By Jacqueline McClure
Communications, Genesis Background Screening Services
How can recruiters and HR professionals get more mileage and results from their efforts to find the best employees? The short answer is: target the best employees you recently hired and ask for referrals. Talented, high producers tend to associate with other talented, high producers and it is likely they are connected to people that would make great additions to your company. The longer view is making use of some brand new connections you made when you were vetting your new employee – his or her references. Don’t let these connections live just in your HR files – transfer them into your recruiting process as Reference Connections.
Here are some good reasons to find talent through Reference Connections:
- You’ve talked to them before and have already invested time in initiating a professional relationship
- They usually hold a higher-level job title and will likely make thoughtful recommendations
- You may be able to establish a long-term business relationship for future referrals
- Since they don’t work for your company, you create a new hub that gives you access to a whole different pool of applicants
- With almost no time, training or cost, you can increase the quantity and quality of your talent pool
Here are 5 tips to help you get started:
- Determine the best time to contact Reference Connections. You may want to wait until your new employee has proven themselves to be a top performer for your company before you reconnect with their references to ask for referrals
- Decide which Reference Connections will be the most helpful to you based on the accuracy of their initial recommendations
- Be sure to thank Reference Connections for their help and inform them how happy you are with the employee that they recommended
- Ask Reference Connections if you may use their name as an introduction when calling their recommended candidate or ask them to contact the candidate first so that your call is expected
- Reconnect periodically for future referrals
It’s an easy process to take advantage of Reference Connections, but it’s always good business practice to measure results to determine how you can improve your outcome. For more information about how to hire better, you can call 866 944-0041 ext 106, email getstarted@gbsspro.com or visit www.genesisbackgroundscreening.com
