How Do I Get Paid A Bird Dog Payment For Referrals?

In the world of executive recruiting there are many ways to get referrals. The first steps are usually through cold calling where you contact an individual that you really don't know and discuss your client's opportunities with them to see if they know of anyone. That is also known as networking to the cold market.

The next way is connecting to the referrals from the individuals you spoke with during the cold calls. Most of the time you are able to use the person's name that refers them to your firm but other times, when requested, names are not used.

Typically the referrals are freely given as a gesture of good will. Other times, the headhunting firm may choose to reward the referrer with what is called a "bird dog payment" either in the form of a gift or a financial reward.

For a limited time, we are going to retest the bird dog payment program in an attempt to get high quality referrals. It is a myth that all headhunters get wildly rich once a placement is made. It is true that we do get paid well, but on the other hand, we go through an awful lot before we get rewarded.

We will offer a bird dog payment for qualified referrals under the following conditions:

1. The referral must meet the qualifications at least on paper up front.
2. The referral must not be a job hopper.
3. The referral must be made an offer and accept that offer.
4. The referral must stay on the job a minimum of 90 days. (We don't get paid for 90 days.)
5. The referral must use your name as the person referring him / her or you must associate your name with the referral.
6. Once the referral has stayed on the job for 90 days, we will cut a check to the person who referred the winning candidate for a minimum of $250 to a maximum of $500 depending on the level of position and the amount of commission we receive for any contingency search.
7. In case two people refer the same person, the first person who made the referral will qualify for the bird dog payment.

The bottom line is, if you refer a well qualified candidate who gets placed (it may take a few minutes of your time for you to think of one or to pass our letter or website address along to as many people as you know), you can earn $250 - $500.

We know we don't have to do this. We speak with wonderful people all the time who make referrals and don't expect anything in return. They know we will keep in touch with positions that become available from time to time, and in turn, that may benefit them directly as well. Just take a look around at the number of downsizings and layoffs and companies shutting down. We can all help each other. We just want to try this as a thank you for now.