Version 1 is First User of Social Referral Solution

Pictured from left: John Dennehy, CEO of Zartis, and Version 1 Human Resource Director, Jarlath Dooley.

The solution draws on employees' social media connections to secure the most appropriate candidate for the position; while employees that recommend new hires are rewarded with a bonus of up to €2,000.

Commenting on the social referral programme, Version 1 Human Resource Director, Jarlath Dooley said, "On average each employee has about 150 first degree connections on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. With 300 employees in Version 1 we theoretically have access to 45,000 connections. Our employees have really embraced social referral; the response has been phenomenal with over 100 new applications this week. We see social referral as a game changer in recruitment; firstly there are huge cost savings as we do not require a recruitment agency, but more importantly referrals are undoubtedly better hires, great people know other great people."

He went on to say, "We are delighted to be in a position to help an Irish start-up company by being the first social referral customer for Zartis. This is a great example of Irish innovation being applied to a global issue – finding the best talent."

John Dennehy, CEO of Zartis, commented, "The team at Version 1 really understand innovation and the power of their employees. They're an ideal client for our social referral solution and we're delighted to be working with them."

In November 2011, Version 1 announced the creation of 90 new jobs in 2012 as part of its 2 year recruitment programme and is currently in the process of recruiting for these positions. Privately funded since its inception in 1996, Version 1's major shareholders are founders Justin Keatinge, John Mullen and company Director Tom O'Connor.

Version 1 has received a number of prestigious awards recently including the Great Place to Work Best Large Workplace Award, the CIPD HR Leadership & Innovation Award and the Deloitte Best Managed Company Award.