How Do I Request Job References from an Organization Where I Know No One?

How to Ask for Job References

How can I ask for job references for employees when I don't know anyone in that particular organization? Can I send an email as well? Please help me by providing sample draft letters or suitable guidelines to follow. Thank you.

To verify the background of your employee, you don't need to know anyone in that company, and it is also not something you need to hide from the concerned employee. Ask the concerned employee to furnish details of their previous employers and also provide contact details of previous HR. You can also get these details from the previous appointment letter of your employee. Get details of the concerned HR Manager and write an email to them to verify the details. You can verify the following: his tenure in the company, his designation at the time of joining and at the time of leaving, his last CTC, and a brief about his relationship with his seniors.

Thank you for the update. I am interested in applying for a job, and for that, I require a reference from any employee working there. Could you kindly provide guidance on this matter?

Regards,
Bobby

As you seem to be having a problem expressing your requirements, I will try to interpret them. Please let me know if I am mistaken. You are seeking a job in an organization where you do not have any connections. You wish to send a general letter requesting their assistance in securing a job. The organization tends to view applications from individuals recommended by current employees favorably.

Regards,

Dear Simhan, exactly the same. I would require the general letters for seeking their help in getting a job. Please do the needful.

Regards,
Bobby.

Recommendation Dilemma

Do you think anyone will be willing to recommend you when they do not know you, as their reputation will be at stake? If I were in their position, I would not recommend anyone that I did not know personally.

In addition to what has been contributed by Mr. Sanjeev Himachali and Simhan, please consider my suggestions:

- Share the soft copy of the documents as given by the employee. Seek validation on those documents.
- While asking for feedback from the superior, seek factual responses rather than open-ended ones.
- Never consider any emotional responses. For example, if the employee used to breed negative feelings, seek incident-oriented feedback and avoid generalizations.
- Past records, such as performance rankings or grades, might never be shared. Look for data such as the incremental increase in salary through the documents shared with you.

Here's an article which might help you to think further, please consider reading it: [Objectivity in reference checks a twin-edged sword](https://www.citeman.com/15248-objectivity-in-reference-checks-a-twin-edged-sword.html)

Regards,
Cite Contribution

I stand corrected; my suggestions, made in my reply, were applicable for the talent acquisition team and not a job applicant. Your situation requires a different approach. I suggest you avail of the referral program run by most firms. This program allows an employee to refer a friend. You need to connect with an employee good enough to be referred. A formal communication through a letter may not result in the same. Try to find a connection through your professional network or your friends to be able to request this.
Regards.