[smacktoward]

> What about the great candidate that you couldn't hire because you only have X positions?

Life's tough all over, you know?

I mean, if you know of an opening they would be good for off the top of your head, sure, go ahead and refer them. But you're not obligated to go find them that opening.

[bbcbasic]

Of course you are not obligated.

However if I ran a company I would have an eye on both the short term and the long term. It is good for the long term interests of the company to be loved (by customers, employees and the community).

Doing very cool things for people, especially when it takes little effort or money, is a great investment to create goodwill in the future.

[eropple]

Agreed. Heck, you know what I do in interviews when I don't want a job? "I don't think I'm the right fit, but here's somebody I know who might be." Or even, if I don't have anyone offhand, "here's the name and number of a recruiter I personally trust who I think can feed you applicants." I've called around, too, when I didn't think somebody was the right fit for me but was obviously worth hiring somewhere. I didn't go for "low-hanging fruit," I decided that, yes, the world needs this person working in an excellent and rewarding job, and I made it happen.

Being good to people is just so easy, but so many people hide behind "business transactions" as if that's a reason to turn their back on somebody. Be a fuckin' person, would you, guys?