Get hired: Software engineers offer big rewards for job referrals

Would you pay someone to get you a job? Sounds crazy, right? But in today’s tough job market, some software engineers are doing just that.

You’re trying to get into a crowded concert. Everyone’s pushing and shoving. What if you could pay someone to help you skip the line?

That’s essentially what’s happening. One engineer went viral recently after offering over $10,000 to anyone who could help him land a six-figure software job. And guess what? It worked.

How It Works: Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Argenis De La Rosa, a Harvard student, posted on LinkedIn that he’d pay someone a hefty sum if they helped him get a software developer job. The catch? He’d only pay up once he started getting paid himself.

“When I get paid, you get paid,” he wrote. Simple as that.

The response was overwhelming. He got tons of messages, some helpful, some. .. not so much. But within a month, he had three job interviews.

The Trend Takes Off

Then, another engineer, Ryan Prescott, saw De La Rosa’s post and decided to try it himself. He asked for a software developer role paying at least $120,000. His post went viral, and a startup CEO contacted him. Boom. He got the job.

He didn’t have to pay the referral fee since the boss reached out directly. But he says the post helped him stand out from the crowd.

“I would really just encourage more people to differentiate themselves in strange and remarkable ways,” Prescott said.

The Stakes Get Higher

And it didn’t stop there. Other engineers have posted similar offers, some even upping the ante. One engineer offered $30,000 for a remote job paying at least $120,000. Another offered $15,000 for a role paying $140,000 or more.

Why Now? The Job Market is Tough

Why are people resorting to this? The tech job market has cooled down. Hiring is down significantly compared to a few years ago. Software engineering roles are especially competitive.

It’s like trying to find a parking spot in a busy city. You might have to get creative.

Is This the Future of Job Hunting?

Is paying for referrals a sustainable trend? Probably not. But it highlights the desperation some people feel in today’s job market.

It also shows the power of thinking outside the box. Sometimes, you have to take a risk to get noticed.

What do you think? Would you pay for a job referral?