Reference request email etiquette

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 500, 𝗜 𝗴𝗼𝘁 10-20 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 1-2 As a former hiring manager and corporate worker, I've submitted countless referrals. I always want to help—after all, if I know someone's capable, I'd love them as a colleague. But here's a reality check: out of 10-20 referral requests I receive monthly, I typically only submit 1-2. Why? Time is limited, and the easier you make my job, the more likely I'll submit your referral.  Here's what works: 𝗣𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 Include EVERYTHING your referrer needs: • Full name, phone, email, and LinkedIn URL • Job ID, job link, and desired location (especially when multiple positions exist) • Resume filename that includes: YourName_JobTitle_Location Example: "RubyYuen_SeniorProductManager_Seattle.pdf" When details are missing, I have to chase you for information—that's when referrals often fall through. 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗲 Every company requires a paragraph explaining why you deserve the referral. Make this ZERO work for your referrer by providing it pre-written. Structure your blurb like this: • How we know each other: "I met [Your Name] through the Trust & Safety Professional Network 3 years ago." • Why you're a good fit to the team: "[Your Name] has 5 years of Program Management experience in Trust & Safety at Company Z, launching moderation programs. They've handled 10,000+ daily transactions across marketplace and social platforms with a deep understanding of T&S operations." Write it in first person so I can copy-paste with minimal editing: "I recommend [Your Name] because they bring X years of experience in Y and demonstrated excellence in Z..." 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲: Make your referral request a 2-minute task for your referrer, not a 20-minute project.  The more work you create for them, the less likely they'll complete it. Remember: Your referrer wants to help you. Make it easy for them to say yes.

Want a referral? Then treat the person with respect. And their time too. Yesterday, I got an Email. Asking for help. For a referral. For a freelance role. But…   ❌ The CV was a blurry photo of a laptop screen.   ❌ The email had multiple grammar issues.    ❌ No role mentioned. No company.    ❌ Just “please help, I am interested.” Now imagine this. You are asking someone to trust you. To refer you. To vouch for you. To put their name on the line. And you don’t even send a proper CV? Not even a clear ask? Would you refer someone like that? Let me be honest - I didn’t. Not because I didn’t want to help. But because the candidate didn’t seem serious. 👉 Always follow basic email etiquette:   ✅ Write a short, clear subject line   ✅ Greet the person by name   ✅ Mention the role + company clearly   ✅ Attach a proper PDF CV   ✅ Write in clear, error-free English   ✅ Say thank you, regardless of outcome You don’t have to be perfect. But you must be respectful. And put in some effort. That’s the least you can do. Your message is your first impression. Make it count. #referrals #jobsearch

🔍 Looking for a Referral? Read this before you hit the Send button. I often receive messages like: “Hi, can you refer me to any role in your company?” ❌ No job ID ❌ No link ❌ No context This puts the entire burden on the other person to figure things out for you. And that’s exactly how you lose the opportunity for a referral— 📉 It's simply too much hassle. ✅ Want to increase your chances of getting a YES? Here’s what actually helps: ➡️ Include the Job Title, Job ID, and a direct link to the job posting ➡️ Add a quick note on why you’re a strong fit ➡️ Attach your resume ➡️ Keep your message short, clear, and respectful 🧠 Remember: A referral isn’t just a click—it’s a STAMP of TRUST. Help the other person help you. Another frequent request I get: “Hi, can you recommend me to roles in your network?” And here’s the honest truth: 🔒 I can only recommend people I’ve worked with directly—either in my team or organization. 🤝 Recommendations are about credibility and authenticity. If we barely know each other, I can't provide a genuine recommendation. Let’s build connections with clarity and intention. Your next opportunity might start with a message— Just make sure, it’s the RIGHT ONE