Employee referrals are not just a trend, but a proven strategy in modern recruiting. According to our benchmark study 2023, 74% of companies are already using an employee referral program and 14% are planning to introduce one. Using an effective employee referral program can not only increase the quality of applicants, but also take employee engagement to a new level. This article presents five effective ways to help companies successfully implement employee referral programs and boost employee engagement.
Why Employee Referrals are Crucial
The importance of employee referrals in recruiting is far-reaching. In addition to identifying qualified candidates, they also offer a unique insight into the company’s social capital. Employees who actively participate in the recruiting process strengthen team spirit, increase employee loyalty and contribute to the company’s long-term success.
The Advantages of Employee Referrals
- Quality of applicants: Employees who come to the company through referrals are often a better fit for the corporate culture and the requirements of the position.
- Faster recruitment: The recruitment process is shortened by 30% when qualified candidates are recruited through employee referrals.[1]
- Cost efficiency: Compared to traditional recruiting methods, employee referrals can reduce costs. 50% of companies with an employee referral program state that they save costs by introducing this recruiting channel. [1]
However, your company can only reap these benefits if you utilize the full potential of employee referrals. The success of your referral program stands and falls with the engagement of your employees in the recruiting process. That’s why we present 5 effective tools to ensure employee engagement:
1. Referrals App
The foundation of a successful employee referral program is a user-friendly platform. Referring candidates must be simple and straightforward for all employees.
To get employees on board who do not have direct computer access at their workplace, it is worth investing in a program that can be used via an app. This allows employees to refer suitable candidates regardless of time and location.
Radancy’s My Referrals app enables talent scouts — as we call referrers — to forward vacancies directly or share them on social networks such as LinkedIn or Facebook with just a few clicks. Employees can also use the My Referrals app to check the status of their referrals at any time, view their rewards or access the leaderboard.
2. Regular Communication
Even the best programs can be ineffective if they are forgotten. Regular communication via various channels is crucial. Integration into existing communication tools such as newsletters, the intranet, and team meetings keeps the employee referral program ever-present.
In a diverse workplace where not all employees have a traditional computer workstation, it is crucial to adapt communication to different needs. Non-desk workers in particular could benefit from other communication channels.
Example 1: Interactive Display Panels in Industrial Environments
In production facilities or industrial environments where access to computers is limited, interactive display boards could be installed. These can be updated regularly and present information about the employee referral program and ongoing competitions. This creates a visible presence of the program in the workplace and encourages employees to actively participate.
Example 2: Mobile Applications for Non-Desk Workers
Another way to communicate effectively with employees who do their work away from a desk is the aforementioned employee referral app. They can be kept up to date via push notifications and receive important information about the employee referral program directly on their mobile devices.
Adapting communications to different employee groups ensures that the employee referral program is inclusive and engaging, regardless of job type. Taking this diversity into account ensures that all employees have an equal opportunity to participate in the success of the program.
3. Reward System With Monetary and Non-Monetary Rewards
An effective reward system is at the heart of every employee referral program. Monetary incentives are just as important as the ability to choose non-monetary rewards from a reward shop. While monetary rewards are a popular way of rewarding successful referrals, non-monetary rewards are particularly well suited for smaller referral activities such as sharing vacancies or providing feedback on candidates.
For example, Radancy’s employee referral program offers the opportunity to collect points for various activities, which can later be exchanged for small or large goodies in the reward shop. With a variety of reward options, you can meet the different needs of your employees.
4. Regular Competitions
Employees love challenges and competitions. Implementing regular, friendly competitions, for example on a monthly or quarterly basis, will further increase participation in the program. The prospect of prizes, whether in the form of vouchers, vacation days or other attractive rewards, encourages additional commitment.
Radancy customer B-A-D Gesundheitsvorsorge und Sicherheitstechnik GmbH regularly uses competitions to encourage participation in the referral program.
Would you like to find out more about B-A-D’s successful referral strategy? Click here for the case study.
5. Real-time Feedback and Status Updates
Transparency and recognition are key elements for the long-term effectiveness of an employee referral program. Real-time feedback makes it possible to show appreciation for referrals directly. Transparent status updates give employees insights into the progress of their referrals, encouraging ongoing engagement. This signals the significant contribution your employees are making to recruiting suitable talent.
Conclusion
If you pay special attention to these 5 tools when implementing your employee referral program, you will be rewarded with effective recruiting and at the same time strengthen the feeling of togetherness and employee engagement. Investing in a powerful employee referral program and a sustainable referral strategy pays off. You can generate quality new hires in the short term and create a positive employee-centric work environment in the long term.
Want to know how you can implement the 5 tools with Radancy’s Employee Referral Program for your company? Our experts will be happy to advise you.
Sources
[1] Radancy Employee Referrals Benchmark Study 2023. Radancy. (2023). https://www.radancy.com/en/employee-referral-benchmark-study-2023
