Referral Request Writer: AI-Generated Employee Referral Messages

Write a message to ask [NAME], a [THEIR ROLE] at [COMPANY NAME], for a job referral. My relationship to them: [RELATIONSHIP — former colleague, alumni, 2nd-degree LinkedIn connection, etc.].

Requirements:
1. Acknowledge the relationship context (don't pretend to be closer than we are)
2. Be specific about the role I'm interested in (include job ID or link)
3. Make it easy for them to say yes — include a draft blurb they can forward to the recruiter
4. Offer them an easy out ('If you're not comfortable referring, no worries at all')
5. Length: Under 120 words

Draft Blurb for Recruiter (to include in the message):
[WRITE A 2-3 SENTENCE SUMMARY OF YOUR QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS ROLE]

Employee referrals have a 40% hire rate despite representing only 7% of applications. But asking for a referral is socially awkward — especially if you don't know the person well. This prompt crafts a message that's respectful, specific, and makes it easy for the recipient to say yes.

💡 Pro Tips

• Employee referrals account for 7% of applications but 40% of hires — the highest conversion rate of any channel
• Make it easy: include the job link and a draft blurb they can forward verbatim
• Don't ask someone you've never met for a referral — it puts them in an awkward position and rarely works

🔗 Related in Cover Letter Prompts

References & Sources

• OpenAI GPT-4 Prompt Engineering Best Practices
• Anthropic Claude Prompt Design Guide
• Google Gemini Prompting Strategies
• ATS Resume Parsing Standards (Workday, Greenhouse, Lever)
• LinkedIn Recruiter Search Algorithm