Express Employment Professionals’ America Employed and Canada Employed press series explore the state of employment in North America, including everything from hiring expectations and HR challenges to job seekers’ optimism and shrinking the skills gap. Learn about the latest insights uncovered in a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey.
Referrals build trust, accelerate decisions, and give candidates a clear edge many overlook. A referral may be the closest thing to a “shortcut” in today’s job market, and a new Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey shows just how powerful that endorsement can be.
Referrals Work When Relationships Are Real
A striking 90% of U.S. hiring managers say employee referrals make hiring more efficient, and 91% say a strong internal reference can open doors that would otherwise stay closed.
Hiring managers value referrals, but they also value authenticity.
- 93% have been contacted by former colleagues after long periods of no communication.
- 68% are less likely to provide a reference if the only time someone reaches out is when they need one.
- 66% consider whether the person maintained the relationship over the years before agreeing to help.
- 38% say it happens all the time or often.
The power of a referral doesn’t begin when a candidate needs a job. It begins long before that through trust, history, and genuine connection.
The Strengths and Limits of a Referral
A referral does more than boost visibility for Canadian job seekers. It fundamentally changes how hiring managers perceive a candidate.
- 83% trust a candidate’s stated skills more when someone recommends them.
- 72% prioritize interviewing referred candidates over equally qualified non-referred applicants.
- 66% believe referred candidates perform better on the job.
In a crowded labour market, a single name can be the difference between getting noticed and getting overlooked.
Even with the undeniable impact, hiring managers are realistic about the boundaries of a referral:
- 94% say a reference doesn’t always mean the candidate is the right fit.
- 61% worry that relying on referrals can limit team diversity.
Referrals open doors, but they don’t replace a true assessment of skills, culture, or potential. They accelerate opportunity, not guarantee it.
“Referrals have always carried weight, but what this data shows is that they carry responsibility too,” said Bob Funk Jr., CEO, President, and Chairman of Express Employment International. “The strongest recommendations come from relationships built on consistency and genuine connection, not convenience. When people invest in each other over time, they create opportunities that no algorithm can match. A referral isn’t just a name on an email. It’s trust earned through showing up. That’s what moves careers forward.”
Read more about the latest employment insights in America Employed at ExpressPros.com and Canada Employed at ExpressPros.ca.
