How to Ask for a Referral: Email and LinkedIn Templates

What is a job referral?

A referral is when someone who works at a company recommends you for a role there, usually by submitting your name through an internal system or passing your resume to the recruiter or hiring manager. It puts your application in front of a person instead of a pile.

Referrals don’t guarantee an interview. They do mean someone looks, and they come with a little borrowed trust. That’s why the way you ask matters: you’re asking someone to put their name next to yours. If asking feels uncomfortable, that’s common, and a clear, easy-to-say-no request makes it comfortable for both of you.

Some companies pay employees a bonus for referrals that lead to a hire. Don’t assume yours does, and don’t mention it in your ask.

Who should you ask for a referral?

Ask the person closest to your work who works at the company. Someone who has seen what you do can describe it; someone who hasn’t can only pass you along.

In rough order of strength:

1. A former manager or close colleague who knows your work well.
2. A friend or classmate who knows you but not your work.
3. A second-degree connection who can be introduced by someone you both know.
4. Someone you’ve never spoken to at the company. Ask for a conversation first, not a referral.

If the person works on the marketing team you’re applying to, even better. They can tell you about the role and the hiring manager before they refer you.

How do you ask for a referral?

Be specific, be brief and do the work for them. A good request takes the other person a couple of minutes to act on.

1. Name the role and link to the posting. “Any marketing roles” asks them to do your job search.
2. Say why you fit, in two lines, using the posting’s top asks.
3. Attach your resume, tailored to the role.
4. Offer a short blurb they can paste into the referral form or forward to the recruiter.
5. Make it easy to say no. “No pressure if it’s not a good fit or you’d rather not” lets them decline without awkwardness.

Ask before you apply. At some companies a referral only registers if the employee submits you before you apply yourself, and your contact can tell you how theirs works.

Referral email templates

Replace everything in [brackets]. Keep the subject plain so they can find it later. Then rewrite the rest in the voice you’d normally use with this person; a friend will notice a template, and a message that sounds like you is much easier to say yes to.

To a close contact or friend

Subject: Referral for the [Role] role at [Company]?

Hi [Name],

I hope [something personal: the new job is going well / the move went OK]. I saw [Company] is hiring a [Role] and I'd love to apply: [link].

It's close to what I've been doing at [Current company], where I [one result that matches the role's top ask]. I've attached my resume.

Would you be comfortable referring me? If so, here's a short note you can use:

"[Your name] is a [your role] at [Company] who [one-line summary of the most relevant result]. I think they'd be a strong fit for the [Role] role."

No pressure at all if it's not the right time or you'd rather not. I'd also be glad to hear anything about the team before I apply.

Thanks,
[Your name]

To a former colleague or manager

Remind them of the work you did together; they may not remember the details.

Subject: [Role] at [Company] — would you refer me?

Hi [Name],

It's been a while since we worked together on [project] at [Company]. I hope things are good at [their company].

I noticed [their company] is hiring a [Role] ([link]), and it looks like a strong fit. The role centers on [top ask from the posting], which is what I've been doing since we worked together: [one result].

Would you be willing to refer me? I've attached my resume and a short blurb below in case it helps. If you're not close to the team or it's awkward, I completely understand, and I'd still value ten minutes to hear how marketing works there.

"[Your name] and I worked together on [project] at [Company], where they [what they did]. They're now [current role] and would be a strong fit for the [Role] role."

Thanks,
[Your name]

To a loose connection

With someone who doesn’t know your work, ask for a short conversation first. A cold request for a referral puts them in an awkward spot.

Subject: Quick question about marketing at [Company]

Hi [Name],

[How you're connected: we were both at [school / company], or [mutual contact] suggested I reach out.] I'm a [your role] and I'm applying for the [Role] role on your team: [link].

Before I apply, would you be open to a 15-minute call about how the team works? I'd value your view on what the role really needs.

Thanks either way,
[Your name]

If the call goes well, they’ll often offer to refer you. If they don’t, you can ask at the end: “Would you be comfortable passing my name along, or would you suggest I apply directly?” The informational interview questions guide covers what to ask on the call.

LinkedIn referral request templates

LinkedIn connection notes are short; the recruiter messaging guide covers the character limit. Use the note to start the conversation and the message for the ask.

Connection note

Hi [Name], I'm a [your role] applying for the [Role] role at [Company]. [Mutual contact] suggested I reach out. Would you be open to a quick chat about the team?

Message to an existing connection

Hi [Name], hope you're well. I'm applying for the [Role] role at [Company] ([link]). It's close to my work at [Current company], where I [one result]. Would you be comfortable referring me? Happy to send my resume and a short blurb. No problem at all if not.

Before you send anything on LinkedIn, check that your profile backs up the ask. A clear headline helps; see the LinkedIn headline examples.

How do you follow up on a referral request?

Follow up once, about a week after your first message, then let it go. People are busy, and one silent week usually means they missed it.

Hi [Name], just bumping this in case it got buried. The [Role] posting is still open. If you're not able to refer me, no problem at all, and thanks for considering it.

If they do refer you, thank them straight away, tell them when you apply, and update them after each round. Referrers like to know what happened, and it keeps the relationship good whatever the outcome.

What not to do when asking for a referral

• Asking for “any role”. Choose one specific posting and link to it.
• Asking a stranger to vouch for you. Ask for a conversation first.
• Sending a resume with no context. Give them the role, the fit and a blurb.
• Applying before asking, when the referral would have counted only if submitted first.
• Following up repeatedly. Once is enough; then let it go gracefully.
• Mentioning the referral bonus. It makes the ask transactional. Keep the ask about the role and your fit.
• Going silent afterward. Tell them how it went, whatever the outcome.

Drafting outreach with Recon

Recon drafts outreach for one person and one application, including someone at the company or a mutual contact, built on a fact about the company and the strongest overlap between your resume and the role. You review and send it yourself.

FAQ

Is it OK to ask for a referral from someone I don’t know?

Ask for a short conversation first. Once they know a little about you and your work, a referral request is reasonable; before that, it puts them in an awkward position.

How do you ask for a referral without being awkward?

Be specific about the role, give them everything they need in one message, and make declining easy. A clear ask with a polite exit is less awkward for both sides than a vague one.

Should I apply before or after asking for a referral?

Ask first. At some companies a referral only counts if the employee submits you, so applying on your own first can mean it doesn’t register. Your contact can check.

What should I include in a referral email?

The job link, two lines on why you fit, your resume, a short blurb they can forward, and an easy way to say no. Keep the whole email short enough to read on a phone.

Do I need to thank someone who referred me?

Yes, as soon as they agree, and again when you hear the outcome. Keep them posted after each round, even if you don’t get the job.

How do you ask for a referral after a coffee chat or informational interview?

Thank them first, then ask within a few days while the conversation is fresh: name the role, link the posting, and say one thing from your chat that made you want it. Make it easy to say no: “If you’re comfortable referring me, I’d be grateful; if not, your advice has already helped.” Put it in your own words so it sounds like the person they just met.

What subject line should a referral request email have?

Keep it plain and specific: “Referral for the [Role] role at [Company]?” or “Quick ask about [Role] at [Company]”. The person should know what you’re asking before they open it.