WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

I have a friend who recently asked me if there were open positions where I work.

Her background is a PERFECT fit for a position we have open, but most recently she has been a SAHM for over 10 years. I also know she has a less than ideal home situation right now (going through a separation and doesn't have much family nearby to support and help her with her small DC). She needs the job, but right now her life is so unstructured and flexible that I worry whether she could actually handle a FT position.

Would you take the risk and recommend someone you are unsure about for a position at work? I am well-regarded and they would take my recommendation seriously, but I worry if she doesn't work out long-term that everyone will blame ME.

WWYD?

Message edited 9/2/2014 10:35:18 AM.

Re: WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

I did this once and it absolutely backfired and I was caught in the middle. So in this case, probably not.

WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

I don't recommend anyone I know for positions anymore. I've done it twice in the past and both times I got burned by it. So now it is my policy that I just don't do it. No matter what the situation.
If you have reservations about her home life and ability to handle the job with childcare needs, I would think long and hard before referring her for the position.

Re: WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

I would if she felt she could do it

Does she?

I'm a big believer in women are like tea bags - you don't know how strong they are until they're in hot water.

WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

I would not. One of my coworkers recommended a friend for a position at our company. I was one of her direct superiors and it ended badly. Worse than badly. It definitely impacted my relationship with my coworker and I don't consider her to be credible any longer. Just my opinion.

Re: WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

i probably wouldnt recommend her for the position if you had reservations...but i would show her the link (its its posted online) and tell her to feel free to apply.

Re: WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

You can pass the resume on & explain that you knew her skills from 10 years ago & knew that she was good but that she hasn't had much experience recently & leave it at that.

Or tell her that you don't' really know but to look at the company website, see what they have open & apply through there.

Referrals are tricky. You never really know how the person will work out & you never really know how the person that is handing your resume in is perceived at the workplace.

Re: WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

I don't recommend people for jobs.

If I see something suitable (and I work in HR so I see the postings immediately), I can point a person to the link/post.

But that's it. I don't want my reputation on the line if something royally effs up.

Re: WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

I did this once years ago and the person I recommended didn't even show up for the interview. Here I thought I was helping her out and I wound up feeling like an idiot. Luckily it was only at my part time college job but lesson learned. Never again.

Re: WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

Re: WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

I would pass along her resume. Obviously they will see she hasn't worked in 10 years. I don't think you should hold it against her that she is going through a separation. She'll obviously make arrangements for the children and clearly she needs a job.

WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

I once bumped into someone I knew vaguely from law school, who then later that day emailed me with his resume and cover letter for an open position in my office. I forwarded it on to the person to whom it was supposed to go, and made it clear in my email how I knew him and that I don't really know about his work after law school.

Re: WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

I did it once many years ago and got completely burned. So no, I've made it a point never to do it again.

Re: WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

I don't recommend it - Personally, I refer people to HR, or the company website if they ask me if anything is open -

I don't like to be in the middle of things like that - My professional life is very different from my private life - and I have NO clue what a friend, faimily memember etc is like at the office - KWIM?

Re: WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

nope, i dont mix personal and business.

WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

been burned as well..
If the position is open, let them apply.

I never recommend. If you want to use me as far as a referral to getting you TO the job site, sure but I won't detail my opinion about you (if I like you) to the decision makers. I've been asked "Don't you know XXX?" Yes I do.. "we are considering her, how you do you feel or do you have an input?" .. "It is my personal policy to never contribute on behalf of my friends. It is their own resume and actions that stand alone without my assistance. I am sorry but I'd rather not comment and influence this decision but I wish her/him the best and I hope you find the right candidate for the job"

I've been pushed and said I had a bad experience once and choose to distance myself in case of any future situations that may lead to them connecting my own job, goals and commitment to the company to those of another employee, friend or not.

Re: WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

I have given people I don't necessarily know contacts but I always take myself out of it.

I also have handed resumes to the right people but preface the conversation by mentioning I don't want to be involved with recommending them.

I have known people to actually work out well.

I've only had one person not work out and this was years ago anyway.....they also left after a couple weeks anyway so it was not that big of a deal.

Re: WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

Re: WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

Glad it worked out.

I also have been brutally honest about positions with people because I've had that too....where they were upset because they thought they were mislead about the job/employer.

In the end I think it's best to go with your gut.....

Re: WWYD - Recommending a friend for a position

I would never. It recently backfired pretty badly for my DH and he swears he never will again.