What the “Five‑Sentence Referral Email” Is and Why It Works
- Career expert Sho Dewan describes a simple, powerful 5-sentence email that’s very effective for asking someone at a company for a referral. (Forbes)
- The structure is clear, respectful, and low-effort for the person you’re asking — which increases the chance they’ll say yes. (Forbes)
- It also builds rapport (showing that you’ve done your homework) before making the ask, rather than jumping straight to “can you refer me.”
The Five Sentences (Template)
Here’s how to structure your email, based on the Forbes advice: (Forbes)
- Genuine Compliment / Connection
“I was really impressed with your recent work on [Project or Team] at [Company].” (Forbes) - Shared Background or Interest
“As a fellow [role / function / interest], I’ve followed your career and admired how you’ve grown.” (Forbes) - Explain Why You’re Reaching Out
“I’m currently exploring [job type / role] opportunities, and I saw a [job title] position at your company.” (Forbes) - Give Them an Easy Out
“I know you’re busy, so if you’re not up for helping, I totally understand.” (Forbes) - Call to Action (Low Pressure)
“If you’re free, would you be open to a 15-minute call, or could you forward my resume to the right person? Thank you so much.” (Forbes)
Putting it all together (email):
Subject: Following your work at [Company Name]
Hi [Name],
I was really impressed with your recent work on the [Project] launch at [Company]. As a fellow [Your Role] who’s passionate about [Shared Interest], I’ve followed your career and admired how you’ve grown. I’m currently exploring roles in the [Job Title] space, and the [Job Title] position at your company caught my eye. I know you’re busy, so if you’re not up for helping, I totally understand. If you are free, would you be open to a brief call (15 minutes) or forwarding my resume to the right person? Thank you so much.
Best,
[Your Name]
Why This Email Is Effective
- Short & Respectful: It doesn’t demand a lot of time or favor — just a small ask.
- Personalization: Mentions what you admire about their work, which helps you stand out. (Forbes)
- Low Pressure: You explicitly acknowledge they might be busy, which reduces the risk for them. (Forbes)
- Clear Next Step: You suggest a simple “call” or “forward resume,” rather than something vague like “help me out.”
Additional Tips & Best Practices
- Make sure you actually know what they’re working on — the compliment must feel real, not generic. (LinkedIn)
- Attach or include your resume or LinkedIn profile so it’s easy for them to refer you. (Indeed)
- Be ready to follow up politely if you don’t hear back within a week or so. (Indeed)
- If possible, find someone who has been at the company for a few years, or is in a role similar to the one you’re applying for — they’ll be more credible as a referrer. (Forbes)
- Good question. Here are some case‑studies + commentary on the “five‑sentence email” strategy (from Sho Dewan, Forbes) to get a referral — why it works, how people actually use it, and risks / best practices.
Case Studies: The 5-Sentence Referral Email in Action
Case Study 1: Sho Dewan’s Formula (Forbes)
- Career expert Sho Dewan lays out a precise, 5-sentence email that removes fluff and makes it easy for someone to refer you. (Forbes)
- Key structure:
- Compliment / acknowledge something specific they did. (Forbes)
- Highlight a shared background or interest. (Forbes)
- Make the ask: mention the job you’re exploring. (Forbes)
- Give them an out — recognizing they may be busy. (Forbes)
- Clear call to action: propose a 15-minute call or ask if they can forward your resume. (Forbes)
- This “template” helps you appear considerate, professional, and low‑risk — which increases the likelihood someone will respond positively. (Forbes)
Case Study 2: Real-World Referral Practice (Dan Svorcan)
- On LinkedIn, Dan Svorcan (software engineer) shared a very similar, short referral request message that helped him and his cofounder land roles at Google, LinkedIn, and Microsoft. (LinkedIn)
- His approach:
- His success shows that the “short, direct, and respectful” approach works in very competitive, high-tech hiring scenarios.
Commentary: Why This Approach Works, and When It Might Not
Why It Works Well:
- Reduces Friction for the Referrer
- By keeping the email very short and giving the person an easy “no,” you make it psychologically safer for them to help. (Forbes)
- Suggesting a simple call or just forwarding your resume is low-lift, which makes it more likely they’ll say yes.
- Shows Thoughtfulness & Research
- Starting with a genuine compliment or reference to their work proves you didn’t just copy‑paste a generic email. (Forbes)
- That personalization helps you stand out and builds rapport — you’re not just another random job seeker.
- Leverages the Power of Referrals
- As Jack Kelly explains, referred candidates often have much higher odds of being hired — because their resume comes with a built-in “halo effect.” (Forbes)
- By securing a referral, you’re tapping into one of the strongest signals hiring teams trust.
Risks / Challenges:
- Identifying the Right Contact: The strategy only works if you send the email to someone relevant (e.g., someone in the role or team, or a more junior employee who is likely to refer). Dewan emphasizes this first. (Forbes)
- Tone Risk: If done badly, a “referral ask” can feel transactional or pushy. The 5-sentence format helps, but if your tone’s off, it will backfire.
- No Response / Ghosting: Because people are busy, even smart, polite asks might not get answered. You should be prepared to follow up politely (or accept no).
- Attachment Risk: Some referrers may not want to download or forward attachments. It helps to have a clean, one-page resume or link to your LinkedIn.
Strategic Insight: When to Use This Email & How to Maximize It
- Best When You Have a Minimal Relationship: This works really well for people you don’t know very well — alumni, past coworkers, or even “strangers” on LinkedIn whose work you admire.
- Combine with Networking: Use this email after a short intro call, event, or connection. If you’ve already spoken to someone, it feels less cold.
- Be Ready to Follow Up: If there’s no response in a week, a polite follow-up (restating the ask, lightly) can help — but don’t overdo it.
- Pay It Forward: Once you’re in a role, return the favor. Referring others increases goodwill and reputation — and you never know when people might refer you again.