How to Ask Someone to Apply for a Job
While a lot has changed in the way we look for work (we’ve come a long way from flipping through the classified ads section of the local newspaper) and the hiring process is now largely virtual, there is one practice that seems to be does not work. anywhere: the need to provide links.
If you’re worried about asking others for a favor, this may be your least favorite part of the whole process. When it comes to a letter of recommendation, you are essentially asking someone to do unpaid work on your behalf. While it might be a lot to ask someone about it, there are several ways to make your life easier for reference, letting you know that you value the service and respect their time. Here’s how to ask someone for a job recommendation and make sure you are as helpful as possible.
Ask the person if they have bandwidth
This post is inspired by a series of tweets from Newsroom and Product Strategist Emma Carew Grovem , in which she gives advice on how to get someone to serve as your reference. Her very first tip is to ask the person if they have the bandwidth. Definitely do it; This is not only polite, but also gives the person the opportunity to honestly tell you if they have time to help you.
Don’t Think You Are Eligible To Link
This isn’t part of Emma’s discussion, but something to keep in mind: please don’t assume that your former boss, professor, or colleague will be your guide. It is not part of their job, and they are not indebted to you (unless that was what you discussed earlier, in which case you can skip this step). So instead of opening an email with the words “I need a reference for [work / program / etc.],” use the “ask for their bandwidth” approach.
Give them more time
Don’t wait until right before your application has to ask someone to link to you, especially if it involves writing a letter. This is another aspect of respecting your time. Maybe they would be happy to write something last week, but since you got in touch so close to the application deadline, this is not possible, or it puts them under a lot of pressure.
On the other hand, if you ask someone to write or link to a letter months before the application date, you are giving them something else to keep track of, and essentially even more work to do. Extra time is fine, but if you get in touch with them very well in advance, ask potential customers if they want you to check them out two weeks (or so) before the deadline with a quick reminder.
Make their job as simple as possible
Returning to her conversation with Emma, she also emphasizes the importance of helping the person who is your guide. Tell them about the position and what (you think) the organization is looking for in the candidate. Give them the version of your resume you use for the job, as well as a cover letter, and tell them about any of your relevant experiences or accomplishments.
Likewise, if there is something specific that you want him to highlight in your letter (or phone call), let the person in charge know. They can’t read minds, so unless you specifically tell them what you would like them to mention – for example, a special project or an award – they will do their own assessment of your work history and choose their own highlights (which may not always matches yours).
Provide information about a possible phone call
If your recommendation vouches for you on a phone call, be sure to give them the name and (ideally) the phone number of the person who can call them. (Or, if nothing else, at least the area code.) As Emma points out, many people don’t answer calls with random numbers and area codes that they don’t recognize.
Fill them out as soon as you know what’s going on with the job.
For now, the link is (at least to some extent) active, so let them know what happened even if you didn’t get the job. And if you do get the job, Emma advises you to share your recommendation yourself so they don’t find out about it on social media or from someone else.
Don’t wait for career advice
If you weren’t able to get the job, please report it to your recommendation, but leave it as it is. It might be tempting to ask this person for career advice or help finalizing your resume or cover letter, but don’t do it. (If the link suggests one thing, but don’t jump straight to the other request.)
Also, if you are not well aware of your recommendation and have not already established this type of mentoring relationship, do not ask them about their personal and / or professional contacts or about “connecting” you to someone else in the field. Finally, don’t ask them if they know anyone who is hiring or if they have suggestions for other places you should apply to – this is your job.
Thank them
Whether you got the job or not, thank the person for taking the time and energy to recommend you. It doesn’t have to be much – even a quick email works. The goal here is to show them that you appreciate their help.