As @Kilisi said, I would rather ask your manager in person. Try something like
Hi. I am looking for referees for a job I'm applying for, since we did a good job together even thought the context was hard, I was hoping you could provide a reference ?
Don't talk like "I did a favour to you, now do the same for me" or he/she won't provide a reference (or not a good one...). If I'm the one asked for reference for a applicant (it has happened before), I say the truth. And the truth is, if you ask me a favour this way, I'll think you're not a nice person to work with.
manpreet![Tuteehub forum best answer]()
Best Answer
3 years ago
I work for several staffing/marketing agencies where I go to different retail stores to promote different products. One agency I have worked with for a while and have good report with them.
A few months ago, there was a bit of an exception where things didn't go smoothly and there was a bit of a miscommunication. Essentially one manager said I wasn't going to have a contract renewed, so I found other work, but then they really badly needed me back so I agreed to work a modified schedule.
Anyway, the details of the story aren't the important part. A new contract recently came up which I would really like (and am qualified for). I would like to contact the manager I had worked with previously and ask if she could put in a good word for me. I would like to point out the fact that I had helped them out in the past by effectively working 2 full time jobs when they couldn't fill the contract renewal with a different person.
How can I phrase such a request? I don't want to come off as sounding like I'm threatening them.
Something like