How to kindly turn down reference requests?
July 17, 2024 10:28 AM Subscribe
I work for a company with a popular brand name. People often reach out to me about job opportunities and ask for referrals. They're mostly people I haven't worked closely with, or haven't worked with at all, not people whose professional capabilities I'd be able to speak to. What would be a kind way to turn them down, while still encouraging them to apply? A script would be much appreciated!
Knowing how tough the job market is right now, and having been in the position of desperately seeking a job myself, I want to respond kindly. I have happily vouched for old colleagues in the past, but unfortunately I can't do the same for everyone. If you have a script for replying to requests, I'd love to borrow it!
Knowing how tough the job market is right now, and having been in the position of desperately seeking a job myself, I want to respond kindly. I have happily vouched for old colleagues in the past, but unfortunately I can't do the same for everyone. If you have a script for replying to requests, I'd love to borrow it!
Best answer: Put it out there (in your LinkedIn profile, maybe?) that you get many requests for referrals, and you welcome these requests from people you have worked well with in the past. The best way to make a referral request IF they are someone who has worked well with you in the past is via _____ (email? linked in?). And this next sentence is the crux of the matter:You will reach out to them if you are able to provide a referral. This cuts down on your obligation to respond to everyone who makes these requests.
Second, start directing people to your profile when they ask for a referral IRL or through some other nontraditional way like text. "Have you seen my linked in profile? I have some information up there about referral requests and the best way to get one from me."
Finally, develop a form letter and use it as an auto reply to people you would rather not refer. It can say something like, "Thank you for your request, you seem really well qualified, however since I have not personally worked with you, I cannot provide a personal reference, but please do apply through the hiring page of my company." Add whatever tweaks to this you may prefer.
And remember, you don't *have* to respond to every request. You already gave yourself an out by putting it on your profile that you can't respond always. You've already set the expectation and done your due diligence up front.
posted by MiraK at 10:36 AM on July 17, 2024 [7 favorites]
Second, start directing people to your profile when they ask for a referral IRL or through some other nontraditional way like text. "Have you seen my linked in profile? I have some information up there about referral requests and the best way to get one from me."
Finally, develop a form letter and use it as an auto reply to people you would rather not refer. It can say something like, "Thank you for your request, you seem really well qualified, however since I have not personally worked with you, I cannot provide a personal reference, but please do apply through the hiring page of my company." Add whatever tweaks to this you may prefer.
And remember, you don't *have* to respond to every request. You already gave yourself an out by putting it on your profile that you can't respond always. You've already set the expectation and done your due diligence up front.
posted by MiraK at 10:36 AM on July 17, 2024 [7 favorites]
If your employer is a large and well known place, a referral basically means nothing, except you might get a 500-5000$ check if they hire the person. Rarely do those kind of referrals carry any real weight (besides possibly being not immediately automatically rejected), influence on the process, or reputational scrutiny of you. There's really no reason to not refer people that you sort of know professionally. Strangers, however, I'd just ignore.
I think that's maybe the direct answer to your question too: if you know the person enough to write back and encourage them to apply anyway, you should probably refer them. If you don't, you should just flatly ignore the request.
At smaller companies, or if you're in a particular position or respect or leadership then the above might not apply and you should be more discriminating about your referrals.
posted by so fucking future at 10:47 AM on July 17, 2024 [10 favorites]
I think that's maybe the direct answer to your question too: if you know the person enough to write back and encourage them to apply anyway, you should probably refer them. If you don't, you should just flatly ignore the request.
At smaller companies, or if you're in a particular position or respect or leadership then the above might not apply and you should be more discriminating about your referrals.
posted by so fucking future at 10:47 AM on July 17, 2024 [10 favorites]
Are these from people you do at least know a little bit? Or from random strangers reaching out on LinkedIn?
One fine response to random strangers is no response. They're probably carpet bombing everyone at your company looking for an in, you don't need to be the one to give it to them, and to be honest, even replying to say no is probably mostly wasting their time because now they have to read your no and write a polite response to it. At best, you'd be giving them an opportunity to annoy you by not taking no for an answer.
For people you do have some connection with, I would use the form "Because we haven't worked closely together recently, i can't provide a work reference, but..." followed by some small thing you can do for them.
"but, if you have questions about the hiring process here, I may be able to share my experiences."
"but, if you would like me to pass on your resume to the hiring manager, I can do that."
"but, if you want to hear more about how our organization works, I'm happy to answer questions."
I feel like the willingness to do a little favour softens the blow of not being able to do the big favour.
Personally, I work in government now, so these days, my go-to is "The hiring processes here are really process-based and I don't have any influence over the process, but if you have questions about how to fill out an application, I might be able to offer some advice." That might or might not be true for where you work.
posted by jacquilynne at 10:47 AM on July 17, 2024
One fine response to random strangers is no response. They're probably carpet bombing everyone at your company looking for an in, you don't need to be the one to give it to them, and to be honest, even replying to say no is probably mostly wasting their time because now they have to read your no and write a polite response to it. At best, you'd be giving them an opportunity to annoy you by not taking no for an answer.
For people you do have some connection with, I would use the form "Because we haven't worked closely together recently, i can't provide a work reference, but..." followed by some small thing you can do for them.
"but, if you have questions about the hiring process here, I may be able to share my experiences."
"but, if you would like me to pass on your resume to the hiring manager, I can do that."
"but, if you want to hear more about how our organization works, I'm happy to answer questions."
I feel like the willingness to do a little favour softens the blow of not being able to do the big favour.
Personally, I work in government now, so these days, my go-to is "The hiring processes here are really process-based and I don't have any influence over the process, but if you have questions about how to fill out an application, I might be able to offer some advice." That might or might not be true for where you work.
posted by jacquilynne at 10:47 AM on July 17, 2024
Best answer: My work had to institute a policy that referrals for anything other than entry level roles had to be someone you have worked with before and our recruiters will absolutely follow up with an ask about when/where/to what capacity they have worked together in a way that can't be glossed over easily unless you're a good liar.
Just tell folks I'm sorry but my workplace has a policy that referrals can only be made for people I have a prior working relationship with.
posted by phunniemee at 10:50 AM on July 17, 2024 [6 favorites]
Just tell folks I'm sorry but my workplace has a policy that referrals can only be made for people I have a prior working relationship with.
posted by phunniemee at 10:50 AM on July 17, 2024 [6 favorites]
I just say that doesn't really help anything, they all go the same place whether they come in from me, from the website, or some rando leaves it on the doorstep.
posted by ctmf at 6:09 PM on July 17, 2024
posted by ctmf at 6:09 PM on July 17, 2024
(And that's 100% true, usually. I'll give it to the person who's currently suffering with the hiring duty, and they'll do just that. Put in in the batch with all the others to go get screened by HR, exactly like all the ones that come in on the website, etc. I'm certainly not making a special fast-track recommendation for someone I hardly know)
posted by ctmf at 6:13 PM on July 17, 2024
posted by ctmf at 6:13 PM on July 17, 2024
Hi [Name],
Thank you for reaching out and expressing interest in joining [Your Company]. I truly appreciate your enthusiasm and interest in our team.
Because I receive many requests and haven't had the chance to work closely with you, I'm unable to provide a referral at this time. However, I strongly encourage you to apply directly through our careers page. Our HR team does an excellent job of reviewing applications, and I believe that your skills and experience will be given full consideration.
Wishing you the best of luck with your application and future endeavors.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
posted by phil at 4:46 PM on July 18, 2024 [1 favorite]
Thank you for reaching out and expressing interest in joining [Your Company]. I truly appreciate your enthusiasm and interest in our team.
Because I receive many requests and haven't had the chance to work closely with you, I'm unable to provide a referral at this time. However, I strongly encourage you to apply directly through our careers page. Our HR team does an excellent job of reviewing applications, and I believe that your skills and experience will be given full consideration.
Wishing you the best of luck with your application and future endeavors.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
posted by phil at 4:46 PM on July 18, 2024 [1 favorite]
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posted by mhoye at 10:35 AM on July 17, 2024 [10 favorites]