Wait for referral or apply?
Sometimes I ask people for referrals and they take some time to respond. Some companies, like TikTok, have a referral link for people to apply, so I’m blocked on waiting a referral until that person responds. Wondering if it’s better to wait for a referral, then apply, or if it’s better to apply without a referral (even in cases like TikTok)? If the former, how long after a job posting should I wait before applying?
In cases of linked-based referrals, is it possible for the referrer to refer me after I applied? If so, how does that usually work? What should I tell my referrer?
Discussion
(2 comments)- 0
4 months agoTech Lead @ Robinhood, Meta, Course HeroIn this market, job openings fill up fast. Applying ASAP after a job goes up has a lot of value, so this is my recommendation:
- Don't bother waiting around for a weak referral (I would cap it at 2 days personally)
- Wait around for a strong referral
To learn about weak referrals vs. strong referrals, check out this lesson in my job searching course: https://www.jointaro.com/course/ace-your-tech-interview-and-get-a-job-as-a-software-engineer/referrals/
In cases of linked-based referrals, is it possible for the referrer to refer me after I applied?
I imagine it depends on the company, but worst case, you can have your referrer email the recruiter/hiring manager attached to your loop.
- 04 months agoTech Lead/Manager at Meta, Pinterest, Kosei
Agreed with Alex, this depends on the strength of the referral. You should only wait for a referral in two scenarios:
- The person giving you the referral can say something very positive + specific about you (it's someone you've worked with closely)
- The person giving you the referral is very senior and has influence
If they're junior or lacking influence, then their referral likely won't matter much any way, and you should focus instead on throughput.
