By Eve Tahmincioglu

Want to know if you’re a descendant of Genghis Khan?

All you have to do is refer a software engineer looking for a job to DNAnexus, a Silicon Valley-based start up. If they hire the guy or gal you get $20,000 and your full genome sequenced, something that could cost thousands of dollars if you did it on your own.

It’s a unique offer for a unique problem — a company having trouble finding enough workers to hire. In this economy, with 14 million Americans out of work, it might seem strange that an employer would go to such lengths to hire employees, but in some areas of the country and in some sectors, including technology, there supposedly aren’t enough workers to go around.

And surprisingly, companies offering referral bonuses are up overall,... More...