the summer program every year

 

[MAKmom]

I think the most "unprofessional" part is other people are putting you down as a reference (sort-of, by listing you as someone they know) without asking you first.

Sorry I missed that part. That is wrong if they do not know you. If it bothers you tell her to stop that.

 

[RadioFanatic]

I have recently done it at my office twice - and they were both hired. I recommended them but let them do their own work for the interview, references, writing sample, etc. In my place of work, partnership is an issue and I see it as showing work that I'm dedicated to the place, see myself staying there, and want the place to flourish with good employees. Obviously, I'm VERY particular about who I recommend b/c I don't want it to show badly on me if I recommend someone awful; but so far, it has turned out well.

P.S. the boss has been very happy with them and has thanked me for it and has asked my opinion on other hirings b/c of it.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

A lot of companies encourage this and give a monetary reward to employees that recruit friends who are then hired and become an employee in good standing for a certain length of time.

 

[jenks0718]

Where I work they too have an incentive program where if you refer a friend and they stay 6 months you get 1K and if they stay a year you get 2K. Many large companies do this all the time.

 

[dmslush]

Nope, I don't refer people that I know for jobs at the shelter. It never failed, in the past, when I would refer someone to a job somewhere, they would get the job and then not do good work. If I was in a supervisory positition, it was double worse! They would think because they are my friend, they can get away with more. So, I just leave the recommending to the employment security office.

 

[Stacerita]

Yup, if I knew there was a job opening and had a friend who was looking, I'd recommend them and encourage them to apply.

Now if I knew there wasn't room for more employees, it'd be another matter.

This is the same way I handle it. If there is an opening I will tell someone about it if they are qualified. Or if my boss is looking for someone and I know of someone I would reccomend them. But I would not have friends apply if there is no opening.