Cheeky Logo
Ready To Get Hired?
Apply To Book A Free Call With Our Transition Specialist Team

How To Use Your Current Network To Get Job Referrals

I had implemented some advanced LinkedIn strategies for PhDs and my profile looked amazing.

The transferable skills I gained during my PhD were highlighted and my experience was written in a results-driven format.

I decided I was ready to start reaching out to people on LinkedIn with the ultimate hope of securing a job referral.

I sent out message after message, but hardly got any responses.

I was confused… I knew my LinkedIn profile was top notch, so why weren’t people responding to me?

Maybe it was a question of quantity.

I purchased a premium membership on LinkedIn so I could send InMails to people who I had no connections with, hoping that the more messages I sent, the larger the probability of hearing a response.

Surely, this wider reach would bring me the results I was looking for.

So, I sent InMails and connection requests to as many people as I could.

Still, I received very few responses.

And those conversations I did have, never seemed to move past the beginning stages and they certainly didn’t yield any referrals.

I had the skills and a great LinkedIn profile, so why weren’t the job referrals flying in? What was I doing wrong?

While I was speaking with one of my previous employers, I mentioned in passing that I was still looking for a job.

Not long after that, I got an email from my former boss, telling me he had a friend that was looking to fill a position that I was well-suited for.

My previous employer referred me to this new company as a great candidate for the position.

Just a week later, I had a new job!

It was a lightbulb moment.

I had been struggling to get responses and job referrals because I was trying to talk to people who did not know me, or anyone in my network.

I had little-to-no credibility with these strangers I was reaching out to on LinkedIn.

But, as soon as I harnessed the power of the network that I already had — success!

I hadn’t realized the untapped potential of networking with people I already knew.

Why A Job Referral Is Essential

A survey by ERE reported that a corporate job opening will attract an average of 250 resumes, of which only one applicant will be offered a position.

Your resume is just one in a sea of hundreds of other applications.

A job referral is the best way to set yourself apart.

According to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, candidates with a job referral from an internal employee were 40% more likely to be hired than those without a referral.

When your initial chance of getting hired is one in 250, taking the extra time and effort to get a job referral and increasing your chances of getting hired by 40% is a no-brainer.

Much of this benefit comes from escaping the endless pit that your resume will fall into when you blindly submit an application online.

But another major reason referrals give a job candidate such a big advantage is because referrals are advantageous for the employer as well.

The same study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that new employees hired with a referral are less likely to quit and tend to stay with the company longer than those without a referral, reducing cost and strain on the company.

Plus, many jobs are unadvertised.

As reported in The New York Times, top companies aim for 50% of their new hires to come from direct referrals.

If a company does not have to spend time and energy advertising and sifting through resumes, why would they?

The only way to have access to the ‘hidden’ portion of the job market is through referrals.

5 Simple Steps To Generating Quick Job Referrals

If you are serious about landing the industry job you want, getting a job referral should be high on your priority list.

But, don’t make your job search harder than it needs to be.

It is easier than you think to get job referrals.

You already have the resources to make it happen, you just need to know how to harness those resources.

PhDs have many advantages over other job candidates, and a referral is a great way to make sure you get noticed.

Stand out from the pile of resumes and tap into the unadvertised job market.

Here are 5 steps to quickly generate job referrals…

1. Ditch the idea of getting the perfect connection.

While the CEO or the Director of a company may seem like the right person to seek out for a job referral, they aren’t.

Trying to connect with the CEO of Genentech is akin to trying to connect with Brad Pitt.

People in high-level leadership positions are busy, and it is very unlikely they will interact with you, especially if all you have done is send them a cold email.

If you must reach out to cold contacts, reach out to people with the job title you want and ask if they are willing to do an informational interview.

Your best bet with cold contacts is to talk to people who have started their job within the last two years.

They will have a fresh perspective on the company and are more likely to take the time to help someone out.

But even then, trying to build a relationship from scratch takes time.

To get job referrals fast, you are going to need to reach deep into the network that you already have.

2. Connect with your current network on LinkedIn.

Your current network is bigger than you think.

Connect on LinkedIn with former and current labmates, classmates, workmates, teammates… connect with your family and friends.

Become a part of alumni groups for the universities you attended.

Reach out on LinkedIn to members of any professional groups you belong to.

Connect with the other PhDs in your alternative career mentor network.

The beauty of LinkedIn is that once you are connected with someone, you are now also connected with their entire network.

As you add more people to your connections on LinkedIn, your network will grow exponentially.

This larger network will give you access to people at more companies, and hopefully access to someone who works at your target company.

Professor of Computer Science Reads Lecture to a Classroom Full of Multi Ethnic Students. Teacher Holds Laptop with Deep Learning, Artificial Intelligence Infographics on the Screen.

3. Target employees at the company where you want a job.

Once you have expanded your online network, decide where you want to get a job.

Do an Internet search of the geographical location where you want to work and the type of company where you want to work.

Not sure what industry career would suit you? These alternative careers for PhDs might give you some inspiration.

Maybe you want to work in Seattle for an engineering firm, or in London for a publishing house.

(If a job in life science is your goal, start by looking at these top 4 life science career clusters for PhDs.)

Whatever you decide, search that location and company on LinkedIn.

It will show any 1st or 2nd degree connections you have at that company.

These connections represent people that are already in your network.

They know you or they know someone you know.

This gives you instant credibility that you do not have with cold connections.

The next step is to re-establish your relationship with your valuable connections.

Remember, a valuable connection is not defined as someone with a high-level position, but rather, as a person who works at or is connected to your target company.

4. Provide value.

Always follow the cardinal rule of networking.

Give before you ask.

This is true whether the connection you are reaching out to is an old friend, or an acquaintance you met at a conference last year.

Break the ice and add value by giving them a compliment on a recent achievement, or send them an article you think they would like.

Do not ask for anything in this first message.

The length of your first message is important. The less time you have known someone, the shorter your message should be.

Be succinct and be useful.

Another great way to add value is to introduce two of your connections to each other. For this to work, there needs to be an authentic reason for the introduction.

But, as you know, your network is one of your most valuable assets. By adding a new connection to someone’s network, you are truly adding value.

5. Politely request the referral.

Once you’ve taken the time to cultivate a relationship, you’re ready to take the leap and ask for a referral.

But, before you make the request, ask yourself: Did I add value to this person’s life? Did I establish a genuine connection with them?

If your answer is yes to both of these questions, don’t hesitate to ask for a referral.

Of course, be polite and respect their situation, but do not feel guilty about asking.

Employees are often given large incentives to refer job candidates.

The New York Times reported that large companies like Ernst & Young, Deloitte, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car offer cash incentives, as well as TVs and iPads, for employees who refer new hires.

With a job referral, everybody wins.

You are 40% more likely to be hired, the person who referred you will probably receive a nice bonus, and the company can rest assured that they have hired someone who will not quit any time soon.

The last thing you must remember, whether you get the job or not, is to send a thank-you note to the person who referred you.

This person took an extra step for you, and perhaps that step helped you get a new job.

Take the time to send this person a personalized thank-you note or thank them in another meaningful way.

A job referral doubles your chances of getting an interview and increases the likelihood you will be hired by 40%. So how do you tap into these benefits and get job referrals? By investing in your professional network. Your current network is bigger and more powerful than you think, you just need to leverage it in the right way to get job referrals fast. Add value to those people in your network and create genuine connections with them. This will create opportunities where you can request referrals. PhDs are great candidates for top industry positions, and job referrals will make sure your resume gets noticed.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.

Book a Transition Call
Get Free Job Search Content Weekly

ABOUT JEANETTE MCCONNELL, PHD

Jeanette is a chemistry PhD turned science communication enthusiast. During her PhD she realized that her favorite part about research wasn’t actually doing research, but rather talking and writing about it. So, she has channeled her passion for discovery into teaching and writing about science. When she isn’t talking someone’s ear off about her latest scientific obsession, you’ll find her on the soccer field or reading a good sci-fi novel.

Jeanette McConnell, PhD

Here's What Others Are Saying

"I picked the Planet job! It ended up being the better fit for me... Thanks for all of your help!"

Emily Martin

Emily Martin

Hardware Systems Engineer

at Planet

"I got a job offer from a pharma company, which I am going to accept..thank you for your amazing support!"

Gonzalo Rosso

Gonzalo Rosso

Formulation Scientist

at Coriolis Scientist

"The made an offer and I accepted it. I am excited and nervous to start a new job and leave academia!"

Valentina Dallacasagrande

Valentina Dallacasagrande

Sr. Scientific Advisor

at reVision Therapeutics, Inc.

"I'm happy to share that I will be starting a new position as MSL at Sanofi! I want to thank everyone that took the time to speak with me about their MSL experience and to help me land this position!"

John Crawford

John Crawford

MSL-Vaccines

at Sanofi

"Good news...I've secured a job! Thank you for your support during the job search process and for giving me the courage to transition from academia to industry."

Marlyn Brookins

Marlyn Brookins

Regulatory Submissions Coordinator

"I just accepted an offer for a position at one of the top pharma companies...I can't tell you how relieved I feel, I'm very excited for what's to come!"

Nahed Jalloul

Nahed Jalloul

Computational Biologist

"I am thrilled to be starting my position as a Scientist at bioMeriuex! I will be joining the device validation team to bring #invitrodiagnostics to the market!"

Alec Vallota-Eastman

Alec Vallota-Eastman

Scientist

at bioMeriuex

"I'm happy to share that I'm starting a new position as Founder at Relearning Earning!""

James Wadsworth

James Wadsworth

Founder

at Relearning Earning

"I landed a dream job as a revenue management analyst at british airways."

James Washak

James Washak

Revenue Management Analyst

at British Airways

"Thank you so much for all the help. I got so much help and inspiration by joining Cheeky!"

Hasala Lokupitiya

Hasala Lokupitiya

Senior Polymer Scientist

at Lyten

"One thing I feel I did great was joining the association as a Diamond member. Modules and Classes helped me to prepare ahead of the search- to do and to go right. The other useful thing was the accountability forum....your classes and modules really helped me to believe in myself and have confidence in myself. I value myself as a PhD. I gave a shot for a senior scientist position, and got one!"

Nabina Paudyal

Nabina Paudyal

Senior Computational Scientist

at Colossal Biosciences

"After being unexpectedly laid off in October, the journey to this moment was not straightforward. It was a period filled with uncertainty, but also growth, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose. I dedicated myself to learning and exploring new opportunities, which has led me to this incredible new role I just got hired into."

Chris Ewing, Ph.D.

Chris Ewing, Ph.D.

"I am BEYOND ECSTATIC to finally say I am starting a new position as Patent Examiner in Biomedical Engineering at USPTO!"

Jo Ramos

Jo Ramos

Patent Examiner in Biomedical Engineering

at USPTO

"I’m happy to share that I started a new position as Medical Science Liaison at Ashfield this January, part of UDG Healthcare (now Inizio) supporting Avita Medical. Thank you to all my mentors, colleagues, and friends who have been incremental in making this dream possible for me.....It is an exciting space/time and I can’t wait for the future."

Mimi Borrelli

Mimi Borrelli

Medical Science Liaison

at Inizio

"Hi Isaiah, I got hired yesterday!....Thanks for all of your encouragement provided by way of your presentations."

Beverly Brereton

Beverly Brereton

Compliance Manager

at Enel North America

Similar Articles

Have A PhD And Over 40 Years Old? Better Do This

Have A PhD And Over 40 Years Old? Better Do This

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“Isaiah, I’ve got 15 years of experience, a PhD, and more publications than I can count, yet no one seems to want to hire me.  What am I doing wrong?”  I hear this from PhDs over the age of 40 who are struggling to get their foot in the door, and the truth is, your age and experience may be working against you in today’s job market.  Employers, especially younger hiring managers, may see you as overqualified, set in your ways, or not as easily trainable as a younger candidate.  The unfortunate reality is that ageism is rampant in today’s…

Why PhDs Are Mentally Tough (& How They Use It To Get Hired)

Why PhDs Are Mentally Tough (& How They Use It To Get Hired)

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“Isaiah, I’m at my wit’s end.  I’ve applied to countless jobs, networked extensively, and still, nothing.  It feels like I’m just spinning my wheels.”  This is a sentiment I hear often from PhDs who are navigating the challenging waters of the job market.  The frustration and mental fatigue are real, especially when you’re used to achieving high levels of success in academia.  But let’s get one thing straight – you are not alone, and this is not the end.  It’s just a bump in the road.  Yes, the job search is grueling.  There’s no sugar-coating it.  But here’s the thing…

6 People to Ignore During Your PhD Job Search

6 People to Ignore During Your PhD Job Search

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

When I first began my industry job search, I didn’t know where to begin. Most of the people I asked for advice had none to offer.  Instead, they were adamant I was making a mistake by leaving academia.  I’d spent the last six years siloed in academia – I didn’t really know that many people who weren’t doing a postdoc or staying on to TA.  But I had heard some encouraging things from a few PhDs that had transitioned to industry.  I was really motivated to try and make the same move, even though I wasn’t sure how to start.…

Your Professional Brand Is Academia. 5 Questions To Change It

Your Professional Brand Is Academia. 5 Questions To Change It

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

What’s your professional brand?  As a researcher, my conclusions are based on proven facts and quantifiable results. The concept of something as subjective as brand or image had never felt particularly relevant to me.  I’d heard the question, of course. When you’ve been looking for a job for over a year, you’re bound to come across the idea.  But now, face to face with a recruiter who had turned me down for a job, I was really trying to come up with an intelligent answer.  “What’s my brand?” I asked. I guess feigning ignorance was one way to go.  “Yes,…

Don’t Ignore These 6 Powerful PhD Job Search Trends

Don’t Ignore These 6 Powerful PhD Job Search Trends

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

What does your job search strategy look like?  If you had to describe it in 2 or 3 sentences, what would you say?  I ask because, if you’re reading this, you’re in the market for a job. Working with PhDs for more than 10 years, I’ve learned one thing is true above all others: The right job strategy is what’s going to get you hired. That’s right: I’m saying that a concrete job search methodology is more important than anything else in your job search.  It’s more important than your skills, your degree, your personality – more important than you,…

A No-Excuses Look at Virtual Networking

A No-Excuses Look at Virtual Networking

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

A lot of PhDs ignore a crucial part of their job search – virtual networking. You may think that because you’re spending a lot of time going to conferences, attending lectures, setting up face-to-face meetings, and checking in with one or two connections when you need a reference or referral that you’ve established your professional network.  Virtual Networking Casts A Wider Net, Even After The Pandemic Nope, you’re networking by halves if you’re only networking in-person. I kept seeing a former colleague of mine at conferences really making the most out of his time networking in person. Everybody knew this…

A Pitch-Perfect Elevator Script For PhDs In Industry

A Pitch-Perfect Elevator Script For PhDs In Industry

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

I had heard of the term “elevator script” before my first industry interview.  Was I sure what it meant? No. But I got the gist of it: introduce yourself in a compelling way during an interview or networking session. Don’t annoy someone in an elevator. I dismissed the idea of learning more about it than that If I remember correctly, I told myself that it was nothing more than a remedial gimmick. One of those unnecessary “life hacks” that clueless people gobble up to calm their nerves before an interview.  Definitely not something a PhD graduate with a background in…

How To Get A Referral Without The Messy Emotions

How To Get A Referral Without The Messy Emotions

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Towards the end of my PhD, I felt like I was racing time. And time was winning. I was frantically trying to wrap up loose ends in my research, finish writing my thesis, all the while trying to find a job. I knew I wanted a job in industry. In fact, I knew exactly the job I wanted. I just didn’t know how to get there. I was sending my resume off into the abyss of the internet, but I wasn’t getting any replies. I couldn’t fathom what I was doing wrong. The whole thing felt pointless. Now, looking back…

5 Insider Rapport Building Tips (or, How To Make In Person Networking Non-Dreadful)

5 Insider Rapport Building Tips (or, How To Make In Person Networking Non-Dreadful)

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Like many PhDs, I’m an introvert. That means my tendency is to avoid face-to-face interactions at all costs. But when it came time to search for a job in industry, my introverted tactics weren’t working. I was reaching out to people online, even getting a few responses, but in the end, all my efforts fell flat. After months of this, I was right where I started – unemployed. Then, I started noticing what my colleagues were doing; the ones that were getting job referrals and interviews at least. They weren’t just reaching out to people online, they were also attending…

Our Members Get Hired At Top Industry Companies

Top Industry Career eBooks

63 Best Industry Positions For PhDs

63 Best Industry Positions For PhDs

Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Learn about the best 63 industry careers for PhDs (regardless of your academic background). In this eBook, you will gain insight into the most popular, highest-paying jobs for PhDs – all of which will allow you to do meaningful work AND get paid well for it.

Industry Resume Guide for PhDs

Industry Resume Guide for PhDs

Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Learn how to craft the perfect industry resume to attract employers. In this eBook for PhDs, you will get access to proven resume templates, learn how to structure your bullet points, and discover which keywords industry employers want to see most on PhD resumes.

AI & ATS Resume Filters

AI & ATS Resume Filters

Isaiah Hankel, PhD

In today's competitive job market, understanding the impact of AI is crucial for career success. This involves ensuring your resume stands out in the digital realm, mastering your online presence, and being aware of how AI assigns reputation scores. Discovering how to leverage AI to your advantage is essential, as it plays a pivotal role in shaping professional opportunities.

Complete LinkedIn Guide For PhDs

Complete LinkedIn Guide For PhDs

Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Learn how to increase your LinkedIn visibility to employers by improving your SSI score and overall LinkedIn connections. In this ebook, you'll be given the tools you need to attract recruiters to you from LinkedIn Recruiter and drive employee referrals.