Ask for a Referral Without Putting Someone on the Spot
Give your contact the role, your evidence and permission to decline.
A referral is a professional recommendation, not a favor someone owes you. Make your request specific and give the person enough information to decide whether they can comfortably support it.
Do the preparation yourself
Find the actual vacancy, read its requirements and prepare a targeted résumé. Your contact should not have to search the company’s openings or guess what work you want.
“I found the Inventory Coordinator opening at your company. My receiving and stock-record experience appears relevant, and I’ve attached a short résumé. If you know my work well enough and feel comfortable, would you consider referring me through the company’s process? No pressure if that is not appropriate.”
Do not overstate the relationship
If you barely know someone, ask for information about the team or process first. Do not list their name as a referral without permission. A social-media connection is not automatically an endorsement.
When a contact agrees, follow their instructions and complete the formal application. Keep them informed about important steps without asking them to repeatedly chase the hiring team.
Keep the relationship broader than the request
Thank them even if no interview follows. A referral may help an employer understand your background, but it does not remove qualification requirements or guarantee selection.
Make a note of what you learned about the role. Even a declined request can produce useful information about the team, application route or skills to strengthen. Accept the answer professionally and continue building other connections.