Business mogul and Chairman of the McDan Group, Daniel McKorley, popularly known as McDan, has shared a candid perspective on job recruitment, emphasizing the power of referrals over conventional applications.
In a reflective Facebook post sighted by MyNewsGh, McDan noted that while qualifications and polished CVs have their place, a trusted recommendation often trumps them.
“It’s an uncomfortable but necessary truth that we need to address,” he began. “Referrals would get you into places you would have stood no chance if you applied normally.
“It sounds cliché, but that’s the candid truth. A referral for a job isn’t just a lead; it’s a vote of confidence.”
McDan, who oversees multiple subsidiaries under the McDan Group, explained that in an era where tools like ChatGPT make it easy for anyone to produce a flawless résumé or cover letter, recruiters are increasingly relying on trusted endorsements to cut through the noise.
“A lot of recruiters sift through countless applications, even for niche roles, only to end up with a pile of candidates who look great on paper but miss the mark in real life,” he wrote. “But you know what can’t be faked? Trust.”
He emphasized that a referral from someone credible is often the deciding factor in who gets shortlisted or hired.
According to him, while nepotism can open doors, it is trust, performance, and value that keep those doors open.
“Real trust—the kind that sustains a career—comes from consistently doing great work, showing up with integrity, and becoming undeniably valuable,” McDan added.
“One referral can change your life forever. That’s why you need to put yourself out there as much as you can, tell people about what you do—because it’s not always about what you know, but what people believe you know,” urging job seekers to actively promote their skills and network.
