How To Ask A Former Coworker For A Job – 8 Steps & All Tips

Asking for a referral from a former coworker can be a great way to get your foot in the door at a new company. But how to ask a former coworker for a job?

It can be a little tricky to know how to broach the subject. But you can do a few things to make the process easier.

8 Steps To Ask A Former Coworker For A Job –

To begin with, first, identify if your relationship with this person was a positive one. If it wasn’t, it’s probably not worth asking them for a referral.

But if you had a good working relationship, then asking for a referral is perfectly acceptable. Most people are happy to help out a former coworker if they can.

So here are a few steps on how to ask a former coworker for a job:

1. Get In Touch:

Do you have their contact information? If not, try looking them up on social media or LinkedIn.

Once you’ve got their contact information, send them a text or email.

If you are contacting them after a long time, keep them up on what you’ve been doing.

So you can say something like, “Hey, it’s been a while since we talked. What’s new with you?”

Or “I saw you’re working at XYZ Company now. That’s great! I’m working at ABC Company.”

2. Ask Them How They’re Doing:

Before asking for a favor, it’s always polite to catch up with the person and ask them how they’re doing.

You can say something like, “I saw on LinkedIn that you just got a new job. That’s great! How do you like it?”

Or “I saw that you’re taking a trip to Europe. That sounds like a lot of fun! How’s the planning going?”

It will make the person feel good that you’re interested in their life. And it will make them more likely to help you out.

3. Wait For Reply:

Patiently wait for their reply. If they’re busy, they might not be able to respond right away. And that’s perfectly fine.

Just give them a day or two to get back to you. Do not try to contact them multiple times. That will only annoy them.

You can say something like, “I’m sorry to hear you’re busy. I’ll check back with you in a few days.”

4. Ask For Their Advice:

Once you’ve caught up with the person, you can start to ask for their advice.

You can share, “I’m considering applying for a job at XYZ Company. Do you have any advice on how to go about it?”

Or “I’m thinking about switching careers. Do you have any advice on how to make the transition?”

This will show that you value their opinion. And it will make them more likely to want to help you.

They can share their insights and experiences with you. And they might even be able to put in a good word for you with their new company.

And you can use this opportunity to learn more about the company and the job market.

5. Ask For A Referral:

Once you’ve asked for their advice, you can then ask for a referral.

You can say, “I’m applying for a job at XYZ Company. Would you be able to put in a good word for me?”

Or “I’m considering switching careers. I would appreciate it if you could keep me in mind for any openings at your company.”

Most people are happy to help out a former coworker. So don’t be afraid to ask for a referral.

6. Be Grateful:

Ensure you show your appreciation to the person for their help.

You can say something like, “I appreciate your help. I’m grateful for your referral.”

Or “Thank you so much for your advice. I’m grateful for your insights.“

Saying thank you will show your appreciation. And it will make the person feel good about helping you.

Sometimes, people hesitate to help because they don’t want to feel like they’re being used.

So by showing your appreciation, you can put their mind at ease. And they’ll be more likely to want to help you in the future.

7. Offer To Help Them:

Tell them you’re there for them if they ever need a favor.

You can say something like, “I’m always happy to help. Don’t hesitate to let me know if you ever need a favor.”

Or “I’m happy to return the favor. If you ever need help with anything, let me know.”

This will show that you’re not a one-way street. And it will make them more likely to want to help you out.

8. After Ward:

After you’ve asked for a favor, keep in touch with the person. You can update them on your job search or career transition.

And you can let them know how their referral helped you out. By staying in touch, you can build a strong relationship with the person.

This shows that you’re not just using them for their connections. And they will feel more comfortable helping you out in the future.

So here are eight tips on how to ask a former coworker for a job.

Can I Send An Email To My Former Coworkers Asking For A Job?

It’s good to send an email to your former coworkers asking for a job. It might even be preferable.

Email gives you a chance to think about what you want to say. And it gives the person time to respond.

You can even attach your resume and cover letter to the email. This makes it easy for the person to forward your information to their contacts.

When you’re emailing a former coworker, make sure to:

1. Keep It Casual:

Keep the tone of your email casual. You don’t want to come across as desperate or needy. So instead of saying, “I need a job,” try something like, “I’m interested in hearing about any openings at your company.”

And neither should you ask for a job outright. Instead, try asking for advice or a referral.

2. Be Professional:

Even though you’re keeping the tone casual, you still want to be professional.

Use proper grammar and punctuation. And proofread your email before sending it.

You should also avoid using any slang or abbreviations. Such as “u” instead of “you.”

3. Keep It Short:

Your email should be short and to the point. No one wants to read a long-winded email.

So get straight to the point. And be sure to thank the person for their time.

Sometimes, writing out what you want to say is helpful before you start typing. This can help you stay on track and keep your email short.

4. Use A Professional Email Address:

Use a professional email address when contacting your former coworkers.

This means using an email address that has your name in it. Not something like “iluvpizza123” or “babydoll.”

If you don’t have a professional email address, you can create one free with Gmail or Yahoo.

Sample Email:

Subject: Job Inquiry

Hi Jim,

I hope all is going well with you. I’m interested in hearing about any openings at your company.

I’m attaching my resume and cover letter for your review.

If you have any time, I would appreciate a call at 555-555-1212.

Thank you for your time,

Hannah

5. Use A Professional Signature:

When you’re emailing a former coworker, be sure to use a professional signature.

Your signature should include your name, job title, and contact information.

You can also include your website or blog URL. And you can link to your social media profiles.

This will give the person all the information they need to contact you.

Sample Email 2 :

Subject: Referral

Hi Jim, I hope all is going well with you. I have been looking at LinkedIn and saw that you work for a great company.

I am sending my resume and asking if you would be willing to refer me. Also, I understand if you are busy, but any help would be appreciated.

Thank you for your time,

Hannah

6. Follow Up:

After you’ve sent your email, follow up with the person. You can do this by sending a short email or making a phone call.

Thank them again for their time. And let them know you’re still interested in the job. When you call them, it is essential not to be a bother.

Keep the conversation short, sweet, and to the point.

7. Be Well Ready For Meeting:

When you’re meeting with the person, be sure to dress professionally. And come prepared with your resume and cover letter.

You should also have a list of questions to ask. This will show that you’re interested in the job and the company.

Asking questions also shows that you’re thinking and have done your research.

Your former coworker will impress your professionalism and interest in the job.

Following these tips can help you get a job through a former coworker.

Is Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat Okay For Contacting Former Coworkers?

When trying to get a job, using the proper channels is essential. And that includes social media.

But which social media platform is the best to use? The answer is: it depends.

If you’re trying to reach out to a former coworker, Facebook is probably your best bet. This is because most people use Facebook to keep in touch with friends and family.

Instagram and Snapchat are also good options. But keep in mind that younger people mostly use these platforms.

So if your former coworker is in their 40s or 50s, they probably won’t be active on these platforms.

The bottom line is to use the platform you think your former coworker will most likely use.

Final Word:

To ask a former coworker for a job, start by contacting them through a professional email address.

Then, use a professional signature and follow up with the person.

When meeting with the person, dress professionally. And come prepared with your resume and cover letter.

Make sure you impress them by doing your research and having thoughtful questions to ask.

Following these tips can help you increase your chances of getting a job through a former coworker.

Last Updated on 4 hours by Shahzaib Arshad