In the pack: ChatGPT, Claude & Gemini Prompts for Resumes, Cover Letters & Job Search
Ask a Former Colleague for a Referral
Prompt
The contact and our history (how we worked together, when, how close): {{CONTACT_HISTORY}}
The role I'm interested in (title, link or reference): {{TARGET_ROLE}}
Why I'm a good fit, in 2-3 points from my real experience: {{FIT_POINTS}}
Write:
1. A message of 100-150 words that reconnects naturally, names the specific role, asks whether they'd feel comfortable referring me, and makes it easy to say no ("no worries at all if it's not the right time").
2. A short "blurb" of 3-4 sentences they can paste straight into their internal referral form, written in neutral third person, using only my facts.
3. A version for a weaker connection (someone I met once or know through a group): ask for advice about the team rather than a referral.
4. A thank-you message for after they refer me, and a short update message for when I hear back, whatever the result.
Rules: don't overstate how well we know each other or claim they know my work if they don't.
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About this prompt
“Ask a Former Colleague for a Referral” is a free prompt for ChatGPT in the Writing & Creative category, 190 words long, added to The Prompt Index on October 28, 2026 by The Prompt Index. Copy it with the button above, paste it into ChatGPT or any other AI chat assistant, and send it.
It has 3 placeholders to fill in first:
{{CONTACT_HISTORY}}, {{TARGET_ROLE}}, {{FIT_POINTS}}.
Use the “Customize this prompt” fields to personalise it before you copy.
Recommended models: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini.
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