Job Referral Tips

I asked 443 people who landed a job in the last 6 months how they did it - and because I'm relentless, I DM’d several of them for the details 👀 Here’s what they said: - 39% got hired through a job application only - 38% landed their role through a referral or someone in their network - 11% were reached out to directly - 12% marked “other” and DM'd me (saving these gems for another post!) For this post, I wanna talk about referrals. Because every time I bring them up, I get feedback from people who swear that referrals don’t make a lick of difference in their application. But the data says otherwise!! Referrals are JUST as effective as job applications. So why do so many people think they don’t work? My guess - it comes down to how people think about networking, and who they are networking with. Many assume networking = cold DM’ing your LinkedIn connections that work at your target company, and asking them to essentially tag you in the company’s ATS as a “referral”. This might work… sometimes… if you’re lucky. But for all the people that landed jobs and shared their stories, this was what actually worked: 💡 It’s not just about knowing someone at the company - it’s about knowing someone with hiring influence. - A hiring manager referred a rejected candidate to a colleague at another company - and they got hired. - A former supervisor vouched for someone internally, even when no job was posted. - Someone got passed over at first, but their referrer kept advocating for them - so when the first-choice hire didn't work out, they got the offer. 💡 Most referrals didn’t come from cold outreach - they came from past colleagues, former bosses, or professional acquaintances. - Someone caught up with an old coworker and learned about an unposted job. - Another had a standing check-in with a former boss, who later hired them at a new company. - One person told their manager they wanted to leave, and instead of quitting, the company created a role just to keep them. 💡 Cold outreach worked - but only when it wasn’t just about asking for a referral. - Someone cold-called companies just to ask what they look for in an employee. The CEO liked their initiative and invited them for an interview. - Another reached out on LinkedIn not for a referral, but to learn about someone's career path. That conversation led to a job. 💡 Some of the best networking didn’t even feel like networking. - A job seeker met a company director at trivia night, followed up, and got an interview. - Another ran into someone at the gym, and that casual chat led to a job. - A plus-one at a work event struck up a conversation - months later, they got hired at the company. So, the TLDR: Networking is effective when approached with the goal of building meaningful relationships, with people in positions of hiring influence, so that you are top of mind when the right opportunities come up. Have a story to share about networking efforts that lead to new opportunities? Let's hear it!

Over the last 6 months at Google, I have referred 60+ people. More than 20 of them got interview calls, and 1 has been selected so far! 🎉 Referring someone takes less than a minute—if all the necessary details are in place. However, I often receive messages like, “I’m looking for internships” or “Are there any openings?” Here’s a tip: Always check the company’s careers portal first. It has the most up-to-date list of openings and helps streamline the process. To make your referral request effective, here are 3 key things I look for: 1️⃣ Resume Link: Share a link to your resume not a PDF. This ensures easy access and reference. 2️⃣ Job Link: Provide the specific job posting link you’re applying for. It avoids confusion and keeps things clear. 3️⃣ Fit for the Role: Write why you're the best fit for the role. For example: "Sai has over 2 years of experience in software development with expertise in building scalable distributed systems." Additionally, one common mistake I see is applying for roles you aren’t eligible for (especially among college students). This doesn’t help anyone. Please review the job requirements carefully before applying. A well-structured referral request not only saves time but also significantly increases your chances of success. Put in the effort, and opportunities will follow. 🚀 Let’s make this process smoother for everyone! #Google #Referral #JobSearchTips #CareerAdvice

Want a Referral? Make It Easy for the Referrer! Recently, I received a flood of referral requests for a Google opening. While I’d love to help, here’s what I observed: ❌ Some resumes were missing contact numbers. ❌ Mail IDs in the message & resume didn’t match. ❌ People shared PDFs instead of drive links (sometimes inaccessible). ❌ And most importantly—no one answered “Why should we hire you?” If you're serious about getting referred, here’s what you should always include: ✅ Drive link of your resume (make sure it’s viewable) ✅ Exact job role/posting link you're applying for ✅ One short line answering: “Why should we hire you?” (from a third-person perspective in 150 words) Example: Yati is a backend engineer with strong problem-solving skills and hands-on experience in scalable systems. Tip: Please check eligibility before asking for a referral. Let’s respect each other’s time and make referrals smoother and more effective! #Google #openings #resumetips #jobs #GoogleCareers

Don't Message a Recruiter Like This 🚫 "Hi, I hope you’re doing well! I’m interested in the role you posted: Software Engineer. Based on my experience as Software Engineer, I believe I could be a good fit. Are you open to a quick chat to discuss the position? I’d love to learn more about it. I look forward to hearing from you." 👇 Do This Instead ✅ " Hi [Name], I hope you're doing well. I recently came across the [Job Title] opening at [Company Name] and was impressed by [specific aspect of the company or role]. With [X years of experience] in [Your Field], passion for [relevant industry or skill] and [your skills that matches job requirements], I believe I could contribute to [specific team or project]. I would love to connect and discuss how my background aligns with the needs of the team. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to the possibility of working together!" 🔑 Why The Second Approach Works: ✅ Personalization: Addressing the recruiter by name and mentioning something specific about the company shows that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested. ✅ Value Proposition: Highlighting your experience and how it aligns with the role demonstrates your suitability and adds value to your pitch. ✅ Professional Courtesy: Acknowledging their time and expressing eagerness to connect makes your message respectful and engaging. Your approach to recruiters can make a lasting first impression—make it count! 💼 #JobSearch #CareerTips #LinkedIn #JobSeekingTips #FirstImpression #BeProfessional #YourNextRole #GetHired #GetInterviews

When I first started messaging people for referrals on LinkedIn, I used to write things like: "Hey, could you please refer me for any suitable open roles in your team or organization?" Most of the time, there was no reply. It took me a while to understand that the problem wasn't always the person—it was the way I was approaching them. After experimenting and learning from others, I realized a few small changes in how you message someone can improve your chances of actually getting a response or even a referral. Here’s what helped me: ✅ Don’t just say “Hi” and wait for a reply This was one of my early mistakes. If you're serious about a referral, share everything in one clear and polite message—right from the beginning. ✅ Mention the exact job you're applying for Don’t expect them to search the careers page for you. Share the job title or job link directly so they can help you quickly. ✅ Make your message short and structured People don’t read long messages on LinkedIn. Write in simple lines and keep it easy to skim. ✅ Reach out to multiple people from the same company Sometimes the first 2–3 people may not respond. Try messaging 5–7 folks from different teams. It increases your chances of finding someone willing to help. ✅ Polish your profile before asking Make sure your LinkedIn looks solid before you reach out. – Clear headline that matches your role – Brief, impactful ‘About’ section – Updated work history and skills – Add featured posts or projects if possible ✅ One polite follow-up is okay If you don’t get a reply, you can follow up after 5–6 days. But just once—keep it respectful. Here’s a simple message that worked for me: Hi [Name], I came across a job opening for [Job Title] at [Company], and I believe my experience in [mention key skills] aligns well with the role. Here’s the job link: [Insert Link] I’ve also attached my resume for reference. I’d be grateful if you could refer me or guide me on the next steps. Thank you so much for your time! A small effort in crafting a thoughtful message can really make a difference. And even if someone doesn’t respond—don’t take it personally. Just keep trying, respectfully. If you’ve ever received a referral through LinkedIn, or if a different approach worked for you—drop it in the comments.

People ask me all the time how to network. Here’s a short, tactical guide on how to actually do it - grounded in real data, real results, and 3,500+ jobs found through relationships. 🎯 The #1 misconception Networking is not: “Let me ask you for a job.” It is: “Let me have a real, human moment with someone in this industry.” ✅ What actually works This is how you build meaningful professional relationships - the kind that lead to real opportunities: 1️⃣ Be around. Events, Discords, social posts, games projects, ticket giveaways, community coaching - just show up. Start by being visible. Over time, become memorable for the right reasons. 2️⃣ Don’t pitch. Connect. Ask questions. Be genuinely curious. You’re planting seeds, not harvesting. This takes months and years. There are not shortcuts to building real relationships. 3️⃣ Look sideways, not up. A junior colleague can often help you more than a C-level exec. Build trust, first, with people at your level or just above it. 4️⃣ Follow up like a human. Send messages that matter: “Just played [X] - loved the level design.” “Your GDC talk really stuck with me - thank you.” “Noticed you moved from QA to design - would love to hear how.” 5️⃣ Give before you get. Share insights, leave helpful comments, support others’ work - anything that builds trust and makes you recognizable. 6️⃣ Say hi when there’s nothing to gain. That’s the best time. No stakes, no pressure - it’s when real relationships start. 7️⃣ Don’t just “shoot your shot.” ❌❌❌❌❌ Never reach out with “Can you get me a job?” That closes doors, fast. Lead with curiosity and conversation, not a transactional, cold ask. 🔥 If I wanted to be provocative… I’d say this: Applying to jobs without connective tissue is very inefficient. Particularly for early career and more senior folks. Instead of asking, “What should I apply to?” - ask, “Where can I build a relationship?” Posting about hundreds of applications is understandable, but it misses the point. Focus on how many real connections you’ve made - then work backward to the right applications. 🧠 Avoid the Dream Company Trap Too many people focus only on the one studio they love - and end up pinging the same five people as everyone else. I always ask: Where do I already have network strength? Where can I go that everybody else isn’t going? We track 3,000+ game studios. 1,000+ of them hire. Go outside the top 50. 🪜 Think in ladders and sidesteps Instead of aiming straight at your target studio, look at who owns that studio. Think conglomerates. Think sister teams. Adjacent verticals. 📊 The data backs it up. Across our community: Cold apps: ~1–2% yield Apps with any warm connection: 10–20x+ better odds 🧭 The shift is simple Spend more time building bridges than sending résumés. Relationships are the infrastructure of hiring. Build that first. The first thing I ask anyone who's stuck is: Are you spending 80%+ of your effort building relationships? If not, do that.

Why You're Not Getting Responses on LinkedIn – And How to Fix It If you're not getting replies to your LinkedIn messages, it's time to look at your approach. Simply asking for a referral without doing some groundwork won’t get you far. Referrals are a two-way street, and you need to put in the effort before asking for help. Key Takeaways: 1. Be clear and specific about the role and why you're a good fit. 2. Make it easy for the recipient to help you (attach your CV, give context). 3. Keep it polite, concise, and respectful of their time. Remember: Referrals are most effective when you’ve done the legwork first. Show the value you can bring to the role, and your request will stand out. Here are two approaches you can use to make your request stand out: 1. Professional and Direct Subject: Referral Request for [Role Name] – [Job ID: [Job ID]] Hi [Recipient's Name], I hope you’re doing well. I’m reaching out to inquire if you’d be willing to refer me for the [Role Name] position at [Company Name] (Job ID: [Job ID]). Based on my background in [mention relevant skills/experience], I believe I can add value to the team, especially with my expertise in [specific area]. I’ve attached my CV for your review. I would greatly appreciate your support in helping me with the next steps of the application process. Thank you so much for considering my request. Please let me know if you need any additional information. Best regards, [Your Name] 2. Friendly and Engaging Subject: Referral Request for [Role Name] – [Job ID: [Job ID]] Hi [Recipient's Name], I hope you're doing well! I came across the [Role Name] opening at [Company Name] (Job ID: [Job ID]) and was excited to see it matches my skills in [mention relevant skills/experience]. I’m confident my background in [specific area of expertise or past role] would make me a strong addition to the team. I’ve attached my CV for your reference, and I’d be so grateful if you could refer me for this position or share any insights on the application process. Thanks a lot for your time and consideration! Best, [Your Name]

For the first time in life, I was on the other side - people were reaching out to me for referrals. I never thought I would learn so much from the process. Lets start with numbers first. I had 1000+ connection requests. Only 35 had notes attached with them. And, only 8 of them were well written. Within 12 minutes of posting, I had 4 direct messages (this is to tell you most people have crowded inboxes). It was impossible for me to respond to everyone who reached out to me. The biggest learning i have had is that I cannot refer you if I haven’t talked to you or know you. So even if you connect with me after a job posting goes live - if there is no prior relationship - I cannot refer you. This is why I always emphasize that building relationships is important. Now, let’s come to the messages/in-mails I received. There are four important keys to a referral message ✅ brief but informative. do not write 5 paragraphs. ✅ mention WHICH job you want to apply to. attach a link or job id number. ✅ attach your resume. ✅ address the person correctly. Most of the messages didn’t spell out my name correctly. While it is so simple - most messages missed one or two of the above mentioned things. You need to make it very simple for the person referring you. I cannot spend time asking you for information. Some things that I noticed people did which I really liked: - they researched all open positions. - asked me for insights/tips or which one would be a better fit. - did not ask for a referral but showed interest. Thinking back, I am more inclined to forward these people’s resume to the HR because they GENUINELY INTERESTED. A HUGE LEARNING and hope you can learn from this and make your referral reach-outs better too. #career #job #jobsearch #referrals

The biggest mistake you do when you are reaching out to people for jobs for referrals: 📌 I get the In mail texts like: Hey Riya this is XYZ, the below is my resume kindly refer me in your company! Now this is the most inappropriate way to ask for referrals. ✅ Make sure you are tailoring the message more personalised ✅Rather than them( who are you texting for the first time on linkedin) doing that extra effort to check your resume and find jobs and matching Jds and then referring you, Go do the bare minimum, Check the Job Portal — Check the Job Openings — check the filters — See that most suitable job opening — See if that is the right fit for you and if you are the right fit for it - then personalise the message - personalise a good resume - and pls give the JOB Id yourself to the employees for the referral and explain why you are the right fit! See its that simple:) 💡 Generic requests can come off as insincere or as if you’re only using them for their connections. 💡 Instead, explain why you’re reaching out to them in particular, mention any shared experiences or connections, and be clear about how their referral could make a difference for you. 💡 Taking the time to craft a thoughtful and personalized message not only increases your chances of receiving a referral but also strengthens your professional relationships. Has the same inmail incident happened to you? #job #hr #linkedin #jobs #recruitment #recruitments #job

1:1 coffee chats are the best way to network ☕ Here's how I turned them into interviews at companies like Microsoft, LinkedIn, and Amazon. My 9-step formula for virtual & in person coffee chats: (I did this with acquaintances, old coworkers, and complete strangers at my target companies to get job referrals)  1/ Watch the Clock Before you start the conversation, thank the other person for their time and confirm how much time they have. Don't be the person who goes over the allotted meeting time by assuming. 2/ Nail Your Intro This is your elevator pitch that should include these 3 things: - Brief background on who you are - Why you wanted to meet with them - Your goals 3/ Ask Great Questions Come prepared with questions. Some ideas: - their background/role - challenges they overcame - specifics about their company, culture, product, etc. 4/ Show You're Worth It When you talk about your experience, tie it back to how it relates to the role/team you're interested in at that person's company. Does the role require managing multiple clients? Great! Weave in how you've done something similar. 5/ Ask for Feedback It's ok to ask for feedback and if the other person thinks you're a fit for certain roles or the company. If they think there's a skills gap, ask for their advice on how to bridge it. 6/ Ask for Intros "Is there anyone else at your org or outside the org that would be helpful to talk to?” The best opportunities can come from this ask. The other person might intro you to 1-3 other people in their network. 7/ Offer to Help Them Don't just ask how you can help. Ask them what their goals are for the year. Then use that information to see how you can help. 8/ Winding Down At the end of the call, thank them for their time. Then ask if it's ok to keep them updated so you have a reason to reach out in the future. Don’t forget to send a thank you note after the call. 9/ The Follow Up If they gave you any advice (resume tips, resources to look into), do it and follow up to let them know you did it. This is the best way to keep the conversation going beyond the first call and establish trust. Important: Use this as a guide, not a script. Not all your 1:1 coffee chats will happen this way but having structure is helpful. Don't expect to land a referral on the first meeting either. It may take several interactions before someone is comfortable enough to do that. Give this strategy a try and level up your networking game! --- Reshare ♻ to help someone’s job hunt. And follow me for more posts like this.