Many people ask the question “Should I tell my friend about a job opening at my place of work?” because they want to be sure that they are doing the right thing and not crossing boundaries. It is a good thing to take a pause and see if it’s the right thing to do before proceeding. Regardless of how much you may love your friend and want them to have the job of their dreams, it is important to consider if you are not breaching any agreement between you and your employer. If you have done your internal research and your organization does not have a problem with it, you can then go ahead to discuss it with your friend.

Do most organizations mind if I tell my friend about a vacancy? 

Usually, telling your friend(s) about a vacancy should never be a problem as long as you trust them to deliver their skills well. Some employers would even implore you to let your friends know about the vacancy and ensure that you are only referring people who can do the work. Some employers can also say that they do not subscribe to bringing your friends on board, although this is very uncommon. 

So, most organizations do not mind that you hint your friends to apply for a job opportunity in the same company that you work for, provided they know their onions. 

What do I need to take note of while telling my friends about job opportunities in my place of work? 

While the point still stands that you are helping your friends, you need to be careful too. Take note of the following: 

• Make sure that your friends have the required skills before you tell them of the job opening. 
• Do not go about sharing sensitive information about the company with your friend. 
• Ensure you comply with your company’s policies regarding employee referral
• Let your friends know that you will only be recommending them and it does not guarantee that they would get the job. Although you are wishing them the best. 
• Be sure that you are not telling your friend about a position where you will have to be in charge of managing it supervising them to avoid any form of conflict. 
• Tell your friend(s) about the company’s culture and expectations or any potential challenges they are likely to face. This will give them an idea of what to expect. 
• Inform your colleagues or team leads about the referral, and be transparent with them. 
• Encourage your friends to take the right route of application. If they have to sign up on the company’s website, tell them to do so. 

The good part of pointing your friends to a job opening at your place of work

Apart from wanting the best for your friends, here are some other reasons you should never gatekeep opportunities from them: 

• You are contributing to your friends’ professional growth when you help them to join your workplace. Also, it makes your network more solid and valuable. 
• If your company is the type that gives referral bonuses or incentives to employees who successfully refer candidates who get hired, it means that you can get a bonus if you refer your friend. 
• The familiarity you have with your friend can help you build or maintain a good work relationship and work culture. 
• If your friends do great and exceptional work, it improves the entire teamwork. 
• Finding a job for your friend(s) makes them less of a liability to you or any other person. It means that as time goes by, both of you are earning from work and don’t have to depend largely on each other for funds. 

Don’t gatekeep opportunities from your friends. It’s more interesting to grow together. However, if you wi be telling your friend about a job opening, remember to do it the right way – responsibly and ethically. Don’t leave out the company’s needs when you are considering your friends’ qualifications for the job.