Dive Brief:

• LinkedIn is rolling out a new feature that lets job searchers ask their connections for a referral, reports TechCrunch. "Ask for a Referral” places a button next to job postings that applicants can click on to ask people they know at the hiring organizations for a referral. According to TechCrunch, applicants are four times more likely to get a response from a referral, and about half of recruiters say referrals are the best of quality candidates.
• The new feature has a filter that lets people select job openings at organizations in their network of connections. The search can be further narrowed by industry, location and other categories. Applicants can then click the “Ask for a referral” button above the job listing and choose the person they want to contact. LinkedIn prompts applicants to write a message using draft text they can personalize.
• LinkedIn recommends that applicants remind their connections how they know each other and what they have in common before stating why they're interested in the opening and are a good fit, says TechCrunch.

Dive Insight:

Because referrals drive quality hiring, it's no surprise that job sites like LinkedIn would develop a platform that makes getting referrals immediate and effortless. With features like "Ask for a Referral,” applicants can leverage their LinkedIn connections and improve their chances of getting hired; for employers, the tool can be an interesting new way for employees to assist with the sourcing process, by being better able to refer connections.

Referrals remain a favorite way for employers to recruit, as internally sourced hires tend to require fewer interviews and already have a fairly strong connection to the company, one study revealed. The trick is getting employees interested in referring people to company openings, which may require employers to speak more openly about their recruiting process.

LinkedIn is vying with other tech companies, like Google and Facebook, for its share of the recruiting tools market — one that has become rather competitive as of late. Each has offered innovative ways to streamline applicants' job searches and help recruiters avoid costly bad hires.