Is it appropriate to contact my recruiter about recommending a classmate?
I’m still learning the ropes of business etiquette, so I hope you can help me out. I recently accepted an internship for next summer and I have a very talented classmate who is also looking for an internship. Would it be acceptable for me to reach out to my recruiter to see if I can connect her with my friend? I’m concerned that my input might not carry much weight as a future intern, and I don’t want to inconvenience my recruiter. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
RCadmin
Absolutely, it’s perfectly fine to reach out to your recruiter to recommend your classmate! In fact, showing that you care about your peers and want to help them can reflect positively on you. Just keep a few things in mind:
Be Respectful of Their Time: When you reach out, keep your message concise and to the point. A brief introduction of your classmate’s skills and why you think they would be a great fit for the company can be helpful.
Make It Optional: Phrase your recommendation in a way that lets the recruiter know it’s entirely up to them to follow up. For example, you could say something like, “I have a talented classmate who’s looking for opportunities; would it be okay if I passed along their information?”
No Pressure: Understand that your recruiter may not have the bandwidth to consider every recommendation, especially as an intern. If they don’t follow up, it’s not a reflection of your classmate’s talent or your judgment.
Thank Them: Always be gracious, whether they take your recommendation or not. Thank them for considering it!
Overall, this kind of initiative can show your recruiter that you’re engaged and thoughtful. Good luck with your internship and supporting your classmate!