The attitude around referrals has changed a lot over the past 20 years, and mostly for the better. Hear how referrals can lead to opportunity from all sides, and how they're easier than ever before.
Hi, this is Stephanie Maas, partner with Thinking Ahead Search Firm.
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Today I wanna talk to you about referrals.
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It's really been interesting.
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I've noticed the difference between getting referrals today than when I first started in this business.
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It's really interesting from this perspective, we didn't have things like LinkedIn.
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Candidly, I barely even had an electronic data management system, and so when you would ask for referrals, it was literally.
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Piece of paper pencil, Hey, what's their name?
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What's their number?
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What organization are they with?
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So forth and so on.
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Today it's very different.
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It's, Hey, just gimme their name.
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I can find everything else that has also created that I've noticed, and maybe it's not this, maybe I've just gotten better at the job or people just trust me more.
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I'm not, I'm not exactly sure, but what I've noticed is referrals seem to come a heck of a lot easier today.
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And in fact, when I asked for referrals, hey.
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I may approach somebody and say, Hey, I know you're not right for the search, but I'd love to pick your brain on who you know that maybe I should be calling.
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I used to get questions all the time like, well, I don't want you to use my name, or I don't want you to think.
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I don't want them to think that I think they're looking.
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I never hear that anymore.
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In fact, interestingly enough, nobody ever asks me anymore, how did you get my name?
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And as a byproduct, I think folks are a lot more willing to share referrals.
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The other thing I think is really interesting is there seems to be a different air in the market that by giving referrals is actually a service to the other folks.
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Hey, this isn't the right opportunity for me, but I know it will be for somebody.
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So here's two or three other folks you should call about this.
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No idea if they're looking.
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No idea timing wise.
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But it's a good thing to at least let other folks hear about good opportunities and that I very much appreciate.
