Employee referral is a recruitment method in which current employees of a company recommend and refer potential candidates for open positions within the company. The employee making the referral is often eligible for a referral bonus or other incentives if the referred candidate is hired.

Employee referral programs are a popular recruitment strategy for companies because they can help to identify highly qualified candidates who are a good fit for the company culture. Referrals from current employees are often more reliable than resumes or applications from strangers, as employees are likely to refer people they know and trust. Additionally, referred candidates are more likely to be a good fit for the company and stay longer than candidates sourced through other methods.

Employee referral programs can be formal or informal, and can include a variety of incentives such as bonuses or prizes for employees who make successful referrals. Some companies also have a referral portal or software to make the process more efficient, and also to track the referral process.