Have you ever heard of the power of referral recruitment? Also known as via-via recruitment, it is an extremely effective way to attract new talent. The concept is simple but effective: colleagues are used as ambassadors of the organization and start looking for candidates. In return, they receive nice incentives, extra days off or a nice amount of money as a reward. Why is this such a popular and valuable tool also for you as a recruitment professional? And how can it help you realize your hires? In this article we explain it to you.

In the search for the best candidates, companies are increasingly relying on innovative recruitment techniques. One of the most successful methods is leveraging internal networks. Turn your colleagues or mediated candidates into true recruiters and have them scour their own networks for the perfect candidate. Rewards can be endlessly creative: from a weekend getaway or an adventurous balloon ride to a brand new iPad or tickets to an amusement park or zoo. The possibilities are endless, and it works! Why? Because their own employees are often the best judges of whether someone would be a good fit for the company. In order not to risk their reputation, employees usually proceed very carefully. Are your colleagues also real proud ambassadors of the company? Then definitely get started with referral recruitment.

Why exactly can this work for you?

First, it contributes to staff retention. When colleagues recommend candidates from their own network, they often already have a good understanding of the company culture and values. This increases the likelihood that the recommended candidates will be a better fit for the organization. A good cultural fit reduces the chance of early departure because new employees quickly feel at home and thrive better in the work environment. So a huge boost for your employer brand. Moreover, your own employees have an enormous reach through their social media channels. So as an employer, you can achieve a lot and achieve a high conversion rate by turning your own employees into ambassadors.

What does it provide?

More importantly, how do you convince management to embrace it? Let's start with cost savings. Traditional recruitment processes are expensive and time-consuming. With referral recruitment, the cost per hire is significantly lower. Through the network of your colleagues or mediated candidates, you reach a relevant audience efficiently, without large investments in media campaigns or advertisements on online job boards. Although you reward colleagues with a recruitment bonus, you generally spend less than with other recruitment methods and it is a cost-effective way of attracting talent.

Traditional recruitment often requires a lot of time and resources to screen large numbers of applicants. With referral recruitment, this process can be significantly shortened. Vacancies can be filled more quickly, which in turn also brings cost savings, as the time a position remains unfilled is reduced.

In addition, referral recruitment increases the engagement and ownership of your employees. By actively involving them in recruiting new colleagues, they feel more connected to the organization. They experience a sense of pride and responsibility for the company's success. This strengthens the team spirit and positive work environment.

How do you apply this practically?

It all starts with enticing your colleagues with attractive rewards. Without a substantial reward, a referral program will not be successful. How high or attractive you make the reward is up to you, but make sure employees get excited about it and that it is still a lot cheaper than posting expensive ads on job boards. Tip: Talk to them and ask how they want to be rewarded. In some organizations, a team reward works better than an individual bonus.

Also, make sure the job posting is visible internally. Getting noticed is crucial if you want to reach new employees through referral recruitment. For example, you can add an element of competition by opting for a team bonus. Organize a fun competition among staff, which is guaranteed to create atmosphere and enthusiasm. This encourages engagement and makes the recruitment process even more fun.

Referral recruitment: a valuable tool

In short, referral recruitment is a valuable tool in a labor market where candidates are in control. It enables companies to attract qualified candidates, increase the confidence of potential candidates, improve the candidate experience, speed up the hiring process and save costs. By implementing a solid referral recruitment program and ensuring that all candidates are given fair opportunities, you can take advantage of its benefits in attracting top talent.