Reference Request Kit Skill

A reference is a performance by someone else on your behalf — and performers do better with a script. This skill picks the right referees, makes the ask easy to say yes to, and (the step everyone skips) briefs them so the reference is specific instead of warmly vague.

What This Skill Produces

• The referee shortlist — who, for which claim, with the risk notes (the lukewarm reference is worse than none)
• Ask messages — tailored per relationship, each with an easy out
• The briefing sheet — one page per referee: the role, the two stories to tell, the numbers to cite
• Logistics — timing, the heads-up-per-use rule, and the LinkedIn swap

Required Inputs

Ask for these if not provided:

• The circumstances — layoff, resignation, complicated exit (this shapes who's safe to ask)
• Candidate referees — names, roles, relationship, and honestly: how warm is each?
• The target roles — references are chosen per claim the next job needs proven
• The stories — 2–3 achievements each referee actually witnessed (a referee can't cite what they never saw)