Scripts for referrals, recruiters and old contacts
The short answer
Use these as starting points and rewrite them in your own words. A referral ask gives your contact the role, your one-line fit and an easy way to say no. A recruiter note names the role, says whether you've applied and gives one result. A reconnecting note asks for nothing the first time. After an advice call, thank the person the same day, and about three weeks later tell them what you did with their advice.
On this page
Several pages in this guide tell you to ask for a referral, write to a recruiter or reconnect with an old colleague. Here are the notes. Fill in the brackets, cut anything that doesn't sound like you, and keep them short.
It may help to know that people say yes more than we expect. In a series of face-to-face studies, people underestimated by as much as half how likely others were to agree to a direct request for help[1].
Ask for a referral
Send this before you apply, since some companies only count a referral that's logged first (see pairing outreach with applications).
Hi [name], [company] has posted a [role] role ([link or job ID]). I think I'm a strong fit, because [one line with a result, such as "I cut onboarding time from 14 days to 6 at my last company"]. Would you be comfortable referring me? I've attached my resume and a three-line summary you could paste in. Totally fine if not, or if you'd rather just pass my name along.
The three-line summary is what your contact will paste into the referral form, so write it for them:
[Your name] has [number] years in [field], most recently [one result]. They're applying for [role] because [one line]. I worked with them at [place] and [one thing you'd like them to say, if true].
Write to a recruiter
About 60 words is plenty. Recruiters handle many roles, so make the first line about which one.
Hi [name], I've applied for the [role] role (job ID [number]) and wanted to introduce myself. I've spent [number] years in [field], most recently [one result]. I'm based in [location] and eligible to work in [country]. Would you be the right person to talk to about this role?
If you haven't applied yet, swap the first line for "I'm interested in the [role] role and planning to apply this week."
Reconnect with someone you've lost touch with
People you know a little can matter more than you'd guess. A large 2022 study using LinkedIn data found that moderately weak ties were the most likely to lead to a new job, at least in more digital industries[2]. The hard part is the first message after years of silence. Make it a hello, not an ask.
Hi [name], it's been a while since [shared context, such as "we ran the warehouse move together"]. I saw [their news, such as your new role at X], and it made me smile. I'm moving toward [direction] these days, and I'd like to hear how [their thing] is going.
If they reply warmly, you can ask for advice in your second message, a week or so later.
Thank someone the same day
Send this within a few hours of an advice call:
Thank you for the time today. Your point about [specific thing] was new to me, and I'm going to [one concrete step]. I'll let you know how it goes.
Tell them what came of it, about three weeks later
Career centers suggest following up after an informational conversation with thanks and an update[3]. The update is the message people forget, and in my experience it's the one that turns a single call into a relationship.
Hi [name], a quick update. I followed up on your suggestion to talk to [person], and [what came of it, such as "she walked me through how her team plans clinic openings"]. I've also [one other thing you did]. Thanks again for pointing me that way.
Track each of these in your outreach tracker, with a date for the next step.
Questions to ask yourself
Take five minutes with a notebook. There are no right answers here, only useful ones.
- Who could refer you to a role you want, and what would make it easy for them?
- Who have you lost touch with that you'd be glad to hear from yourself?
- What did you do with the last piece of advice someone gave you, and did you tell them?