How to ask for a referral

If you’re looking for a new job, you know how difficult it can be to break through the crowds of applicants for every opening. Since many of today’s job openings are specifically listed online, it can be a challenge to get your resume noticed when hundreds or even thousands of people are submitting resumes for the same job.

An effective way to conduct a new job search is to bypass those virtual bull calls entirely and get in front of an HR recruiter or hiring manager with a referral.Job seekers who enter the company’s doors through referrals are Four times more likely to get a job than those applying through the company website or job board.

New employees hired through referrals are considered great return on investment (return on investment). Not only do they stay longer and fit better into the recruiting company’s culture, but they also save the company a lot of recruiting expense and time vetting candidates.

This article will give you the information you need to get a job through referrals, including determining who to turn to for referrals and how to contact them to get the referrals you need.

Who should you turn to for referrals?

The best source of job recommendations are people currently working for the company you want to work for. Internal recruiters and hiring managers take employee referrals so seriously that many companies create a referral program that pays cash incentives to employees who refer promising job candidates. A program like this is a win-win for both the employee and you.

While current employees may be the best source of job referrals, anyone with close ties to the company can also be a source of good referrals. Look for opportunities for referrals from existing customers, referrals from vendors and suppliers, and referrals from friends or family.

Where to Find Good Referrals

If you already know someone who works for the company you are applying for, consider yourself lucky. Finding a good referral source can be the hardest part of the process. However, if you don’t already have an “ace in the hole” referral source, you’ll need to do some research to find someone you can approach.

A good place to start is your college or graduate school alumni list. Some schools offer online alumni directories that you can search by company or location. You can also call the school’s alumni office and ask if they can introduce you to graduates working for companies that interest you.

Another resource is to search your LinkedIn profile for possible referral sources. Do a company name search to see if anyone listed as a business owner, employee, or affiliate is a member of your network. You can also check the company website and find a list of employee resumes – these can usually be found in the “About Us” or “Our Team” tabs.

Even if you don’t know anyone listed, look for commonalities, such as schools attended, previous workplaces, or the same hometown. You may be able to find someone in your personal and professional contacts who can make an introduction.

How to request a referral

Now that you’ve identified your referees, it’s time to ask them about referees. You first gather information to include in your request, decide which tone and vehicle to use when contacting, and choose how you will follow up once contacted.

Information to include in your referral request

Before reaching out to your contacts for a referral, consider (and gather) all the information they need to make a referral. You ask someone to lend a hand for you, and you want them to feel comfortable with your qualifications and suitability for the position. You also want to save them time and effort. The easier it is for you to get this person to refer you, the more likely they are to follow up.

To do this, collect the following documents in the appropriate places:

• your CV or CV
• A copy of the job posting for the position you are pursuing (if there is no official job posting but you discovered it by word of mouth, be sure to put it in your email or letter)
• Links to online portfolios or samples of work
• Recommendation letters from former supervisors, teachers, counselors, and others
• Link to online testimonials about your job performance from your current client base

You can even pre-write a letter of recommendation on their behalf to save time, as long as you don’t think it’s too presumptuous to provide such a draft.

Formal and informal methods

Once you’ve identified referral sources and gathered all the relevant information they need to complete your referral request, you can contact them to seek referrals for the position you’re applying for.

Depending on how well you know the person, their professional status relative to you, and any internal knowledge you have about their preferences, you can approach them informally (i.e., say hello by their first name and make the initial external become personal and chatty) or more formally (i.e., send Formal Cover Letter Use an appropriate greeting title, keep the tone professional and businesslike).

Whether you choose a formal or informal tone, it’s best to contact the person in writing so you can share the information you’ve gathered about your background, education, and credentials. Email is usually best, although you can make a request via mail or LinkedIn. Using other social media platforms such as Facebook or Instagram is not recommended as you may alienate your potential referees by imposing their personal space.

If you plan to contact multiple people for referrals, you can create an email template, but keep in mind that every email you send should be personalized for a specific recipient.

Whichever route you decide to take, be sure to:

• Introduce yourself or remind the other person how they know you. If you contact them because of a mutual friend or connection, please speak up. If you know them but haven’t been in touch in a while, remind you how to get in touch. Put this information succinctly in the subject line. For example, your email subject line might read “Job recommendation request from Jane Doe, a mutual friend of Jack Smith.”
• Be candid about why you are writing to them. Cut to the chase as quickly as possible, explaining that you are writing to ask them to recommend a job. Point out that you have included a job description, your resume, and, if applicable, a job sample.
• If they are reluctant to give a referral, let them out. The last thing you want to do is put anyone on the spot or make them uncomfortable. Identify your request by providing your referring source with a means of denying your request. You can say something like, “If our past experiences as classmates give you enough confidence to recommend me, I’d appreciate your help in passing my resume to the hiring manager,” or, “If you recommend someone you know through a letter of recommendation for a common A colleague is something you are not happy with, and I would appreciate it if you introduced me to the right person in the company.”

You can also be contacted by phone or even seek an in-person meeting, depending on the situation, but you will need to follow up in writing with the information you have gathered about the job and credentials.

follow up request

Always make following up on your request a priority. This is especially important if your initial contact is in person or over the phone, but it’s also important if you want to keep abreast of the referral source’s progress or make sure they live up to the referral’s promise.

Thanks for the recommender

Don’t forget to thank your recommenders, preferably a handwritten thank you note. If the referral ends up in an interview or a job offer, you’ll want to say thank you.

If you know them well enough or seem right, you can even offer to take them to lunch or out for a coffee to thank them in person.even if the referral doesn’t let you interviewIt’s important, though, to let them know that you appreciate their time and trouble for you.

Grow in your business and life

Of course, getting a new position through a referral is just the beginning of your new position career journey. To help you plan for greater success, our team has put together a treasure trove of free Career Related Resources Provide guidance and insights, including this quiz Help you determine your earning potential. And, to prepare for the interview process, download our free guide to negotiating your salary!