Plump has been on a journey to find the most effective way to help job seekers in today's challenging market. Our approach has evolved over time:
But We've discovered something critical: even the best traditional applications have dismally low success rates. Meanwhile, referred candidates continue to be 15x more likely to get hired than those who apply through standard channels
It's time for our third and most promising evolution: connecting job seekers directly with the people who can help them get in the door.
We've been trying to solve the job search problem for almost two years now. It's been a series of experiments, each teaching us something valuable about what actually works.
We started simply: helping candidates apply to a handful of carefully chosen jobs. Results were promising but painfully slow. So we pivoted to automation with AI-enhanced resumes, thinking scale might crack the code. Some candidates did better, but we kept hitting the same hard truth: in today's market, the average candidate struggles regardless of how well their application is optimized.
You can polish resumes and automate applications endlessly, but most candidates still need someone on the inside to notice them.
This realization came after analyzing thousands of application outcomes.
The data is stark: even perfectly optimized applications face terrible odds without internal advocacy. Referrals make up just 7% of applications but 40% of actual hires. That's not a small edge – It's an entirely different game.
So We're changing direction again. If human connections are the most powerful factor in hiring success, that's what we need to focus on.
Today We're launching Referral Program. It's pretty simple: we connect job seekers with employees who can refer them directly to hiring teams.
This won't happen overnight. Networks take time to build. We're starting with our existing users, identifying those who are currently employed and willing to refer good candidates to their companies.
Referral Givers
Currently employed people who can refer qualified candidates. You earn credits for your future job searches, expand your network, and help good people get noticed.
Referral Recipients
Job seekers looking for quality referrals. You get a 15x higher chance of getting hired compared to regular applications, plus insider perspective on the company.
Our onboarding now asks users about their employer and whether they'd refer qualified candidates in exchange for future help when they need it. It's reciprocal: today's givers become tomorrow's recipients.
Referring someone puts your reputation on the line. We get that. So We're building verification systems to ensure quality:
you'll never feel pressured to refer someone you're not confident in. The system is designed to reduce risk while maximizing opportunity.
This only works if people participate. Here's how you can help:
Each new member makes the network more valuable for everyone. That's the beauty of it.
Let's build a hiring system based on human connections. Create your profile today and tell us if you can provide referrals. Then invite colleagues - every new member strengthens the network.
If one helps, everyone helps. Let's make it happen!
- Plump Team