ChumBonus Frequently Asked Questions
The following is a list of our frequently asked questions. Click on a question to view the answer. If your question is not answered on this page, feel free to contact us and we will do our best to help!
What is ChumBonus?
It is a success-based, online referral and recruitment site that allows companies to post job openings, while offering prize money to the referrer if their Chum is ultimately hired. It is unique in nature because anyone on the planet, the crowd, is eligible to participate. Users can tap into their own social or business networks, refer their contacts to suitable jobs and ultimately get a monetary bonus. They can choose to keep the reward money, split it or donate the funds to their favorite charity.
Who is the typical ChumBonus user?
Anyone with a good network and an internet connection including users of LinkedIn, Facebook, Plaxo or other networking site; former recruiters, etc.
How does ChumBonus work?
Referrers go to our site and search on job openings for their friends that need or want a new job. Once they find one, they simply click a button to generate an emailed link to their Chum. If the Chum reviews the job description and is interested, he/she can apply for the job and their resume is sent to the client. If the client likes the resume and is hired, bonus money is paid to the referrer or to their favorite charity.
How much does it cost?
Nothing for the referrers or Chums. Our clients are required to sign a contract before posting to our site and pay an additional percentage of bonus money to us if a candidate is hired.
How is this different than any other employment site?
Ours is a success-based model rather than a pay-to-play model like the major subscription boards. Also, by providing a monetary incentive to the crowd, applicants will be driven to job openings. ChumBonus also helps charities raise funds by encouraging successful referrers to donate a portion of their bonus to charity.
What makes job referrals better than direct applications?
First, by incenting the crowd, clients may receive applicants that they would not have normally. More referred applicants means recruiting cycles will be faster and there will be little need to search through resumes of passive job seekers. Second, we will be rating and ranking the efficiency of referrers so referring unqualified candidates will have a negative impact on their scores. This will decrease the number of unqualified applicants a company receives. Finally, ChumBonus acts as a barrier between the client and the head hunters and contracting firms that litter client inboxes with offers of assistance.
Why hasn't anyone done this before?
Actually, there have been several attempts in the past at similar models but the networking sites were not as robust. Also, technology today makes it easier and less expensive to develop a site with the features and functionality necessary to make the model work. Not to mention that the founders of ChumBonus have the combined sales, HR, business and technical experience necessary to launch a company that can change the Internet recruiting landscape.
How do I sign up friends and family to be referrers?
Thanks, we would love you to help market ChumBonus. On the site you can "tell a friend" or you can create a team on ChumBonus and invite your friends to your team. Teams compete to see which one can refer the most Chums successfully and donate the most money to charity.
Can I apply directly for a job listing as the potential employee?
No, this is not allowed.
How do I make a referral?
Enroll as a user, identify a job that fits and opt to refer a Chum.
What information do I need to have on hand to make a referral? Do I need my friend's resume?
No. You just need their full name and email address.
How do I know if my referral has been hired?
You will be notified via phone or text message by ChumBonus. But your Chum will probably tell you first!
How quickly do I receive my "referral bonus"?
We provide a guarantee of 30 days to our clients on your Chum. You will be paid shortly after that.
Is there a limit to the number of people I can refer to a job?
No. The sky is the limit.
How do you rank my referral efforts?
We have an algorithm that takes into account how many Chums you refer, how many of their resumes are approved by the client and how many are hired. We will compare your score to the average and clients will be able to see how you are doing. A low score may cause clients to ignore your Chums so be careful when referring.
When does the job applicant become engaged in the process?
The Chum gets engaged when they follow the link and review the job description. From here, they can apply or decline. Once they apply, they will receive updates on the status of their review by the client as well as changes to the status of the job.
Are the job listings anonymous? How much information is available to the referrer?
Clients can choose to post anonymously but most don't. The referrer can see all the information relative to the job as well as detailed company information. We work with our clients to help them get as much information as possible in the job descriptions.
What charities do you partner with for donations?
We let you decide which charities you want to donate to. You can refer a charity from the site and so long as they meet our evaluation criteria, they will be added to our list of approved charities.
As an employer, what are the benefits to listing with ChumBonus?
Recruit more efficiently and only pay when you actually hire someone.
What is the cost associated with listing with ChumBonus?
There is no cost to register or post jobs, but you will be obligated to pay the bonus and our fee should you hire someone.
How do I know the referrals are qualified?
The same way you do now. We view ourselves as a better and cheaper way to get candidates into your process. We can help screen applicants for an additional fee if you want help.
Will my employees be upset that I am now offering our employee referral bonus to everyone?
Maybe. But that may be a good thing because it may motivate them to refer more people to you. We suggest that you set the bonus amount you pay to employees a little higher than you do to the crowd.
How easy is it to post a job to your site?
If you have ever posted a job on any site or your own web site, you will have no problem.
Can I easily upload, download and edit job listings?
Yup.