Asking for a job referral can be a great way to get your foot in the door at a company you’re interested in. A referral gives you an advantage over other applicants because it allows you to leverage your connection’s relationship with the company. However, it’s important to ask for a referral tactfully to get the best results.
The key is crafting an email that is professional, concise, and compelling. Here are some tips for asking for a job referral via email:
1. Personalize the Email
Always address the person you are emailing directly by name. Don’t use a generic opener like “Dear Sir/Madam.” Take the time to personalize the message and greet them appropriately based on your relationship. For example:
- Dear [First Name],
- Hi [First Name],
- Good morning [First Name],
If you don’t know them well, use their full name and a formal title:
- Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
This personalization helps create a connection and shows you respect their time.
2. Get Right to the Point
Don’t beat around the bush—get right to the point and ask for the referral. Here are some direct openers you can use:
- I hope you don’t mind me reaching out to ask for your help.
- I wanted to reach out about an opportunity at [Company] that I think is a great fit for me.
- I’m very interested in pursuing a new opportunity with [Company]. Do you have any contacts there who could help me get my foot in the door?
The goal is to clearly state your intent upfront so they know immediately what you are asking for.
3. Explain Why You Want the Job
Give some background on why you are interested in this company or role, and how it fits into your career goals and aspirations. Help the person understand why this is the right next move for you. For example:
- I have long admired [Company’s] commitment to [social cause]. I would love to be part of a team that shares my passion for [cause].
- After 5 years in [current role], I’m looking to transition into a more [strategic/leadership/etc] position. The [open role] at [Company] strongly aligns with the direction I want to take my career.
- With my background in [relevant experience], I believe I would thrive in the [open role] at [Company] and could make key contributions to [core business objectives].
Giving this context shows you have done your research and are serious about the role.
4. Highlight Your Qualifications
Succinctly explain how your background, skills, and experience make you a strong candidate. Focus on 1-2 of your most relevant qualifications so you don’t overwhelm them. For example:
- With 5 years of digital marketing experience including expertise in SEO, email marketing, and campaign management, I have the right mix of skills for this Marketing Specialist role.
- My design portfolio demonstrates my ability to create innovative, user-friendly interfaces. I would excel as a UX Designer drawing on my visual storytelling and information architecture skills.
- As someone who consistently exceeded sales targets at my last two companies, I believe I could quickly ramp up and make an impact in a business development capacity.
Succinctly connecting your background to the role shows why you’d be a great hire.
5. Request Next Steps
Wrap up your email by clearly asking them to make the referral and providing specific instructions on next steps. For example:
- Would you feel comfortable referring me to the hiring manager for the [open role]? If so, please let me know the best way to proceed.
- I would greatly appreciate any introductions you could make on my behalf or a referral to the recruiter/hiring manager. Please let me know if you need any additional information from me.
- Do you have any contacts at [Company] you could connect me with regarding the [open role]? I’m happy to send you my resume and would appreciate any referrals you can make.
Giving clear direction on what you need from them increases the likelihood that they will follow through.
6. Express Appreciation
No matter what, thank them for their time and consideration. For example:
- Thank you in advance for your help – I truly appreciate you taking the time.
- Thank you for considering me for a referral. I value our connection and your support.
- I appreciate you taking the time to read my request. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any other information from me.
A little courtesy goes a long way and maintains goodwill, even if they aren’t able to give you a referral this time.
Sample Referral Request Email Template
Here is an example email template applying the tips above:
Subject: Referral Request – [Company] [Open Role]
Dear [name],I hope this email finds you well! I wanted to reach out about an exciting opportunity at [Company] as a [Open Role] that seems like a great fit for me. As you know, I have [X years] of experience in [relevant industry/function] and previously worked with you at [Company]. With my background in [key skill/experience], I believe I could make significant contributions in this role supporting [core business objectives].
Would you feel comfortable referring me to the recruiter and/or hiring manager for this position? I would greatly appreciate any introductions you could make on my behalf. Please let me know if it would be helpful for me to forward you my resume or any other materials as part of the referral process.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any other information from me. I hope we can reconnect soon – I’d love to catch up when our schedules allow for it.
Best regards,
[Your name]
This covers the key elements of a referral request email in a concise, compelling way. Of course, you can modify the language to fit your specific situation – but this gives you a template to work from.
Tips for Following Up
If you don’t hear back within a week, it’s appropriate to send a friendly follow up email checking on the status. Here are some tips for following up tactfully:
- Thank them again for considering your request
- Ask if they needed any other information from you
- Reiterate your interest in the role and why you are a great fit
- Consider offering to connect via phone if they have any additional questions
However, don’t overly pester them if they seem unresponsive. It’s possible they just haven’t had time to respond yet or don’t have an appropriate contact to refer you to. Know when to move on gracefully if needed.
Keys to an Effective Referral
Once you get the referral, you’ll want to make the most of it. Here are some tips:
- Promptly follow up: Connect with the hiring manager within a few days so the referral is fresh in their mind.
- Reiterate the referral: Mention the person who referred you in your outreach to the hiring manager.
- Customize your materials: Tailor your resume and cover letter to match the job description.
- Prepare for interviews: Research the role, company, and interviewers so you can respond intelligently.
- Follow up after interviews: Send thank you notes reaffirming your interest and qualifications.
- Keep the referrer informed: Let them know the status and thank them for their help.
With an effective referral email and strong follow through, you can increase your chances of landing an interview and getting hired. The key is being professional, brief, and compelling in making your referral request.
