How do I ask for a reference?

Contact the person directly, remind them of your working relationship, explain what the reference is for, and give them time to prepare.

What should a reference request include?

Your relationship to the referee, the position you're pursuing, why you chose them, and any specific points you'd like them to address.

When should I send a reference request?

At least 2-3 weeks before the reference is needed. Give your referee enough time to prepare a thoughtful response.

Professional

Reference Request Generator

Ask for references politely and professionally. Powered by AI — get a professional, ready-to-send letter in under 30 seconds.

ProfessionalWarmFormal

First letter free — no signup, no credit card

Select letter type

Ask for references politely and professionally

Your Name

Referee Name

Your Relationship

What It's For

Output Language

Select tone

Fill in your Reference Request details on the left

Your polished letter will appear here in about 30 seconds

Example output

[Date]

Dear [Recipient's Name],

I am writing to you regarding [your specific situation].

[The AI personalises this section using the details you fill in on the left — every letter is unique to your situation.]

[Additional context and supporting details get woven naturally throughout.]

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

What you'll need

Fill in these details and our AI will craft your reference request instantly:

Your Name
Referee Name
Your Relationship
What It's For

How it works

1Fill in the details about your reference request
2Choose your preferred tone: Professional, Warm, Formal
3Click generate and get your professional letter in seconds
4Copy, download as PDF, or regenerate as needed

Reference Request Generator

What you'll need

How it works

Frequently asked: Reference Request

Reference Request Generator

What you'll need

How it works

Frequently asked: Reference Request