How to ask for a referral on LinkedIn

Know the difference between a warm contact and a stranger

A warm contact is someone you have met, worked with, studied alongside, or exchanged messages with before. A stranger is anyone else, even if you share a mutual connection or went to the same university. The approach differs significantly between the two.

With a warm contact, you can reference your shared history and ask more directly. With a stranger, you need to earn the right to ask by leading with genuine interest in their experience, not your need for a referral. Skipping this step is the most common mistake people make.

What to include in every referral request

Whether you are messaging a former colleague or someone you have never met, every referral request should contain the same core elements. Missing any one of them forces the other person to ask follow-up questions, which reduces the chance they will help.

• The exact job title and job ID or posting URL so they can find it in their company's system
• One or two sentences on why you are a strong fit, tied to the role's requirements
• A clear, low-pressure ask that gives them an easy way to decline
• Your resume attached or linked so they do not have to chase it
• A short note on what a referral would mean in their company's process, if you know it

Message templates for warm contacts

Use these as starting points and adjust the details to match your actual relationship. Sending a template word for word without personalising it is obvious and off-putting.

1. Former colleague: 'Hi [Name], hope you are doing well. I saw that [Company] is hiring for [Job Title] (job ID: [XXXX]) and I think it is a strong match for my background in [specific skill or area]. Would you be comfortable submitting a referral, or pointing me to the right person internally? I have attached my resume to make it easy. No pressure at all if it is not a good time.'
2. University alumni: 'Hi [Name], I noticed we both studied at [University] and you are now at [Company]. I am applying for the [Job Title] role there and wanted to reach out. My background is in [relevant area] and I have [specific experience]. If you are open to it, a referral would mean a lot. Happy to share more about my experience if that helps.'
3. Past manager or mentor: 'Hi [Name], I am exploring a move and came across the [Job Title] opening at [Company]. Given my work on [specific project or skill], I think it is a great fit. Would you be willing to refer me? I can send over anything you need.'

How to approach a stranger on LinkedIn

Asking a stranger for a referral in a first message almost always fails. The better approach is a two-step process: start a genuine conversation, then ask.

In your first message, comment on something specific about their career, a post they wrote, or a project their company is working on. Ask a question that shows you have done your research. Wait for a reply before mentioning the job at all.

Once they have responded, you can introduce the ask naturally. Keep it low stakes. Something like: 'I am actually applying for the [Job Title] role at [Company]. If you ever felt comfortable passing along a referral, I would really appreciate it, but I completely understand if that is not something you do for people you have just connected with.'

Etiquette rules that protect the relationship

A referral is a favour. The person putting their name behind you is taking a small professional risk. Treating the interaction accordingly will make them more likely to help and more likely to speak well of you.

• Send one message, then one follow-up after seven to ten days if you hear nothing. Do not send more than two messages.
• Never ask someone to refer you to a role they know nothing about. Give them enough context to feel confident doing it.
• If they say no or do not respond, thank them anyway and move on. Do not push.
• After you get the referral, send a thank-you message within 24 hours. Update them when you hear back, whether the outcome is good or not.
• In the UK and Australia, referral culture in corporate hiring is similar to the US and Canada, but some companies have formal referral programmes with financial incentives for employees. Mentioning that you know the company has a referral programme can make the ask feel more natural.

What to do before you send the message

Before you reach out to anyone, make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete and your resume is ready. If someone agrees to refer you and then looks at a half-finished profile, it reflects poorly on both of you.

Check that your resume is tailored to the specific role. A generic resume makes it harder for the person referring you to advocate for your fit. Break-In Bad can write a tailored resume and cover letter for a specific job posting based on facts you confirm, so you have something polished ready to attach before you send a single message.

Also confirm the job is still open and that you meet the core requirements. Asking for a referral to a role you are clearly underqualified for puts the other person in an awkward position.

Following up after the referral is submitted

Once someone has referred you, the process moves to the company's side. Most companies in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia take one to three weeks to review referred candidates, though this varies widely by company size and role.

Do not message your contact asking for updates every few days. Check the company's careers portal directly if you have access. If you receive an interview invitation, let your contact know and thank them again. If you are rejected, a brief and gracious message goes a long way toward keeping the relationship intact for the future.