How to Ask for a Referral on LinkedIn (Without Being Awkward)

Let’s be real: asking for a referral on LinkedIn can feel awkward. You don’t want to sound like you’re using someone, but you also don’t want to miss a shot at landing your dream job. The truth? Referrals work. They can give your application a real edge—some studies show referred candidates are over 10 times more likely to be hired.

But most people either overthink it or bungle the message. So let’s break down how to ask for a referral on LinkedIn the right way—confidently, respectfully, and without making it weird.

Choose the Right Person

Start with some research. You want to reach out to someone who works at the company you're applying to—ideally, in or near the same department as the job you're interested in. If they share something in common with you—like a school, company, or professional group—even better.

Not every employee is in a position to help, but if they’re active on LinkedIn or have a role related to hiring, those are good signs. People who engage publicly on the platform are often more open to messages from others.

Use LinkedIn’s search bar and filters to your advantage. Look up the company, then filter by current employees, location, and department to find someone who’s a likely match.

Don’t Start With “Can You Refer Me?”

If you’ve never spoken before, jumping straight to “Can you refer me?” is too much too soon. You haven’t earned that favor yet. Instead, warm up the connection first.

This doesn’t need to take weeks—just a few thoughtful steps. Like and comment on a recent post they shared. Engage with something they’ve written. Then, send a short, personal connection request that makes it clear why you’re reaching out.

A message like, “Hi [Name], I admire the work [Company] is doing around [area], and I’d love to hear more about your experience there. Happy to connect,” is enough to open the door.

Make the Ask (But Keep It Light)

Once you're connected—and ideally after a bit of interaction—you can make the ask. Keep it simple, respectful, and low-pressure. You’re not demanding a favor; you’re asking for their consideration.

A good message includes a quick intro, a clear mention of the job you’re applying to, a sentence or two about your fit, and a soft request for a referral.

Here’s a template you can tweak:

Hi [Name], Thanks again for connecting. I’m applying for the [Job Title] position at [Company], and I noticed you're on the team. With [X years] of experience in [relevant skill or industry], I believe I’d be a strong fit.

Would you feel comfortable referring me for the role? I’d be happy to send over my resume and the job link. Totally understand if you’re not able to, but I appreciate your time either way.

It’s polite, easy to read, and doesn’t pressure them to say yes.

Help Them Help You

If they agree, great—you’re almost there. Now your job is to make the referral process smooth.

Send them three things:

1. The job link

2. Your resume (customized to the role)

3. A short blurb they can copy and paste into the referral form if they want to

Writing the blurb yourself may feel weird, but most people will be glad you did. It saves them time and makes you look professional.

Here’s an example they can use:

I’m referring [Your Name] for the [Job Title] role. They bring [X years] of experience in [field], strong skills in [specific tools], and have worked on [relevant projects]. I think they’d be a great fit for the team.

Done well, this makes it easy for them to follow through quickly.

What If They Don’t Respond?

It happens. People get busy. If a few days pass and you haven’t heard back, it’s okay to send one gentle follow-up. Emphasis on one.

Keep it brief:

Hey [Name], just checking in to see if you had a chance to see my last message. Totally understand if you're unable to refer me—I really appreciate your time either way.

Still nothing? Move on. Don’t take it personally. They might not be in a position to refer, or they just don’t know you well enough to feel comfortable. That’s normal.

Always Say Thank You

Whether someone refers you or not, thank them for their time. Gratitude isn’t just polite—it builds relationships. A simple message saying “Thanks for considering” keeps the interaction positive and professional.

And if they do refer you? Keep them updated. Let them know when you’ve applied, and thank them again if you land an interview or get the job.

Want a Shortcut? Try Refer Me

If reaching out cold on LinkedIn feels like a grind—or you just don’t have time to dig up connections one by one—there are platforms designed to make referrals easier.

One standout is Refer Me. It connects job seekers directly with employees at 1,000+ major companies who are open to referring qualified candidates. You can browse jobs, request referrals, and even get your resume reviewed or optimized through their built-in AI tools.

It’s not a silver bullet—you still need a strong profile and a relevant background—but it removes a lot of the friction that comes with cold messaging people on LinkedIn.

Instead of spending hours hoping for replies, Refer Me helps you get matched with people ready to help. It’s worth checking out if you want to increase your odds and speed things up. You can learn more at .

Final Takeaway

The key to asking for a referral on LinkedIn is being direct, but thoughtful. Don’t skip the human element. Engage first, be respectful, and make the process as easy as possible for the other person.

You don’t need a huge network or insider access to get referrals—you just need to approach people the right way. And if you're feeling stuck, platforms like Refer Me can give you a serious boost.

Referrals aren’t magic, but they often make the difference between getting noticed or getting ghosted. So reach out, ask well, and don’t let hesitation hold you back.