One approach to landing a job at a new company is to ask for a referral from someone who works there. According to studies, recruiters are more likely to consider referral prospects than those from other sources. Your CV will be more likely to be selected from the vast talent pool and examined by the recruiter if it’s accompanied by a recommendation from someone they know and trust. However, having a referral is no guarantee that you’ll get the job; it’s merely a recommendation that you might be suitable for the position. This could result in an invitation to interview from the hiring manager, or they might still send you an email of rejection.
Asking for a referral from someone, like asking for a favor, can be somewhat daunting and uncomfortable. Here’s some advice on how to ask for a referral without embarrassing yourself.
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A referral is a form of internal recommendation that lets staff members suggest possible job candidates to the company. Some companies even pay their employees a finder’s fee for recommending the right person for the job.
In essence, when you request a referral, you are asking the other person whether they trust you enough to recommend you for the job.
The ideal outcome is to establish a solid rapport with your referrer and gain their confidence in your credentials so that they are willing to function as an active supporter of you within their organization.
Your initial port of call should be with close relationships such as family, past coworkers, or college associates, followed by acquaintances who can attest to your character and track record. Asking someone you know is considerably easier than approaching a complete stranger. The better the relationship, the less awkward it will be. Think of it this way: It’s easier to ask a favor of a friend rather than someone you hardly know. If you have a good or close relationship with the person you’re asking, they’ll probably be more likely to assist you.
But keep in mind that asking for a recommendation, even from a close friend or ex-colleague, does not guarantee that you will get one. They might not feel comfortable putting their reputation on the line for you if they cannot attest to the caliber of your work. The key to referrals is trust. Do I know and trust that individual enough in a professional setting if I were to recommend them to the recruiter at the company I work for?
It’s your job to convince them that you’re the right person for the job. While a former coworker may be aware of your technical prowess and ability to work well in a team, they might not be aware of your education, or prior employment experience. The more they are aware of your qualifications, the more comfortable they will feel in recommending you.
Tip: Before requesting a referral, don’t just jump right into it. Begin the conversation in a natural way, catching up on news since your last meeting, before easing into your interest in their company.
It could be rather awkward to ask for a referral from someone you don’t know well. It takes a little more tact to ask an acquaintance, such as a friend of a friend, or a former coworker you have only spoken to occasionally. Reminding them of your relationship is one strategy to foster goodwill and increase your chances of receiving a positive response.
You could send a brief email to revive your previous connection or explain that a mutual friend had recommended that you contact them. You might mention that you had heard there might be a job opportunity at their company, and since you don’t know anyone at their firm, you could say why you are reaching out to them. Then go on to explain a little bit more about your professional accomplishments.
People whom we hardly know or have merely interacted with on a purely social level may very likely not be familiar with your work experience or background. Sharing this knowledge with them will be the best way to go about it. Additionally, they will be able to give their hiring manager a clearer picture of what you have to offer the company in terms of skills, experience, etc., which is crucial if you want to get their attention.
Don’t despair if you don’t know anyone who works for the company you’re interested in. Nowadays, it’s quite simple to find out who works at a company online and get in touch with them, through LinkedIn, for example. However, be careful not to ask for too much too soon from a stranger as that can discourage them from assisting you.
Keep in mind that there’s not much of an emotional incentive for a complete stranger to help you. So the most crucial thing is to present yourself as a qualified candidate for the job. When reaching out to someone via LinkedIn or email, only bring up the referral request if you think the conversation is going well, and try not to press the issue too much. Give the other person time to consider your request and room to decline.
As a means of getting to know this person, express your interest in the position at the organization they’re working for. Ask them a few questions regarding the workplace culture, the duties of the position, what they enjoy most about working there, etc. Then you can gradually ease into saying that you would also like to work for their company.
Outline your qualifications and why you think the individual can assist you. You’re effectively asking a stranger to open doors for you, so keep in mind that your demeanor will influence how they perceive you and influence their decision to help you or not.
Don’t forget to express gratitude for their time and, if they do end up referring you, it’s only common courtesy to follow up with them to let them know how it went.
Asking for a referral can be a powerful technique to move to the top of the candidate list, and there’s no doubt that a strong referral can give you a better chance to land the job you’re after. However, referrals are not a cure-all. You would still need a polished resume and the right qualifications and experience for the job.
