Job search · 5 min read
How do I ask for a referral at a company?
How to ask for a job referral: who to ask, how to make it easy for them, and templates for friends, former colleagues and people you barely know.
The short answer
Ask someone who works at the company and knows you or your work, or someone who can vouch for you after a short conversation. Make it easy: send the link to the specific job, a two-line summary of why you fit, and your CV, and offer a short blurb they can paste into the referral form. Ask before you apply, because many referral systems only count referrals made first. With people who barely know you, ask for a 15-minute conversation about their work first, not a referral; if it goes well, they'll often offer. Thank them whatever happens, and tell them the outcome.
Key takeaways
- Ask before you apply; many systems only credit referrals made first.
- Send the job link, a two-line fit summary, your CV and a blurb they can paste.
- With strangers, ask for a conversation first and let the referral follow.
- Referred candidates are more likely to be hired, in published research.
On this pageWho to ask
Who to ask
| Who | Why it works | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Someone who's worked with you | Can vouch for your work | Ask directly |
| A friend or acquaintance at the company | Can vouch for you as a person | Ask directly, with your summary |
| Alumni or shared-group contacts | Shared background | Ask for a short chat first |
| Second-degree connections | A mutual contact can introduce you | Ask the mutual contact for an introduction |
| Strangers at the company | Weakest link | Ask about their work, not for a referral |
What to send
- The link to the exact job and its reference number.
- Two lines on why you fit, with one result.
- Your CV, tailored to the role.
- A three-sentence blurb they can paste into the referral form.
- A clear thank you, and an easy out: "No worries if it's not something you can do."
Templates
Former colleague
Hi Tom, I saw [company] is hiring a senior buyer [link]. It's close to what I did at [previous company], where I cut supplier costs by 12%. Would you be comfortable referring me? I've attached my CV and a short blurb you could use. Totally fine if not.
Friend at the company
Hey Ana, there's a customer success role at your company I'd love to go for [link]. Before I apply, would you be up for referring me? Happy to tell you more over a coffee. I've pasted a short summary below in case it helps.
Alumni or shared group
Hi Sam, I'm a fellow Leeds graduate looking at product roles. I noticed you're a product manager at [company]. Would you have 15 minutes in the next couple of weeks to tell me about your team? I'm particularly interested in the junior PM role you're hiring for.
After the referral
Apply through the link or process they tell you, so the referral is attached. Thank them straight away, then again when you hear back, whatever the result. If you get the job, a small thank-you is appreciated; many companies also pay referrers a bonus after you've passed probation, so they'll be glad too.
What happens to the gaps
Applying shows you what employers want that you can't show yet: a must-have your CV doesn't mention, or a question you couldn't answer well. Hand the job from OffLadder CV to Laddie, our AI coach, and it turns each one into three steps:
- Learn the skill: a short lesson on what the post asks for, starting from the basics.
- Try the work: a 15-minute task taken from the job itself, so you have a real example to talk about.
- Practise the interview: a five-question mock interview for that role, weighted to the parts you're least sure of.
The conversation stays in your OffLadder account. Once you've done the work, add it to your CV in your own words, and the next post you tailor for can point to it.
Questions people ask
- Is it okay to ask a stranger for a referral?
- Asking directly for a referral from someone who doesn't know you rarely works and can feel transactional. Ask for a short conversation about their work instead. If you're a good fit and the conversation goes well, many people will offer to refer you, especially when their company pays a referral bonus.
- Do employee referrals really help?
- Yes. Research using company hiring data found referred applicants were more likely to be hired and to stay. Referrals usually get a human review instead of an automated screen, and the referrer's word adds trust. They don't guarantee an interview, but they move you up the pile.
- What if the person doesn't reply?
- Send one polite follow-up after about a week. If there's still no reply, apply anyway and look for another contact. People are busy, and silence usually isn't personal.
- Should I ask for a referral if I'm not a strong fit?
- Be careful. A referral uses some of the referrer's credibility, so ask for roles where you meet most of the requirements. If you're stretching, say so honestly and ask whether they think it's worth a try.
- Should I apply first or ask for the referral first?
- Ask first where you can. Many referral systems only credit the employee if they submit you before you apply, and a referral bonus can depend on it. If the role closes soon, apply and then tell your contact your application ID so they can flag it to the recruiter or hiring manager directly.
Exercises are practice, not evidence of career fit or a qualification. How to read our guides and report a correction.
Sources
- The value of hiring through employee referrals · The Quarterly Journal of Economics (Burks, Cowgill, Hoffman and Housman)
- Future of Recruiting · LinkedIn Talent Solutions
How this page is written
Sources support the factual background, not a guarantee that an exercise predicts career fit. Fictional practice material is labelled. Dates record content updates; no independent expert review is implied. More about OffLadder.