Recommend a candidate for a current opening

Northstar Works is a fictional multi-site organization; its roles and example workflow are illustrative. Start with an opening on the Job Board, discuss the role with the candidate, get their permission before sharing any details, and use the recruiting submission route provided for that opening. Recruiting assesses candidates and manages the hiring process.

What makes a useful referral?

Connect what you know about the candidate to the requirements in the published opening.

Relevant experience

Point to specific experience or skills that appear to match the role description. For example, mention inventory planning across distribution sites when recommending someone for a distribution-planning role.

A clear reason for the introduction

Tell the candidate which opening you have in mind and why it may be relevant. Let them decide whether they want to learn more.

A consent-based introduction

Share a profile, résumé, or contact details only after the candidate has agreed to that specific introduction.

Recruiting makes the assessment

A referral is an introduction, not a promise of an interview or outcome. Recruiting evaluates candidates against the opening.

Prepare and submit your referral

Follow the route shown for the selected opening.

Illustrative example: “Jordan has led inventory planning across two distribution sites. They agreed that I could share their profile for the Distribution Planner opening.” The example describes a consent-based introduction; it does not indicate a real employee, vacancy, or submission.

  1. 1

    Choose an opening

    Read the current role description on the Job Board. Use the opening's own instructions to identify its recruiting submission route.
  2. 2

    Discuss the role

    Share the opening with the candidate and explain why you think it may be relevant. Do not present a referral as a guarantee of selection.
  3. 3

    Get permission

    Ask the candidate before sharing their contact details, profile, or other information with recruiting.
  4. 4

    Write a brief introduction

    Name the opening and describe the candidate's relevant experience in a few specific, role-related sentences.
  5. 5

    Submit through the opening's authorized route

    Use only the recruiting destination provided with that opening. If no route is shown, ask the recruiting help route supplied by your organization where to submit; do not send candidate details through an unverified channel.

Use the route attached to the opening

Submit through the authorized recruiting destination provided for the specific Job Board opening. If the opening does not provide a usable route, contact your organization's recruiting help route before sharing candidate information.

  • Opening selected
  • Candidate has agreed to the introduction
  • Relevant, concise introduction prepared
  • Submission made through the opening's authorized recruiting route

This guide does not submit a referral or create a submission link.

What happens after submission?

Recruiting reviews the referral and manages candidate communications. The timing and next steps depend on the organization's process and the opening; do not promise a response timeframe, interview, or hiring decision.

If you have a question about your referral, use the recruiting help route provided by your organization. Do not ask the candidate for confidential recruiting updates or share information they have not agreed to disclose.

Content owner: Talent and Learning owns this fictional example guide. Send a correction or referral-process question through the established recruiting help route.