Recruiter asks your opinion on a friend who's not that great at their job

KarmaGarda

Hello!

Posted a similar question in BGRH yesterday, but looking for a more serious answer in how you'd deal with this question. I have already answered the recruiters question now, so my question to you guys is I'd like to hear how you'd deal with the following scenario:

A recruiter you deal with quite a bit asks you for your opinion on a friend for a job of some kind. You don't quite know how to reply, because this person is not great at their job. Not completely rubbish, but at the same time probably not someone you'd even ask for an interview if you saw their CV land in your inbox.

The dilemma is that you don't want to lie and say they're awesome, because if they failed terribly at the new job it will reflect badly against you. And the recruiter is a good person, potentially someone you may wish to use yourself in future.

Also, you don't want to deny this person a chance at an interview either. They're not completely incompetent, they could probably fulfill the most basic parts of the job sufficiently well, would only struggle with more complex aspects. So it would be fair to let them have a chance at an interview and let the potential employee decide. At the end of it all they may perform well at the new job.

Finally, the recruiter knows you work on the same project as them... So you can't lie and say "don't know the person"...

How would you reply?

srsly78

Tell them it's company policy not to give references

KarmaGarda

srsly78 wrote: »

Tell them it's company policy not to give references

Good answer. I'm a contractor though so unfortunately that answer wasn't available!

Squatman

what answer did you give?

I would have focused on his positives, its up to the new company to train him to the level they need him at. provided he is competent at the basics

KarmaGarda

Squatman wrote: »

what answer did you give?

I would have focused on his positives, its up to the new company to train him to the level they need him at. provided he is competent at the basics

He caught me on the hop when I didn't check the caller id on the phone. The guy I was asked about was a software developer, so I went with something wishy washy along the lines of:

"He's seems ok, but haven't reviewed his code or worked very closely with him to give you a decent opinion. As a person he's a really decent guy though who I get on with quite well"

It was a little white lie I could get away with without committing to too much

syklops

A relative of mine was asked a similar question many years ago and responded with: "You will be very lucky if you get this person to work for you".

For me, the question is, is he a friend or not? If he's a friend, talk him up just like you would want him to do of you. If he is not a friend or someone you are close with, say what you feel comfortable saying, but don't talk him down either.

syklops

KarmaGarda wrote: »

Good answer. I'm a contractor though so unfortunately that answer wasn't available!

You think company policy doesn't apply to contractors?

Ray Palmer

Happens a fair bit. Honesty is the best policy as it could effect your standing. That doesn't mean you lambast somebody but you can mention your concerns and point out your position in relation to them.

" Nice guy and easy to get on with. Probably not best for a senior role as they like to be given clear directions. Good in team"

That actually means he has to be spoon fed and can't work on his own

He could work better alone. It depends on the person but effectively you want to mention their good points while mentioning areas of concern but in a constructive way. Hence suggest best when given clear instructions.

Anybody taking references no they don't get a full picture and have to fill in the blanks of what is not being said.

KarmaGarda

syklops wrote: »

...

For me, the question is, is he a friend or not? If he's a friend, talk him up just like you would want him to do of you. If he is not a friend or someone you are close with, say what you feel comfortable saying, but don't talk him down either.

I can't disagree with that. In my case I consider him a friend, but not that close of a friend that I would give him a glowing reference regardless.

syklops wrote: »

You think company policy doesn't apply to contractors?

I guess this does require clarification. In my setup it doesn't. I work in the UK, so not sure of the equivalent term in Ireland, but I'm not a sole trader. I run my own limited company and I sign up for contracts. I abide by my own company policies, but at the same time I must "respect" any of their company policies that my service causes me to come in business contact with. For example, if they have a company policy that I must use a particular application to mark tasks as complete, then yes I will "respect" that company policy.

In short - Legally I don't work for this company I provide them with a service.

KarmaGarda

Ray Palmer wrote: »

Happens a fair bit. Honesty is the best policy as it could effect your standing. That doesn't mean you lambast somebody but you can mention your concerns and point out your position in relation to them.

" Nice guy and easy to get on with. Probably not best for a senior role as they like to be given clear directions. Good in team"

That actually means he has to be spoon fed and can't work on his own

He could work better alone. It depends on the person but effectively you want to mention their good points while mentioning areas of concern but in a constructive way. Hence suggest best when given clear instructions.

Anybody taking references no they don't get a full picture and have to fill in the blanks of what is not being said.

I like that answer! I must make a mental note to use that one again

Mrs OBumble

Just tell the truth, but be diplomatic about it - much like you have here.

You have too much to lose if you lie outright, and really you won't be doing your friend any favours if he gets landed in something way out oof his depth.