Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

When hiring a firm for contracted services, seeking referrals initially is a strategic approach. Referrals provide insights from individuals or organizations that have previously worked with the firm, offering first-hand accounts of their experience, reliability, and the quality of services provided. This can help build a preliminary understanding of the firm’s reputation and effectiveness in their field, which is essential when entering a contractual relationship.

This step is often advantageous because it can narrow down options to those firms that are trusted within your network or industry. Hearing from those who have directly interacted with the firm can also highlight strengths and potential challenges that may not be apparent from a straightforward review of the firm’s credentials or projects. As a result, leveraging referrals can facilitate a more informed decision, leading to a better partnership.

While conducting interviews, reviewing past projects, or assessing geographic location are all important steps in the selection process, they typically come after an initial vetting through referrals. These additional steps would further verify the insights gained from those referrals, but starting with this recommendation establishes a strong foundation for making a wise choice in contracted services.