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Would You Pay a Stranger to Give You a Job Referral?
We asked, you answered.
Lara Buchar
January 30, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 13 minutes
JANUARY 30, 2025
Talking Points
If You’re Too Busy
A couple of weeks ago, we dove deep into the fascinating world of referral marketplaces, where people are shelling out the big bucks to have strangers recommend them for a job at a coveted company. 👀 That’s right—there’s a whole marketplace for people thirsty enough to pay for job referrals instead of earning them the good old-fashioned way. Although we don’t think it’s worth the risk to lie to your future employer (and potentially get caught! 😳), we wanted to know what you think, and as usual, your answers gave us a whole lot to think about. 🙇♀️
Your Honest Thoughts on Paying for a Job Referral
“I would pay for a referral. Listen, from companies listing ghost jobs on LinkedIn to replacing experienced high-earners with less experienced employees, nothing about work is ethical anymore. If you get referred by a stranger, come up with a good story as to why you know them. If employers don’t play by the rules, we shouldn’t either.”
“NO, you should never pay for a referral!”
“I knew the hiring manager for a dream job that was posted—she even reached out when she saw I left my old company to tell me about the open role. Three months and two interviews later, she left the company AND ghosted me. I then received an automated email from HR rejecting my application.”
“When we refer someone to my company we have a 'how do you know this person' box with some pre-selected options like worked with previously, previous manager, know via a friendship, via school or 'other'... I think this would qualify as ‘other’.”
“A few months ago, a student I didn’t know reached out to me on LinkedIn asking for a referral for a position at my company. It was a role not at all related to my role and in a location multiple states away from my location, so I said I didn’t feel comfortable giving it… but if they had offered me $50, I would’ve gladly done it. Times are tough and $50 is $50!”
POLL: Would you pay for a job referral from a stranger?You can be honest! Your secret's safe with us... |
Hey! Got a forward from a friend? Click here to make it official and subscribe to our next one.
IN COLLABORATION WITH
LPGA
Be Part of a Milestone Moment 🏌️♀️
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Snacks
👀 Some companies are offering flexible schedules as a bonus for good work, and we’re intrigued.
📦 It’s not just you: 81% of Americans are worried about losing their jobs in 2025.
🏃♀️ Feel like your schedule runs you (instead of the other way around)? The Calendar Class, our time-management crash course, is your guide to taking control.
🪦 Is it time for us all to collectively let TikTok die?
🤔 It’s 2025 for f*ck’s sake! Why do women’s clothes still not have pockets?!
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 CeraVe Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover, Amazon, $9.97 | The Cleansing Balm That Won’t Break the Bank“This is my holy grail makeup remover, and at $10, it’s such a steal. I got hooked on expensive cleansing balms after receiving one as a gift but got sticker shock after seeing how much they retail for at big beauty stores—the thought of spending $40 or more on something that gets washed off instantly feels like such a waste! I did a little research and came across this affordable option from CeraVe, and I have purchased it over again since. It cleans off every speck of makeup with ease, even particularly hard-to-remove things like waterproof mascara and eyelash glue. Plus, since the balm is more solid than liquid, it’s super easy to travel with (no more leaky micellar water!).” — Lara |
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