In the fast-paced, competitive job market of today, building and effectively utilizing your professional network is key to securing a rewarding role. LinkedIn has emerged as a potent tool in this networking endeavor, and one of the most potent strategies it offers is the ability to ask for a job referral. However, reaching out for such a referral requires a little pre-work and a tactful approach.
Understanding the Power of a Referral
A job referral carries significant weight in the hiring process. When someone vouches for your skills and suitability internally at their company, it significantly enhances your appeal to a potential employer. Essentially, a referral is a strong vote of confidence that can help your application stand out.
Make it Easy for Them to Help You
Consider these two points:
- Keep the message brief. Don’t make them read a novel. 1. The Linkedin message interface isn’t designed for reading long texts, and 2. people are busy. (see template example below)
- Offer to send them a pre-written email that they can forward to the appropriate hiring manager or recruiter that includes all relevant information – a brief introduction, your qualifications, the reason for your interest in the position, and your resume. This not only simplifies the referral process but also ensures your message gets conveyed as you intended.
Crafting the Perfect Referral Request
Follow the step-by-step guide:
- Begin with a Personalized Greeting
- Start with a friendly, personalized greeting to set a positive tone for your message.
- Refresh Your Connection
- If it’s been a while since you last interacted, briefly remind your connection about your shared experiences. Don’t assume they remember you as well as you remember them.
- Explain Your Current Professional Scenario
- Be candid and concise about your current situation, whether you’re actively seeking new opportunities or exploring potential paths in your field.
- Identify the Job You’re Interested In
- Provide specifics about the job you’re interested in at their company. Include the job title, department, and job listing source, if any.
- State Your Interest
- Clarify why you’re interested in this role and the company. This indicates that you’ve done your research and are serious about the opportunity.
- Showcase Your Qualifications
- Highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments. This gives your connection a better understanding of why they should refer you.
- Ask for the Referral
- Now, ask for the referral. Be polite yet direct. Let them know it’s ok not to do it if they don’t feel comfortable.
- Make it easy
- Asking for a referral is asking for a favor. It’s crucial to consider their convenience. Offer to send them an email with all the info for them to simply forward to the right person in their company.
- Say Thank You
- Express your gratitude for their time and their willingness to assist.
An Example Linkedin Message
Here is a template for you to use:
Subject: Request for Job Referral
Hi [Connection’s Name],
I hope you’re well. We worked at [Previous Company Name] at the same time in [year] (only if needed). I know we didn’t know each other well, so I hope it’s ok that I’m reaching out to you on Linkedin. I’m currently job searching, and I’ve come across a role at your company, [Company Name], that I’m interested in. The position is [Job Title], and I think it aligns well with my skills and career goals.
The job posting is here: [include the link to the job post]
Could I ask you to refer me for this position? I think my background in [Industry or skills] and proven record in [another specific skill/experience] would allow me to contribute well and do a really good job in this role.
If you don’t feel comfortable doing it, that’s totally ok, of course.
If you are willing to refer me, I’d love to send you an email with all my info and resume attached to forward to the appropriate person in your company.
Thank you so much for considering it! I appreciate it!
Best Regards,
[your name]
