In the age of AI-driven hiring, personal connections are making a powerful comeback. Here’s why your network might be your most valuable career asset.
“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” The age-old adage has never been more relevant. The tech industry, in particular, is witnessing a renaissance of personal connections and referrals in the hiring process, especially when hiring managers are being bombarded with hundreds of candidates applying for their job postings.
The Digital Dilemma
As reported by the Wall Street Journal, the ease of online job applications has created a paradox. While it’s simpler than ever for candidates to apply, it’s become increasingly challenging for hiring managers to sift through the deluge of applications. Rob Tansey, a tech recruiter, candidly admits, “There’s an idealist in me that wants to look at all the résumés. The reality is you just can’t.”
The Rise of Referrals
In response to this digital overwhelm, many companies are reverting to trusted networks and personal recommendations. Data from hiring-software company Greenhouse reveals a stark reality: referred candidates have a 50% chance of advancing past the initial résumé review, compared to a mere 12% for other external applicants.
Gravity IT Resources: Championing the Power of Connections
At Gravity IT Resources, we recognize the immense value of referrals in the IT ecosystem. Our innovative referral programs are designed to leverage the power of professional networks, benefiting everyone involved:
- Client Referral Program: If you know a company or hiring manager that could benefit from Gravity’s services, we reward your insight. Upon signing a contract with your referred client, you become eligible for referral fees on all placements made by Gravity.
- Candidate Referral Program: Know the perfect candidate for one of our open positions? We believe in sharing success. For direct hire, full-time placements, we offer a generous 10% share of our fee – typically ranging from $1,500 to $3,000. For contract opportunities, we provide 1% of the referred candidate’s pay rate for the duration of their contract.
- Community Participation: You don’t need to be a Gravity employee to participate. Everyone in the IT ecosystem is eligible to refer candidates, fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual growth.
The Executive Roundtable: Elevating Professional Networking
While referrals play a crucial role, the importance of high-quality networking events cannot be overstated. The Executive Roundtable, founded nearly 18 years ago, exemplifies the type of intimate, valuable networking opportunities that can transform careers and businesses.
As Carlos J. Arboleda, National Chairman & Founder of the Executive Roundtable, explains: “We recognized a void – a place where executives could share insights, ideas, perspectives, and experiences with other executives in a more intimate, smaller setting.”
The Executive Roundtable has evolved into a unique forum where C-Suite and VP leaders from Fortune 100 companies and innovative startups alike can connect, share invaluable insights, and forge lasting professional relationships.
Gravity IT Resources is proud to partner with the Executive Roundtable, facilitating these events at a regional level in markets where Gravity has a presence. This collaboration allows us to contribute to and benefit from a network of esteemed organizations that support and participate in these valuable networking forums.
Some of the other featured sponsors and hosts of the Executive Roundtable include industry leaders such as:
- Grant Thornton
- Microsoft
- Holland & Knight
- Duane Morris LLP
- USI
- Cherry Bekaert
These partnerships underscore the significance and quality of the Executive Roundtable events, providing attendees with access to insights and connections from a diverse range of respected national and multinational organizations.
Embracing the Human Touch in a Digital World
In our increasingly digital landscape, the human element of networking and referrals stands out as a powerful differentiator. At Gravity IT Resources, we’re committed to fostering these connections, whether through our referral programs or by facilitating participation in exclusive networking events like the Executive Roundtable.
For tech professionals and hiring managers alike, the message is clear: in the age of AI and automated hiring processes, your network might just be your most valuable asset. Cultivate it wisely, and don’t underestimate the power of a well-placed referral or a meaningful conversation at a networking event. In the world of IT recruitment, these human connections could be the key to unlocking your next great opportunity or finding that perfect candidate.
About the Executive Roundtable™
The Executive Roundtable™ is a premier leadership forum fostering an exclusive peer community where C-Suite leaders and promising executives engage in candid dialogue and expand their strategic perspectives. Operating across 23+ markets in 12 states, these meticulously curated events serve as idea labs where top minds from Fortune 100 companies to innovative startups shape the future of business leadership through intimate, high-impact discussions and actionable insights.
Founded nearly 18 years ago, the Executive Roundtable™ operates as a no-membership, no-fee organization, supported by distinguished partners including Microsoft, Grant Thornton, Holland & Knight, Duane Morris LLP, USI, Cherry Bekaert, and Gravity IT Resources, who help facilitate regional events. Through these partnerships and limited-attendance forums, we enable executives to maximize their leadership impact while building meaningful relationships across industries. For more information about upcoming events in your area, visit www.executiveroundtable.org.
About Gravity IT Resources
Gravity is a Human Capital Management company headquartered in Fort Lauderdale with offices across the country including Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Columbus, Cincinnati, DC, Denver, Salt Lake City, San Diego and Tampa. Our company has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as an “Inc. 5000” award winner and one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the United States for the last 6 consecutive years (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).
Gravity helps prominent clients like Salesforce, Chewy, Carnival Cruise Lines, AutoNation and hundreds of other big and small companies to identify, recruit and hire IT professionals for their most critical projects and jobs. Our recruitment spans across various roles, including artificial intelligence (AI) specialists, software engineers, cloud engineers, project managers, data engineers, business analysts, security engineers and more.
To serve clients effectively, Gravity offers a range of delivery models and services, encompassing:
- Contract, Contract-to-Hire & Direct Hire of US-based Resources
- Nearshore Staff Augmentation
- Managed Team Services
To learn more about Gravity IT Resources practices, career opportunities and culture, visit https://www.gravityitresources.com/.
