Lots of companies have employee referral programs. What is the program about? Basically, it's when an employee refers a friend or old colleague for a position within his own company. If that referral gets hired, then the employee gets a reward, most often in the form of a cash bonus. Do employee referral programs benefit job seekers? Yes! Your resume and cover letter will be reviewed sooner than those that were submitted through a job board. In return, you'll land an interview faster, too. But that's only if your resume impresses the reader. Knowing someone won't help you much if you're not qualified for the job. Besides speeding up the hiring process, the referral's opinion of you can also increase your chance of getting the job. It's a good sign that the referral was willing to fast-track your resume to the hiring manager, but being able to vouch for your character and work ethic will go a long way for you, too. Here are some resources to help you take advantage of the benefits a referral program has to offer you as a job seeker: