Advice, please! A former coworker in a different industry wants to talk about opportunities in my organization. We haven't talked in several years, but were friendly when we worked together.

The thing is, based on the quality of his work, I really can't recommend him. What would be a diplomatic way to convey this?

Also, If you think there's a better bowl for this query, please let me know. TIA!

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Personally I would meet with him and use this as a teachable moment to share honest, constructive and empathetic feedback about what you think they should improve before applying to your current firm. Maybe that progress is unachievable, but it would be best to let him arrive at that conclusion himself. I would also pivot the conversation towards other opportunities you see as a better fit for him and for which you would be glad to be a reference.

As a rule, I always try to be has helpful as I can to others in my field. It feels good and it almost always pays long-term dividends since you never know where folks end up.

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It’s been years and they may have gotten better. Refer the guy.

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I would just tell HR that you can’t speak to their skills or abilities since you didnt work together that closely, but that they seem like a hard worker [or insert other generic quality]. That way you’re not vouching for them or having an awkward conversation about why you don’t want to recommend them, but you also don’t miss out on a potential referral bonus (if they got better over time).

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Totally agree on advice - this happened to me recently. The person has directly applied and I was asked to interview him and knew his work was terrible. I alerted my colleagues but he did so badly on the interview I wouldn’t have needed to. Direct them through proper HR channels but be upfront with HR and hiring manager about your concerns. This person will never know and you’re being honest and upfront with your colleagues and helping them make a successful hire

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At the very least send his resume to a recruiter if there is a role that interests him to appear helpful but don’t feel the need to pump him up. If he gets a job on another team it shouldn’t impact you too much, and you’ll get that referral bonus. I don’t blame you if you don’t want to refer him in your own team.

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Person may have grown abd improved. Pass their resume along, it will work itself out.

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Happened with me as well before. I told the person gently that it wasn't a good fit. They got the message.

Been in this position before. I made the referral but in a way that I was simply passing on the resume. You should do the same.

You mention you haven’t spoken in years. I think it’s unfair to assume his quality of work hasn’t improved over that time frame.

Offer to submit their resume to the standard firm referral program, but have a verbal conversation with the hiring manager and provide your honest assessment of the individual including all strengths and weaknesses. Who knows, depends on how desperate they are to fill the req they might be willing to accept the additional risk. If it works out great, you’ve helped the business and earned a referral bonus in the process. If it doesn’t your reputation isn’t on the line, because you’ve shared all pertinent information. Crappy employees fail their way inside and upwards all the time.

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