FAQ Development

I'm working on putting together the FAQ and have pasted what I have so far below. I am looking to flesh this section out, so please feel free to comment below (or email me) with other questions you think might be useful to the user.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Referral Union?

Referral Union is a professional networking environment that introduces people who get referral bonuses for referring successful candidates for jobs to those looking for jobs at their companies.

In other words: Andre works for Cube Farm Inc, and his company pays him $5000 every time he refers a candidate for an open position with the firm. It is Referral Union’s goal to help him find a suitable candidate (or several suitable candidates). In addition, let’s say Emma—a wonderfully qualified candidate—would love to work at Cube Farm Inc, but she knows that applying through the website might take forever, and there’s a good chance no one will even look at her resume. If only she knew someone who worked there, she could get the inside track and make sure her resume is put in front of someone. Enter Andre, who was looking to refer someone just like her but didn’t know anyone. Everyone wins!

How does it Work?

Referral Union maintains two databases.

One database holds information on all the current employees looking to refer candidates to their companies. The only information visible via the website is the company, its industry, the functional positions the company hires for, and its geographical location.

The second database holds a repository of applicants’ resumes sorted by job objectives, location, qualifications, etc. Again, no contact or identifying information is visible.

Once a user registers and logs in, he or she can search, sort, or browse either database to find either suitable applicants or potential job opportunities (or both, if that’s their thing). Once you find a suitable match, you just click on it, and a request is sent to their account inbox. From there, they decide if they’d like to get in touch with you or not. Conversely, once your profile is up—either your resume or current employer profile—other users can seek you out and sent you a message. Also, users can create a search profile on their account, and Referral Union will suggest candidates and/or jobs, so all you have to do is login and check your inbox.

Where did this idea come from?

Bored at work one day, the site’s founder, Wyatt, received an email from his company’s HR people saying they were looking to hire people with a specific skill set. There was a $7,500 referral bonus for each candidate hired. With dreams of round-the-world vacations, fast cars, and condo down-payments in his head, Wyatt sent emails to just about everyone he knew looking for someone with the required training who was looking for a job. Nothing. So then Wyatt did an internet search for a site like Referral Union that could help him find some people to refer. Nothing. While stewing about how he was going to have to take a normal vacation, keep driving his beat up car, and keep renting in an apartment with two roommates, he decided to create a site to help people just like him and maybe make a little money in the process. So while he’s still driving the same thing, going on the same lame vacations, and sharing a tiny apartment, maybe he can help some people out in the process.

What’s in it for me, the current employee?

A couple things. First, your company will pay you for your qualified candidates. While it’s not money for nothing, it’s usually quite a bit of money for not a lot of work. Also, you’re taking an active role in bringing in new talent to your company, which is a good thing.

What’s in it for me, the applicant?

Well, you get an inside track to a new job, bypassing a lot of the red tape associated with applying via websites, career fairs, and the like. Also, since the current employees really want to see you hired, they will often come to you and help champion your resume.

What’s in it for Referral Union?

Besides the inner joy and good karma associated with getting good people good jobs and putting money in your pocket, we hope to turn a small profit. Someone has to buy beer and pizza for the guys in the back.

So I Should Just Pick a Bunch of Resumes and submit them all to My HR People so I can get as much Money as Possible?

No. Well, not unless your company hires literally everyone who applies. Otherwise, you’ll probably get on their bad side for filling up their inboxes with unqualified and inappropriate candidates, and you’ll end up with a stapler through your windshield or something. More importantly, they will ignore your quality referrals and you won’t get paid. For some tips on selecting the right candidates, click here [link to tips for current employees’ page].

Is it secure?

You bet. We know you don’t want your information all over the internet, which is why we hide your name, address, email, phone number, etc to people looking at either the jobs or the resumes. Only YOU can decide you want this information sent to either candidates or current employees once they request your information.

[Web developer language here for how secure the database is, etc]

What’s the Catch aka How does this Ruin my Life Somehow?

There really is no catch. You get to refer candidates to your employer and collect a bonus from it. Applicants get the inside track on a new job. We make a small profit. Everyone wins.

How Much Does it Cost?

Applicants get to use the site for free. They can create a profile, upload their resumes, and send and receive emails to current employees. For current employees, it is free to set up a profile and receive emails. By upgrading to Gold Member status [link to subscription page] for a small monthly fee, current employees can respond to emails and initiate contact with prospective applicants.