Tips for LinkedIn Referral Requests

These Messages Will NOT Get You a Referral! Hi! How are you? Good morning! I am interested! Any openings for me? Can you please review my profile and suggest a job? I am good with <this>. Can you refer me for anything similar? Here is my resume. Please refer me for any suitable openings! Here’s the truth: Messages like these annoy the person you’re reaching out to, and most of the time, you won’t hear back. No one has the time to review your LinkedIn profile, go through your skills, analyze your resume, and then find you a suitable job opening. --- So, what should you do instead? 1. Find the job ID/link for the position you’re interested in. 2. Send a short and direct message. Example: Hello <Name>, I came across an opening at <Company Name> for the position of <Position Name>. I would like to request a referral for <Job ID>: <Job Link>. Please let me know if you need my resume or any other details. Thank you for your time and support. Regards, <Your Name> --- This approach works. Key point: Understand the difference between a recruiter and a referrer. • A recruiter might know about all openings in the company and evaluate candidates for fit based on skillsets. • A referrer is simply helping by passing along your details for a specific opportunity. Always include the job ID or link to make the process easy for them.

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.

📝 Unsolicited Job Hunting Advice My LinkedIn inbox is flooded with 'Request for Job Opportunities', ever since I posted about hiring in Dodo Payments. When reaching out on LinkedIn, don't send generic skill summaries. Instead, demonstrate specific value you'll bring. Key tips: - Research the person's recent posts or company updates - Reference specific challenges they're discussing - Share relevant metrics from your experience - Offer concrete solutions, not just your resume Examples: ❌ "I'm a software developer with 5 years of Python experience seeking opportunities." ✅ "I noticed you're scaling data infrastructure. I've reduced deployment time by 40% in similar projects and would love to share insights." ❌ "Digital marketing specialist looking to join your team." ✅ "I saw you're expanding to APAC. Having led successful market entries in Singapore, achieving 150% growth, I'd love to discuss strategies." Remember: - Keep it brief (2-3 short paragraphs) - Highlight results, not just responsibilities - Make it easy for them to say yes to a conversation - Follow up with a specific ask or suggestion Your goal isn't to sell yourself – it's to start a meaningful conversation about shared professional interests.

📢 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘀: 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 We've all heard the cliche: "80% of success is showing up." Here's how that actually looks in the real world of referral requests: Since posting about Meta's new AI-assisted coding interviews, I've received hundreds of connection requests and DMs from talented graduating students. I'm genuinely rooting for all of you! However, over 90% of those messages followed the exact same format: 1️⃣ Hi [My Name] - Thanks for the interview insights.  2️⃣ I'm graduating soon/looking for a job in X field. 3️⃣ Could you refer me/match me with a role at Meta? 4️⃣ [My Resume] - some cases even missing that While I appreciate the volume, this approach puts the burden of job-matching, research, and resume review entirely on the referrer. That's a huge lift for someone who already has a full-time job. One candidate, however, sent a message that stood out immediately:  • They had already reviewed the Meta Careers page  • They specifically referenced 3 open roles (Role A, B, and C) they were a direct fit for  • They highlighted 1-2 specific projects/skills from their resume that aligned directly with the job description I prioritized their application immediately and submitted their referral the same day. The next time you reach out to a potential referrer or hiring manager, assume 100 other people are reaching out too. 💡 How to Position Yourself for a Referral: ✅ 𝗗𝗼 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 - Visit the company careers page and find at least two open roles that genuinely interest you ✅ 𝗕𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 - Don't say "Software Engineer," say "E5 Software Engineer, Instagram Feed Ranking (REQ #1234567)" ✅ 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝘁𝘀 - Explicitly connect your skills to the JD. Example: "My capstone project on high-volume data streams directly aligns with the 'Data Pipeline' experience requested in Role A." ✅ 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘆 - Provide a bulleted list of 1-3 roles with their unique ID/link, and your resume ready-to-go When you show you've invested the time to understand the openings, you demonstrate professionalism, motivation, and respect for the referrer's time. You turn a request into a collaboration. Know someone looking? Repost this and help them stand out. ♻️ #careers #jobsearch #networking #hiring #referrals #careeradvice

Over the last year, I've gotten referrals from Amazon, Google, Apple, and more. Not because I had the perfect template. But because I started treating people like people and not just a connection request. So here's my actual process: 𝟭. 𝗜 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 Think about meeting someone at a conference. Would you walk up and say, "Hi, refer me to Job ID 12345"? Nahi, right? You’d say hello. Ask about their work. Build rapport. Then, naturally, mention what you're looking for. LinkedIn works the exact same way. I comment on their posts. I respond to something they shared. 𝟮. 𝗜 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆’𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲 A familiar name has a 10x better acceptance rate than a cold one. People help people they know. 𝟯. 𝗜 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 I keep it simple and without any agenda: "Hi [name], I see we're both in [field]. Would love to connect and learn from your journey at [company]." That's it. No job link. No favour. 𝟰. 𝗜 𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 Once they accept, I don't jump straight to “refer me.” I start with curiosity about their career path. I ask something real:  → "How did you make the transition from [previous company or role] to [current company]?"  → "How's the [team or product] culture at [company]? Does it live up to the hype?" Then, after they respond (and most people love talking about their journey), I transition: "That’s really helpful to hear. And honestly, that alone isn't why I'm reaching out." 𝟱. 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼 𝗜 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗹. The Template "I've been actively exploring [role type] roles and came across an opening at [company] that aligns really well with my background. Given your experience there, I'd love your perspective on whether this could be a fit, and if it makes sense, I'd really appreciate a referral. Quick snapshot:  • [X years in ___]  • Core skills: [your strengths]  • Recent project: [one relevant highlight]  • Job link and ID: [URL]  • Resume attached for reference. Totally understand if the timing doesn't work or if it's not the right match. Either way, thanks for the insights on your journey and for reading my message. It’s been super helpful. Best, [name]" This works because it's short, personalised and allows people to say NO. If you're job hunting in 2025, try this approach. Add the human touch back. Track what works. Tweak it to your style. And if this helps you land an interview, come back and tell me. I'd love to hear it.

In my early career, I thought networking was all about building as many connections as possible. But I quickly learned that effective networking isn't about the quantity of your connections—it's about the quality. Throughout my career, the connections that have truly made a difference weren’t the ones where I just asked for help—they were the ones where I made it easy for others to want to help me. If you want to make others genuinely want to help you, it’s crucial to move beyond simply asking for favors. Instead, focus on creating value and building relationships where both parties benefit. So, how can you do the same? Here are four tactical tips to help you network effectively: ✅ Do Your Homework Before reaching out, research the person or company you’re interested in. Understand their work, challenges, and how you can add value. For instance, instead of asking a connection for job leads, do your own research first. Identify specific roles and companies you’re targeting, and then ask if they can help with an introduction. This approach shows initiative and respect for their time. ✅ Be Specific in Your Ask Whether you’re asking for an introduction, advice, or a referral, be clear and concise about what you need. For example, instead of asking, “Do you know anyone hiring?” say, “I noticed [Company Name] is looking for a [Role]. Would you be open to introducing me to [Person]? I’m happy to send you my resume and a brief write-up you can pass along, too.” This shows that you’ve taken the initiative and makes it easier for your contact to say yes. ✅ Offer Mutual Value When requesting a meeting or advice, frame it as a two-way conversation. Instead of saying, “Can I pick your brain?” try something like, “I’d love to exchange ideas on [specific topic] and share some strategies that have worked for me.” This not only makes your request more compelling but also positions you as someone who brings value to the table. ✅ Follow Up with Gratitude After someone has helped you, don’t just say thank you and disappear. Keep them in the loop on how their help made an impact. Whether you got the job, secured the meeting, or just had a great conversation, let them know. This closes the loop and makes them more inclined to help you in the future. Your network is one of your greatest assets—nurture it well, and it will be there for you when you need it most. What’s one networking tip that’s helped you build stronger connections? *** 📧 Want more tips like these? Join Career Bites - free weekly bite-sized tips to supercharge your career in 3 minutes or less: lorraineklee.com/subscribe 📖 You can also get behind-the-scenes stories, updates, and special gifts for my upcoming book Unforgettable Presence: lorraineklee.com/book

Are you doing what matters the most FIRST? Most of the conversations I’ve been having lately aren’t about doing more in a job search. Instead, they are about sharpening what actually matters FIRST. I was catching up with one of my earliest clients from 7 years ago. Since then, they’ve built a strong portfolio of consulting work, expanded their experience, and have a lot more to bring to the market. They’re doing many of the right things. Having conversations. Reaching out. Asking for referrals. But we came back to two fundamentals that tend to drift over time: --First, getting crystal clear on your unique value proposition. Not a general summary or a list of roles. Rather, a clear articulation of how you help a business move the needle, grounded in what you’ve actually done. --Second, being precise in how you engage your network. WHY? Because your network cannot help you if you are not clear. Full stop. At the senior and executive level, lack of clarity doesn’t just slow things down. It delays outcomes in a very real way. And I have talked with people firsthand who carry deep shame when they can’t break through with people who have worked with them and already know what they can do. If you’re asking for referrals, tighten the ask: • Be specific about the types of companies you are targeting. Industry, size, business model, or transformation stage. Give people something concrete to react to. • Anchor your ask in value. Instead of “I’m exploring roles,” connect your background to a business problem. “I’ve been leading X and Y, and I’m looking to apply that in companies navigating Z.” ⬆️ ⬆️ ⬆️ ⬆️ ⬆️ ⬆️ ⬆️ ⬆️ ⬆️ ⬆️ If you leave THIS to chance, they WILL NOT guess. • Ask for direction, not just introductions. “Who would you speak to if you were in my position?” often leads to better outcomes than a generic referral request. • Make it easy to act. Name the function, level, or type of leader you want to meet. The clearer you are, the more likely someone is to connect the dots quickly. • Close the loop. When someone helps, follow up with what happened. This builds momentum and keeps people engaged in your search. You must be clear about your UVP from the outset, as it is the foundation upon which you are building the rest of your job search strategy. I have seen this time and again. If you skip that order, you end up having a lot of activity that doesn’t translate into traction. If you want a deeper look at the frameworks behind this, I’m happy to share the intro to my book, Qualified Isn't Enough. Send me a DM. 📩 The people who accelerate understand all these moving parts and execute accordingly. #careers #jobs #CareerVelocity Recommended Reading: ⭐ Your Elevator Pitch Might Be Costing You Job Opportunities ⭐ Forbes Coaches Council https://lnkd.in/gsn-jC8N

Having recently hired for 2 roles, I’ve been reminded just how much referrals change the game. When you cold apply, your resume goes into a queue. If you apply early, you might get reviewed, but once we have enough strong candidates in the pipeline, the chances of a later application getting looked at drop significantly. When you come in through a referral? It’s different: - Referrals get priority. Recruiters are usually required to review all referrals and are often expected to get to those within a specific timeframe.  - Referrals are incentivized. Most companies offer bonuses, often $1,000+ if a referred candidate gets hired.  - Referrers can advocate for you. They have a direct line to the recruiter and hiring manager, and sometimes, they can help you get feedback even if you don’t move forward. - Referrals reduce risk for the hiring team. They’re pre-vetted, which often speeds up the hiring process. The best kinds of referrals are people who know you well and can vouch for you, but any referral via your network will help you get your foot in the door. So, what can you do? 1. Check for connections before you apply. Look for 1st- or 2nd-degree connections on LinkedIn.   2. Ask for a referral even if it feels awkward. Most people genuinely want to help and there’s often a bonus in it for them.   3. Make it easy for the referrer. Share your resume and a short blurb they can use when they’re asked, “Why should we consider this person?” 4. Ask before you apply. Many companies don’t allow someone to refer you if your application is already in their system. Does this mean cold applying never works? No, but in a competitive market with high volume, a referral can dramatically increase your odds of moving forward. This is part of my Hiring Manager POV series focused on real-time insights while I’m hiring and helping clients navigate the job market. Job seekers, what’s worked best for you? Are referrals working for you? Share in the comments. 

PSA: “Referral” Does Not Mean “Stranger I Found on LinkedIn” I saw a post recently that said something like this. Job seekers, always mark “referral” on your application even if you don’t know anyone. It’ll help you get noticed. ***Let me just say. Please do not do this*** I get it. The job market is rough. You’ve applied to everything. You’re running on iced coffee and vibes. But marking someone as a referral who has never spoken to you is not the move. Because what happens next is exactly this. A confused employee messages me saying, “Hey Brenda, did I refer this person?” No. No, you did not. And now we’re all uncomfortable. Here’s what to do instead. And I promise it works better than crossing your fingers and hoping nobody checks. First. Warm up the connection. Like a post. Leave a comment. Engage like a normal human being. Second. When you reach out, personalize the message. A quick note like, “Hey, I saw you work at X and I’d love to learn more about your experience there, especially around Y” goes a long way. Copy-pasting “can you refer me” into 42 inboxes is not it. Third. Stop proposing on the first date. Build the relationship first. Ask a question. Share a thought. If the vibe is right, then and only then, ask if they’d feel comfortable referring you. Fourth. If they don’t respond, it’s fine. Follow up once. Keep it polite. Don’t take it personally. People are busy and the algorithm is chaotic. Fifth. Be someone worth connecting with. Offer value. Share helpful insights. Be supportive. And yes, a well-timed dog meme never hurts. Referrals are powerful. But they are built on relationships, not assumptions. So next time you go to mark “referral,” ask yourself if that person actually knows who you are. If the answer is no, hit pause and go make a real connection first.

Why You Shouldn’t Directly Ask Strangers for Referrals STOP RIGHT THERE. Before you hit send on that referral request to a stranger, consider this: Why would someone vouch for you without knowing you? The key isn’t to ask for a referral; it’s to build a relationship first. Start with seeking advice, not favors. Interested in the finance domain? Reach out to a professional in that field on LinkedIn. Ask about their work, technologies they use, and industry trends. Use this info to dive deeper, maybe through a project or research. Showcase your effort. After absorbing their insights, share your findings. Ask for feedback. This isn’t just about getting a referral; it’s about learning and growing. Build a connection. By the time you consider asking for a referral, you’ve established a rapport based on mutual respect and shared interests. Now, you’re not just a stranger; you’re someone they’ve personally advised and witnessed putting in the work. Remember: Relationships over transactions. Seek to contribute and learn before asking. This approach not only makes your referral request more meaningful but also enriches your professional journey. #Networking #CareerDevelopment #Referrals