Referral programs are one of the most effective ways to hire and retain new talent. In fact, data shows that 30-50% of the best hires come from referrals. Plus, 70% of referred candidates tend to stay longer than those from other sources.
Referrals from employees work well because people do better when they know and trust their team members.
However, engaging employees for referrals requires balanced communication that is both professional and approachable. This is where well-structured employee referral email templates come in.
We’ve compiled our top 4 employee referral templates to help you streamline the process and attract great talents.
4 Employee referral email templates
Employee referral email templates are pre-written emails that simplify the process of asking current employees to recommend candidates for open jobs. These templates make the referral process easier and faster, so employees know exactly what to do and how to refer someone.
Referrals are a great way to find strong candidates because employees usually refer people who fit the company well. This approach also saves time and money, as it speeds up the hiring process and increases the chances of finding qualified candidates.
A well-structured employee referral email template includes:
- Clear subject line.
- Introduction to the referral program
- Position details
- Link to the job description
- Incentives and rewards
- Referral process instructions
- Call to action
- Contact information
Here are some templates to help inspire you when asking for your next employee referrals:
1. Employee referral program email template
After launching a referral program, an employee referral email template is a quick and effective way to introduce it to your team.
The email should follow your employee referral program policy and explain how the system works, what incentives are offered, and how they can participate by referring people from their network.
Here’s an example:
Hi [Name of the person],
We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Employee Referral Program! As a valued member of our team, you know what it takes to succeed at [Company Name], and our recruiting team would love your help in attracting more great talent.
Here’s how the program works:
1. How to Refer: If you know someone who would be a great fit for one of our open positions, simply refer them by [explain the process: filling out a form, sending an email, etc.].
2. What’s in It for You: For each successful referral, you’ll receive a referral bonus of [Bonus Amount] after the new hire completes [X months] of employment. It’s our way of thanking you for helping us build a stronger team.
3. Open Positions: We’re currently looking to fill the following roles:
[Job Title 1] – [Brief job requirements description]
[Job Title 2] – [Brief description]
[Link to Job Posting]
If you have any questions or need more information, don’t hesitate to reach out to [Contact Person or HR Department].
We truly appreciate your referrals and look forward to building an even stronger team together!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Department Name]
2. Employee referral bonus email template
Sending this email allows you to highlight the referral rewards employees can earn for referring candidates. Unlike other emails that introduce the overall referral program, this one focuses on the bonus incentives.
It’s meant to directly motivate employees by showing them exactly how they can benefit from referring someone.
It can look like this:
Hi [Name of the person],
We know you have great connections, and we want to reward you for referring them to us! With our Employee Referral Bonus Program, you’ll receive a bonus when your referral is hired.
Here’s how it works:
1. Bonus Amount: You’ll earn [Bonus Amount] once your referral completes [X months] with us.
2. How to Refer: Simply refer candidates by [explain steps, like filling out a form or emailing HR].
3. Open Positions: We’re currently hiring for:
[Job Title 1] – [Brief description]
[Job Title 2] – [Brief description]
[Link to Job Posting]
Thank you for your help!
Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Department Name]