Win referrals with your voice

Stage One is a privacy-first hiring marketplace that replaces the “Resume Black Hole” with direct human connection. We allow qualified candidates to send 90-second audio pitches directly to verified employees (Referrers) at top companies.

Resumes are flat; people are dynamic. A 90-second audio pitch lets you showcase your communication skills, energy, and “soft skills” in a way a PDF never could. It’s the fastest way to prove you aren’t just a set of keywords.

Yes. To maintain a high-trust, spam-free environment, we require all users to authenticate via LinkedIn. This ensures that every person on the platform—whether a Candidate or a Referrer—is a real professional with a verified identity.

Yes. Stage One uses a “Token” system. This small fee serves as a high-signal filter, ensuring that Referrers only receive pitches from serious, intentional candidates. It eliminates the “spam apply” behavior that clogs up traditional hiring channels.

We have a 3-Day Response Guarantee. If a Referrer does not open or respond to your pitch within 72 hours, your Token is automatically refunded to your account balance. You only pay for attention, not for silence.

No. We are privacy-first. Your activity is never broadcast to your network, and we do not notify your current employer. No employers or referrers can search for candidates registered in the system. Your pitches are private, one-to-one communications.

You can send pitches to any Verified Referrer listed on our marketplace. These are insiders who have explicitly opted-in to hear from talent like you.

You must verify your employment status using your corporate email address (e.g., name@company.com). This email is used strictly for verification and is never shared publicly or with candidates.

It is 100% asynchronous. You can listen to pitches on your own time—during your commute, between meetings, or over coffee. You are expected to take an action on each referral request within 3 days. There are no scheduled calls or video chats required unless you choose to take the conversation further.

Stage One does not pay you directly. However, we help you unlock the Employee Referral Bonuses offered by your own company. By connecting you with high-quality, pre-screened talent, we make it easier for you to find and refer great candidates, allowing you to earn the significant internal rewards (often thousands of dollars) that your employer offers for successful hires.

No. The initial interaction is “blind.” Candidates see your professional profile (Role, Company, Headline), but your email and phone number remain hidden until you decide to share them.