Recruiting people: do referral sources on applications reall

[v]

I saw two fantastic postings on LinkedIn today at a company that a very close friend works for.  I'd like to get applications in ASAP.

I emailed my friend to tell him that I'm going to apply and to ask him to send along my resume to HR/hiring manager/whoever else he knows who might be relevant after I apply.  I know he'll do that.    

The applications have a space for referral source, and one of the options is current employee (if you choose that, it asks for the name).  When I emailed my friend I asked if I could list him there, but I haven't heard back from him (not surprising -- he's slow to respond to emails and it has been like 2 hours).  I *could* list my friend there anyway, to get my name associated with my applications.  I'm sure he wouldn't mind.  But I feel weird doing that if he hasn't said yes yet.

So my question is -- is the personal referral source important enough that it is worth holding off to get his okay, or should I just apply now with LinkedIn as the referral source and have him send my resume along later?

Thanks!

[noodleoo]

Honestly, I'd just put his name in on the online application. If you know he'll forward your resume, I doubt he'd say no to that. And by putting his name there, he may get a referral bonus which I'm sure he'd be happy about. I've done this before and I've never had a friend say no. I'm not sure it actually helps your application get looked at, but it will definitely be important if there is a referral bonus involved.

[shopgirl07]

Employee referrals make a difference. I'd wait to get his ok, a half day or day won't make much difference.

[spunkarella]

Not a recruiter. Is there a pressing deadline to apply?

I would give it until tomorrow or at least this evening to give your friend a chance to respond.

[megstoo]

Call your friend if you haven't heard back by end of the day. Referrals make a big difference but you don't want to blindside him if they do ask him.

[larzhope]

Oct 20, 2014 10:23:38 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Honestly, I'd just put his name in on the online application. If you know he'll forward your resume, I doubt he'd say no to that. And by putting his name there, he may get a referral bonus which I'm sure he'd be happy about. I've done this before and I've never had a friend say no. I'm not sure it actually helps your application get looked at, but it will definitely be important if there is a referral bonus involved.

former recruiter here. If he's agreed to forward your resume, i'd absolutely put his name there. If he was lying, well, shame on him. And typically, employees do get a referral bonus, which can be pretty significant. It definitely helps your application get looked at - it certainly won't get you an interview, but at least in my experience, we look at referrals more closely than the average joe applicant.