> ## Knowledge Base Index > Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.cf-staging.co.uk/sitemap.xml > Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further. > Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash). # Progressing a candidate Congratulations! - You've had an enquiry from a referral/candidate! 🎉 First up, click [HERE](https://support.carefriends.co.uk/en/articles/5938563-tips-on-responding-to-candidates) to read our top tips from our founder Neil Eastwood on responding to candidates. Now you are ready to respond. Check out our step-by-step guide to start progressing them through the hiring process. **Progressing a candidate - a step-by-step guide** You have received an email notification to let you know you have a new referral/candidate. If you would like to set up these notifications, please go to our guide on [adding an advert](https://intercom.help/care-friends/en/articles/4277168-adding-a-job) to find out more. **Step 1:** Log in to your portal and select **'candidates'** in the left-hand menu. Here you will see a list of all live candidates. There are a couple of handy filters to help you find referrals quickly and easily: * If you have sites set up within your portal, you can **filter by site** * You can **search** for the candidate or referrer by name Click on **'Filter'** and you can sort your list by update date, alphabetically, or by enquiry date or filter by stage, status, site, or job. **Sorting** alphabetically will help you to see if you have any duplicate enquiries: [![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/b/9/ffb997ebb39f4000/26a1f721-47d2-4c34-848d-4b35c6_f5l53e.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/960770440/b479880ddf43564b3582d4ae/image.png?expires=1790073900&signature=9b61c7166b5e3e57fb27146fb8f782cdd830fe4adf74bca421aa26e67fdc2332&req=fSYnEc5%2BmYVfFb4f3HP0gJR72jv1QMvc8zTnZRwvmTb1ven6y%2Bi5UwEOM3OD%0AefM%3D%0A) **Step 2:** We always recommend you make initial contact by phone. You can find their contact details by clicking on the **file card icon** next to their name: [![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/8/c/6/a/8c6a0167d6d0e800/4f6f6d44-ce79-42dd-9b1e-df1816_16kb6sd.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/960771738/348dd59176d437ef2df36760/image.png?expires=1790073900&signature=05153cdde1731934d052dfa949b3a1f88ea691fdd81ed97202a23fde900dcb05&req=fSYnEc5%2FmoJXFb4f3HP0gLxcYiDuRv0Lq0Fu2p368LpOGM5ftEJp%2F8kLz4aA%0AAOU4eLyWKxlKZV8ZaQ%3D%3D%0A) * Their contact details will also show you the distance and approximate commute time from their **postcode to the role**, so you can check they live within a reasonable commutable distance of the role they have applied for. For more info on this, click [HERE](https://support.carefriends.co.uk/en/articles/9208678-candidate-journey-time-and-distance). NB: If they live further away, please still contact them as they may be intending to move closer. * In this area, you will also see whether they are '**New to care'** (**Applies to the Care Friends app only)**. Your organisation may offer a bonus for referring hopefuls who are new to care, so it is important to double-check this is the case when you speak to them. * You can also view any files that have been uploaded. Click **'View File'** to open a PDF or download a Word document to your device. **Step 3:** Click on the first milestone, "**Contact made**?". You will be presented with a list of options. Select the appropriate outcome: * If an outcome is successful, select a green outcome, and a notification will be sent to the referrer. When '**Interview Complete**', '**Started Work**' or '**Is the candidate still working...' are successful**, the referrer will also receive points automatically in their app! * Select an amber outcome if you need more information, and you can come back and update that outcome later. * If an outcome is unsuccessful, select a red outcome, and the candidate will move into the '**Archived Candidates**' section automatically. Your referrer will also receive a notification with an update on their candidate's progress. Then you can move to the next milestone and select the next outcome. If you ever need to **undo an outcome,** simply click the '**undo**' icon in the top right corner of the milestone you want to change. [![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/e/e/e/feee715991f53000/698c1f08-6e48-4df2-a3d0-3c868b_1jc56eo.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/571460569/c4dc1a0b0b9dd3dab9d86b40/image.png?expires=1790073900&signature=0c126420ee32f719e6f1134f1e5d8473fceb2e7e3ecd901db29e7ba2d9c2f88a&req=cScmEs9%2BmIdWFb4f3HP0gGLKR%2FOo12sLmna70zjT86noBySKT0f2A7aXlB%2Fu%0AEgB%2FceU80sfaRcSEtQ%3D%3D%0A) The most successful organisations always keep their candidate area up to date. Keeping your referrers informed about their referrals/candidates' progress will encourage them to refer more friends and maintain engagement with the app. **💡Top Tip!** The notes feature can be used to leave detailed notes throughout the recruitment process for each of your candidates. Click [HERE](https://support.carefriends.co.uk/en/articles/6166376-adding-and-viewing-candidate-notes) to find out how. If you have any questions, please get in touch by clicking on the chat icon in the bottom right of your portal screen. **What's Next?** * [Top tips from our founder, Neil Eastwood, on responding to candidates](https://support.carefriends.co.uk/en/articles/5938563-tips-on-responding-to-candidates) * [How to edit a referral/candidate's details](https://support.carefriends.co.uk/en/articles/4934328-edit-candidate-details) * [Managing duplicate referrals/candidates](https://support.carefriends.co.uk/en/articles/4277237-duplicate-candidates) * [Filtering and exporting referral/candidate data](https://support.carefriends.co.uk/en/articles/4885251-filtering-and-exporting-candidate-data) * [Manually adding a referral/candidate](https://support.carefriends.co.uk/en/articles/4277185-manually-adding-a-candidate) * [Care Friends Tutorials- The Basics](https://support.carefriends.co.uk/en/articles/5870890-care-friends-tutorials-the-basics)