Asking for referrals after a layoff
Practical, honest ways to approach people when you have lost your job.
1 min read
Being laid off is common and nothing to hide. Most people reading your message have seen it happen to colleagues.
Keep it brief and factual
My role as [job title] at [previous company] ended in a restructure. I'm now looking for [role type], and [company] stood out because [specific reason].
What helps
- Say what you are looking for, so people know how to help.
- Offer a specific example of recent work they can judge.
- Ask former colleagues for a short LinkedIn recommendation.
- Keep your CV and LinkedIn consistent about dates and titles.
Look after yourself
Limit yourself to a few well-chosen applications a week instead of dozens. Quality requests get better answers, and it keeps the process manageable.
Put it into practice
Find a referrerGuides on this site were last updated on 17 Oct 2026. This is general information, not advice for your situation.
Unfamiliar term? See the glossary.
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