How to Make $30,000 Referring People for Jobs
One person really did this and earned a big payout
Hi Oddies,
Did you know that some companies incentivize employees to be unofficial job recruiters for them?
They will tell employees:
Hey, if you refer someone from your network to an open job and we hire them, we’ll pay you a bonus.
It’s a great way to make a little cash. I never thought it was an actual side hustle until my friend sent me an article about a person who made $30k doing this — he referred thousands of complete strangers and made big $$$ when someone was hired.
How did he do it? Is this morally right? Is it even a viable way to make money?
Let’s explore all of that and more in today’s post.
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Can You Make $30k Referring People to Jobs?
The answer is: Maybe.
Actually, probably not.
But you can make money. Decent money even.
Listen to this:
According to recent reports, some tech workers have turned employee referral programs into a lucrative side hustle, with one individual earning approximately $30,000 over 18 months. Let's break down how this emerging opportunity works and how you could potentially tap into it.
What Is Referral-Based Income?
Employee referral programs are designed to reward workers for recommending qualified candidates to their company. While traditionally meant for referring former colleagues or professional connections, some employees have started referring qualified strangers for open positions, earning substantial bonuses in the process.
The Numbers That Matter:
External applicants: 1 in 200 chance of being hired
Referred candidates: 1 in 25 chance of being hired
Potential earnings: Several thousand dollars per successful hire
Time investment: A few seconds per referral submission
Where To Find This Opportunity:
Primary Platforms:
Blind App (Free): 12 million tech workers use this anonymous platform
Glassdoor's referral forums: Popular for tech, finance, and consulting roles
ReferralHub: Marketplace where insiders set their own referral prices ($10-50 per referral)
Refermarket: Premium plan at $29.99/month reduces per-referral costs to $3
Refer Me: $12/month for unlimited referral requests
Target Industries:
Technology companies (primary focus)
Financial services
Consulting firms
Large corporations with structured referral programs
How The Process Works:
We do not endorse doing this! But sharing the info we learned based on this article!
Setup Phase:
Create verified accounts on referral platforms
Set up a Google Form for candidate information collection
Establish a tracking system for submissions
Create template responses
Daily Operations:
Monitor referral request forums
Review candidate qualifications
Submit referrals through company systems
Track submissions and outcomes
Benefits:
Substantial earning potential ($2,000-5,000 per successful hire)
Minimal time investment per referral
Flexible, scalable side income
No direct costs to start
Can be done remotely
Disadvantages and Risks:
Some companies explicitly prohibit this practice
Potential reputation risk if discovered
No guarantee of successful hires
Companies may start ignoring high-volume referrers
Could affect your standing at work if not managed carefully
Important Considerations:
Company Policies:
Some companies like Google require personal knowledge of candidates
Others view these as "courtesy referrals"
Many companies haven't taken an official stance
Some explicitly prohibit the practice
Risk Management:
Start small and scale gradually
Maintain quality standards in candidate selection
Keep detailed records
Stay informed about company policies
Consider potential impact on your reputation
Tips for Success:
Focus on quality over quantity
Develop an efficient system for processing referrals
Track your success rates
Build a reputation for referring qualified candidates
Stay updated on company hiring needs
Maintain professional communications
Getting Started:
Research Phase:
Review your company's referral program details
Understand bonus structures
Check company policies
Join relevant platforms
Setup Phase:
Create necessary accounts
Develop tracking systems
Establish workflow processes
Set up automated responses
Launch Phase:
Start with a small number of referrals
Monitor success rates
Adjust processes as needed
Scale based on results
Remember: While this opportunity can be lucrative, it's important to approach it professionally and ethically. Focus on referring qualified candidates who could genuinely benefit your company. Your professional reputation should always take precedence over short-term gains.
Final Note: Given the evolving nature of this practice and varying company policies, stay informed about your employer's stance on referrals and adjust your approach accordingly. Remember that your primary job and professional relationships should always come first.
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