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How to Ask for a Job Referral

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Fast track your job search by asking for a job referral. Being referred by a current employee is a great way to stand out when applying for a job. Asking for a job referral may seem like asking for a favor, but many times the employee can get a bonus if you get the job. Below are tips for how to ask for a job referral and how to ask for a job referral sample email.

Why Ask A Current Employee To Refer You?

Employee referrals make up between 30-50% of hiring in the US. If you want to fast track your job search ask a current employee to refer you. This will increase your odds of getting that first interview. It’ll help separate you from the hundreds of other candidates where it is so easy to get lost. After that, you’ll also have the opportunity to ask them questions about the interview process, culture of the company and more. This will help you determine if the company will be a good fit and help prepare for interviews.

Don’t feel bad about asking someone in your network for the referral. Most people are happy to help. In fact, many people even get employee referral bonuses if they refer a candidate that gets hired. Employee referral programs are a benefit both for job seekers and current employees. Job seekers improve their odds of getting the job and employees have an opportunity to make additional money as well as help out their network.

How to Ask For Referrals For a Job

How you ask for a referral for a job depends on how well you know the person. If you know them well, you’re likely in luck. They’re able to speak to how qualified you are as a candidate and can speak to you as a person. But, understand that not everyone feels comfortable referring someone to a job. Always give someone an out, stating that you completely understand if they don’t feel comfortable doing so.

When you ask for a job referral, the more specific you are the better. Share which job you are interested in and provide the link to that job posting. That way, if the employee needs more information to refer you, like a job ID, they can get it from that posting. If you don’t know what job to apply to ask to meet with that person first. Have a discussion about what types of roles you’re interested in. Ask questions to help narrow down what departments to research more. Lastly, share that you’ll look at current job openings and ask if they will refer you if you find one you want to apply to.

When you are asking for a referral, don’t ask someone to do your work for you. Vaguely asking someone to keep their ears open if they hear of anything is unlikely to result in an opportunity. Especially in large companies, unless an opening opens up on their team it’s unlikely they’ll hear of most job openings.

See Also: Want to Fast Track Your Career? Get a Sponsor

Process of Getting Referred To A Job

First, find a job you’re interested in at that company. In order for someone to refer you to a job, they need to know what job you’re interested in applying to. If you’re not sure what company you’re interested in talk to a few friends about the companies they work for. Read recent articles on the top places to work like the Top Places to Work in 2020 from Glassdoor.

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of prospect companies, search on sites like LinkedIn and Indeed to find open jobs. Then, search that company on LinkedIn to identify who you are connected to, or who is a mutual connection, that currently works there.

Reach out to them asking for the referral and share the job you’re interested in applying to. Make sure to have your resume handy and send it to your connection. Most companies have an internal site they have to submit the resume to, or they have to email your resume directly to the recruiter or hiring manager. They may have some feedback on tailoring your resume to the company, so make sure to have some time to edit based on their feedback just in case.

If it’s a portal, once your connection submits your resume you will likely receive an automated email. At this point, you will likely have to fill out additional information and confirm you are applying for the role. If your connection forwards your resume onto someone, you may just hear the next steps from your connection.

Don’t forget, being referred by an employee doesn’t guarantee you the job. But, it does make it much more likely your resume gets seen and that you get a first interview. From there, it’s up to you to excel in the interviews.

How to Ask For a Job Referral Sample Email

Not sure how to ask for a job referral in an email? The formality depends on how well you know someone but it can follow this general example:

Hi [Name],

How are you doing? [Add something personal to connect with them, perhaps asking about their kids, or mentioning a sports team you both enjoy]

Recently, I’ve been thinking about my next career move. I started browsing job openings on LinkedIn and saw this opportunity for [job title at company] that I found really interesting. By chance, do you still work there? If you have some time, could I ask you a few questions about what it’s like to work for this company? If it sounds like a good fit, I’d really appreciate if you could refer me to the role through your company portal. I completely understand if you prefer to not send a referral for the role.

I hope you and your family are well.

Best,
[Name]

See Also: Career Advice for Young Professionals

How to Ask for a Job Referral Summary

Don’t submit your resume directly through the application portal. Stand out by having a current employee refer you and increase your chances of getting the job! Many companies leverage their employees networks to recruit. Getting referred to a job will increase your chance of getting an interview. And, if you get the job the employee that referred you may even get a bonus. But, to be successful do your homework. Know what companies you’re interested in applying. Find people in your network that work at those companies. Figure out which jobs you want to specifically apply to and ask your connection to refer you to that job.

Have you ever been referred to a job by a current employee?

Advantages of Working for a Large Company as a Young Professional

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Choosing to work for a large company, a small company, or starting your own business can impact the quality of your life. These days there is a lot of advice out there about working for yourself instead of a large company. Certainly, there are benefits to working for yourself but there are also benefits to working at a large corporation, especially when you are a recent graduate. Here are a few advantages for working at a large company as a young professional.

Opportunities for Career Advancement

Most large companies have specific criteria for advancement. At times, this may seem bureaucratic. But, you’ll clearly know what you need to do to get that promotion. For many jobs, there is a clear career path. If you start in inside sales you can clearly see two career paths: advancement to outside sales and advancement to an inside sales manager position. If you’re in professional services like accounting or audit there is a clear career path leading up to partner or a clear path to get promoted to a certain level and then go in-house.

Career Development Opportunities

One advantage of working for a large company is the amount of career development opportunities offered for free. If you work for a large corporation your team likely has money for training and internal training available. They also likely offer training internally, ranging from company specific training to skills training that’s easily transferable. Some companies also offer LinkedIn Learning for free. Don’t hesitate to ask your manager about what training options you have available through your company, or what opportunities there are for external training / certifications.

It’s important to continue learning and acquiring additional skills. You’ve invested in yourself by attending college, but it doesn’t end there. There are other professional certifications and additional degrees that can significantly increase your earning potential such as MBA or another Masters degree, CPA, CFA or PMP. If the external training / certifications will help you in your current job your employer may be willing to partially or fully pay for it. While a large corporation may not pay 100% of these costs, they may have programs that can help partially cover these costs. In fact, this is how I was able to avoid student loans and get my MBA.

Networking Opportunities

It’s important to surround yourself with people you admire. Find someone that has the job you want and learn from them. Surround yourself with people that you learn from, have positive attitudes and you enjoy being around. When you work for a large corporation there are plenty of opportunities to network and find people you admire. Leaders in your company may host lunch and learns. Companies also have employee resources groups and community service opportunities. Both of these serve as opportunities to meet coworkers that you don’t work with day to day.

Additionally, find advocates within your company. At large corporations getting put on projects that are high visibility will help expand your network of advocates. Another way is to join a large corporation as part of a leadership development program. Many decisions will be made about your career when you aren’t in the room. Have people who are in that room that will advocate on your behalf. Sponsors will advocate for you to be put on good projects, considered for new roles and for promotions. They will help push you in the right direction, put you in meetings to help you get executive visibility or expand your network. You are more likely to get a job through an employee referral and will have even greater odds if the person referring you is one of your sponsors.

See Also: 10 Pieces of Career Advice for Young Professionals

Sponsored Attendance at Conferences

Large corporations sponsor industry and leadership conferences and usually host their own conferences as well. Some conferences can cost over $1,000 per ticket plus travel expenses. Advantages of working for a large company include getting to attend these conferences for free. Learn what conferences your company participates in and talk to your manager about how you can participate in the one that interests you most.

Conferences provide an excellent opportunity to network and improve your skills. Women’s leadership development conferences will help you network with other women, how to get through barriers in the workplace that affect women and improve soft skills like leadership skills.

Other conferences, like industry conferences, will help you stay on top of the latest industry trends and network with other people in your industry. These conferences provide an excellent way to expand your network into other companies in the industry that you may want to work at one day. These conferences will also help your business acumen in your current job.

Formal Mentor Programs

Many companies offer formal mentor programs that you can sign up to be a part of. Mentors will help give you career advice when you don’t know how to navigate a situation and help guide you on topics you discuss. Think of a mentor like a coach. Career advice is especially important for young professionals because the visibility you have so far is limited. Those with more experience or have greater visibility to the bigger picture can help you dream bigger.

Experiencing Working with Different Cultures

When you work for a large corporation you likely have a much broader customer base and coworkers located around the globe to support that global customer base. There may even be opportunities to travel abroad!

It’s very beneficial to work with different cultures when you’re first starting your career. Diversity of thinking, creativity and access to talent anywhere were the top three benefits of global teams found in research conducted by SHRM. The diversity of thought helps you see situations from a different perspective and broadens your mindset.

Ability to Change Jobs Without Changing Companies

Your career path is as much about figuring out what you don’t like as figuring out what you do like. Luckily, at large corporations you can try many different jobs without having to leave the company. It is easier to figure out what you don’t enjoy at a large corporation because the opportunities are endless. This also helps you build transferable skills. Finding your niche skills will allow you to command a higher salary or start your own business down the line.

Are you in marketing and think you’d like sales better? Large corporations have large departments so there are more opportunities to make a career pivot. Want to live somewhere else? Large corporations have a large geographical presence and may even let you keep your current job and allow you to work remotely.

Invest in Retirement Early

Large corporations often offer 401(k) plans and employee matches. Many large corporations offer a company match up to a certain dollar amount or certain percentage amount. For example, if you put 3% of your salary into your 401(k) plan, they will match that 3% and make an equal contribution to your 401(k) account. This is free money.

401(k) plans are also a great investment vehicle when you’re a young professional because you have less responsibilities and you have time. Even if you’re paying down student loan debt, if you don’t have a mortgage and don’t have kids those are major expenses you aren’t paying right now. You’re able to take advantage of compound interest and have your wealth grow over time, faster.

Corporate Benefits Package

Large corporations have a number of other benefits in addition to 401(k) plans. They often offer health insurance, dental insurance, vacation time, sick time, tuition reimbursement and more. Your health insurance may include additional perks like money toward your gym membership and acupuncture. Some companies also offer Employee Stock Purchase Plans which enable you to buy company stock at a discount.

Not sure how much your benefits package is worth? Benefits accounted for 32% for employers cost of compensation for US workers in June 2018.

When you work for yourself, you think you have more flexibility for when you work and hours you work. While this is partially true, it is much easier to put on an OOO on during vacation when you work for a large company. Often, you’ll have either a boss or peer that you can put as your backup and they’ll cover for you. When you work for yourself, it is much harder to unplug and take uninterrupted time off.

Steady Salary to Pay Down Debt and Invest

When you work for yourself, your salary isn’t guaranteed. If you get sick and can’t work one day you won’t make money that day. If you get sick at a corporate job you’re much more likely to be able to take a sick day or PTO.

Because you know your salary when you work for a large company, you are able to budget and start forming an emergency fund. Within your budget, you can set aside money every month to put towards tackling any debt and money to invest.

Advantages Of Working For A Large Company As A Young Professional Summary

Advantages of working for a large company as a recent graduate include career advancement, networking opportunities, development opportunities, corporate benefits and more. Even though the upside income potential working for yourself is far greater, it’s hard to start your own business right out of the gate. Many either do not have the business acumen or risk tolerance to start working for themselves immediately.

Working for large corporations isn’t for everyone. It is very structured and you are one of thousands of people but there are plenty of opportunities for advancement. When you work for yourself, you may have unlimited income potential depending on the industry, but it’s also riskier. Regardless of which path you choose initially, you can always change your mind later.

What advantages did you see working for a large company as a young professional?

What to Do When You Lose Your Job

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What to do when you lose your job. What to do when you get laid off or furloughed.

You’ve just been told you’ve been laid off or furloughed. It’s horrible news on top of everything else going on right now. It’s hard, and finding a new job will be tougher than polishing off your resume. If you’ve been furloughed you now need to understand exactly what that means and realistically when you’ll be able to go back to work with full pay again. So, what do you do when you lose your job? First, create an immediate plan for your finances. Know what unemployment benefits are available to you, especially new resources through the CARES Act and take action to reduce your expenses. Second, create a short term and mid term career plan. Lastly, take steps such as reaching out to your network and identifying companies to apply to and put that plan into action.

Know What Unemployment Benefits Are Available For Laid Off and Furloughed Workers

Before you even formulate a plan for your career, apply for as many unemployment benefits as you can. And, understand what benefits you still have through your employer and for how long. Is your company offering you a package or not? Do you get to keep your health insurance and if so, how long? Does your household qualify for the $1,200 per adult and $500 per child financial stimulus through the CARES Act? There are differences between being laid off, pay reductions, hour reductions, and being furloughed. For example, some companies are continuing to pay healthcare benefits during furloughs.

Additionally, the CARES Act extended unemployment benefits to include gig workers, self-employed and independent contractors. The United States government also included an additional $600 / week unemployment until July 31st. Make sure you understand your situation and what benefits you qualify for.

Do A Thorough Review of All Your Expenses and Take Action

You now find yourself in a situation where you’ll have less cash coming in and uncertainty about what income you’ll have coming in in a few months. It’ll be easier to focus on your job search and develop your short and mid-term career plan if you know where you stand on your finances. It’s important to do a thorough review of all of your expenses and understand where you can start cutting back immediately. Not sure where to start? Here are 12 Ways to Save Money and Cut Expenses During Coronavirus.

Create a Short Term Career Plan

The situation we’re in won’t last forever but it will impact the short term and possibly the next few years as well. Even when the shelter in place guidance is lifted things still won’t return back to normal. It’s unknown how consumer demand will react. People may not feel comfortable traveling or going to sports games for awhile as an example. There will likely also be guidance that remains in place around social distancing and limits to how businesses reopen. As a result, your plan should take the macro level environment into account.

Evaluate What Industries Have the Highest Growth Potential

The industry you worked in before you got laid off or furloughed may not be the industry you work in next. Are you in an industry that will be struggling until a vaccine will be created? Or, are you in an industry which should bounce back quickly once shelter in place is lifted? You can still find opportunities to do what you love, but you may have to switch industries in the short term. The industries with the lowest risk right now are those that are considered essential such as IT, e-commerce and distribution of essential items like food.

Know Your Skill Set

Next, review your skill set. Being able to manage a pipeline, maintain good customer relationships, and turn prospects into sales are great skills to have no matter the industry. If you’re in hospitality sales now and furloughed explore sales opportunities in the technology industry.

This is true for many other skill sets. If you are good at managing inventory and running inventory sufficiency analysis in retail, look for opportunities to for these roles at e-commerce companies.

The jobs available to you are likely much broader than you think. Being able to clearly articulate your skill set and how these skills are valuable to the jobs you apply to will be key. And, if you don’t have the skills yet to do your dream job? Now is the perfect opportunity to learn those skills.

Know Your Passions

Were you doing what you were passionate about before? If you were in your dream job and that dream job is in an impacted industry other jobs you see may not excite you at first glance. Take a step back and really understand what about your last job you were most passionate about. Was it the product you supported? Your team? Certain projects? Then, look for those same qualities at other companies. If you’re still stuck, look at what employees say about the company in their Glassdoor reviews.

Develop Your Short Term Career Plan

Take your analysis on industries that have the best opportunities for growth right now, your skill set and your passions and combine that all together. Where do these intersect? Is there an industry that stands out, or a particular role within that industry?

Combine this new information with your existing career plan. What level role are you looking for? What salary and benefits are you looking for? Are you interested in being an individual contributor or a manager? The jobs available may not meet all of your criteria so it’s important to be flexible but also mindful of looking for roles that can still put you on the right path. Don’t have an existing career plan to add to? Build a career plan using these tips.

Execute Against Your Short Term Career Plan

Now that you have a short term career plan it’s time to turn that plan into action.

Identify Which Companies You Want To Work At

Start your job search by focusing on the industries that are considered essential. While there have been a lot of news articles about hiring in the front lines such as grocery workers there are plenty of jobs that need to support those jobs too. For example, recruiting, HR, distribution operations, etc. Information technology is a great industry to be in and there are plenty of jobs in IT that don’t require being an engineer.

Next, find companies within those industries that you’re interested in working at. What companies in that industry made the list of top places to work? Do you have friends or former coworkers that work at those companies? It’s always great to get feedback from current employees directly about what it’s like to work for that company.

Update Your LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a social networking site for job searchers. But, did you know that 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn as part of their candidate search? There are plenty of ways to use your LinkedIn profile to help with your job search. This includes updating your profile with a profile picture, relevant headline and your latest experience and skills.

Lastly, be sure you’re connected to former coworkers and friends on LinkedIn. This will help you identify where you already have connections at companies you want to apply to. It’ll also show you what mutual connections you have with hiring managers and more.

Leverage Your Network To Get Your Resume Seen

Your network is critical during your job search. It’s easier to get a job through an employee referral than it is to apply to a job without that recommendation. Reach out to your mentor to get guidance on what other jobs your skill set may be conducive for. Talk to your career sponsor and ask if they know of any jobs they can refer you to or strong connections they can put you in contact with

Invest In Yourself Through Free Skills Training

Perhaps you find this is an opportunity to completely reinvent yourself. Maybe you didn’t enjoy what you did before or you liked what you did but you wanted to earn more money. Instead of viewing this situation negatively, view it as a positive and take advantage to come out of this situation stronger. There are plenty of free learnings out there to help improve your skill set.

See Also: 10 Pieces of Career Advice for Young Professionals

Free Skills and Interview Training Offered by LinkedIn

LinkedIn Learning has a one month trial period for free. This site offers a wide variety of courses including how to rock your LinkedIn profile, cloud computing courses, sales courses and project management courses.

Free Skills Training Offered By Kahn Academy

Kahn Academy is a non-profit that offers personalized learning and trusted content. There are plenty of courses to chose from including courses on computer programming, entrepreneurship and careers.

Free Career and Interview Training Offered By States

Know what other trainings and career resources your state government offers. For example, Illinois has virtual training which includes webinars on interview techniques, starting your business in Illinois and changing long term goals due to disruptions.

Take Advantage of Free Time

Often it feels like there is not enough time in the day. Now that you’ve been laid off or furloughed you’ve been given some time back. This is the perfect opportunity to learn something new, spend time with immediate family, or do household projects. You will get a job again and when that happens you’ll be really busy getting ramped up. Take advantage of the downtime now because that too will pass.

What advice do you have for people that have lost their job?