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Guide · 6 min read

Ask for a referral people are happy to give

For a job or for a client: who to ask, how to make the request specific and easy to forward, and how to say thank you.

Updated 1 November 2026

01Two kinds

A job referral or a client referral

The method is the same. The people and the words differ.

  • A job referral

    Someone who works at a company passes your name to the people hiring.

  • A client referral

    A happy client or a peer passes your name to someone who needs your work.

02Who to ask

Ask people who know your work

A referral is a person putting their name next to yours. Choose people who can do that honestly.

  • People who have seen your work first-hand
  • A client who was happy with the result
  • For a job: someone who works at the company, or knows someone who does
  • One person at a time, not five at once

03Steps

How to ask, step by step

Five steps that make it easy for them to say yes, and easy to say no.

  1. 1

    Be specific

    Name the role, or the kind of client, you are looking for.

  2. 2

    Ask permission first

    Ask if they would be comfortable introducing you. Do not send anything yet.

  3. 3

    Give them a note to forward

    Three sentences: who you are, why this person, and one proof point.

  4. 4

    Make no an easy answer

    Say that it is fine if the timing is wrong.

  5. 5

    Close the loop

    Follow up once after a week. Whatever happens, tell them the outcome and thank them.

04Messages

Messages you can adapt

Examples with made-up people. Make every detail true for you.

Asking for a job referral
Hi Priya, I saw that Routeplan is hiring an operations analyst. We worked together on the depot project, so you know how I work. Would you be comfortable passing my name to the hiring team? I can send a two-line summary to forward. No problem at all if now is not a good time.

Specific role, a reason they know your work, an easy way out.

Asking a client for a referral
Hi Daniel, I am glad the audit helped your team. If you know another operations lead facing the same problem, I would be grateful for an introduction. I can write a short note you could forward. No pressure either way.

Ask after the work went well, and describe the kind of client you help.

Saying thank you
Priya, thank you again for passing my name on. I have a first call with the team on Thursday. I will tell you how it goes.

Always report back, even if nothing comes of it.

05Mistakes

What to avoid

Most referral requests fail for the same few reasons.

  • A vague ask, such as “do you know anyone hiring?”
  • Asking someone who does not know your work
  • Sending a long document with no short note
  • Going quiet after they helped

Questions

Who should I ask for a referral?
Ask people who have seen your work first-hand: a former manager, a colleague, or a client who was happy with the result. For a job, someone who works at the company is best.
What if the person does not know me well?
Ask for something smaller first, such as advice or a short chat, or ask someone who knows both of you. A referral works best when the person can speak for you.
Is it fine to ask a past client for a referral?
Yes, once the work has gone well. Ask for one introduction, say what kind of client you can help, and make it easy to say no.
How long should I wait before following up?
About a week, once. If there is no answer, leave it for a while. Thank them whatever the outcome.

Keep track of who offered to help

Note who said yes, who knows whom, and get a reminder to follow up and say thank you.

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