How to ask for a job referral: make it easy for someone to say yes.
A referral asks someone to vouch for you with their employer. The kinder and more effective way to ask is to do the work for them: send the exact job, a short summary they can forward, and an easy way to say no.
To ask for a referral, message someone who works at the company, name the exact job link and ID, explain in two lines why you fit, and attach or link your resume. Offer a short blurb they can paste into the referral form, and give them an easy way to decline. With people you don't know well, ask for advice or a conversation first, not an immediate referral.
3 copy-ready templates
Illustrative: names, companies, dates and numbers in these templates and examples are fictional. Replace every bracket with your own true details before you send anything.
Friend or former colleague
When to use: Someone who knows your work.
Hi [Name]! I hope you're well. I'm applying for the [Role] role at [Company] ([link], ID [number]). Given our work together on [project], I wondered if you'd be comfortable referring me. Here's a short summary you could use: "[Your name] and I worked together at [Company] on [project]. They [specific strength] and would be a strong fit for [Role]." No pressure at all if it's not a good fit. Thank you! [Your name]
Weak tie or alumni contact
When to use: Someone you have not worked with. Ask for insight first.
Hi [Name], I saw you're on the [team] at [Company]. I'm a fellow [school or group] grad applying for the [Role] role. Would you be open to a 15-minute chat about what the team values? I'd really appreciate your perspective. [Your name]
After a helpful conversation
When to use: Once you've talked and it went well.
Hi [Name], thanks again for the chat yesterday. It made me even more excited about [team]. If you felt comfortable, would you be willing to refer me for [Role] ([link])? I've attached my resume and a short summary below. Completely understand if not. [Your name]
Disclosure: TryHired makes HIRED, a paid job-search program, so we have a conflict of interest when we mention it. Every template on this page is free to use without buying anything.
Who to ask, and how
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Close colleague or friend | Ask directly, with the job link and a summary. |
| Weak tie, same school or community | Ask for a conversation first. |
| Stranger on LinkedIn | Ask for advice, not a referral. |
| They said they cannot refer | Thank them and ask whether there is someone else you should speak to. |
The same message, rewritten
Illustrative example with fictional details.
| Version | Example |
|---|---|
| Weak | Hey, can you refer me to your company? |
| Strong | I'm applying for the Data Analyst role at your company (link, ID 8812). Given our work together on the churn dashboard, would you be comfortable referring me? Here's a two-line summary you could use. No pressure if not. |
Why it matters: The weak version asks a favour without giving the person anything to work with. The strong one hands them the job, the context and the words, which makes yes easy.
Mistakes to avoid
- Asking strangers for referrals in the first message.
- Not sending the exact job link and ID.
- Asking for referrals to several roles at once.
- Forgetting to thank them and tell them the outcome.
Write yours faster
Questions people ask
Is it OK to ask a stranger for a referral?
What should I send the person referring me?
Should I apply first or get referred first?
How do I thank someone for a referral?
How this page is built
Written by Maid Dizdarevic, a career coach and 8x LinkedIn Top Voice. The templates and timing guides are practical advice, labelled as advice. We do not publish response rates or success rates, and every example uses fictional details.
- How a specific employer or recruiter will respond: practices vary by company, industry and person.
- Legal advice: for contracts, severance releases or disputes, talk to an employment attorney or the relevant agency.
- Outcomes: no message, template or program can promise an interview or a job.
- TryHired editorial guidance by Maid Dizdarevic, career coach, Nov 2, 2026.