Earlier this week, we shared strategies to avoid four mistakes job seekers commonly make when asking for a referral. Today, we’re sharing information on ways you can ask for that referral — even when you don’t have a direct contact.

1. Need to get in touch with someone you know who knows someone associated with the job? Ask for the connection through LinkedIn. Ninety percent of recruiters using social media to find candidates use LinkedIn to do so, shouldn’t you use it to get recommended? Connect your LinkedIn account to StartWire and you can see your connections when you look at jobs –simply click “get referrals” and customize a personal postcard to be sent to your connections.
2. Wave hello using social media. At StartWire, we’ve conducted over 25 interviews with senior recruiting leaders at Global organizations. One of the most common themes? Employers are interested in getting to know candidates via social media.  Say hello on a Facebook company wall or through an @reply Tweet on Twitter and the employer has an impetus to get back to you. After all, you’ve just sent a public expression of interest – and it’s always polite to reply. Smile. You just shifted the balance of power in the hiring equation towards you.
3. Go retro: Contact the hiring manager.  Many organizations list jobs through their HR department. The HR department often makes the first review at applications.If you know who your boss would be — or can figure out who it might be — don’t be afraid to give them a quick call and let them know you’ve applied. A great way to do this? Do it at night — after everyone’s gone home. Leave a voice message saying, “Hi, this is _________. Wanted to let you know I’ve applied for ______ job. I have ___ years of related experience and am interested in joining in your team. You can reach me at ______ but I’ve completed my application with your HR department.”

   Sometimes this act alone is enough to move you to the top of the pile — when the hiring manager says, “What about that guy.”

A final note: Apply for the job and follow-up – even if you have a referral.Here’s a secret not often shared: Employers can’t call you a candidate until you’ve submitted a formal application. If you get referred in, but haven’t formally applied – many HR offices may delay or hold up the process – until the paperwork is submitted. So go ahead and apply for the job, even if you’re assured it’s “just a formality.”

Make yourself easy to hire, and it will be easier for everyone to recommend you – and extend an offer.

This week we’re focusing on Habit #3 of our series on the “Five Habits of Effective Job Seekers”: They get referred.

As we mentioned yesterday, a referral can increase your chances of getting hired by up to 300% – that’s an easy way to increase your odds of having a shorter job search. You’re also more likely to have a happier landing: On average, people who are referred for positions through employee referral programs stay longer in the job once they are hired – in fact they are 3.5 times less likely to be terminated.

Just as you can exponentially increase your chances of getting a job with a referral, you can kill your chances if you play your cards wrong. Here are four common mistakes job seekers make when asking for a referral – and how to avoid them.

1.    Asking someone you don’t know to refer you – without introducing yourself or establishing common ground.

Ever gotten a message that says “Because you are a person I trust, I’d like to add you to my LinkedIn network” from a person you’ve never met?

Don’t ask to be referred into any job this way: it will likely only result in a weak recommendation. Many years ago, a private citizen asked U.S. President ______________ if he could recommend him. The result, a short letter that essentially said nothing at all: “I recommend this young man for whatever job YOU think he is qualified for.”

A better approach? Express interest in the other person. Get to know them. Share interests. Ask later – when you have a relationship.

2.    Not letting a referral know you are using their name. Many job applications have a referral box you can select if you have an inside connection.

If you check the box but don’t let your connection know you’ve applied, they may be caught off guard – and may not be able to speak to your strengths.  They may also be annoyed with you for not sharing information.

Bottom line: Tell anyone who has offered to help you in a job search that you’ve applied – before you give their name out as a referral and point of contact.

3.    Not educating the person who’s offered to help you.

While getting a referral can help ensure your resume gets read, it doesn’t guarantee you’ll make the interview list. If someone’s offered to vouch for you by serving as a referral, make sure they have a copy of your most recent resume – and know why you’d be a good fit for the job you’ve applied for.

4.    Asking for a referral from someone who would not recommend you.

Never list anyone as a source of referral if you’re unsure as to whether they would actually recommend you.

As the late Ambassador – and founder of TV Guide – Walter Annenberg once said, “It’s not who you know…it’s who knows you back that matters.”