SBS Learn English 에피소드 91: 잡 추천서 요청하기 (중급)

SBS Australia

27-07-2025

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Learning notes Lesson learning objective: Learn polite ways to request a job reference from managers or colleagues.
Different phrases you can use when asking for a job reference:
Could I list you as a reference on my job application?
Would you mind being a reference for me?
I wanted to ask if you would feel comfortable providing a reference for me?
I was wondering if you would be willing to serve as a referee for me?
Can I use your name as a reference?
I'd really appreciate it if you could put in a good word for me. Would it be okay if I passed on your mobile number?
Could you pass on my resumé to the hiring manager?
If possible, please mention my ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
I'd appreciate it if you could talk about my communication skills.
It would be very helpful if you could focus on my experience with client relations.
Practise speaking dialogue from this episode:
SBS English
22/07/2025 02:54 English To toot your own horn , or to blow your own trumpet , means to talk proudly about yourself and your achievements. To job hunt is to look for a new job. To touch base with someone means to check in with them and see how they are doing. To put in a good word for someone means to say positive things about them to help them get a job or some sort of opportunity. To pass on means to give or share information with someone else. A job referee in the context of applying for a job is a person who can speak about your work experience, skills, and character when you apply for a job. A reference is the opinion that a referee offers about your suitability for a job. To fix up means to make something is properly done and up to date. We say feel free when we give someone permission to do something. In the context of this episode, highlight means to focus on or talk more about something important — like your skills, experience, or strengths. Asking someone to do something for you can be complicated, especially if they are your boss or someone you don't know very well. Knowing how to strike the right balance between being polite and being friendly can be particularly confusing in Australia, where people often use informal language even at work. It can also be a little hard to know just how willing people are to do what you are asking, that is, whether it is a 'little' ask (something they are very happy to do) or a 'big ask' (something that may be difficult or time consuming for them to do).
Often the 'bigger' the ask, the more polite we have to be. In the text we see a range of different ways of asking. Notice that the verb form changes according to the request phrase that you use:
Could I list you as a referee (could + I/ You + verb)
Would you it okay if I / you passed on (would it be ok if + I/you + verb + ed)
Can you put in a good word for me (can + you + verb)
These are simple ways of asking someone you know well to do something 'little':
Would you mind being a referee for me? (would + you + mind + verb + ing)
This is a little more formal:
I wanted to ask if you would feel comfortable providing a reference for me?
(I + wanted + to ask if + you + would + be comfortable with/ be able to…)
I was wondering if you would be willing to serve as a referee for me. (I + was wondering if + you + would + be willing to …..)
These requests are more formal and acknowledge that the request might be a 'bigger' ask. Notice that the phrases used to introduce the request are in the past tense and therefore more polite:
I'd really appreciate it if you could ………. (I + would + really appreciate it if + you + could) This is another more formal and polite way of asking someone to do something, but is a little more insistent and implies that the person you are asking is likely to agree. Sign up for previews, updates and to provide feedback. A big thank you to our guests Vidya Griffin and Kate Onomichi. Paul Nicholson and Lily O'Sullivan voiced the characters of Allan and Claire, and Professor Lynda Yates was our educational consultant. 상단의 오디오를 재생하시면 다시 들으실 수 있습니다. 호주 공영방송 SBS(Special Broadcasting Service) 한국어 프로그램의 페이스북 과 인스타그램 을 팔로우하세요. 구글플레이 와 애플 앱스토어 에서 SBS Audio 앱을 다운로드할 수 있습니다. 매일 방송되는 한국어 프로그램 전체 다시듣기를 선택하시려면 이곳 을 클릭하세요. SBS 한국어 프로그램 팟캐스트는 여기 에서 찾으실 수 있습니다.