Ex colleague wants me to introduce them to my contact, we are in the same job pool

Career Talk Job Search Queries 2 years ago

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Posted on 16 Aug 2022, this text provides information on Job Search Queries related to Career Talk. Please note that while accuracy is prioritized, the data presented might not be entirely correct or up-to-date. This information is offered for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and should not be considered as a substitute for professional advice.

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manpreet Tuteehub forum best answer Best Answer 2 years ago


An ex-colleague has asked me to introduce them to a contact of mine. I would normally do so without hesitation, but we are currently looking for the same kind of job. I was even planning on talking to this contact myself, before the request came. What should I do?

  • I have always been on friendly terms with my colleague, and hold them in high regard.
  • We are probably a close match in terms of job market value.
  • My contact is a valuable one, in that they made the same career steps that both my ex-colleague and I are planning, and they are now happily working at an attractive potential employer.

I would appreciate answers that include not just a decision but also an implementation, and things to watch out for, e.g. "introduce them" and then also how to break it to my contact and the ex-colleague.

Post-fact

Based also on the mix of answers given here, I made sure to meet my contact first, and we had a good informational interview, in which I learned valuable things about the job market. Though it was very useful to talk, it became clear that their company does not have the kind of job that I am looking for.

After this, I introduced my ex-colleague, excusing my tardiness with the fact that I have been swamped with work recently (which is the truth).

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manpreet 2 years ago

If you wish to maintain a friendly relationship with your ex-colleague, my recommendation would be not to offer to put them in direct contact with the job contact, but instead offer to pass along their resume at the next opportunity.

This has the benefit that it's not a point blank refusal. It's reasonable that you wouldn't want to pass along this third party's contact details to your ex-colleague for privacy reasons, so if they question why you won't put them directly in touch, it should be easy enough for you to respond that you're uncomfortable giving out their details but are happy to pass along the recommendation.

This also allows you to, in the first instance, query your contact about any possibility of a role for yourself. If, for whatever reason, they say no, you're free to then pass along your colleague's resume in the knowledge you're not disadvantaging yourself.

On the other hand, if your contact does offer you a role, you can still then say to him, "By the way, if you're looking for more people I know someone else who might be suitable..." and once again pass along the resume. Most companies I've worked at love to receive recommendations from current employees, it's far less of a risk in their eyes to employ a semi-known quantity than going through a recruiter.

This seems like the best chance you have of maintaining good relations with both parties.


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