FAQ
Short answers about how Doorstep works. More detail is on the How it works and Privacy pages.
Doorstep lets you apply to a specific employee at a company who can refer you. They read your CV and note, then either refer you through their company's own system or pass with a reason.
No. A referral puts your CV in front of the company's recruiters with an employee vouching for you. The company still runs its normal process.
You can send 3 applications a week, so referrers only get serious requests. Applications that close without an answer don't count against your limit.
If a referrer doesn't answer within 14 days, the application closes and you can apply to someone else straight away.
You always get a reason, and often a tip on your CV or note. Use it to improve your next application.
Yes. You must be 16 or over to use Doorstep.
Nothing during early access, for candidates or employees.
Only the referrer you apply to (and us, to run the service). CVs are deleted 90 days after a decision. Our privacy notice has the full details.
Yes. The free tools and guides need no sign-up, and the tools run in your browser without saving anything.
No. There is no list of vacancies. Referrers say which roles they can refer into, and you apply to the person.
Ask a small number of people who really fit the role, one at a time, rather than messaging many people at once. A thoughtful request to a few people usually works better than a copied message to many.
There is no need to. Many companies pay one, but your request is stronger when it is about why you fit the role. Let the employee decide what they want to do about it.
Thank them and move on. A no is rarely personal, and can be down to timing or the person's own rules. If you got a reason or a tip, use it in your next request.
They are different routes and you can use both. A referral comes from someone inside the company, while a recruiter works for the employer or for a number of employers. Neither guarantees an interview or an offer.
Most companies pay a bonus when a referred candidate is hired. Doorstep makes finding good people quick, so referring is worth your time.
No. You earn your own company's referral bonus where it has one. Doorstep is free for you.
Yes, if your company has a referral scheme. Check your company's referral policy, then sign up with your work email.
You choose how many applications you can review each week (5, 10 or 20). When your queue is full, new applications pause.
You do. Doorstep never refers anyone on your behalf, and you can pass with a short reason at any time.
Your first name, last initial, team and company. Your email is never shown.
Check it before you refer anyone, and ask your HR or recruiting team if it is unclear. Doorstep does not know any company's rules. Our policy checklist helps you work out what to confirm.
No. When you pass, you pick a short reason and can add a tip, because every candidate gets feedback.
No. Doorstep does not pay referral bonuses and it is free for you. Any bonus comes from your own company under its policy.
You can pause your profile in settings so new applications stop arriving, and switch it back on when you are ready.