This segment allows managers to ask questions answered directly by our CEO, Darcy Swift. This month we discuss how to balance support and professionalism when giving referrals.
QUESTION: I have recently retired from my management position of 30 years to become a teacher at a local community college in the same field. A few weeks ago, a close friend and previous co-worker asked me to “put some feelers out” in my classes. She wanted me to send her students that may be interested her open positions. Since then she has constantly complained about the referrals I am sending her. She gripes about their lack of experience and how much time she is “wasting” trying to train them.
I’m sending referrals as a favor. I feel like she lacks professionalism because I am her friend. My question is, exactly how much vetting should I be doing of my students before telling them about the position? I don’t work for her, they are just student referrals. Meaning they are not going to have very much, if any experience. But she’s acting like I’m failing her or disappointed. YET she STILL wants me to continue to send people. What should I do? I want to help her out but it’s really putting a strain on our friendship.
ANSWER: First of all, you need to remind your friend that you are a teacher, not a recruiter. Also, that you are helping her as a favor. When she complains about who you are sending, mention again that these are students with no experience and what she is asking for is entry level. It is not your job to do her recruiting and she is not required to hire every person you send over. Some people are just simply not a good fit and it is her responsibility, not yours, to determine who is best for her open positions.
If your friend continues to complain or you simply just don’t want to bother with sending referrals, the best course of action at that point is to refer her to a staffing service that you trust. They are trained to screen candidates specifically for what she is needing so it will take the pressure off of both of you and you can get back to being friends.
If you have a question you want answered, please contact us. We will feature one frequently asked question a month.
This segment allows managers to ask questions answered directly by our CEO, Darcy Swift. This month we discuss how to balance support and professionalism when giving referrals.
QUESTION: I have recently retired from my management position of 30 years to become a teacher at a local community college in the same field. A few weeks ago, a close friend and previous co-worker asked me to “put some feelers out” in my classes. She wanted me to send her students that may be interested her open positions. Since then she has constantly complained about the referrals I am sending her. She gripes about their lack of experience and how much time she is “wasting” trying to train them.
I’m sending referrals as a favor. I feel like she lacks professionalism because I am her friend. My question is, exactly how much vetting should I be doing of my students before telling them about the position? I don’t work for her, they are just student referrals. Meaning they are not going to have very much, if any experience. But she’s acting like I’m failing her or disappointed. YET she STILL wants me to continue to send people. What should I do? I want to help her out but it’s really putting a strain on our friendship.
ANSWER: First of all, you need to remind your friend that you are a teacher, not a recruiter. Also, that you are helping her as a favor. When she complains about who you are sending, mention again that these are students with no experience and what she is asking for is entry level. It is not your job to do her recruiting and she is not required to hire every person you send over. Some people are just simply not a good fit and it is her responsibility, not yours, to determine who is best for her open positions.
If your friend continues to complain or you simply just don’t want to bother with sending referrals, the best course of action at that point is to refer her to a staffing service that you trust. They are trained to screen candidates specifically for what she is needing so it will take the pressure off of both of you and you can get back to being friends.
If you have a question you want answered, please contact us. We will feature one frequently asked question a month.