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What to Do If Your Referee Doesn't Respond

Sometimes referees are busy or do not check their email. Here is what to do if you have not heard back.

What to Do If Your Referee Doesn't Respond

Sometimes referees are busy or do not check their email. Here is what to do if you have not heard back.

Step 1: Wait a few days

A polite week is usually enough. Many people only check work email a few times a week.

Step 2: Send a polite follow-up

Call, text, or message them on Facebook:

"Hi [name], just checking in — I sent you a verification request from Cirrus a few days ago. The email is from cirrus or might be in spam. Could you please look when you have a minute? Thank you so much."

Step 3: Check the contact details

Before resending, double-check that you entered the correct email address and phone number for your referee. To review and fix their details:

  1. Sign in to the portal and open the Documents page.
  2. Tap the Employment Certificate with the pending verification.
  3. Tap Edit referee details.
  4. Update the details and tap Save.

Step 4: Resend the request from the portal

  1. Sign in to the portal.
  2. Open the Documents page.
  3. Tap the Employment Certificate with the pending verification.
  4. Tap Resend request.

This sends a fresh email and SMS to the same referee using the details you just confirmed.

  1. Sign in to the portal.
  2. Open the Documents page.
  3. Tap the Employment Certificate with the pending verification.
  4. Tap Resend request.

This sends a fresh email and SMS to the same referee.

Step 3: Check the contact details

If they still do not respond, double-check that you typed the right email and phone number. To fix the details:

  1. Tap the document card.
  2. Tap Edit referee details.
  3. Update and tap Save.
  4. Tap Resend request.

Step 5: Try a different referee

If the original referee will not respond at all, ask someone else from the same job:

  • Another supervisor.
  • A senior colleague.
  • The HR department, if it exists.

In the portal, tap Add another referee on the same Employment Certificate card.

Step 6: Use other proof

If no one from your old job is reachable, talk to your Cirrus contact. They can sometimes accept:

  • An old printed Employment Certificate.
  • Payslips or your BIR Form 2316.
  • SSS records showing your contributions while at that employer.
  • A bank statement showing your salary deposits.

Tip: Save copies of any old work documents you have at home — they can be very useful if a former employer is hard to reach.

What if the company is closed?

This is common. Even if the company is closed, an old colleague might still help. LinkedIn and Facebook are the best places to find them.

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