Getting a referral for people and recruiting roles
How to describe hiring, people or HR work in a short request, with care for confidentiality.
Quick answer: Describe the process you ran and its outcome in general terms, and leave out anything about individuals.
1 min read
People and recruiting roles involve trust and discretion, so a referrer will notice how you talk about your past work. Be specific about what you did and careful about what you share.
Describe the process, not the people
- Say what you ran, such as a hiring process, an onboarding programme or a policy change.
- Say what you were responsible for and what improved.
- Never name individuals or share confidential details about colleagues or candidates.
Show how you work with managers
These roles sit between managers and employees. One sentence on how you gave clear, fair advice or managed a difficult conversation helps a referrer picture you in the team.
A short template
Hi [name], I'm applying for the [role] position at [company]. In my current role I [process you ran, described in general terms]. My CV is attached. Would you be willing to refer me? No problem at all if not.
Check the job description for the systems and methods it names, and mention the ones you have actually used.
Put it into practice
Browse rolesTry a free tool
- Project explainer · Describe a project in a few clear sentences: the problem, what you did and the result.
- CV checklist · Fifteen quick checks before you ask someone to refer you.
Guides on this site were last updated on 17 Oct 2026. This is general information, not advice for your situation.
Unfamiliar term? See the glossary.
Share this guideLinkedInWhatsApp
More in for candidates