Are you trying to mention a referral in an email without saying “I was referred to you by”? Maybe you’re in doubt about whether the phrase is actually suitable to use.
If so, we’re here to show you another way to say “I was referred to you by” in an email.
Is It Professional to Say “I Was Referred to You By”?
You can say “I was referred to you by” in professional settings. You can use it to let someone know how you heard about them.
It’s a good choice if you want to sound polite and formal in an email when talking to someone for the first time. For instance, you may have been referred to a new company by a colleague.
Pros
- It is a professional phrase that works well in business emails.
- It’s an effective way to tell someone how you heard about them.
Cons
- The phrase isn’t creative.
- It is written in the passive voice.
So, “I was referred to you by” is a professional phrase that you can use to mention a referral. However, it’s not the most creative choice, so it’s time to look into a few alternatives. Then, you can mix things around when you next need to write “I was referred to you by” in a cover letter or email.
We’ve compiled a list of the 9 best alternatives to “I was referred to you by.” Keep reading to learn how to say you were referred by someone in an email.
What to Say Instead of “I Was Referred to You By”
- [Name] referred me to you
- [name] sent me
- I heard about the opening from
- I learned about this from
- [name] recommended you to me
- I was recommended to you
- I saw your name in
- I found out about your company in
- [name] told me about you
1. [Name] Referred Me to You
Be direct. Be upfront. Get to the point quickly. That’s what most people tell you when talking about being referred from elsewhere.
So, how do you get to the point as quickly as possible?
“[Name] referred me to you” is the best option. Generally, it allows you to tell a potential employer that someone you know referred you to them. It’s good to include something like this in a professional email.
This email example will help you understand more:
Dear Mr. Parker,
Sam referred me to you and told me you could fill me in. After all, I’m keen to learn more about your company.
All the best,
Adam White
2. [Name] Sent Me
Another direct alternative to “I was referred to you by” is “[name] sent me.” You should use it when you don’t want to say too much about the referee and want to open communication with the email recipient quickly.
It shows you how to say someone referred you for a job by “sending you” to a potential employer. You can start an email with it to let them know where you came from and why you might be interested.
This sample email will also help you understand it:
Dear Ms. Jetsam,
Charlotte sent me your way because she thinks you can help me. Can I ask you for a phone call?
Kind regards,
Danny Winters
3. I Heard About the Opening From
Of course, you might not have been directly referred by someone. Instead, they might have mentioned a new job role in a passing comment. So, something like “I heard about the opening from” is a good alternative in this context.
It shows you’re keen to learn more about something because you have heard about it previously. We recommend starting a job application email with it when you want to show interest.
Perhaps this email example will help you understand it:
Dear Mr. Smith,
I heard about the opening from a former colleague. I’d like to apply for this position, so I’ve attached my resume.
Yours,
Michelle Greene
4. I Learned About This From
“I learned about this from” is an indirect alternative that shows someone might have referred you (even if they didn’t realize it). Someone you know might have commented about a job role, and you decided to follow it up to learn more.
You should include it in a job application email when you want to tell someone how you found out about them. It’s a decent option if the recipient is interested in learning how people find out about their job adverts.
Here’s a quick email sample to show you how it works:
Dear Mr. Briggs,
I learned about this from a friend, and I’d like to find out more from you. Have you got any more information?
Kind regards,
Ben Walker
5. [Name] Recommended You to Me
You’ll always stand out above other applications if you can name-drop when someone refers you. So, “[name] recommended you to me” is a great name-drop synonym.
It’s a great example of how to introduce yourself once you’re referred. Most employers will be grateful to learn where you came from and how you heard about them.
You can refer to the following sample email to help you:
Dear Mrs. Jeffries,
Paul recommended you to me. I am reaching out to find out if you still have anything positive to share.
Best wishes,
Sam Tayler
6. I Was Recommended to You
Although we don’t always encourage writing in the passive voice, there are still times when it makes sense. Replacing “I was referred to you by” with “I was recommended to you” can still work well in business emails.
You should use it when you are unfamiliar with the person you’re emailing. You might only have a few ideas about them, and this phrase is a good way to show that you don’t know much. It also lets the recipient know you’d like to learn more.
For example:
Dear Ms. Michaels,
I was recommended to you by a friend. I have also attached a document that will be of use to you.
All the best,
Jonathan Adams
7. I Saw Your Name In
Perhaps nobody you know referred you, though. It could be a thing instead of a person (like a job advert or a newspaper). That’s where “I saw your name in” comes into play.
It works if something referred you rather than someone. It shows you were reading about job adverts and came across one that piqued your interest. That way, the recipient can learn how you heard about them.
Here is an example to show you what to do with it:
Dear Mrs. Berther,
I saw your name in the newspaper and wanted to reach out. Could you share more information to help me?
All the best,
Chrissy Damm
8. I Found Out About Your Company In
Another great alternative that shows something referred you rather than a person is “I found out about your company in.” It shows you have been researching local job listings and found one that might appeal to you.
Most of the time, employers ask how you found out about them in questionnaires. So, saying “I found out about your company in” as an email opener is a great way to cut out the middle man and let them know quickly.
Also, check out the following email example to help you:
Dear Ms. Lamb,
I found out about your company in a local advert. So, I hope you consider me for the listed position.
Kind regards,
Frederik Anglais
9. [Name] Told Me About You
We certainly recommend using someone’s name if you find a way to do it naturally. So, “[name] told me about you” is a great way to introduce yourself through a referral.
You can use it in a business email to say hey to someone. Incidentally, it’s also quite casual, so it works well in more informal emails as well if you know that you’re talking to a more casual company.
Perhaps this example will help you with it if you’re still unsure:
Dear Mr. Kirk,
George told me about you. He also said you might have some information to help me with this.
Best wishes,
Sarah Jessica