The job market is quite unstable as the economy deals with a recession. Thus, the whole search can be quite an ordeal for you if you're looking for a job right now. One thing we know for sure is helpful and might help set you out in a company that you've applied to is a job referral. If you know someone who already works in the company you're applying to, then asking them to be your referee or giving you a job referral is one way of establishing a much stronger base at the company.

What is a Job Referral?

A job referral is precisely what it sounds like. It makes an extra note for the hiring manager to investigate your resume and see if you're worth hiring. If we're being realistic about it, big firms always have people who want to work for them, and thus they generally have an influx of resumes to go through. However, if your resume comes with a job referral, the hiring manager will want to look into the profile more deeply.

If someone writes a job referral for you, they are essentially using their reputation at the company to get you a seat at the table and it's one of the best things that your peers could do for you.

How Do You Get a Referral?

The simplest way to get a referral is by asking your peer network for it. You can ask a member of your personal or professional network if they could endorse you for a job you're looking for. Sometimes you can get a referral based on a colleague's impressions of you, but there are other times that they may not be aware of you, and you may have to request it.

Request for a Referral

There are different ways to ask people for referrals. The referral can be straightforward if you know someone well or have a well-established connection with them. The other party is also likely to quickly give you a referral as they want to help you out.

However, there may be times when the person you're asking for a referral from is someone other than someone you have an established relationship. In this case, here are the steps that you should take:

1. Who to Ask?

If someone is working at a prospective company where you're applying, and you know them professionally or personally, you may ask them for a referral.

2. Consider Methods of Asking

Before asking them to give you a referral, you want to gauge the method you will apply. Depending on your relationship, you can ask them formally, informally, or casually.

3. Always Stick to a Written Agreement

Nowadays, people rarely remember their promises or add things to their agendas if they aren't written. When you're asking someone for a referral, you should email them all the requirements you need to fulfill so that they can best design their referral to benefit you.

4. Simplify the Process

You want to avoid having a back-and-forth with the person you're asking for the referral, apart from approval on your end. Make sure you present all your information in the first email that you send them. Please attach your resume, cover letter, and the job listing with this email, as this will give them a better context for your job referral.

Final Thoughts

Referrals are the second most unique way to confirm a job for yourself. Thus, you want to be direct and professional with the referrals you ask for. Make sure you request a referral when you genuinely see yourself working at the job, as you want to save everyone's time.