Knowing how to ask for a referral can be decisive in your job search. That is why, when requesting a referral, it’s crucial to approach the right people in a way that will make them excited to be your cheerleader. Anyone in your private or professional network, or even people you don’t know personally, can be your potential referrer.
In this article, we’ll explain what a job referral is, how to prepare for requesting one, and what creating a job referral request involves. Then, we’ll provide examples and practical tips on how to ask for a referral.
Let’s get started!
Key Takeaways
- A job referral is an endorsement provided by your close or distant connections that can help you secure a job interview.
- When preparing to ask for a referral, find the right people, identify the medium (e.g., LinkedIn or email), research the company, and update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Your referral request should be concise, personalized, and include all the important resources, like your resume and cover letter.
- Considering your relationship with the referee, being mindful of the time you sent the request, and highlighting specific talking points are the key tips on how to ask for a referral.
What is a Job Referral?
A job referral is a recommendation for a job opening that will help you stand out among other candidates. Anyone from your professional or personal network who can vouch for your skill set, competency, and work ethic can be your referrer. When considering how to ask for a referral, there are two main approaches.
The first is when you find a specific company and ask for a referral from a person who already works there. Having that internal contact builds trust and credibility among the hiring team, increasing the chances of securing an interview.
The other is a wider approach where you ask for endorsement from former colleagues, managers, or someone from your personal life. Once you’ve secured the referral, you can use it when applying for various job openings.
Sometimes, you don’t even need to do the heavy lifting, as people who appreciate your work can give you a referral without asking. This typically happens if you’ve been laid off and your connections want to help you find a new job more quickly or if you left a positive impact and achieved impressive results in the company you worked for, so they’re positive you’ll be a strong candidate for future roles.
Preparing to Ask for a Referral
Preparing to ask for a referral involves carefully selecting the right person for the task and considering the best way to contact them. Make sure to do thorough company research, and don’t forget to ensure your resume and LinkedIn profile are up-to-date.
Let’s look at what each step involves in more detail:
#1. Decide Whom to Ask
Deciding whom to ask for a job referral is the first step that will determine the effectiveness of your request. It can be someone you know well, like a colleague, friend, or former manager. In some cases, though, you’ll need to go further than your close connections and try to get a referral from people from your extended network.
These can include professionals related to the company you want to apply to, school alumni, or even hiring managers. LinkedIn is the best place to look for such individuals, as it has many filters that simplify the search process. Additionally, you can ask for an introduction if you spot a mutual connection between the person you know and the potential referrer.
#2. Identify the Medium
The best medium when asking for a referral is typically a platform that allows you to attach your resume, cover letter, and any other useful resources. These include professional networking sites like LinkedIn or multimedia platforms such as Viber or WhatsApp. The last option is more appropriate if the referrer is a close acquaintance or someone from your personal network.
When thinking about how to ask for a referral from a stranger, you’ll need a more formal approach, so an email is usually a good choice.
#3. Research the Company
Researching the company where you want to pursue your career is key when preparing to ask for a referral. It benefits both you and the hiring managers, allowing you to be presented in the best way possible.
Start by identifying the company’s mission and values. Then, make a list of how your skills and experience align with those values. By connecting your expertise and the company’s needs, you’ll be able to craft a strong referral request. That will, in turn, make it easier for your referrer to endorse you.
Putting in this small but significant effort will help you stand out to the hiring managers and demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.
#4. Update Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile
It’s very important to update your resume and LinkedIn profile when asking for a referral for a job. Here are a few reasons why:
- It helps the referrer understand your experience, skills, and accomplishments so they can endorse you accordingly.
- A well-structured and organized resume and LinkedIn profile show professionalism and dedication to landing the role.
- An optimized LinkedIn profile with the right skills, keywords, and experiences increases your visibility, making it easier for recruiters and referrers to find you.
- It eliminates the possibility of outdated information so the referrer can be confident in how they represent you.
How to Create Your Referral Request
To create your referral request, you’ll need a professional approach, even if the person you’re asking is someone in your personal network. Being mindful of your tone of voice, making your message personalized, and offering a favor in return are some ways to help you secure it.
Let’s look at a detailed explanation and examples of how to ask for a referral:
#1. Be Concise and Professional
Your referral request should always sound professional and concisely mention the opportunity you seek. Whether it’s an internship or a specific role, ensure that you clearly communicate the position so the referrer finds the best way to endorse you.
Here’s an effective email example of how to ask for a referral for an internship:
“Dear Mr. Smith,
I hope your week is going well. I’m reaching out to express my gratitude for the mentorship you provided me during the data science course. Since then, I’ve continuously grown my skill set and applied it to real-world projects.
At the moment, I’m looking for an internship opportunity and have a humble request. Would you be open to providing me with a referral, as your endorsement can strongly impact the outcome of securing the internship?
Thank you again for your guidance and for considering my request.
Best,
John Doe”
#2. Personalize Your Message
Personalization is key when requesting a referral. Always tailor your message to the person you’re reaching out to, considering past experiences or connections. Otherwise, you’ll leave the impression that you’re sending the same generic message to multiple people, making it less likely for you to get a response.
Here’s how to ask for a referral on LinkedIn while keeping it personalized:
“Dear Mary,
I saw that you recently joined GreenPlanet, a company where I’m looking to apply for the Sustainability Specialist position. I really enjoyed working with you for two years at SolarNest, where we achieved amazing results together.
Given that you’re familiar with the strengths and skills I bring to the table, I wanted to ask you for a favor. Would you be willing to write me a referral? I’ve attached my resume below—if you need any additional information, please let me know.
Thank you in advance,
Bob Collins”
#3. Make it Easy for Them
Make it easy for the referrer to complete your request by providing all the necessary information. This includes emailing a resume and cover letter, the job posting, and a list of all the relevant skills needed for the position.
Not providing enough details will leave the referrer in the dark, going back and forth to ask for additional information. This is how to ask for a referral while simplifying the process for your connection:
“Dear Rachel,
Our mutual friend, Tom, told me they’re looking for a customer service representative at your company and recommended contacting you. I would appreciate it if you could refer me to your hiring manager. I’ve attached my resume, cover letter, and a list of relevant skills needed for the position.
My contact number is 555-555-555; you can call me or reply to this email.
I’m looking forward to your response.
Best,
Michael Ridley”
#4. Offer to Return the Favor
Offering to return the favor when requesting a referral for a job is a smart way to build rapport. It demonstrates that you appreciate the referee’s effort and are willing to support them when needed. Avoiding to mention this can leave the impression that you’re solely focused on your own needs.
Here’s a good example:
“Hi Laura,
I recently spoke to our mutual friend Harry, who told me there’s an open position for an accountant at your company. Knowing that you’re in the industry, too, and after reviewing the necessary skills for the position, I’m excited about the possibility of joining your team.
A referral will help me strengthen my application, so I’d like to ask if you could provide one. I’d be more than happy to do the same for you. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can do to support you.
Best,
Adam Hayes”
#5. Give Them an Option to Decline
Giving the referrer the option to decline your request eliminates the pressure and increases the chances that they’ll accept it.
So, how to politely ask for a referral while giving them the option to refuse? Let’s look at a practical example:
“Dear Mr. Stevens,
I hope you’re doing well. I’m writing this email to show my appreciation for your recent award at the President’s Club. I’ve always admired your work, and your mentorship truly helped me hone my skills as an SDR. Now, I’m looking for a new position, and your referral would benefit me greatly.
I completely understand if you don’t have the time for my request, as I follow your career and know how busy you’ve been lately. Either way, thank you for your consideration.
Hopefully, we’ll get in touch soon.
Best regards,
Ed Whitehouse”
2 Referral Request Email Samples
So far, we’ve covered the key elements that the perfect job referral request consists of.
Now, let’s bring those elements together in two practical examples of how to ask for a referral in an email:
Email Example 1
You should aim for a formal tone if you’re asking for a referral from an authority figure or someone you don’t know well. It demonstrates that you’re professional and serious about your request.
Here is a sample of how to ask for a referral formally:
“Dear Steve Jackson,
I hope your week is going well. I’ve been actively looking for a new role as a product manager for a while now and was excited to see an open position at your company. Reflecting on our work together on the marketing project in 2017, I decided to contact you and kindly ask for a referral.
I believe my experience and skills will be invaluable for this position, and I’m confident I can contribute to the company’s success.
I’ve attached my resume and cover letter below. If you have any questions or require additional information, please reach out. I’m happy to return the favor for your interest.
Thank you for considering my request.
Best regards,
John Smith”
Email Example 2
When asking for a referral from colleagues or someone you know personally, your tone doesn’t need to be overly formal. Here’s how to write a referral message in a more casual manner:
“Hi Elena,
As you know, I was one of the unlucky few that got laid off three weeks ago. The job market is tough, and I could really use a referral to increase my chances of landing an interview. Given that we have worked together for 3 years, I’m hoping you’ll be able to write one for me on my LinkedIn profile.
I’ve attached my resume and cover letter so you can review them. Hopefully, that’ll make the writing process easier.
Of course, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out!
Thanks for considering it and I hope we’ll get in touch soon.
Best,
Daisy Brooks”
4 Best Practices and Tips for Requesting Referrals
Following the best practices for requesting referrals helps you improve the likelihood that your connection will respond positively to your inquiry.
Here are four tips to keep in mind when sending a referral request:
#1. Consider Your Relationship
Your relationship with the referrer will set the tone of the request message. For example, how you’ll ask a stranger differs from how you’ll ask for a referral after a coffee chat with a friend or a connection made while networking with alumni.
Keep your tone formal and polite with a new connection or someone you don’t know very well. Maintaining a formal tone is also crucial when requesting a referral from a previous professor or an authority figure.
For someone who’s a close friend, a previous colleague, or someone you’ve chatted with over a coffee, it’s natural to be more conversational but still respectful.
#2. Be Respectful of Their Time
Choosing the right time to send your referral request has advantages for both you and the referrer. Typically, emails or LinkedIn messages get open during working hours, so sending your request at these times helps you get noticed more quickly.
It also shows respect for the referee’s time, as you’re not reaching out on a weekend or at late-night hours. Additionally, consider giving them enough time to respond. This also shows that you’re respectful and not pushing them too hard to provide the referral.
#3. Suggest Specific Talking Points
Mentioning specific talking points at the beginning of your request instantly adds familiarity and creates an “aha” moment for the referral. If it’s a person you’ve previously met, talk about how you know each other and highlight any specific projects you’ve worked on or your greatest accomplishments.
If not, introduce yourself, clarify the purpose of the message, and let them know why you chose to contact them. Then, highlight some skills suitable for the position you’re applying for. That will make it easier for them to write a referral that resonates with the role.
#4. Show Appreciation
Knowing how to ask for a referral includes showing appreciation for the referrer’s effort, and it’s a simple gesture that can strengthen your relationship with them. One way to express gratitude is at the end of the initial email by clarifying how much receiving a referral means to you and thank them for considering your request.
If they agree to provide the referral, use the chance to show appreciation in a follow-up email. Don’t forget to offer something in return for the favor; this can be anything from a LinkedIn endorsement to being one of their professional references down the line.
Should You Follow Up After Requesting a Referral?
Yes, you should follow up after requesting a referral. Think about it—most people receive tons of messages and emails daily, increasing the chances that your initial request might go unnoticed. In fact, according to WorldMetrics, an average worker receives 121 emails per day.
That’s why it’s important not to rush the process; wait about five to seven days before sending the follow-up referral email.
This waiting period shows you’re not overbearing while demonstrating professionalism and respect for their time. When you follow up, let them know how important the referral is to you and highlight that their support will make a difference in your job search.
In some cases, the person you contacted might quickly reply, saying they’re willing to write the referral, but then you don’t hear back from them. If this happens, give it some time (preferably a week) and then reach out to gently follow up. Your message could look something like this:
“Hey Peter,
Thank you for agreeing to serve as a referral; I’m incredibly grateful. I just wanted to follow up and ensure you have everything you need to write it. I’m happy to provide additional details if you have any questions or need anything else.
I appreciate your time and help with this.
Best,
Antonia Turner”
Final Thoughts
Referrals are a powerful tool that can help you stand out and achieve your career goals. The most important thing to remember is that anyone—a colleague, friend, or people you haven’t met—can be your referrer when you approach them the right way.
Once you know who to contact, identify the medium where they’re most likely to respond, research the company, and update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
Finally, follow the best practices on how to ask for a referral, including personalizing your message, sending all the necessary information, and offering to return the favor.
How to Ask for a Referral FAQ
#1. Is it okay to ask for a referral from someone I haven’t spoken to in a while?
Yes, asking for a referral is okay, even if you haven’t spoken with the person in a while. However, knowing how to ask for a referral is really important here—you don’t want to come across as simply looking for a favor.
So, before making your request, make sure to rebuild the connection. Ask them what they’ve been up to in the previous period and show genuine interest in their updates.
#2. How soon should I follow up if I don’t get a response?
If you don’t get a response, you should wait five to seven days before following up. If you take action too soon after the initial request, you risk presenting yourself as pushy or impatient, and that certainly won’t work in your favor.
#3. What should I include in my referral request message?
In your referral request message, you should include a polite greeting and a mention of how you and the person you’re asking for a referral are connected. If it’s a stranger, write how you’ve found out about them.
Then, talk about the company and position that you’re interested in and what skills you bring to the table. Finally, ask for a referral, include the resume, and close with a thank you.
