Helping a friend or colleague find new employment opportunities is one of the most valuable favors you can offer in the professional world. A well-crafted referral email can open doors that might otherwise remain closed, giving your connection a significant advantage in today’s competitive job market.
The way you structure your referral can make all the difference between a polite acknowledgment and an enthusiastic response from the hiring manager. A thoughtful email shows respect for both your friend’s qualifications and the recipient’s time, potentially creating a win-win situation for everyone involved.
Ready to learn how to write referral emails that actually get results? These 15 examples cover everything from formal corporate settings to casual startup environments, providing you with templates you can adapt to your specific situation.
Sample Emails Referring a Friend for a Job
These sample emails will help you effectively recommend qualified candidates for various positions while maintaining professional relationships with all parties involved.
1. Basic Professional Referral to a Hiring Manager
Subject: Referral for Marketing Manager Position – James Kim
Dear Ms. Rodriguez,
I hope this email finds you well. I’m writing to refer my former colleague, James Kim, for the Marketing Manager position currently open at ABC Corporation.
James and I worked together for three years at XYZ Marketing, where I witnessed his exceptional skills in campaign development and team leadership. His recent digital marketing campaign increased our client’s conversion rates by 43%, and he consistently demonstrated strong analytical abilities coupled with creative problem-solving.
James is particularly interested in ABC’s innovative approach to integrated marketing and believes his experience with multichannel campaigns would be valuable to your team. His resume is attached for your review, and he is available for an interview at your convenience.
Please let me know if you need any additional information about James’s qualifications or experience. I’m confident he would be an excellent addition to your marketing department.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best regards,
[Your Name and Designation]
Phone: (555) 123-4567
Email: yourname@email.com
2. Referral to a Close Professional Connection
Subject: Outstanding Candidate for Your Software Engineering Role – Sarah Chen
Hi Thomas,
I hope all is well with you and the team at Tech Innovations!
I recently learned about your search for a Senior Software Engineer, and I immediately thought of Sarah Chen. Sarah and I collaborated on several projects during our time at DevCorp, and I can confidently say she’s one of the most talented engineers I’ve worked with.
What makes Sarah exceptional: – Expert in Python and JavaScript with 7+ years of experience – Led the development of our company’s API framework that reduced integration time by 60% – Published author on software architecture and a regular speaker at industry conferences – Incredible team player who mentored junior developers and improved team productivity
Sarah is looking for a new challenge that aligns with your company’s focus on AI-driven solutions. I’ve already told her about your company culture and the exciting projects you’re working on, and she’s very interested in connecting.
Would you like me to make a direct introduction, or would you prefer to review her resume first? I’ve attached it here for your convenience.
Let’s catch up soon regardless – it’s been too long!
Warm regards,
[Your Name and Position]
Mobile: (555) 789-0123
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yourname
3. Internal Company Referral
Subject: Internal Referral for Financial Analyst Position – Ref#4567
Dear HR Department,
I would like to refer David Nguyen for the Financial Analyst position (Ref#4567) currently open in our Corporate Finance division.
As a Senior Accountant in our department for the past four years, I’ve had numerous opportunities to observe David’s professional capabilities through our cross-departmental projects. David currently works as a Financial Analyst at Grant Thornton and has expressed great interest in joining our company after learning about our expansion into Asian markets.
David holds an MBA in Finance from Northwestern University and possesses five years of progressive experience in financial modeling and forecasting. His technical skills in Excel, SQL, and Tableau would be particularly valuable for the data analysis components of this role.
In accordance with our employee referral program guidelines, I’ve attached David’s resume and completed the internal referral form in our HR portal. David is aware of our company’s confidentiality policies and is prepared to discuss his qualifications further in an interview.
Thank you for considering this referral.
Respectfully,
[Your Name and Department]
Extension: 4567
Office Location: Building B, Floor 3
4. Casual Referral to a Startup Founder
Subject: Amazing Marketing Talent Looking for New Opportunities
Hey Alex,
How’s the startup life treating you? I saw your recent product launch on TechCrunch – huge congrats on the traction you’re getting!
I’m reaching out because I just had coffee with Emma Rodriguez, who’s easily one of the most talented marketing strategists I know. She’s looking for her next move after growing her last company’s user base from 10K to 250K in just 18 months (on a shoestring budget, no less).
Emma mentioned she’s specifically interested in early-stage startups with products that solve real problems – which instantly made me think of what you’re building. She’s got this rare combo of creativity and analytical thinking that I think would be perfect for your team as you scale.
Want me to connect you two? No pressure either way, but I genuinely think you’d hit it off, and she could be the marketing firepower you mentioned you were looking for last time we chatted.
Drop me a text or reply here if you’re interested, and I’ll make the intro happen.
Cheers,
[Your Name and Connection to Recipient]
Cell: (555) 234-5678
5. Academic or Research Position Referral
Subject: Recommendation for Postdoctoral Research Position – Dr. Michael Lee
Dear Professor Williams,
I am writing to recommend Dr. Michael Lee for the Postdoctoral Research position in Quantum Computing that was recently advertised by your department.
As Dr. Lee’s PhD advisor at the University of California, Berkeley, I closely supervised his doctoral research on quantum error correction algorithms for five years. His dissertation on fault-tolerant quantum computing protocols received the department’s Outstanding Thesis Award and has already been cited in several prominent publications in the field.
Dr. Lee possesses exceptional laboratory skills, particularly in: – Design and implementation of quantum simulation experiments – Development of novel quantum algorithm optimization techniques – Advanced programming in Python and Q# for quantum computing applications – Collaborative research across disciplines with physicists and mathematicians
Beyond his technical capabilities, Dr. Lee is an effective communicator who can explain complex quantum concepts to diverse audiences. He has successfully taught undergraduate courses and mentored junior researchers in our lab.
Given your department’s pioneering work in quantum coherence and your recent NSF grant, I believe Dr. Lee would contribute significantly to your research initiatives while further developing his expertise under your guidance.
His curriculum vitae, research statement, and publication list are attached. Please feel free to contact me for any additional information regarding his qualifications and potential contributions to your research group.
Sincerely,
[Your Name and Academic Position]
Department of Physics
University of California, Berkeley
Email: professor@berkeley.edu
Phone: (555) 987-6543
6. Referral Following a Networking Event
Subject: Follow-up from TechConf – Introducing Carlos Mendez
Dear Ms. Johnson,
It was a pleasure speaking with you at the TechConf networking reception last Thursday about your company’s expansion into cloud security solutions. Your insights on the challenges of securing multi-cloud environments were particularly enlightening.
During our conversation, you mentioned struggling to find qualified security architects with experience in both AWS and Azure environments. I’d like to introduce you to Carlos Mendez, who has been leading cloud security initiatives at my previous company for the past four years.
Carlos successfully designed and implemented a comprehensive security framework that achieved both SOC 2 and FedRAMP compliance across hybrid cloud deployments. His approach reduced security incidents by 78% while actually improving deployment velocity for the development teams.
I’ve briefly told Carlos about your company’s needs, and he expressed genuine interest in learning more about the Security Architect role you described. With his permission, I’ve attached his resume for your consideration.
Would you be open to a brief introductory call with Carlos next week? I’m happy to facilitate the connection or provide any additional context about his expertise.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
[Your Name and Professional Title]
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yourprofile
Email: your.email@company.com
7. Referral for a Career Changer
Subject: Introducing Robert Taylor – From Military Leadership to Project Management
Dear Mr. Anderson,
I hope this email finds you well. We last spoke at the Project Management Institute conference where you mentioned your firm was looking for project managers with strong leadership backgrounds and fresh perspectives.
I’d like to introduce you to Robert Taylor, who recently completed his transition from a distinguished 12-year military career as a Navy officer to the civilian workforce. Robert and I met through the Veterans in Business mentorship program, where I’ve been guiding his transition into corporate project management.
What makes Robert particularly valuable despite his non-traditional background: – Led complex logistical operations with 100+ team members and multimillion-dollar budgets – Recently completed PMP certification with a perfect score – Exceptional at risk management and contingency planning from real-world high-stakes environments – Demonstrated ability to quickly adapt to new technological systems and processes
Robert has completed several project management courses and has been shadowing me on corporate projects for the past three months. His military experience has given him unparalleled skills in team leadership, crisis management, and operational efficiency that would bring a unique advantage to your organization.
If you’re open to considering candidates with non-traditional but highly transferable skills, I believe Robert would be an outstanding addition to your project management team. His resume is attached, highlighting how his military experience translates to the competencies listed in your job description.
I would be happy to provide more specific examples of Robert’s capabilities or to arrange an introduction.
Kind regards,
[Your Name and Professional Association]
Phone: (555) 321-7890
Email: your.email@business.com
8. Referral to a Recruiter
Subject: Exceptional UX Designer for Your Client – Priya Patel
Hello Jordan,
I hope your recruiting business is going well this quarter! I’m reaching out because I came across an outstanding UX designer who would be perfect for several of the roles you’ve been trying to fill.
Priya Patel recently worked with my team as a contract designer, and she absolutely transformed our product’s user experience. What impressed me most was her ability to combine beautiful design with data-driven decision-making. She increased our app’s user retention by 32% through thoughtful interface improvements.
Priya is now looking for her next opportunity, preferably at a mid-sized tech company where she can have significant impact. She specializes in: – Designing intuitive interfaces for complex technical products – Creating comprehensive design systems that scale – Conducting and applying user research to inform design decisions – Collaborating effectively with developers to ensure smooth implementation
I’m confident she would be an excellent match for your clients in the healthcare technology space that you mentioned last month. Priya has previous experience in that sector and understands the unique challenges of designing for both medical professionals and patients.
With her permission, I’ve attached her portfolio and resume. She’s currently interviewing but hasn’t accepted any offers yet, so timing is ideal if you have interested clients.
Let me know if you need any additional information!
Best,
[Your Name and Professional Connection]
Cell: (555) 456-7890
9. Recommending a Former Employee or Direct Report
Subject: Recommendation for Jake Williams – Former Senior Content Strategist
Dear Ms. Goldstein,
I noticed that Apex Digital is hiring for a Content Director, and I wanted to recommend Jake Williams, who worked as a Senior Content Strategist on my team at MediaCorp for four years before our department restructuring.
As Jake’s direct manager, I had the opportunity to closely observe his work and professional development. Jake consistently exceeded our content engagement targets, developing strategies that increased our audience growth by 127% year-over-year. He has an exceptional talent for identifying content trends before they mainstream and leveraging them appropriately for brand positioning.
Jake’s greatest strengths include: – Building and leading high-performing content teams – Developing cohesive content strategies across multiple platforms – Establishing effective content measurement frameworks – Maintaining editorial excellence while hitting business objectives
While I was disappointed to lose Jake during our company’s downsizing, I’m certain he would be an invaluable addition to your leadership team. He possesses both the creative vision and analytical mindset needed to excel in a Content Director role.
Jake is aware of this recommendation and is very interested in the opportunity at Apex. His resume is attached, and he has authorized me to provide this reference.
Please feel free to contact me directly if you would like more specific information about Jake’s performance and capabilities.
Sincerely,
[Your Name and Former Managerial Role]
Phone: (555) 789-0123
Email: your.name@emailaddress.com
10. Executive-Level Referral
Subject: Confidential – CFO Candidate Introduction – Elizabeth Chen
Dear Jonathan,
I trust this email finds you well. During our board meeting last month, you mentioned the challenges in finding a suitable CFO candidate with both healthcare industry expertise and international finance experience for HealthTech’s expansion plans.
I would like to confidentially introduce Elizabeth Chen, who currently serves as the VP of Finance at MedGlobal. Elizabeth and I have served together on the Healthcare Financial Management Association board for the past three years, giving me direct insight into her strategic thinking and leadership capabilities.
Elizabeth has expressed interest in exploring new opportunities that would utilize her expertise in: – Managing financial operations for healthcare organizations with $500M+ annual revenue – Leading successful international market entries in Europe and Asia – Implementing sophisticated financial systems during periods of rapid growth – Securing complex funding arrangements for healthcare innovation projects
What particularly stands out about Elizabeth is her forward-thinking approach to healthcare finance models and her exceptional ability to communicate complex financial structures to non-financial stakeholders. Her financial leadership was instrumental in MedGlobal’s successful expansion into three new international markets last year.
Given the confidential nature of this inquiry, Elizabeth has provided her resume directly to me rather than through formal channels. With your permission, I would be happy to facilitate an initial discussion between you and Elizabeth at your convenience.
Please let me know if this potential match interests you, and we can determine the appropriate next steps.
Regards,
[Your Name and Board/Executive Position]
Direct: (555) 123-9876
Confidential Email: your.name@private.com
11. Referral for an Entry-Level Position
Subject: Promising Marketing Graduate for Junior Position – Aiden Thompson
Dear Marketing Team Leader,
I hope this message finds you well. I’m writing to recommend Aiden Thompson for your Junior Marketing Coordinator position that was posted on your company website yesterday.
Aiden recently graduated with honors from State University with a degree in Marketing Communications. He completed an impressive senior project analyzing social media marketing strategies for local businesses, which won the department’s annual marketing competition.
During his time as my intern at Creative Marketing Solutions last summer, Aiden demonstrated: – Exceptional attention to detail when creating marketing materials – Strong analytical skills in evaluating campaign performance data – Natural talent for crafting engaging social media content – Remarkable initiative in suggesting improvements to our internal processes
Despite being early in his career, Aiden shows unusual maturity and professional judgment. He quickly grasped our agency’s workflows and was independently managing several small client accounts by the end of his internship.
Aiden is particularly drawn to your company’s focus on sustainable brands and mentioned that your recent campaign for EcoLiving aligns perfectly with his professional interests.
I’ve attached Aiden’s resume and a sample of his work from his internship. As someone just starting his career, Aiden would benefit greatly from the mentorship and growth opportunities your company is known for providing to junior staff.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions about Aiden’s capabilities or fit for your team.
Warm regards,
[Your Name and Professional Relationship to Candidate]
Work: (555) 234-5678
Email: your.email@company.com
12. Referral for a Remote Position
Subject: Highly Recommended Candidate for Remote Software Developer Role – Maya Singh
Dear Hiring Team,
I’m writing regarding your remote Senior Ruby Developer position. I’d like to recommend Maya Singh, an exceptional developer who has been working remotely for over five years and has mastered the unique challenges of distributed team collaboration.
Maya and I worked together at TechSolutions, where she led backend development for our flagship product. What sets Maya apart in a remote work environment: – Self-directed work style with consistent delivery of high-quality code – Exceptional written communication skills that prevent misunderstandings – Proactive problem identification before issues impact project timelines – Creative use of collaboration tools to maintain team cohesion across time zones
Maya has a proven track record of success with Ruby on Rails applications at scale, including architecting a system that currently handles over 3 million daily users. She’s particularly skilled at writing clean, maintainable code and has contributed to several open-source projects in the Ruby community.
Having worked with Maya in a distributed team setting, I can confidently vouch for her ability to thrive in your remote-first company culture. She’s adept at asynchronous communication while still building strong working relationships with teammates around the globe.
Maya is currently looking for a new challenge after her current project concludes next month. Her resume and GitHub profile link are attached for your review.
I’d be happy to discuss Maya’s qualifications further or to facilitate an introduction.
Best regards,
[Your Name and Technical Role]
Email: your.name@techcompany.com
Zoom: zoom.us/yourusername
13. Referral Through a Mutual Connection
Subject: Introduction: Julia Martinez – Recommended by Sam Wilson
Dear Dr. Patel,
Sam Wilson suggested I reach out to you regarding the Research Scientist position at your biotech company. Sam and I previously collaborated at the National Research Center, and he spoke highly of your innovative work in genetic therapy applications.
I’d like to recommend Julia Martinez, who completed her PhD under my supervision at Stanford University. Julia’s dissertation on CRISPR applications in treating rare genetic disorders aligns perfectly with the research focus mentioned in your job posting.
Julia has published 7 papers in top-tier journals including Nature Biotechnology and Cell, and recently received the Emerging Researcher Award from the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy. Her laboratory skills are exceptional, particularly in: – Advanced gene editing techniques – Primary cell culture optimization – In vivo experimental design and execution – Bioinformatics analysis of large genomic datasets
Beyond her technical capabilities, Julia is an excellent collaborator who has successfully worked across disciplines with clinicians, data scientists, and other researchers. She communicates complex scientific concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Julia expressed great enthusiasm when I mentioned your company’s pioneering approach to translational research. She is particularly interested in contributing to projects that have direct therapeutic applications.
With Julia’s permission, I’ve attached her CV and a brief research statement. She would welcome the opportunity to discuss how her expertise could contribute to your research initiatives.
Thank you for considering this recommendation. Please let me know if you need any additional information.
Sincerely,
[Your Name and Academic/Research Position]
Office: (555) 987-6543
Email: professor@university.edu
14. Reconnecting with a Former Colleague to Make a Referral
Subject: Reconnecting and a Talented Candidate for Your Team
Hi Pat,
It’s been quite a while since our days at Global Consulting! I’ve been following your career through LinkedIn and was thrilled to see you’ve taken on the Director of Operations role at InnovationCorp. Congratulations on the impressive growth your team has achieved in the last year!
I’m reaching out for two reasons – first, to reconnect after all this time, and second, because I noticed you’re hiring for a Supply Chain Manager. This immediately brought to mind Taylor Jackson, who I believe would be an exceptional fit for your team.
Taylor and I have worked together for the past three years at LogisticsPro, where she transformed our procurement processes and reduced supply chain costs by 23%. What makes Taylor stand out is her combination of analytical skills and relationship management – she’s as comfortable diving into data as she is negotiating with international suppliers.
Given InnovationCorp’s expansion into Asian markets that I read about in your recent press release, Taylor’s experience establishing supplier relationships in Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam could be particularly valuable to you right now.
If you’re interested, I’d be happy to make a formal introduction. And regardless of the job opportunity, it would be great to catch up sometime – perhaps a virtual coffee next week? It would be wonderful to hear what you’ve been up to all these years.
All the best,
[Your Name and Current Role]
Mobile: (555) 456-7890
Email: your.name@company.com
15. Referral with a Personal Connection to the Hiring Manager
Subject: A Candidate Worth Meeting – Chris Matthews (Marketing Director Search)
Dear Lisa,
I hope you, Mark, and the kids are doing well! It was great seeing you all at the neighborhood barbecue last month.
I know we typically keep our professional and personal lives separate, but I wanted to reach out regarding the Marketing Director position your company recently posted. I rarely make professional recommendations to friends, but in this case, I’m making an exception because I believe there’s a truly exceptional match.
Chris Matthews has been my colleague at AdDigital for five years, serving as our Associate Marketing Director. Chris has been the driving force behind our agency’s most successful campaigns, including the Wilson Sporting Goods rebranding that won two industry awards last year.
What makes Chris special beyond the impressive resume: – Genuine leadership skills that inspire teams rather than simply managing them – Remarkable ability to translate business objectives into creative marketing strategies – Consistently delivers results while maintaining the highest ethical standards – Adapts quickly to changing market conditions with innovative approaches
Having worked closely with Chris and knowing your company’s values and direction, I’m confident this would be a mutually beneficial connection. Chris has been selectively looking for a new opportunity that offers greater strategic involvement – exactly what your position description suggests.
I understand you may need to follow formal hiring protocols, but I’d be happy to facilitate an introduction if you’re interested. Chris’s resume is attached for your reference.
And we should plan that dinner soon – Jordan keeps asking when we’re going to try that new Italian place together!
Warm regards,
[Your Name and Professional Title]
Personal: (555) 234-5678
Email: yourname@email.com
Wrapping Up: Effective Referral Emails
Writing an effective referral email requires a balance of professionalism, personal connection, and accurate representation of the candidate’s qualifications. The 15 examples above provide templates for various situations you might encounter when helping a friend or colleague advance their career.
The key elements that make these referral emails successful include specific details about the candidate’s achievements, a clear connection to the job requirements, and an appropriate level of enthusiasm based on your relationship with both parties. By cus