How to Ask for Candidate Referrals on LinkedIn
How recruiters ask LinkedIn connections and not-interested candidates for referrals: what to say, when to ask and how to follow up without being pushy.
To get candidate referrals on LinkedIn, ask specific people a specific question: who is the best person they've worked with in this kind of role? The best time to ask is when someone tells you the job isn't right for them, and the best people to ask are those who have worked alongside the kind of candidate you need. Keep the request short, make it easy to say yes, and always close the loop.
Who should you ask?
- Candidates who say "not me." A strong person who isn't interested usually knows other strong people in the same field.
- People one level up. Managers who have hired or led people in this role know who was good.
- Former colleagues of your targets. People who used to work at a target company know who's still there and who's worth calling.
- Your own connections in the niche. Past candidates and people you've placed who know the field.
What should you say?
Ask for the best person, not for anyone who's looking. "Do you know anyone looking for a job?" gets a polite no. "Who's the best plant controller you've worked with?" gets a name. A message that works:
"Thanks for being straight with me about the timing. One quick question: who's the strongest plant controller you've worked with? I'll keep your name out of it unless you tell me otherwise."
Give them enough to think of the right people: the type of role, the level and the general location. Don't share confidential client details. "A growing food manufacturer in Ohio" is enough.
When is the best time to ask?
- Right after someone declines a role, while the conversation is friendly and the role is fresh
- After you've helped them, such as answering a compensation question or sharing a useful contact
- When you congratulate someone on a new role or promotion and they reply
Avoid asking in your first message to a stranger. Referral requests work best when the person already has a reason to help you.
How do you follow up on a referral?
- Thank them right away, whether they gave you a name or not.
- Ask how they'd like to be mentioned. Some people are happy for you to use their name, which makes your outreach warmer. Others prefer to stay anonymous.
- Contact the referral quickly, with a message that says why you're reaching out to them in particular.
- Close the loop. Tell the referrer what happened, especially if the person was placed.
Keep a note of who referred whom. Referrers who see their help valued tend to help again. Logging each LinkedIn message as a touch keeps the chain visible; identifyd records touches by channel and tracks your LinkedIn connection status with each prospect. For turning one-off referrals into a steady source, see Building a Referral Network for Your Recruiting Desk.
Frequently asked questions
Should I offer a reward for LinkedIn referrals?
Many people refer without any reward because they want to help a colleague. If you do offer something, keep it simple, put it in writing and follow the rules that apply where you work.
Is it OK to ask a candidate to refer colleagues at their current company?
Be careful. People may not want to point a recruiter at their own team. Ask about people they've worked with anywhere, and let them choose who to name.
How often can I ask the same person for referrals?
Only when you have a new, relevant role. Asking on every search wears out goodwill.