Utilising common linkedin contacts in referrals

Hi,

I would definitely recommend to leverage the contact of your old boss. If you left the company with mutual good understanding and you always had a good relationship with your old boss; reach out to him via LinkedIn or phone and he will happy to support you. 

Mattijs

Hi there,

You definitely can leverage your connections :) in this case, it will be particularly helpful if you have a good relationship with your old boss and had done a great work under his leadership and if your boss have a good relationship with this partner. Notice that your old boss’s job will be introducing you to the partner, so you can schedule a brief meeting. This will be the opportunity for you to lead this conversation to a referral solicitation, but it shouldn’t be the central theme. Rather ask for his time to know more about the career and chose some interesting questions related to his specific experience. The referral part of the talk should be at the end of it, think about how to get to this part beforehand, strategically crafting the flow of the meeting.

Good luck,

Mari

Hi,

Thanks for your question.

Yes, it is quite common to reach out to a common contact to refer you to someone who is not your contact. However, it depends on how well you know that common contact. Often, your school alumni who is a contact will be ready to help you out even if you don't know them well.

Just make sure when you do reach out to the common contact, share your interest in the company and request an information chat with the person you want to get connected to. The information chat would be an opportunity for you to introduce yourself, share why you are interested in a certain role or company but primarily learn more about the company, role and career trajectory of the person you want referral form. Ultimately, only if you can show genuine interest for the job will somebody be open to refer you. Keep it fluid, not transactional.

Thanks,

Soh

You can definitely use this to your advantage! Reach out to your old boss and ask if they’d be comfortable introducing you to the partner or providing a recommendation. A warm introduction carries more weight than a cold LinkedIn message. If that’s not an option, connecting directly with managers in the firm is also a good strategy to increase your chances of getting a referral. Either way, make sure your outreach is professional and specific about why you're interested in the firm and role. Let me know if you need help crafting a message! 😊 Alessa

Hi there,

Using LinkedIn connections to get a referral can be really effective, especially for landing a manager position. Here’s how you might make the most of the connections you’ve spotted:

1. Start with reaching out to your former boss. Since they know you, they might be happy to help. Send them a friendly message explaining that you’re applying for a position at the firm connected to both of you, and see if they’d be willing to introduce you to the partner.

2. If they agree, offer to draft a short introduction message. This makes it easier for them and ensures your key points are covered.

3. At the same time, don’t hesitate to reach out to other managers at the firm. A simple, personalized LinkedIn message expressing interest in the company and asking for advice can go a long way. People generally appreciate sincere curiosity and initiative.

4. Whichever way you get your foot in the door, be prepared to discuss your skills and how they align with the role. Make sure your LinkedIn profile and resume are polished and reflect your strengths. You need to prepare a convincing elevator pitch.

If you’d like more help figuring out how to navigate this or prep for interviews, just let me know. I’m here to support you in making a strong impression.

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

• If you want, you may certainly reach out to your old boss and ask if they feel comfortable making an introduction for you. However, there is still no guarantee that you will get the referral.

You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming applications, pre-interview assessments and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hey there, 

100%! This is the way to do it. What you are talking about now is something I recommend to many people in your position! You need to use all advantages and networks that you have to your favour :-) 

There's no harm in expanding your network with other managers too, but I'd leverage your old boss to link you with that partner

All the best