It’s an uncomfortable but necessary truth that we need to address. Across my many years of hiring talents for McDan Group, I can tell you this: referrals would get you into places you would have stood no chance if you applied normally. It sounds cliché, but that’s the candid truth. A referral for a job isn’t just a lead; it’s a vote of confidence.
A lot of recruiters sift through countless applications, even for niche roles, only to end up with a pile of candidates who look great on paper but miss the mark in real life. And now, with tools like ChatGPT, crafting a flawless cover letter or polished CV is easier than ever. Everyone looks perfect on paper.
But you know what can’t be faked? 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩.
When someone credible says, “This person is solid. You should talk to them,” it cuts through the noise. That kind of endorsement carries more weight than any bullet point on a résumé. That’s why referrals are gold.
Yes, you can lean on nepotism to get a foot in the door, but that trust is fragile. A name might get you the meeting, it might even get you a job, but if there’s nothing real to back it up, that door won’t stay open for long.
Real trust [the kind that sustains a career] comes from consistently doing great work, showing up with integrity, and becoming undeniably valuable.
One referral can change your life forever. That’s why you need to put yourself out there as much as you can, tell people about what you do because it’s not always about what you know, but what people believe you know.
