Asking for a Reference After a Layoff
Two short emails: one to a former manager, one to a colleague or peer. Both make it easy to say yes and easy to say no.
Written by Deepak Updated September 2026
Immigrant with nearly 20 years of U.S. experience Reviewed against official guidance
How do I ask for a reference after a layoff?
Ask early, ask specifically, and make declining easy. Name the kind of role you are going for, mention one thing you would like them to speak to, and say how and when they might be contacted. A layoff is a business decision, so there is nothing awkward to explain.
Ask two or three people so no one carries every call. Then, each time you share a reference's details with an employer, send them a two-line heads-up.
- Estimated time
- 5 minutes per email · ask within the first two weeks
- Cost / impact
- Free
- What you need
- The roles you are targeting and one project you worked on together
Template 1 — to a former manager
Send from a personal email address. If your severance agreement mentions references, read that clause first; if HR only confirms dates and title, ask whether your manager can speak in a personal capacity.
Template 1 — reference request to a former manager
Subject: Would you be willing to be a reference? Hi [Name], I hope things have settled a little on the team since the restructure. I'm now looking for [target role] positions, and I wanted to ask whether you'd be comfortable being a reference for me. If yes, the things I'd most value you speaking to are [project or result] and [skill or way of working]. Employers would usually contact you by [email / phone] over the next [few weeks / couple of months], and I'll always let you know before I share your details. Completely fine if the timing doesn't work or if company policy makes it difficult — I'd rather know now than put you in an awkward spot. Either way, thank you for everything on [team]. My personal contact details are below. Best, [Your name] [Personal email] · [Phone]
Template 2 — to a colleague or cross-functional partner
Peers who worked with you closely can speak to how you actually work. This version also asks for a LinkedIn recommendation, which costs them ten minutes once and helps every application.
Template 2 — reference and LinkedIn recommendation from a colleague
Subject: A small favour — reference / LinkedIn Hi [Name], As you may have heard, my role was one of the ones cut in [month]. I'm now looking for [target role] positions and building a short list of references. Given how closely we worked on [shared project], would you be open to either of the following? 1. Being a reference — a short call or email with a prospective employer, probably over the next [timeframe]. I'd always give you notice first. 2. A brief LinkedIn recommendation — two or three lines on [what you'd like them to mention] is plenty. Happy to draft something you can edit if that helps. No pressure at all on either; a "not right now" is a perfectly good answer. Thanks, and I hope we get to work together again. [Your name] [Personal email] · [Phone] · [LinkedIn URL]
Follow-up — the two-line heads-up before an employer calls
Subject: Heads-up — reference call from [Company] Hi [Name], quick note: I've listed you as a reference for a [role] position at [Company]. [Recruiter / hiring manager name] may reach out by [email / phone] in the next [week or so]. The role is mainly [one line on the job], so anything on [relevant project or skill] would be gold. Thank you again!
What to include so they can say yes quickly
- The role or type of role you are targeting, in one line.
- One or two specific things you would like them to speak to (a project, a result, a skill).
- How they would be contacted (email or phone) and the likely timeframe.
- A clear, easy way to say no or 'not right now'.
- Your current contact details, since your work email is gone.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ask my former manager for a reference after being laid off?+
What if the company only confirms dates and title?+
Should I ask for a reference before or after I have an interview?+
What should I include in a reference request?+
How many references do I need?+
Is a LinkedIn recommendation the same as a reference?+
Asking for a referral instead?
A referral is a different ask: a contact at a company you are applying to puts your name forward internally. That template lives with the recruiter and referral messages. Keep every application and contact in one place with the Job Application Tracker.
Educational only. If your severance agreement includes terms about references or non-disparagement, read them before you ask, and check with an attorney if anything is unclear.
Put a number on itJob Application Tracker After LayoffKeep every application, contact and follow-up in one place.Open the Job Application TrackerRelated resources
Educational content only. LayoffNext does not provide legal, financial, tax, insurance, employment, immigration, unemployment, investment, or mental health advice. Always consult a licensed professional or official government source for guidance specific to your situation.
Deepak Middha is the founder of LayoffNext and a Chartered Accountant (ICAI, India). A U.S. immigrant with nearly 20 years of experience — and 17 years in hedge fund and private equity administration, including as Vice President of Fund Accounting at NAV Fund Administration Group and Associate Director of Private Equity and Real Estate at SS&C Technologies — he builds free, plain-language layoff tools and guides for employees, H-1B workers, and immigrant families.
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