How to Ask for a Referral (+ word-for-word scripts included)

Once you’ve gathered all the relevant information they’ll need to fulfill your referral request, it’s time to approach them to ask for a referral for the position you want to apply to.

Depending on how well you know the person, their professional position relative to yours, and any inside knowledge you have about their preferences, you can approach them in an informal manner (i.e., greet them by their first name and make the initial outreach personal and chatty) or in a more formal way (i.e., send a formal cover letter using proper greeting titles, keeping the tone professional and businesslike). 

Whether you choose a formal or an informal tone, it’s best to reach out to 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 your request via mail or through LinkedIn. Using other social media platforms (e.g., Facebook or Instagram) isn’t recommended because you might alienate your prospective referrer by imposing on their personal space. 

You can create an email template if you plan to reach out to several people for referrals, but keep in mind that each email you send should be personalized for the specific recipient. 

No matter what route you decide to take, be sure to:

• Introduce yourself or remind the person how they know you. 
  • If you’re reaching out to them because of a mutual friend or connection, say so. 
  • If you know them but haven’t been in contact for a while, put in a reminder about how you’re associated. 
  • Put this information succinctly in the subject line. For instance, your email subject line might say, “Request for job referral from Jane Doe, a mutual friend of Jack Smith.”
• Be upfront about why you’re writing to them. 
  • Cut to the chase as quickly as you can by stating that you’re writing to ask them for a referral for a particular job. 
  • Point out that you’ve included a job description, your resume, and, if applicable, work samples.
• Give them an out if they aren’t comfortable offering a referral. The last thing you want to do is put anyone on the spot or make them feel uncomfortable. 
  • Qualify your request by offering your referral source a way to decline your request. You can say something like, “If our past history as classmates gives you sufficient confidence to refer me, I would appreciate your assistance in passing my resume on to the hiring manager,” or, 
  • “If recommending someone you’re acquainted with through a mutual colleague is something you’re not comfortable with, I’d appreciate your referring me to the appropriate person at the company.”

Here’s a simple template you can use when reaching out to ask for a referral, remember to make it personable!