A job referral can be an incredibly effective way to help someone find work. When done well, a referral allows you to vouch for a candidate’s skills, experience and character. This gives the hiring manager valuable insights beyond what’s on a resume.
But not all referrals are created equal. To write an effective referral, you need to provide specific, detailed information on why the person is a great fit for the role. A vague, generic referral does little to boost the candidate’s chances.
Here are tips on how to write a strong job referral that will make the candidate stand out:
Highlight relevant skills and qualifications
The hiring manager is looking for someone who can handle the core responsibilities of the role. So your referral should focus on showcasing the candidate’s most relevant hard and soft skills for the position.
For example, if you’re referring someone for an accounting role, emphasize skills like:
– Financial analysis experience
– Knowledge of accounting regulations
– Attention to detail
– Organizational abilities
Use specific examples of times the candidate displayed these skills. Quantify their accomplishments whenever possible.
Describe positive personal qualities
While skills are critical, personal attributes also impact job success. Include details on the candidate’s work style, attitude and people skills.
For instance, you may write:
“John exhibits tremendous drive and initiative. For example, he spearheaded a new process improvement project in his department that led to a 25% increase in efficiency.”
Highlight intangibles like their integrity, reliability and ability to work on a team. These details can really make the person stand out.
Explain your relationship
The hiring manager will give more weight to a referral from someone who knows the candidate well professionally. So briefly explain your relationship and in what context you’ve worked with them.
For example:
“I managed Joanna for three years while working at Acme Company. She reported directly to me as a Senior Project Manager.”
This establishes you as a credible recommender who has directly witnessed their abilities.
Provide examples of growth and learning
Part of being a strong candidate is the ability to evolve and improve over time. To emphasize this, you can highlight how the person has grown or taken on new responsibilities.
For instance:
“When Jack started as an associate analyst, he initially struggled with creating executive presentations. He proactively sought feedback on his slides from managers and enrolled in a presentation skills course. Within just a few months, he had significantly improved his skills. Now he trains other new analysts on best practices.”
This showcases the candidate’s drive and ability to learn.
State why they want this role
Explain why the candidate is interested in the role and how it fits into their career goals. This shows the hiring manager that they want the job for the right reasons.
For example:
“With over seven years of experience as a software engineer, Priya is excited to take on the challenge of a Senior Developer role. She has long wanted to manage a engineering team. This position would allow her to take the next step while leveraging her technical expertise.”
Confirm their interest
Before writing the referral, verify with the candidate that they are indeed interested in and available for the role. There’s no point referring someone who isn’t open to or able to take the job if offered.
You can simply state: “I confirmed with Sarah that she is very interested in the Project Manager position and can start immediately.”
Make it enthusiastic
A tepid, indifferent referral won’t do much to sway the hiring manager. Put some passion into your recommendation by using words like “highly recommend,” “outstanding candidate,” or “would be an asset.”
Steer clear of equivocal language like “good fit” or “worth considering” that casts doubt on your endorsement.
Use a professional tone
While the referral should sound enthusiastic, maintain a professional, businesslike tone. Avoid overly casual language or personal details irrelevant to the job. Keep the focus on the candidate’s professional merits.
You want the hiring manager to take the referral seriously, not dismiss it as hyperbolic or unofficial.
Keep it brief
The hiring manager may be reviewing many applications and referrals. So keep yours concise and scannable: 1-2 short paragraphs at most.
Include the most vital information up front. Use bullet points to help highlight key skills and qualities.
Avoid turning the referral into a lengthy, dense memo. Stick to the most persuasive selling points.
Close with your contact information
Offer to provide more details or answer any questions about the candidate. For example:
“Please feel free to contact me at [your phone number] or [email] if you would like any other details on why I believe Mina would make a tremendous addition to your product team.”
This concluding invitation reinforces your endorsement and gives a next step.
Sample Referral Letter
Here is an example referral incorporating the best practices:
Dear Hiring Manager,
It is my pleasure to strongly recommend Richard Clark for the Software Engineer position on your web development team.
I managed Richard for over two years when he was a Software Engineer at Acme Company. Richard quickly became one of my top developers – his programming skills and ability to solve complex problems exceeded all expectations. For instance, when our team was plagued by slow loading speeds, Richard single-handedly optimized the code base, improving performance by over 40%.
He is also tremendously reliable and detail-oriented. I could always count on Richard to deliver top-notch code on time. He has an incredibly methodical approach to catching errors – his code has some of the highest quality I have seen from a Software Engineer.
As you can see, Richard would be an asset to any software development team. He has specifically expressed enthusiasm for the web position at your company given the opportunity to collaborate using React.js. I confirmed his interest before writing this recommendation.
Please let me know if you would like any other details on why I believe Richard would be a great fit for your team. I am happy to expand on my recommendation. You can reach me at 555-1234 or [email protected].
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Key Takeaways
Writing an effective job referral takes thought and effort. Follow these best practices:
– Highlight the candidate’s most relevant hard and soft skills
– Provide examples of their skills and accomplishments
– Share positive personal qualities like drive and reliability
– Explain your professional relationship
– Note their career growth and learning
– Confirm their interest in the role
– Use persuasive, enthusiastic language
– Maintain a professional tone
– Keep it brief but detailed
A personalized, specific referral gives the candidate a huge advantage. So take the time to craft a compelling recommendation that persuades the hiring manager they are the right choice. This thoughtfully written referral could be the key to helping your contact land the job!
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you not include in a referral?
Avoid including personal details like the candidate’s age, marital status, religious beliefs, political views, or other protected characteristics. Also steer clear of unverified anecdotes or exaggerations that could be misleading. Stick to facts you can directly vouch for from your professional experience together.
Can you provide a negative job referral?
If you cannot honestly recommend the candidate, it’s better to politely decline writing the referral at all. Damning someone with faint praise in a referral usually does more harm than good. If you must mention a weakness, balance it with multiple strengths.
What if you don’t know the candidate well?
Only refer candidates you know well professionally and can enthusiastically endorse based on direct experience. Otherwise, suggest the candidate asks someone who knows their work better for a referral instead. Decline the request politely by saying you cannot provide the proper context the hiring manager would need.
How long should the referral be?
Keep referrals concise at 1-2 paragraphs or 5-6 sentences at most. You want just enough detail to emphasize the candidate’s fit and skills without getting bogged down. If the hiring manager wants more info, they will ask.
Should you address the referral to someone specific?
Yes, whenever possible address the referral to the hiring manager, recruiter, or other relevant staff member by name. Avoid generic introductions like “To whom it may concern.” If you don’t have a contact name, call the company to try to identify the correct person.
Section | Key Elements |
---|---|
Introduction | – Explain purpose of good job referral – Outline key sections in article |
Highlight Skills | – Note relevant hard and soft skills – Give examples and metrics |
Describe Personal Qualities | – Work ethic, attitude, people skills – Use anecdotes for evidence |
Explain Your Relationship | – How you know the candidate – Nature and length of association |
Growth and Learning | – Improvements over time – New skills and achievements |
Interest in Role | – Fit with career goals – Excitement for specific opportunity |
Confirm Interest | – Verify role aligns with their plans – Note availability timing |
Enthusiasm | – Persuasive language – Superlatives and recommendations |
Professional Tone | – Businesslike language – Focus on qualifications |
Brevity | – Concise sentences and paragraphs – Most impactful details |
Contact Information | – Offer for follow-up – Provide your details |
Conclusion
Putting in the time to craft a compelling, personalized referral can give a candidate the edge over the competition. Tailor your referral to the candidate’s strengths, choices that reflect well on their judgment and values. Follow the best practices to position the candidate as a truly outstanding fit. With a thoughtful and persuasive recommendation, you can play a pivotal role in landing your contact their next great job opportunity.