How do I ask a former manager to be my reference?
You will learn how to politely ask a past boss to speak well of you to a new job.
A reference is someone who tells a new job you did good work.
It is okay to ask. Most people are glad to help.
Ask kindly. Give them an easy way to say no.
ChatGPT can help you write a warm, simple message.
Try this
- Open ChatGPT.
- Tell it who you are asking and what job you did for them.
- Ask for a short, polite message asking them to be a reference.
- Add the job you are applying for, if you know it.
- Send it and thank them either way.
A message you can copy
Please write a short, polite message asking [name], my old manager, to be a reference. I worked for them as [your job]. I am applying for [new job].
Paste it into ChatGPT, then change the words in brackets to fit you. It opens in a new tab, so you will not lose this page.
Buddy says
Give them a little time. Ask a week or two before you need them.