IHG’s current internal-careers resources describe two colleague career activities that use different terminology.
For internal applications, colleagues with MyHR access are told to use MyHR → Current Jobs.
For colleague referrals, IHG’s careers material directs employees to visit Merlin and search for Refer a Friend for programme information.
That makes referrals another real search intent within the Merlin ecosystem.
An Internal Application Is About Your Own Career
When an existing colleague wants another role at IHG, the relevant official workflow is the internal-careers process.
For colleagues with access, that means MyHR.
For those without it, IHG provides an external application route for current employees.
A Referral Is About Recommending Someone Else
The Refer a Friend programme is different.
IHG describes it as a way for colleagues to recommend candidates and potentially receive a benefit where programme rules apply.
A referral should not be confused with applying for a vacancy yourself.
Why Merlin Appears Here
IHG’s internal-career material explicitly instructs colleagues to visit Merlin and search for “Refer a Friend.”
This is useful evidence that Merlin continues to function as a colleague-information context even while MyHR owns other HR tasks.
Programme Rules Can Vary
Referral eligibility, awards and local programme conditions may vary.
Current colleagues should therefore use the actual programme information available through their authorized IHG environment rather than depending on old third-party articles promising a specific referral bonus.
Candidate Applications Still Matter
A colleague referral does not replace the candidate’s own application process.
The referred person still needs to participate in the appropriate recruitment process for the role.
Keep Referral Information Professional
Colleagues should avoid sharing internal system screenshots, login credentials or confidential candidate data outside approved processes.
The fact that a referral programme exists does not make Merlin content public.
Internal Link Suggestions
/ihg-myhr-internal-careers//ihg-merlin-colleague-systems//ihg-colleague-system-troubleshooting/
Sources: Current IHG internal-careers resources.
